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    Drugs

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    Drugs

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    Blog “BlogfeverZ” Fever
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    6 views2 pages

    Drugs

    Uploaded by

    Blog “BlogfeverZ” Fever

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
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    1

    DRUGS
    Definition
    A drug is a chemical substance that alters / changes the normal function of the body
    A chemical substance that creates physical, mental, emotional or behavioral change in the user.
    Any substance taken in from an external source to affect or modify chemical reactions in the body.

    Why Use Drugs?


    Relief pain
    Give excessive energy
    To get pleasure / euphoria (ecstasy)
    To improve performancess
    To cure diseases

    The use of drugs can be categorized into two

    Non –medicinal purpose


    Medicinal purpose

    Non – Medicinal Drugs


    Tobacco
    EPO
    Nicotine
    Cocaine
    Mandrax
    Heroine
    Marijuana

    Medicinal Drugs
    Antibiotics – drugs that cure bacterial diseases. These are obtained from other organisms e.g. penicillin

    Anti-acids – these are drugs taken to neutralize excess stomach acid.

    Painkillers – these are drugs taken to alleviate pain or suppress the parts of the brain that sense pain; e.g. aspirin,
    morphine.

    Sedatives – these are drugs used to calm down a person, or suppress their emotions (tranquilizers)

    Drug Dependence
    Frequent use of a drug causes the body to develop resistance to the effect of the drug. This leads to the use of increased
    dosages of the drug to get the same effect. Eventually this leads to drug dependence – inability of the body systems to
    function normally without the drug

    Emotional Dependence
    The user is emotionally attached to the drug & develops a craving for the drug whenever it is taken. Withdrawal
    symptoms are not physical but normally emotional. E.g. loss of temper, headaches and nausea.
    Drugs that cause emotional dependence include nicotine

    Physical Dependence
    The user develops physical withdrawal symptoms when the drug is withdrawn. This from of dependence is called
    Addiction and the withdrawal symptoms include; violent shaking, hallucinations, nausea, headaches.
    Drugs that leads to this condition include; cocaine, heroine etc

    Drug Abuse
    Mostly this is done with drugs that affect the nervous system, mainly the brain.
    2

    Stimulants
    These are drugs that speed up the reactions of the nervous system & make the user more alert, e.g. nicotine, caffeine,
    cocaine, amphetamines.

    Depressants / Sedative
    They slow down the reactions of the nervous system & the brain and cause one to become sleepy. They suppress the brain
    & cause relief from emotional tension & anxiety e.g. alcohol, valium etc.

    Hallucinogens
    These are drugs that make one to hear, feel or see things that do not really exist e.g. cannabis (marijuana), LSD, inhalants
    like glue.

    ALCOHOL
    Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs. It a depressant, i.e. it slows down brain activity & lowers blood pressure. It slows
    down brain activity & lowers blood pressure. It slows down transmission of nerve impulses thereby;
    Increasing reaction time.
    Affects coordination of all senses e.g. sight (double vision), feeling (false sensation of warmth due to dilation of
    arteries below skin).
    Inability to perform activities requiring skill, e.g. writing

    Alcohol destroys the liver on a long term basis & result in a disease called Liver Cirrhosis. Then the liver will no longer
    detoxify, deaminate & balance blood glucose. This leads to death. It also affects the kidneys.

    Social Implications
    Impoverish families because a lot of money is used to buy alcohol.
    Loss of social dignity

    Allergic Reactions
    An allergic reaction is an unusual reaction to any substance. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an
    allergen. Example allergens are drugs, food, dust particles, pollen grains.

    Symptoms of Allergic Reactions


    Running nose
    Breathing difficulties
    Rash
    Oedema (unexplained swellings)

    Drug Tolerance
    Frequent use of a drug causes the body to develop resistance to the effect of the drug. This leads to the use of increased
    dosages of the drug to get the same effect & eventually culminate in drug dependence. Drug dependence builds up to drug
    tolerance.

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