Diploma In Pharmacy - DPE 3912 Drug And Society Lecture 1 PDF

DIPLOMA IN PHARMACY DPE 3912 DRUG AND SOCIETY Lecture 1  INTRODUCTION Drug dependence & abuse -drug dependence & abuse has been the most complex problem faced by the country. -the community involvement with drug not bounded by age and involved all groups either poor,...

DIPLOMA IN PHARMACY DPE 3912 DRUG AND SOCIETY Lecture 1  INTRODUCTION Drug dependence & abuse -drug dependence & abuse has been the most complex problem faced by the country. -the community involvement with drug not bounded by age and involved all groups either poor, rich, professional , laborers, public servants or students. -drug dependence and misuse pose serious threats to well being of society and are responsible for much illness and death among addicts.  Addiction is a brain disease  ‘That addiction is lead to changes in brain structure and function is what makes it, fundamentally a brain disease’  Addiction  ‘an addiction is any thinking or behavior that is habitual, repetitious and very difficult or impossible to control regardless of the consequences ‘ –Gary R. Collins, Phd.  Addiction  Short term pleasure but long term pain  Addiction almost always leads to social, family, financial, marital and legal issue.  The significant persons of the addict suffer from depression, drug abuse, children suffer from low academics success, babies are often born with development disabilities, fear, shame and guilt are the norm in the lives of person close to addict.  Courses of Addiction  Some addiction have no physical cause  Many addiction are compulsive behaviors gone completely unchecked and unmanaged.  Chemical dependency is the most common form of addiction and is a physical addiction.  Addiction Behavior  Some of an addiction behaviors :  Food addiction  -many people are addicted to foods, more specifically sugar and fats.  -can lead to serious health issues such as complications related to obesity.  Addiction Behavior  Pornography/ sex  - broken homes  -increase risk behavior that can lead to health issues  -risk of assault or abuse  -legal issues Terminologies/ definitions  Drug- a pharmaceutical preparation or a naturally substance used primarily to bring about a change in the existing process or state ( physiological, psychological or biochemical)  Drug use- when drugs used to treat an illness, prevent a disease and improve health condition. Terminologies/ definitions  Illicit drugs- unlawful drugs listed in schedule 1 of illicit drugs control act 2004.  Psychoactive drug- any substance that affects the CNS and alters mood, perception and consciousness. Psychoactive drug can be categorized as depressant, stimulant and hallucinogens.  terminologies/ definitions  DRUG ABUSE-is the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescriptions or over the counter drugs for at least a year with negatives consequences.  Also known as: intake of drug for reasons other than medical in a manner that effects physical or mental functioning. Drug abuse can lead to addiction.  DRUG USER- is commonly used to refer to someone who participate in drug / substance use. Terminologies / definitions  Drug misuse- refers to drug use that is problematic and incurs a significant risk or harm.  Terminologies/ definitions  DRUG MISUSER –refer to someone undertaking drug use in such a way that it is problematical and presents  DRUG DEPENDENCE- is defined by world Health Organization (WHO) as:  ‘a class of psychological, behavior and cognitive phenomena of variable intensity in which the use of a psychoactive drug/s take on a high priority. The necessary descriptive characteristics are preoccupation with a desire to obtain & take the drug & persistent drug seeking behavior’(WHO1993) Terminologies/ definitions  Drug dependence means that a person needs a drug to function normally.  Characterized by a preoccupation with a drug, detriment of other interests or responsibility and compulsion to take it without concern for the consequences.  Abruptly stopping the drug leads to withdrawal syndrome. It can be primarily physical or psychological.  Terminologies/ definitions  Physical when an individual requires continued administration of the drug to prevent physical withdrawal symptoms.  Psychological when either a search for pleasure or euphoria or a need to escape : -unpleasant mood states -the harsh realities of life are primarily drives -or both  The person who dependent on a drug in this way can be described as an ADDICT. Terminologies/ definitions  A person may have a physical dependence on a substance without having an addiction.  Exp: drug for hypertension do not cause addiction but they can cause physical dependence.  Other drug such as cocaine can cause addiction without physical dependence. Terminologies/ definitions  TOLERANCE –means, needing a higher dose to attain the same effect. It is usually a part of addiction.  Or refers to a condition where the user needs more and more of the drug to experience the same effect. Smaller dose which were sufficient earlier, are no longer effective and the user is forced to increase the amount of drug intake.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs? 1. BENEFITS  People who use psychoactive drugs do so because they expect to experience a benefit in some way.  They may be aware of risks too but these are weighed up agonist the perceived benefits and the decision to take the drug prevails.  The extent of the benefits and risks will of course vary depending on the drug, the circumstances and how it is used.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ? The expected perceived benefits may include :  The attainment of pleasurable feelings (exp: relaxing)  Increase social interaction (exp:reduced inhibition)  Alteration of person’s psychological condition to a more desirable state (exp: escapism)  Physical change (exp: anabolic steroid taken by bodybuilders)  Avoidance of withdrawal symptoms in someone who dependent on a drug.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs? 2. CHOICE OF DRUG USE  The decision to use a drug may be influenced by many things, include : -availability and opportunity to try -legal status of the drug -perceived desired effects -perceived risks  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ? -acceptability of the drug and/ or method of administration to the individual, individual’s peer group and society -specifically the desirability of the effects versus the risks  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ? 3. RISKS  The risks from various drugs are not equivalent.  Their incidence and nature vary with the drug and how it is used, the individual concerned and their circumstances, exp: -the presence of impurities -the dose -the frequency -the personality of the individual drug users  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ? 4. CONTROL AND DEPENDENCE  A lack of specific types of neurological control is sometimes given as a reason why some people develop addiction to specific psychoactive drug whereas others do not.  The level of control a drug user has over his use will influence the balance between the benefits and harms experienced.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ?  With controlled use, harm can be prevented  Uncontrolled use is characteristic of drug dependence.  Drug dependence can present a significant amount risk and harm to the individual and to society.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ? 5. WITHDRAWAL  When a person stop using a substance they dependent on they often experience withdrawal.  Withdrawal can be described in 2 forms: a) physical withdrawal effect -these are physical sign and symptoms experienced when the drug is removed.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ?  Exp: seizures in alcohol withdrawal -Physical withdrawal effects can quite severe and tend to be shorter duration than psychological withdrawal effects.  Exp: acute physical withdrawal stage from heroin last about 7 days b) psychological withdrawal effects -these are psychological disturbances experienced when a drug is removed.  Why do people use psychoactive drugs ?  Psychological withdrawal includes intense emotional experiences such as intense craving, altered mood and depression.  It tends to be of long duration and contributes markedly to relapse back to drug use.