Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, Prescription Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse

The most commonly abused drugs fall into three classes: Stimulants, Opiates and Depressants. As the name implies, Stimulants “stimulate” or rev up the user’s brain and body, creating a sensation of increased awareness and concentration, combined with euphoria. In this class, we find drugs like cocaine, crack and crystal meth, along with other amphetamines.

Opiates comprise the class of pain relieving drugs, all originally derived from the liquid contained in the seedpod of P. somniferum, the opium poppy. Heroin, morphine, codeine and opium itself are examples. All these drugs produce similar effects: relief of pain and anxiety, combined with euphoria and sleepiness.

Depressants are designed to slow the user’s brain and body, causing relaxation and increased calmness. The most widely used depressant is alcohol, which merits its own section (following). Barbiturates and drugs designed to treat ADHD are also in this class.

Alcoholism

Many people don’t consider alcohol a drug, even though its effects can be as strong—or stronger—than some street drugs or prescription medications. Compulsive drinking is one of society’s most pressing problems.

One of the reasons for the popularity of alcohol is its broad acceptance, which doesn’t brand it with the stigma of other drugs. After all, alcohol is even used in religious ceremonies.

An alarming statistic is the growing use of alcohol by young people. The U.S. government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published a study claiming that, each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking.

Prescription Drug Abuse

It’s become commonplace these days to hear of celebrities or professional athletes entering rehab, usually as the result of problems with prescription pain medications. But for every celebrity with a prescription drug addiction, there are hundreds of ordinary people suffering with the same problem.

Vicodin, Percocet and OxyContin are usually at the top of any list of most frequently abused prescription drugs. It’s not surprising to see why: they make you feel better when you’re in pain; but they also provide a powerful feeling of euphoria when you aren’t in pain. And there’s the problem: fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, even grandmothers and grandfathers are misusing prescription medications in the highest percentage in history.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 48 million people (ages 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at some point in their lives. In terms of the scope of the problem, this represents approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population.