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. Manufacturers mix a lot of things to give different flavor to it. So that more and more people can become addicted to these synthetic norcotics. There are many rented houses in Canada and the US are being used for the illegal production. There were so many cases where the tenant pays the rent on-time and the heating bill is unusually so high indicating the usage of home heating system used in production of these norcotics. The illegal drug underworld change their tactics and stay ever elusive to the justice system.
Identifying Addicts
Addiction can easily be identified by the people who are moving closely to the addicts. Anyone who starts displaying an unusual behavior, indulging in a specific activity and preferring it to other important chores, is a potential addict. Researches say that in most cases the addict realizes his problem, but usually tends to ignore it.
Hooks for Addiction
The beginning of an addiction may be experimental or recreational use. It might have been due to the influence of friends and circumstances. It may also for relief from stress or an unpleasant emotional state. The pleasure got temporarily induces the addict to seek for again and again to get pleasure or relief from tension or worry. This repeated usage becomes addiction in course of time. Repeated use turns to give diminished responsiveness and usage of more quantity. Abrupt cessation may lead to dangerous consequences.
Treating an Addict
Doctors say that if a person displays behavioral changes, becomes aggressive, restless, anxious in the absence of certain things, that person should seek the professional help. Drug addiction, like any other behavioral or psychological problem, can be treated with medicines and other methods. Lifestyle management plays an important role in this treatment. Most apparently, an addict needs strong social and moral support from family and friends and also from people living around the addict.