Popular Drugs, Their Effects, and Substance-Related Disorders
By Chris
Introduction
With the assumed success of the mood disorders guide, I figured it a good idea to write something on a subject more of the people on this site can relate to. In the guide, I’ll be using information primarily from the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Text Revision, other sites I feel are truthful and trustworthy (such as Erowid), and my own personal knowledge on the subject. I’ll cite where necessary.
As with the other one, when I list the disorders and their symptoms, in no way does that take the place of talking to a medical professional. Also, nowhere in this guide will I promote drug use, nor do I promote it in making the guide. I believe this information is some of the most important information any teen can get. Most kids hear it from the wrong sources, however; their peers. Although I’m a peer of yours, I’m directly citing the known medical literature on the subject (as well as organizations dedicated to giving people truthful information on the subject), which is held to high esteem and validity. Drugs can be very dangerous if misused, and although we can never stop teens from using drugs completely, we can arm them with information that will allow them to make rational decisions with a backing in scientific fact. In the guide I’ll only list the most popular drugs, for the sake of time and relevance. The drugs I’ll be covering are alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, opiates, and inhalants. I feel these are the most commonly encountered drugs today, being that I was once a high schooler too. I’ll also be covering substance-related disorders.
You may not agree with some of the things in this section (I’m expecting some backlash with the marijuana section), but take it as it is. You can post suggestions, but don’t attack me. I will chime in with some opinion (in the guide itself), but this isn’t a debate thread.
I hope you all get a lot out of this guide, and hope that you will always make the right decision, and try your best to stay away from these drugs (though you probably won't listen to me).
Substance Use Disorders
Substance Dependence
Substance dependence can be a complicated topic to explain, but I'm going to try to put it in the simplest terms. According to the DSM-IV-TR, there "is a pattern of repeated self-adminstration that can result in tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug-taking behavior" (DSM-IV-TR, pp. 192). Craving the substance is a very prominent feature of dependence to a lot of the substances out there. Withdrawal symptoms are also not present in all substances, such as hallucinogens. To sum it all up for you guys, here is a direct quote from the big orange book of psychological knowledge. These are all the criteria for substance abuse:
DSM-IV-TR wrote:
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
(1) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
[INDENT](a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
(b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance[/INDENT]
(2) withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
[INDENT](a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrom for the substance [...]
(b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms[/INDENT]
(3) the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
(4) there is persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use
(5) a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects
(6) important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
(7) the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition than an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption)
[and so on]
Substance Abuse
This one I will keep a bit shorter. Basically substance abuse is defined as being use of a drug when it hinders you from your obligations, you use it when it’s physically hazardous (like driving a car), you get into legal trouble, and you don’t stop even when you have problems with friends, family, coworkers, etc. having to do with the drug.
Substance Withdrawal
I skipped over substance intoxication, because we all know what that entails. Plus it’s very subjective drug to drug. Withdrawal is easy to understand. When you stop using a substance, you are ailed with a substance-specific syndrome (i.e., withdrawal symptoms) and it causes distress in social environments such as at home and at work.
All of the above, from the DSM-IV-TR, pp. 192-202.
Popular Drugs
Cannabis
Street Names: Marijuana, ganja, tree, pot, and many, many others
Class: Sedative, Stimulant, Hallucinogen
Legality: Schedule I Controlled Substance Federally, Decriminalized in a few states, Medical use permitted in several states
You all know what marijuana is. Marijuana’s plant name is Cannabis, and comes in three varieties; indica, sativa, and the more rare ruderalis. The plant produces aromatic, sticky, budding flowers which people remove from the plant, dry, and smoke to achieve a psychoactive effect. The main chemical in the plant, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), along with the anti-psychotic drug cannabidiol, produce the desired “high” that users get from the drug. Before entering the brain, inhibitory neurotransmitters are are active in the synaptic cleft, preventing dopamine from being released. Put simply, THC mimics a naturally occurring brain chemical called anandamide, which is responsible for allowing said dopamine to be released. When in the brain, THC binds to these cannabinoid receptors, causing dopamine to be released, producing the high. The high can be quite pleasant for a majority of users, leading them to use it again. These include:
Erowid.org wrote:
POSITIVE
-mood lift, euphoria
-laughter
-relaxation, stress reduction
-creative, philosophical, abstract, or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily
-increased appreciation or awareness of music; deeper connection to music; increased emotional impact of music
-increased awareness of senses (eating, drinking, smell)
-change in experience of muscle fatigue; pleasant body feel; increase in body/mind connection
-pain relief (headaches, cramps)
-reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
-boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny
NEUTRAL
-general change in consciousness
-increased appetite, snacky-ness
-slowness (slow driving, talking)
-change in vision, such as sharpened colors or lights
-closed-eye visuals (somewhat uncommon)
-tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
-stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
-blood-shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and --inexperienced users)
-mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
-interruption of linear memory; difficulty following a train of thought
-cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
-racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
-time sense altered (for example, cars seem like they are moving too fast); time dilation and compression are common at higher doses
NEGATIVE
-nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives
-coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
-difficulty with short-term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D'Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006)
-racing heart, agitation, feeling tense
-mild to severe anxiety
-panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)
-headaches
-dizziness, confusion
-lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure)
-paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
-possible psychological dependence on cannabis
-clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
-can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders
Depending on the quality, the color can range from a dark ugly green to bright neon-like green. Some people will tell you the smell is similar to a less pungent version of a skunk. Hence the nickname skunk. Although many who are proponents of marijuana’s legalization claim that marijuana is not a gateway drug..well...they’re almost correct. There has been evidence of a high rate of polysubstance abuse related to marijuana. Although the marijuana may not have caused the person to try the harder drug, there is a concurrence of marijuana use alongside harder drugs. The bottom line on this subject is, do what’s right for you. Know your body, and know what you want to get out of life before you resort to trying hard drugs.
