ONGC PUBLIC SCHOOL

NERAVY KARAIKAL

STUDENT NAME: NASEER AHMED.H

CLASS: XII - A
SUBJECT: BIOLOGY
TOPIC: DRUG ADDICTION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank the Almighty God for giving his

blessings for keeping a good health in completing the
project.

I Sincerely thank my school principal Mr. K. Rajavel

M.Sc., M.Ed., H.D.C.A., for extending his constant
support to complete this project.

I would extend my special thanks of gratitude to my

biology teacher
Mrs. K. Seethala Devi M.Sc., B.Ed., M.Phil., for her
greatest support and guidance in completing the project.

Finally, my deepest gratitude to my parents and friends

who helped me a lot in completing the project with the
limited time frame.
S.NO CONTENT P.NO

1. Abstract 01

Classification of Drugs
2. 01

Some Harmful Drugs

3. 02

How drug addiction Begin

4. 02

Smoking, Drinking and Use of Drugs

5. 02

6. Short-Term Effects 03

7. Long-Term Effects 03

8. Effect of Nicotine 03

9. Tobacco 04

10. Harmful components of Tobacco Smoke 05

11. Alcohol 06

Impact of Drinking Alcohol

12. 06

13. Conclusion 08

14. Reference 09
 Drug Addiction

Abstract:
Any substance, other than food, used in the prevention, diagnosis, all aviation or
treatment of a disease is called a drug. Drug is also known as a medicine.
Generally, the term drugs applied to any stimulating or depressing substance
that can be habituating or addictive. A drug, broadly speaking, can be
categorized in many ways; hard or soft, uppers or downers, addictive or non-
addictive, most harmful or least harmful, legal or illegal.
Classification of Drugs:
There are a large number of drugs on which people become dependent. These
are classifying into four major groups: sedatives and tranquillizers, opiate
narcotics, stimulations and hallucinogens.

S.No Type of Drugs Effect Examples

Depress CNS
activity give
Sedatives and feeling of Barbiturates,
1.
Tranquillizers Calmness, benzodiazepines
relaxation,
drowsiness

Suppress brain
2. Opiate Narcotics activity relaxed Codeine, Heroin
pain

Make a person
more wakeful,
3. Stimulants Caffeine, Cocaine
alert and active,
cause excitement

Make a person
4. Hallucinogens Ganja, Chares
more wakeful
Some Harmful Drugs:
1. Heroin:
Commonly used as smack Heroin is chemically diacetylmorphine which is a
white, odourless, bitter crystalline compound. This is obtained by acetylation of
morphine which is extracted from latex of poppy plant Papaver somniferous.
Generally taken by snorting and injection, heroin is a depressant and slows
down body function.
2. Cocaine:
It is obtained from coca plant Erythroxylum coca, native to South America. It
interferes with the transport of the neuro-transmitter dopamine. Cocaine,
commonly called coke or crack is usually snorted. It has the potent stimulating
action on central nervous system, producing sense of euphoria and increased
energy.

How drug addiction Begin:

There are many factors that lead people to drug addiction.
1. Curiosity: Frequent references to drugs by public media create curiosity for
having a personal experience of the drugs.
2. Friend’s pressure: Frequent appreciation of drug experience by friend’s
allures others to start the use of drugs.
3. Frustration and Depression: Some people start taking drugs to get relief from
frustration and depression.
4. Desire for More Work: Students sometimes take drugs to keep awake the
whole night to prepare for examination. It is not desirable as it may cause
mental breakdown.
5. Family History: Children may take to drugs by seeing their elders in the
family.

Smoking, Drinking and Use of Drugs:

Smoking and drinking and use of drugs frequently or regularly are social
diseases. Young people take to these habits for fun, show off or curiosity, as an
adventure or feeling of freedom, or as a gesture of defiance against the elders
who themselves indulge in these activities but check the youngsters. Temporary
escape from the life problems and mental relaxation felt on taking the drugs in
the beginning increase people’s interest in them. Soon they become habitual and
find in difficult to leave.

Short-Term Effects:
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
• Contracted blood vessels
• Increased rate of breathing
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Depression

Long-Term Effects:
• Permanent damage to blood vessels of ear and brain, high blood pressure,
leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
• Liver, kidney and lung damage
• Respiratory failure
• Weight loss
• Sexual problems, reproductive damage and infertility (for both men and
women)
• Increased frequency of risky behaviour

