Addictive substances
The World Health Organization (WHO) uses the term “substance dependence” instead of “drug addiction.”
Substance dependence is assessed under 8 separate headings. These are as follows:
- Opioid Addiction
- Alcohol, Barbiturate, and Benzodiazepine-Type Dependence
- Marijuana-Type Addiction
- Cocaine-Type Addiction
- Stimulant-Type Addiction
- Hallucinogen-Type Addiction
- Inhalant-Type Addiction
- Tobacco-Related Addiction
Opioid Addiction: (Substances such as morphine, heroin, codeine, and methadone) The potential for addiction among substances in this group is very high. Opium and Its Derivatives (opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, methadone)
Opium is obtained from the white sap that flows when the poppy capsule is scored. Opium contains 10% morphine, 0.5% codeine, and 6% narcotine. Shortly after opium is used, it relieves any pain that may be present, but this effect is short-lived; it is followed by nausea, dizziness, and a slowing of the heart rate and breathing.
Morphine is obtained through the chemical extraction of opium. It is used in medicine under a doctor’s supervision; its use outside of this context is prohibited. In the event of a morphine overdose, the user first experiences depression; the pupils constrict, the pulse and breathing slow down, and the heartbeat becomes irregular. Death may occur shortly after use.
Heroin is produced by subjecting morphine base—derived from opium—to various chemical treatments and processes. Heroin is a type of drug that causes severe addiction after only a short period of use. COMMON NAMES: CHEESE, THE STUFF, SCRAPS, AND GEM. Heroin is the most potent and dangerous of all narcotics. Users of heroin experience sweating and heart palpitations; their physical resistance is broken down, severe pain begins in the knees, lower back, and head, their appetite disappears and they lose their strength, the sparkle in their eyes fades, they remain constantly dazed and lose touch with the world, and they come to resemble a living corpse.
Alcohol, Barbiturate, and Benzodiazepine-Type Dependence: Alcohol (ethanol, methanol, glycol compounds), barbiturates (substances with sedative properties used in general anesthesia and the treatment of epilepsy), and benzodiazepines (sedative medications) fall into this group. It is generally accepted that their specific and regular use leads to dependence. The time it takes for dependence to develop varies depending on the amount used. Alcohol can cause gastritis and ulcers in the stomach; enlargement, fatty degeneration, and cirrhosis of the liver; reduced vitamin absorption and nutritional deficiencies in the intestines; damage to nerve cells and paralysis; muscle weakness and dementia; alcohol coma; and death.
Marijuana Addiction (Cannabis, Marijuana, Hashish): It has been proven that when marijuana is used, it immediately reaches vital organs, remains in the body for a long time, and causes physical dependence. Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit substances. Cannabis is derived from the Indian hemp plant. Its dried and crushed leaves, seeds, and powdered form
or brown, and is sold in compressed blocks. It is rolled like a cigarette and smoked after being mixed with cigarette tobacco. Among users, it is known as a “joint,” “weed,” or “marijuana.” After consumption, effects such as temporary relaxation, talkativeness, a sense of well-being, and heightened perception of music and colors are observed. When cannabis is ingested, it accumulates in fatty tissue, and the active ingredient remains in the body even a week later. Following cannabis use, a person’s reflexes are impaired; they cannot drive or perform tasks requiring attention. Attempting such tasks can lead to serious problems. Marijuana has a significant impact on memory. It impairs a person’s ability to think, learn, and solve problems. These effects are more pronounced in adolescents. According to some research findings, marijuana use during adolescence has been found to have more negative effects on psychosocial functioning. Long-term marijuana use can lead to respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Although there are claims that it is not an addictive substance, marijuana is addictive. Marijuana serves as a gateway to the use of other addictive substances. There is evidence suggesting that cannabis use can lead to psychosis and increases the risk of other mental disorders.
When marijuana is used, the mouth becomes dry, the pupils dilate, the eyes become bloodshot, the pulse and heart rate increase, blood pressure rises, the nose becomes dry, the face flushes, and a burning sensation in the throat, coughing, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.
