Effects of Drug Abuse

Name of Student

Name of Institution

Bernard, M. (2006). Drug Addiction and Families. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.“The most common and damaging misunderstanding about drug dependency is that it only concerns the person using the drugs. If we could just fix the addict then everything else would be alright. It is a perception, which not only places an enormous pressure on the individual who is dependent on drugs but it also ignores the pain experienced by families and loved ones. One of the first lessons I learnt as a recovering alcoholic was that what I considered ‘my’ problem was in fact a problem for a lot of other people as well. The pain and illness spreads out from the addict to encompass partners, children, siblings and friends. The family can find itself caught in a web of denial, shame, anger and sheer bewilderment as the drug user is pulled away from them by the force of addiction” (Bernard, 2006).

Getaway Foundation (2014). Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved 12 November

2014 from http://recovergateway.org/substance-abuse-resources/drug-addiction-effects/“Drugs are chemicals. Different drugs, because of their chemical structures, can effect the body in different ways. In fact, some drugs can even change a person’s body and brain in ways that last long after the person has stopped taking drugs, maybe even permanently. Most abused drugs directly or indirectly target the brain’s reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. When drugs enter the brain, they can actually change how the brain performs its jobs. These changes are what lead to compulsive drug use, the hallmark of addiction” (Gateway Foundation, 2014).

Tracy, N. (2010). Effects of Drug Abuse. Retrieved 12 November 2014 from

http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/drug-addiction/effects-of-drug-abuse/“Drug abusers choose drugs over all else; that includes family and friends. One of the side effects of drug abuse is the loss of friendship and family due to these choices. Families and friends have to watch as the drug abuser pulls away and the effects of drug abuse ravage their body and mind. Moreover, one of the side effects of drug use may be bizarre, out of character, behavior that further separates the drug abuser from their loved ones. The effects of drug abuse can also include decreasing performance in work or school. This decreased performance may lead to disciplinary action, expulsion or dismissal, creating money problems and possibly even legal troubles. Discontinuing participation in sports and giving up hobbies are other effects of drug abuse” (Tracy, 2010).

Willis, S. (2005). Drugs of Abuse. (Second Edition). London: Pharmaceutical Press.

“The term ‘drug abuse’ is viewed by some as inappropriate because it can be seen as judgmental. However, alternatives are not very satisfactory. ‘Drug abuse’ is bland and fails to separate medicinal agent from recreational drug. ‘Drug misuse’ tends to imply that a drug has a proper use and is being employed for an incorrect purpose. For many illicit substances there are no legitimate medical purpose – their sole use is as a psychoactive drug. Most dictionaries make little distinction between the definitions of abuse and misuse, and when applied to illicit drugs both terms are commonly used” (Willis, 2005).