by Rya Joshi

Created on: October 26, 2009

Globalization has thrown the modern world into an abysmal trench of drugs and drug addiction. Drugs have paved way for moral deviation and terrorism. The modern generation is threatened every second with the anxiety of destruction. Today the channels for the movement of drugs are quite free and access to drugs has become easier. Drug addiction has become a menace to the modern world and kills millions every year.

Drug Addiction

The innate desire of human beings to experience quick pleasure and escape from stress has led to the discovery of several plant products and synthetic compounds which serve as intoxicants. Though most of these have medical values, they are abused in their usage and have become the drugs of addiction. Abuse of such drug compounds leads to physical and psychological deterioration. These drugs turn out as habit-forming substances in course of time that lead to drug addiction.

When Does a Drug Become Abusive?

A drug is considered to be used abusively when it is used without a prescription, for non-medical purposes or for achieving some pleasure or satisfaction. Based on legal definitions, they are classified as narcotics and psychotropic drugs. Based on effects, they can be categorized as depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens. Based on availability, they are called as prescription drugs, illicit drugs and over-counter drugs. All kinds of drugs become abusive when they are used for mere pleasure.

Nine Drug Types for Addiction

The World Health Organization has listed the following nine drug types that have potential for addiction. Drug types and forms and names are given below.

1) Alcohol: whisky, wine, beer, toddy, etc.

2) Opium group: opium, morphine, smack, brown sugar

3) Cannabis: hashish, ganja, grass, charas, bhang

4) Sedatives: (hypnotics), diazepam, nitrazepam, alprazolam

5) Cocaine: cocaine, crack

6) Stimulants: Dexedrine, caffeine

7) Hallucinogens: LSD

8) Tobacco: cigarettes, pan, beedies

9) Volatile substances: inhalants, glue, paint, thinner

Natural Drugs

Natural drugs are those available in nature, obtained from plant sources, such as opium from the poppy plant or ganja from the hemp plant. Tobacco is another drug plant which probably is the most famous one of all the drugs that leads the addiction of smoking. There are a lot of plants that are used in distillation of alcohol.

Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic drugs are those that are synthesized, like amphetamines. Today, these drugs are widely available in the world.

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