Another touchy subject amongst the marijuana community is whether or not marijuana is addictive. According to the DSM-IV-TR and information from NORML, marijuana dependency is rare, about one in ten smokers will experience it. These users report the development of tolerance, a criterion for dependence, and withdrawal to certain degrees, another criterion. Most would say marijuana is more psychologically addictive, where the high is pleasurable, and the person wants to seek out that high again and again, causing them to spend much time and money seeking it, using it, and finding more money to purchase more.
Is marijuana smoke bad for you? Of course it is. Inhaling any burning plant matter is bad for you. Among other physical problems, according to the DSM:
DSM-IV-TR wrote:
Associated physical examination findings and general medical condition
Cannabis smoke is highly irritating to the nasopharnyx and bronchial lining and thus increases the risk for chronic cough and other signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal pathology. Chronic cannabis use is sometimes associated with weight gain, probably resulting from overeating and reduced physical activity. Sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis with persistent cough, emphysema, and pulmonary dysplasia may occur with chronic, heavy use. Marijuana smoke contains even larger amounts of known carcinogens than tobacco.
So there you have it, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. But these are the facts, these aren’t watered down with bias, this is how it is. I know many hold marijuana close to them, and I’m not asking you to stop, but just be careful. Be responsible. If there’s anything you would like to see added to this section, just send me a PM.
Alcohol
Street Names: It’s not a street drug, but it has some nicknames, like drank and liquid courage :p
Class: Sedative
Legality: In the U.S., it is legal to purchase, consume, store, and transport alcohol if you’re over 21. Some instances, like religious ceremonies, allow people under the age of 21 to consume it. Drinking ages vary from country to country.
I’m not going to spend too much time on this one. Alcohol, ethyl alcohol, is a very popular drug, and it also happens to be legal for most people. “Among adults in the United States, two-thirds to 90% have ever consumed alcohol....” (DSM-IV-TR, pp. 220). It can also be very dangerous, with overdose happening as a result of what is called binge drinking (although there is no consensus between countries that defines what binge drinking is, Moreira et. al. define it as five or more drinks in two hours for males, and 4 or more in two hours for females [Moreira, MT.; Smith, LA.; Foxcroft, D.; Moreira, Maria Teresa (2009)]).
Alcohol comes in many varieties an potencies. The main types are beer, wine, and liquor. Liquor is the strongest of the three, being more potent by volume than either beer or wine (for the most part). One drink of wine or beer is roughly equal to one shot of high proof liquor. This varies greatly, because the potencies of liquor, beer, and wine, vary a lot from brand to brand, and from type to type. That being said, it’s really hard to gauge how much of the chemical alcohol you’ve been taking in during a drinking session. Using your best intuition as to how much you can handle will definitely keep you safe if you choose to drink.
Short and sweet, when alcohol enters the brain it binds to GABA receptors to make them more inhibitory, and binds to glutamate receptors, preventing it from exciting the cell. Basically, it slows you down very, very well. That’s what makes it so pleasurable, and gives you the following effects:
Erowid.org wrote:
POSITIVE
-relaxation
-mood lift, happiness, giddiness
-talkativeness
-lowered inhibitions / reduced social anxiety
-analgesia (kills pain)
NEUTRAL
-slurred speech
-flushed skin
-drowsiness, sleepiness
-nystagmus, difficulty focusing eyes
-changed (often increased) response to sexual stimuli
-tolerance with repeated use within a few days
-changed aesthetic appreciation: normally beautiful things can seem ugly, things normally seen as ugly judged beautiful.
-"beer goggles" — others appear more attractiveref
mild visual distortions at high doses
NEGATIVE
(negative side effects increase with higher doses)
-decreased coordination
-nausea, vomiting (vomiting while unconscious can kill)
-reduced impulse control
-emotional volatility (anger, violence, sadness, etc)
-reduced ability to attain/maintain erection in most males
-increased difficulty in achieving orgasm in some females
-frequent urination (more with beer or wine), diuretic effect
-dizziness and confusion
-blackouts and memory loss at high doses
-coma and death at extreme doses
-brain and liver damage (cirrhosis) with heavy use
-lowered inhibitions and increased confusion can lead to unwanted and negative sexual encounters (date rape)
-hangover, lasting 12-36 hours, from mild to severe after heavy use
-fetal damage in pregnant women at high dose or frequency
Alcohol is a drug you have to be careful with. Irresponsible use of it can lead to serious injury or even death (from overdose, traffic accidents, etc.). Although some adults are guilty too, teens can be very irresponsible while consuming alcohol. It’s a bad idea in the first place for them, not only because they can get arrested and charged with underage drinking, but if they are under their parents’ roof, the parents can get fined for enabling the drinking. We’re talking big bucks.
If there is anything you would like to see added to this section, send me a PM.
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[CENTER]The only angels we need invoke are those of our better nature; reason, honesty and love.
The only demons we need fear are those that lurk inside every human mind; ignorance, hatred, greed, and faith.
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[CENTER]The only angels we need invoke are those of our better nature; reason, honesty and love.
The only demons we need fear are those that lurk inside every human mind; ignorance, hatred, greed, and faith.
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