Effect of Nicotine:
Nicotine is a low concentration.
(i) Relaxes the muscles.
(ii) Increasing heart beat rate and pressure.
(iii) Increased blood pressure due to smoking chances the risk of heart diseases.
(iv) Causes tobacco addiction.
Tobacco:
Sources:
It is a native of South Africa, where the Red Indian first started smoking. Now
the tobacco plant has spread the world over.
Modes of Use:
Tobacco is used for smoking, chewing and snuffing. Its main stimulating
component is poisonous volatile Alkaid nicotine, which causes addiction.
Nicotine synthesis occurs in the roots of the plant but it is stored in the leaves.
The leaves contain 2 to 8% nicotine. Inhaling tobacco smoke from cigars,
cigarettes, biddies, pipes and hubble-bubble is called smoking. Cigar is a roll of
tobacco leaf. Cigarette is cut tobacco wrapped in paper. Bidi is tobacco
wrapped. In a piece of leaf. Tobacco smoke is drawn directly from pipe and
through water is hubble-bubble. Smoking may give some temporary relief to the
strained nerves but in the long run it proves a dangerous health hazard. The
quantity of nicotine contained in one cigar may prove fatal if injected
intravenously into a person. When smoked only 10% of the smoke is inhaled.
Hence, no immediate ill effect is observed. Smokers may develop a
physiological craving for nicotine and then they cannot give up smoking.
Harmful components of Tobacco Smoke:
Besides the poisonous nicotine, the tobacco smoke contains carbon-monoxide,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and tar.
Other Effects:
(i) Smoking affects economy:
A smoker not only waste money, but also runs risk of burns and fires.
(ii) Smoking mars personality:
Teeth may become stained. Lips may get discoloured and breath becomes foul.
A person with a cigarette hanging from the mouth look odd.
(iii) Smoking is annoying to others:
Cigarette smoke is quite annoying to non-smokers. It may prove even more
harmful to them. A smoker should avoid smoking. When in the company of
non-smokers. A smoker makes the nearby people passive smokers through
inhaling smoke released by him.

Alcohol:
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as
alcohol, although in chemistry the definition of alcohol includes many other
compounds. Ethanol is a centrally-acting drug with a depressant effect. Beer is
an alcoholic beverage and thus has the same harmful effects as other kinds of
alcohol, depending on the quantity consumed.
Reasons for Drinking:
• Psychological factors are curiosity, poor stress
control, escape from reality, poor impulse control, low self – esteem, positive
attitudes towards alcohol, to get rid of problems, to overcome loneliness, relief
from tension and to gain courage.
• Social factors are peer pressure, modelling, easy availability of alcohol in the
market, party culture, family environment (Parent/s drinking alcohol), lack of
family support, to keep up social norms and to show their masculinity.
• Biological factors are genetic vulnerability like family history of alcoholism in
parents or near relatives and to get sleep.

Impact of Drinking Alcohol:

Unlike other foods, alcohol does not require digestion. When one drinks,
alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the walls of the
stomach and the intestine.
Once alcohol enters the bloodstream it circulates throughout the body. Alcohol
is metabolized in the liver and is changed to carbon dioxide, water and some
calories of energy which gets converted into fat. A small amount of alcohol goes
out of the body through breath, urine and sweat. Regular, excessive use of
alcohol causes acute and chronic problems related to health, occupation, family
and social relationships.
Health Problems:
Alcohol can damage every system of our body.
 Gastro intestinal system (stomach and intestines): Increased acid
secretion leading to acidity, ulcers, gastritis, and cancer
 Liver: Hepatitis, jaundice and vomiting of blood due to cirrhosis of liver,
liver cancer, acute liver failure.
 Pancreas: Pancreatic damage due to inflammation of pancreas and acute
pancreatitis leading to sudden death.
 Central nervous system: (brain and spinal cord): Permanent damage of
brain resulting in memory disturbances, other nervous problems, fits and
mental illnesses.
 Cardio vascular system: High blood pressure, increased tendency to heart
attacks, enlargement of the heart.

 Hangovers: Excessive drinking can lead to hangovers, thus causing

problems like headache, nausea, vomit and body aches.
 Weight gain: alcohol consumption in larger quantities can lead to weight
gain, because alcoholic beverages are usually high in calories.
 Weak immune system: alcohol consumption makes your immune system
weak, thus making your body more susceptible to infections.
 Cancer: alcohol when consumed in excessive quantities puts you at a
higher risk of developing cancer
 Fatal alcohol syndrome: Drinking alcohol in pregnancy may cause the
Fatal Alcohol Syndrome
Sources:
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, flammable, colourless liquid having a penetrating
Odor and burning taste. It is one of the products of the distillation of fermented
grains, fruit juices and starches with the help of yeast enzymes. It is the
principal constituent and the in toxicating principle of wines.
Modes of Use:
Alcohol is taken in low concentration, as the beer, toddy and wine and in
relatively high concentration as arrack, brandy, whisky, rum, gin, vodka etc...
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this investigatory project has shed light on the intricate biological
mechanisms underlying drug addiction. This project explains how substances
such as drugs can impact the brain's neural pathways, altering neurotransmitter
activity and leading to addiction. The findings have shown that drug addiction is
not merely a matter of personal choice but rather a complex interplay of
genetics, neurobiology, and environmental factors.

Furthermore, the role of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, in reward

pathways, and the long-term changes in the brain due to drug use have been
elucidated. This project also emphasized the importance of early intervention
and education in preventing drug addiction, as well as the significance of
treatment and rehabilitation for those already affected.

In light of the events that is taking place due to drug abuse, it is evident that a
comprehensive understanding of the biological aspects of drug addiction is
essential in the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Reference:
1. Biology Text for Class XII – NCERT
2. http://www.wikipedia.org/
3. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-
addiction
4. https://byjus.com/
5. https://www.vedantu.com/