FREE ESSAY ON DRUG ABUSE

DRUG ABUSE

DRUG ABUSE
Psychology I
2-20-00
Drug Abuse
Drug use is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency that the user has
physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. The substances that are discussed
in this report consist of hallucinogens, opiates, stimulants, and depressants. These
drugs affect moods, emotions, feelings and thinking processes, or they can alter the
workings of the mind.
A person dependant on drugs usually carries three basic characteristics that are
indicators. First, the user continues to use the drug for an extended period of time.
Difficulties in stopping usage is the second characteristic which may lead to one or more
of the following results: dropping out of school, trouble with the law, jail, losing a
job, and family problems. Mental distress and/or physical pain due to withdrawal are the
final characteristics of a drug dependent.
Why would people continue to be dependent on and use drugs even though 
consequences are so severe? Most of the time, drug abusers either are unable to see the
penalties or reduce the severity of them in their mind. Their mind and body craves the
feeling of them. Let's take a look at the brain and it's functions. Inside of the brain,
natural chemicals are produced called endorphins. These chemicals make a person feel
pleasure and take away pain either during sexual orgasm, physical exercise or spiritual
uplifting. Drug abuse is way of imitating these naturally occurring chemicals in the
brain. Drug abusers find the sense of pleasure is quite easy to obtain through drug
usage. When drugs are repeatedly used to simulate endorphins, the body cuts down on the
production of them. This causes the drug user to continue to abuse. Endorphin release is
also why some people can become compulsive in exercising or even become an extreme sex
enthusiast.
Let me first talk about the drug classification called hallucinogens. This classification
of drugs includes LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, and marijuana. These drugs can either be
man made or grown naturally. Moreover they can be taken orally, injected, or eaten.
Hallucinogens produce radical changes in the mental state, involving distortions of
reality and acute hallucinations. These drugs affect all the way person experiences their
sense of taste, smell, hearing, touch, and vision. Anxiety, tremors, and panic are all
some of the few immediate effects of hallucinogenic drugs.
Lysergic Acid Diathylamide (LSD) was first made in 1938 by a chemist in Switzerland named
Albert Hoffman whom first tested it on animals. No psychedelic disturbances were noticed
so it was shelved until 1943 when he accidentally ingested the LSD. Hoffman described: "I
was seized by a peculiar cessation of vertigo and restlessness. Objects, as well as the
shape of my associates in the laboratory, appeared to undergo optical changes. With my
eyes closed, fantastic pictures of extraordinary plasticity and 
intensive color seemed to surge toward me." After testing it under a controlled
substance, he later noted that it brought forth fear and disorganization. His sense of
time had disappeared and he thought that he had died. (Julien, 179)
Expansion of the mind has been a remote reason for the use of LSD. Many artists, actors,
and film producers believed their works have been helped due to the psychedelic
experiences while using LSD. In the 1960's many music entertainers would not perform
unless under the influence of LSD. In a study of four artists that were given LSD, they
concluded that the lines and colors were less controlled and more free, and the drawings
seemed to be more imaginative and to have greater esthetic value (Barber, 53). Although
creativity may be enhanced, problem solving deteriorates significantly.
LSD is made into the form of a liquid and can be onto almost anything. Usually it is
ingested by a tiny piece of paper or sugar cube. This drug is so strong that several
doses could be put on the head of a pin. Direct death by LSD overdose has not been
reported but fatal accidents and suicides are known to occur during intoxication. A
single dose can range from five to ten dollars. The effects can last from seven to twelve
hours. If you compare prices of any other drugs against the length of intoxication, LSD
is the "best bargain".
Another hallucinogenic that can be comparable to LSD is mescaline. Another word for
mescaline is peyote. Peyote is a plant that is commonly seen in the western United States
and Mexico. This spineless cactus forms a crown or "button" on it, which is dried out to
form a brown disc. The only ways to obtain the psychedelic effects are for it to be
ingested orally. In some Native American churches in the north, the government has
permitted limited use for religious purposes. The effective single dose of mescaline
persist for approximately twelve hours and usually takes thirty to ninety minutes for it
to take effect after being eaten.
