Drugs and Disease

Different types of drugs have varying effects on the brain and behaviour.
Psychoactive drugs have a direct effect on the brain and alter psychological functioning or consciousness.
Commonly used psychoactive drugs include alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and marijuana.
Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that induce hallucinations and alter perception of reality. Examples include lsd and psilocybin mushrooms.
Depressants, such as alcohol and sedatives, decrease the nervous system’s activity, whereas stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines temporarily enhance it.
Opioids, such as heroin and morphine, produce a sense of euphoria and decrease pain, but are highly addictive.

Long-term use of drugs can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction.
Tolerance involves needing increasingly larger doses of a drug to produce the same effect.
Physical dependence occurs when withdrawal symptoms appear if drug use is suddenly stopped.
Addiction is characterised by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences.
The brain’s reward system is often implicated in addiction, with drugs of abuse typically producing an intense sensation of pleasure or “high”.

Chronic abuse of drugs can lead to several diseases such as liver cirrhosis, lung diseases, heart diseases, and mental disorders.
Heavy alcohol use contributes to liver diseases, including fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Tobacco smoking is strongly linked to lung diseases like emphysema and lung cancer, and also increases the risk of heart diseases.
Cocaine and methamphetamine abuse can lead to a variety of cardiovascular problems.
Chronic marijuana use can have adverse effects on mental health, potentially contributing to conditions like schizophrenia and depression.

Drug addiction and related diseases are often treated through a combination of medications and behavioural therapies.
Detoxification is the first step in many treatment programmes, helping individuals safely withdraw from drugs.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and normalise brain functions.
Behavioural therapies can help individuals modify their attitudes towards drug use, increase healthy life skills, and continue with other forms of treatment, such as medication.
It’s important to note that relapse is a common part of the recovery process, and often indicates that treatment needs to be adjusted.

Public health policies aim to reduce the harm caused by drugs through prevention, harm reduction, and treatment.
Examples of prevention strategies include education about the dangers of drug use and policies that limit access to drugs.
Harm reduction policies aim to reduce the adverse health effects of drug use without requiring abstinence, such as needle exchange programmes for drug users.
Treatment policies focus on providing services to individuals with substance use disorders, including detoxification, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
Drug policies vary widely between countries, reflecting different societal attitudes towards drug use, addiction, and recovery.