Psychoactive drugs = a chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods
Substance use disorder = a disorder characterized by continued substance craving and use despite significant life disruption and/or physical risk
Those with a substance use disorder experience continued craving and use despite significant life disruption and physical risk. Psychoactive drugs are any chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods and can also be responsible for the following :
- Diminished control
- Diminished social function
At this rate, why do people even bother to do drugs when they have numerous negative consequences?
Maybe it's because the benefits sometimes outweigh the costs...
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We mostly live in a society that glorifies drinking alcohol on multiple occasions. People drink without concern at parties, small gatherings, and other social events. And television and other forms of media have portrayed alcohol and drug use with little to no consequences.
As a result of romanticizing and glorifying such situations, people get addicted to drugs and alcohol to integrate themselves into the crowd. They believe others will never accept them unless they drink or follow certain substance abuse habits. The more people desire to do morally grey things to fit in, the more they will likely develop a full-blown addiction.
This can also influence teenagers, who are most prone to peer pressure. The desire to blend within the crowd is human nature. And people will do almost anything to impress others - which sometimes involves questionable actions. What started as one drink may turn into a dangerous habit. That's why it's essential to include self-love and acceptance within the school curriculum.
Some may even use drugs as a stress reliever or a brief escape from reality. Life is difficult to endure at times, and that is the truth. But just because the pain is widespread doesn't mean people know healthy ways to handle it.
And when people take more of them, they may build up tolerance - requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effect - and withdrawal - significant discomfort due to intense addiction cravings accompanying efforts to quit.
Addiction prompts users to crave the drug and to continue use despite known adverse consequences. Psychologists try to avoid the overuse of "addiction" to label driven, excessive behaviors. However, there are some behavior addictions (such as gambling disorders) in which behaviors become compulsive and dysfunctional.
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Here are how drugs are typically classified (according to the AP Psychology curriculum) :
Types | Examples | Effects |
Depressants | Alcohol / Barbiturates / Opiates | Dampen neural activity and slow body functions |
Stimulants | Caffeine / Nicotine / Cocaine | Excite neural activity and speed up body functions, triggering energy and mood changes |
Hallucinogens | LSD / Marijuana | Distort perceptions and evoke hallucinations (hence the name) |
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Depressants :
Depressants, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and the opiates (which include narcotics), dampen neural activity and slow body functions.
For example - alcohol disinhibits, increasing the likelihood that we will act on our harmful or helpful impulses. It also impairs judgment by slowing neural processing, disrupts memory processes by suppressing REM sleep, and reduces self-awareness and self-control. User expectations strongly influence alcohol’s behavioral effects. Alcohol can shrink the brain in those with alcohol use disorder (marked by tolerance, withdrawal if use is suspended, and a drive to continue problematic use).
Side effects include : slowed neural processing, memory disruption, and reduced self-awareness.
Alcohol use disorder = alcohol use marked by tolerance, withdrawal, and a drive to continue problematic use
Barbiturates = drugs that depress CNS activity, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment
Opiates = opium and its derivatives, such as morphine and heroin; depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
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Stimulants :
Stimulants - including caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy - excite neural activity and speed up body functions, triggering energy and mood changes. All are highly addictive.
Nicotine’s side effects make smoking a difficult habit to kick, yet repeated attempts to quit seem to pay off.
Cocaine gives users a fast high, followed shortly by a crash. Its risks include cardiovascular stress and suspiciousness.
Amphetamines stimulate neural activity. Use of methamphetamines may permanently reduce dopamine (neuron reponsible for producing feelings of pleasure) production.
Ecstasy (MDMA) is a combined stimulant and mild hallucinogen that produces euphoria and feelings of intimacy. Its users risk immune system suppression, permanent damage to mood and memory, and (if taken during physical activity) dehydration and escalating body temperatures.
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Hallucinogens :
Hallucinogens - such as LSD and marijuana - distort perceptions and evoke hallucinations (sensory images in the absence of sensory input), some of which resemble the altered consciousness of near-death experiences.
The user’s mood and expectations influence the effects of LSD, but common experiences are hallucinations and emotions varying from euphoria to panic.
Marijuana’s main ingredient, THC, may trigger feelings of disinhibition, euphoria, relaxation, relief from pain, and chemotherapy-related nausea, and intense sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Marijuana use is predictive of increased risk of traffic accidents, chronic bronchitis, psychosis, social anxiety disorder, and suicidal thoughts; and likely contributes to impaired attention, learning, memory, and possibly to academic underachievement.
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In some instances, using drugs will lead to long-term mental health problems. Drugs can act as a temporary source of relief to get you through difficult times. However, drugs can also cause additional complications in your life. And in the long term, your emotions of pleasure won’t last forever as you steadily build up a tolerance. As time passes, you may find yourself using more and more drugs to feel the same level high as you did before and risk becoming dependent on them – which can create new issues for you.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have been struggling with drug use. If your problems persist and significantly interfere with your day-to-day life, it is crucial to seek professional help.
Sometimes, the presence of motivation can stand between success and failure. You must know precisely why you want to stop and believe it.
Looking at how other issues in your life can get better without substances can also help you be motivated to change, but it may not show you the complete picture. Your substance use affects not only you but also those close to you. It is essential to hear from your loved ones about what has changed in life for them because of your substance use. Yes - it is true that it will be painful to hear, but it is important to make amends. Plus, it would also encourage you to take the initiative for damage control. You must be patient and avoid being defensive or making excuses for your actions. The benefits that this brings about can far outweigh the costs. If you can involve your family and close friends in your struggle to stay sober, you are much more likely to succeed.
It is also recommended to deal directly with family or close friends who are continuing in the behaviors you are trying to quit. You may need to limit your time around them and reflect if these bridges need to be burned. Don’t be afraid to admit mistakes, be honest about your feelings, and involve your loved ones when you need support. Remember that relationships require “give and take” or compromise.
Your support network - the people who are committed to your recovery and can encourage you and help keep you on track - will be necessary for the long road ahead. Before you even start taking steps to quit or cut back, you must identify supportive people and consider how they can help and how and when you can ask them.
Ask for help directly. When you request help and support, be as specific as you can. Face your reluctance to ask for help and take a risk. Practice what you want to say if you think this will make you more comfortable and more likely to follow through.
Get involved in organizations and stay active. If you are in a recovery organization, try to talk to someone in the program at least once a day, especially in the early weeks and months of recovery.
Face your excuse for resisting help. (Examples: I don’t want to bother them... I don’t want their opinions to change for the worse of me... I don’t want to hurt their feelings)
More importantly, try to be honest about drug use and habits. It may not be easy to talk about, but your treatment will likely be more successful if your doctor has all the information they need to support you.
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For more information about the bridge between substance abuse and mental health, here is a link provided to an organization that dedicates themselves to substance addiction recovery for patients under their care (specifically - opioid addiction).
(Thank you to the outreach coordinator of Bicycle Health for reaching out. It's certainly fun to write about this!)
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