Members of the Native American Church regard peyote as sacramental, much as members of
other churches regard bread and wine as sacramental. One must conclude that the use of
peyote for religious purposes is not considered abuse. Indeed peyote is seldom abused by
members of the Native American Church, and the Supreme Court of the United States has
ruled that no federal control will interfere with the freedom of religion, a ruling that
allows the church to continue to use mescaline in religious services.
Psilocybin is yet another drug similar to the effects of LSD and mescaline. It and it's
closely related compound, psilocin, are twp psychedelic agents found in at least 15
species of mushrooms. Being 200 times less potent than LSD, these mushrooms can be eaten
five to forty at a time depending on the type. Many poisonous mushrooms are easily
mistaken for psychedelic mushrooms. The distortion of time and space when intoxicated 
by the psychedelic mushroom is comparable to LSD. The duration of action is only two to
four hours compared to ten to twelve while on LSD.
Marijuana is also another drug classified as a hallucinogen. It, being a weed, can be
grown almost anywhere in the world. Although tolerance and withdrawal are mainly
components in hallucinogens, marijuana has none. Although no withdrawal symptoms may
occur, there are many adverse effects. Apathy, dullness, lethargy, and impaired judgment
are all components seen in marijuana users. Marijuana increases the heart rate weakening
the contractions and limiting oxygen to it Effects on sperm formation, menstrual cycles,
and other reproduction functions have been reported, but their significance is not yet
clearly identified (Leavitt, 143).
Moving on to another classification of drugs are the opiates. Opiates are referred to as
narcotic analgesics, or strongly addictive analgesics. "The term opiate refers to any
natural or synthetic drug that exerts actions upon the body similar those induced by
morphine and codeine, the major pain-relieving agent obtained from the opium poppy.
Medical use of opiates is for the relief of pain, treatment of diarrhea, and the relief
of coughing. Because physiological and psychological dependence, many drugs like morphine
have been synthesized in attempts to duplicate it's usefulness and avoid the addictive
qualities (Julien, 121)."
Psychological effects of codeine and morphine are a feeling of euphoria, and well being.
Because of these sensations which are pleasurable, opiates are seriously addictive and
easily subject to abuse. (Abel, 193) Usually when doctors prescribe medicine to a patient
such as codeine or morphine, it comes in the from of a pill. When used on the streets, it
may come in various forms that can either be smoked, inhaled through the nose, or shot
directly into a vain. Many abusers of the drug prefer direct injection because of how
quick the drug takes effect.
Alcohol, being a legal depressant should not be overlooked considering it is in fact a
drug. Many people have abused this drug for years leading to not being able to perform
their normal daily functions that they could get done before. Tolerance and withdrawal
symptoms are severe including trembling, seizures, hallucinations, delirium, and even
death. "Alcoholics tend to engage in other life-impairing behaviors such as smoking
(Leavitt, 139)." The only beneficial effect of alcohol seen today is when emotional
factors inhibit or cause excessive eating, alcohol can normalize appetite.
The psychological effects of alcohol are just as severe as many illegal drugs. A person
can either be relaxed and euphoric in one scene, and in another they might be violent and
withdrawn. Mental set and setting become progressively less important with increasing
doses since sedation dominates and behavioral activity decreases. With the 
dependency of alcohol and lack of vitamins and proper nutritional needs leading to
vitamin deficiency and nutritional diseases.
Many, if not all, of the drugs I have described above have been known to be abused. Due
to the large amount of abusers, significant amounts of rehabilitation programs have been
established. For example Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and various inpatient
and outpatient programs in hospitals have been reputable. The problem of distinguishing
drug abuse from religious and moderate use is difficult because most of the time it is up
to the individual to assess their relationship with the drug/drugs. Then their is the
problem of what is legal and what is illegal and what that means in the process of it
all. Education for the future seems to be the only effective way of prevention avoiding
the pain that can come with experience.
Works Cited
Abel, Ernest. Drugs and Behavior. Wiley-Interscience Publication: New York, NY 1974.
Barber, Theodore. LSD, Marijuana, Yoga, and Hypnosis. Aldine Publishing Company: Chicago,
Illinois, 1970.
Julien, Robert M.D. A Primer of Drug Interaction. W.H. Freeman and Company: New York, NY,
1988.
Leavitt, Fred. Drugs and Behavior. Sage Publications Inc.: Thousand Oaks, California,
1995.