Alcohol

Also known as: Booze

Alcohol is one the most commonly used and abused drugs in the world today. Alcohol is a psychoactive depressant substance, which is made by the fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or grains by yeasts. It converts the carbohydrates of these plants into ethyl alcohol. Alcoholic is used in liquid form and is characterize by the percentage amount that is present in the alcoholic beverage. Types of abusive alcohol include beer, wine, rum, and liquor.

Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol is one the most commonly used and abused drugs in the world today, and can be legally purchased by adults over the age of 21. Alcohol is a psychoactive depressant substance, which is made by the fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or grains by yeasts. It converts the carbohydrates of these plants into ethyl alcohol. Alcoholic is used in liquid form and is characterize by the percentage amount that is present in the alcoholic beverage. Alcohol intake is measured in units. One unit is roughly equal to half a pint of normal strength beer, cider, and a glass of wine measure of spirits. Types of abusive alcohol include beer, wine, rum, and liquor. Whenever someone consumes alcohol, it is absorbed by the stomach and then enters into the bloodstream where it travels into the tissue.  Alcohol depresses sections of the body’s central nervous system, and slows down some brain functions. The effects of the alcohol varies depending on the person who consumed it size, their age, weight, sex, and how much alcohol was consumed relative to the amount of food that may have be consumed. Some short term effects can range from slurred speech, distorted vision, loss of balance, limb control, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and disturbed sleep. Strong depressant effect of alcohol lasts for a few hours after drinking, and can produce a weaker irritation of the nervous system that lasts longer. This causes the morning after hangover and unsteadiness. Even low doses of alcohol can significantly lessen the reaction and coordination required to safely drive a car.  

Amphetamines

Also known as: Amph, Fast, Speed, Uppers, Whiz

Amphetamine is a drug that stimulants the central nervous system. Amphetamines can be classified from Schedule I-III type substance. Amphetamine was first marketed in the 1930s as Benzedrine in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion, and by 1937, it was available by prescription in tablet form. In the 1950's and 1960's Amphetamines were widely used to for mild depression and to cause weight loss. However, due to their side effects and addictive properties the majority of brands were removed from the market. Today, doctors have significantly reduced their prescription of amphetamine.

Effects of Amphetamines:

Amphetamine is a drug that stimulants the central nervous system. Amphetamines can be classified from Schedule I-III type substance. Amphetamine was first marketed in the 1930s as Benzedrine in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion, and by 1937, it was available by prescription in tablet form. In the 1950's and 1960's Amphetamines were widely used to for mild depression and to cause weight loss. However, due to their side effects and addictive properties the majority of brands were removed from the market. Today, doctors have significantly reduced their prescription of amphetamine.
Amphetamines are colorless and may be inhaled, injected, or swallowed Amphetamines speeds up the nervous system and cause the body to release adrenaline. This increases the heart respiration rates, increases blood pressure, and decreases appetite. When adrenalin floods the system, it increases heart and respiratory rates so that oxygenated blood can be rushed to the muscles, and mental alertness is increased. The digestive system ceases functioning to leave more blood for muscle use. If used properly, amphetamines may increase alertness and physical ability. Mainly, they are prescribed to treat the effects of narcolepsy, and help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Short-term effects include increased talkativeness, aggressiveness, breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, reduced appetite, dilated pupils, visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, compulsive, and repetitive actions. Large does can cause fever, sweating, dry mouth, headache, paleness, blurred vision, dizziness, tremors, loss of coordination, and irregular heartbeat.

Barbitures

Also known as: Barbs, Downers, Blues, Bars, and Skekkies

Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants, and delay many areas of the brain. Barbiturates are known as sedatives/hypnotics, because they can be used as sedatives to calm people, and at larger doses, hypnotics to assist sleep. Barbiturates come in multi-colored tablets and capsules, and work by enhancing the action of a brain neurotransmitter that is in charge of inhibiting parts of the brain. As barbiturates ease the activity of one of the main inhibiting neurotransmitters, they impact many aspects of the body including mood, locomotion, co-ordination and even breathing.

Effects of Barbitures

Barbiturate sleeping pills are most often abused for their intoxicating effect. Abusers will usually use the drug with alcohol to increase the intoxicating effect. Sometimes they are injected by opening the capsules and dissolving the contents in water. Small particles from undissolve material used as bulk inside the capsules can block or even damage veins. The effects of barbiturates are similar to the effects of alcohol. Small amounts produce calmness and relax muscles. . However, a large dose produces depressed pulse rate, dilated pupils and shallow breathing. High doses cause impairment of memory, judgment, coordination, irritability, paranoid and suicidal ideation. As vital life processes such as heart and breathing rates are inhibited, it may easily cause unconsciousness and death.

Cannabis

Also known as: Marijuana, Blow, Pot, Dope, Hash, Reefer, Mary Jane,Chronic, Grass and Weed

Cannabis is the most often illegally used drug in this country. It is a Central Nervous System depressant, and is a schedule I drug.  Cannabis is obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa, which grows in many parts of the world, and is used as a drug in three main forms: as the dried leaves and buds, as a solid resin which is collected from the buds and flower heads, and as a thick liquid prepared from the flowers or resin. The main psychoactive chemical in cannabis is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), and roughly 400 more chemicals are found in the cannabis plant.