Cocaine Addiction: Cocaine is an extremely potent stimulant. Not only is it rapidly metabolized (to the point of becoming part of the body), but taking it in excessive doses can also lead to death. It leads to a rapidly developing addiction. (Crack is another form of cocaine.) It is derived from the coca leaf through chemical processes. COMMON NAMES: ROCK, COKE
Effects observed in cocaine users: Pupils dilate; heart rate and blood pressure rise; nausea and vomiting occur when used in high doses.
Stimulant-Type Addiction (Psychostimulant Medications): Medications such as amphetamine and methylphenidate fall into this category. While these medications are used to treat clinical conditions such as sleep disorders and hyperactivity, they are often misused to address subjective issues like weight loss and insomnia.
It is observed that it is used. In cases of misuse, an overdose can lead to death.
Hallucinogenic Addiction: These are substances that cause hallucinations, such as LSD and mescaline. Research into the formation and development of addiction is still ongoing. Synthetics (Ecstasy, Captagon, Methamphetamine): Ecstasy is a synthetic drug derived from amphetamine that stimulates the central nervous system and can also cause hallucinations. It comes in tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid form. COMMON NAMES: Ex, ix, wing, flight, fish
Effects observed in Ecstasy users include: a temporary increase in strength, an exaggerated sense of euphoria, loss of appetite, reduced need for sleep, hallucinations, restlessness, tension, increased blood pressure and body temperature, and a slowed heart rate.
Solvent-Inhalation Addiction: Volatile substances are easily accessible because their sale is legal. Their use is also widespread due to their low cost. Commonly used volatile substances are listed below:
- Paints and paint thinners • Adhesives • Butane gas used as lighter fluid • Substances used in dry cleaning • Gasoline • Substances used to erase mistakes made while writing
The methods of use and effects of these substances on the user are as follows: Thinner is usually placed in a bag and inhaled from there. Adhesives, on the other hand, are soaked into a piece of cloth and then sniffed. When volatile substances are used, they can cause a false sense of euphoria, a feeling of calm, and hallucinations. Their effects include severe intoxication, loss of balance, and difficulty walking. Because they have a direct toxic effect on the brain, they are extremely harmful. Their negative effects on learning make their use by children an even greater concern. It also has a high potential for addiction. Sudden deaths frequently occur among those who inhale volatile substances. Sudden deaths can result from the substance’s adverse effects on the brain and heart. Aggressive and dangerous behavior is frequently observed among users of volatile substances.
The notion that inhalants are used only by street children is incorrect. These substances are now used by people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Inhalants can cause intoxication, loss of balance, and difficulty walking. In addition to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting, sudden deaths due to asphyxiation and suffocation can also occur. They have adverse effects such as attention deficits, learning difficulties, and impaired cognitive function. They alter the structure of the brain.
Tobacco Addiction: Tobacco is a harmful, addictive substance that is widely used around the world and is generally not frowned upon by society. It is known that a large proportion of tobacco users resume using it shortly after quitting. This fact demonstrates that tobacco is a highly addictive substance. When tobacco is burned, three key components are released in addition to ash. These components are:
- Tar (contains many carcinogens) 2. Nicotine (a stimulant) 3. Carbon monoxide.
Smoking ranks among the leading causes of death worldwide. For this reason, countries tend to restrict or ban smoking. It is a well-known fact that smoking causes many serious diseases in addition to addiction. It is well known that smoking causes blockages in the blood vessels and leads to heart disease. In addition, smoking causes the bronchi to narrow, leading to lung disorders, as well as blockages in the blood vessels of the brain and associated strokes.
A large proportion of people with lung cancer are tobacco users. Lung cancer is linked to tar, the active ingredient in cigarettes. In addition, the incidence of bladder cancer among tobacco users is twice as high as among non-users. Smoking or tobacco use during pregnancy leads to premature birth, infant mortality, and the birth of babies with low birth weight. It is well known that tobacco companies specifically target adolescents. One of the main reasons for targeting adolescents is that it is easy for them to develop the habit. A significant portion of advertisements is directed at adolescents. Therefore, it can be argued that adolescents are being exploited by the use of certain characteristics of adolescence in these advertisements.