Effects of Cannabis:

The most common effects are talkativeness, cheerfulness, relaxation and greater appreciation of sound and color. Cannabis users frequently report perceiving an enhanced performance for tasks involving creativity; although no scientific evidence indicates that the drug improves hearing, eyesight or skin sensitivity. Many abusers experience a compulsion for binge eating, called the munchies. Some immediate physical effects of cannabis use include a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. High doses of cannabis can cause hallucinations and sensory distortions. Those who use the drug when anxious or depressed may find these conditions made worse. Then panic and paranoia could result.

Cocaine/Crack

Also known as: Charlie, Snow, Coke, Rock, Stone, Wash and Nose Candy.

The physical and psychologically effects of controlled drugs has always been visible with very little interpretation needed. But, do these substances have any influence on the human body genetically? Or is it more of an environmental factor, which causes some individuals to develop and drug addiction quicker than others. There are observations that suggest genetic and environmental conditions differentially affect individuals to drug using behavior, and, then to transcend from drug-taking behavior to establishing and maintaining drug abuse.
Genetic influences of drug use and dependence might develop on a variety of phases. The Genetic manipulators that were present in the initiation of drug use may differ from those that contribute to heavier drug use or dependence. Drug use vulnerability might also be modified by protective factors that could contribute to drug abstinence or protect from development of regular use patterns or drug dependence. Familial and population genetic studies are beginning to reveal possible genetic bases for some of the individual differences in vulnerability to substance abuse. Family studies can produce evidence of the contributions of genes and environment to a behavioral disorder such as substance abuse. “Application of molecular genetic approaches to studies of substance abuse is relatively recent. Nevertheless, recent studies with polymorphic genetic markers at several candidate gene loci have initiated the search for specific genes whose alleles could contribute to genetic differences in substance abuse vulnerability. Indeed, substantial collective work on markers at the dopamine D2 receptor gene locus (DRD2) has continued to suggest differences between substance abusers and controls in work from several, but not all, groups. Because molecular genetic studies in this area are likely to assume increasing prominence, the second portion of this chapter describes possible approaches to identifying candidate or anonymous genes that could contribute to substance abuse vulnerability. It also details evidence at the DRD2 locus, the single site most explored as a candidate for contributions to substance abuse vulnerability.”(Genetic Influences in Drug Abuse G.R. Uhl, G.I. Elmer, M.C. LaBuda, & R.W. Pickens 2000)

The A1 allele of the D2 dopamine receptor gene has been implicated in alcoholism.  It encodes a protein receptor present in certain brain cells and allows the dopamine to bind and be recycled. 
A1 is present in about 42% of alcoholics but only 14.5% of controls, and A1 is also more frequently present in individuals with other behavioral addictions. (DanWells,2005)

Not only does drugs causes physical and psychological damage, the dependence on drugs can create a number of other disruptions in your life:

• Family. Behavioral changes may cause marital or family strife.
• Work. Work performance may decline, and you may be absent from work more often.
• Social. You may lose or alienate longtime friends.
• School. Academic performance and motivation to excel in school may suffer.
• Legal. Stealing to support your drug addiction and driving while impaired are just two of the possible legal problems drug addiction can cause.
• Financial. Spending money to support your habit takes away money from your other needs, could put you into debt and could lead you into behaviors that are contrary to your values.
• Health. Drug use and addiction has many physical consequences that vary depending on which drug you use. Using drugs may make you more likely to participate in other unsafe behaviors, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex, which can increase your chances of contracting HIV or hepatitis. People who are addicted to drugs are also at a higher risk of overdosing because addicts need more and more of the drug to achieve the same feeling.

Drug Abuse:

Dug abuse is the intentionally misuse or overuse of an illegal or prescribed drug.

Dependence:

Drug tolerance is the ability to endure the effects of an amount of controlled substance over a period of continuous exposure. Drug dependence is the physical or psychological need to use a drug regularly, regardless that it may have negative consequences.

Addiction:

Drug addiction is the immense desire for the abusing habits of a controlled substance despite the damaging effect

Tolerance:

Drug tolerance is the ability to endure the effects of a amount of controlled substance over a period of continuous exposure.

According to Dr. D. Wells, 2005, drug addition produces stable, not transient, changes in the brain.Tolerance is the need to take more of a drug to get the same effect, and dependence is the onset of withdrawal symptoms with cessation of drug. Drug addition has a heritability of 0.4-0.6; in twin and adoption studies which supports the role of genes in drug addiction.Alcoholism afflicts 10% of males and 4% of females in the U.S. There have information which supports physical and behavioral characteristics, including altered brain wave patterns.Where adoptive and twin studies suggest a genetic component.
The A1 allele of the D2 dopamine receptor gene has been implicated in alcoholism.  It encodes a protein receptor present in certain brain cells and allows the dopamine to bind and be recycled. 
A1 is present in about 42% of alcoholics but only 14.5% of controls.   
A1 is also more frequently present among individuals with other behavioral addictions. (DanWells,2005)

Addiction and tolerance can cause a casual drug user to develop an addiction and become a substance abuser. Over time continuous use of the substance can cause long term effects on a person's body.

Prevention: The best way to prevent an addiction to an illegal drug is to learn and controll yourself to not take the drug at all.

Treatment: Your doctor may prescribe narcotics to relieve pain, benzodiazepines to relieve anxiety or insomnia, or barbiturates to relieve nervousness or irritation.

Advice: Parents can take the following steps to help prevent drug dependency in their children:

• Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and abuse.
• Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure, and be supportive of their efforts to resist it.
• Set a good example. Don't abuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who abuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.
• Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or abusing drugs.