Drug Abuse And Misuse PDF

Drug misuse and abuse Kingston Rajiah- Ulster, SPPS What is drug misuse? Drug misuse is taking illegal drugs or taking medicines in a way not recommended by doctors Prescription medicines are meant to be taken as directed by doctors This is because these types of drugs...

Drug misuse and abuse Kingston Rajiah- Ulster, SPPS What is drug misuse? Drug misuse is taking illegal drugs or taking medicines in a way not recommended by doctors Prescription medicines are meant to be taken as directed by doctors This is because these types of drugs (medicines) can cause adverse side effects if directions are not followed  Drug misuse Drug misuse happens when Examples of this these substances are taken include: Taking the incorrect dose for a purpose that is not Taking the drug at the wrong time consistent with legal or Forgetting to take a dose medical guidelines. Stopping the use of a drug too soon Taking a drug for reasons other than why they were prescribed Taking a drug that was not prescribed to you What is drug abuse? Drug abuse happens when drugs, including illicit drugs, or any psychoactive substances, are misused to get high or inflict self-harm It is also known as substance use disorder (SUD) since people who abuse drugs experience significantly altered thinking, behaviour, and body functions  The key difference between a person who misuses How is drugs and a person who abuses drugs is their intent An example of drug misuse is when a person who can’t drug fall asleep after taking a single sleeping pill takes misuse The former takes a drug to another pill an hour later hoping that “it’ll do the job” different treat a specific ailment, whereas the latter uses a However, it’s drug abuse from drug drug to elicit certain feelings when a person consumes sleeping pills to manage abuse? their moods or acquire a “buzz,” or — in worst-case scenarios — to commit suicide What is drug addiction? Drug addiction (also known as severe SUD), is a brain disorder that manifests as the uncontrollable use of a substance despite its consequences People with drug addiction have a physical and/or psychological need to take a substance because they suffer intense or debilitating withdrawal symptoms when they go without that substance How is drug abuse different from drug addiction? Drug addiction is a severe form of drug abuse The distinction between the two disorders lies in how much control the user can exercise over themselves Since a person who abuses drugs still has control over their life, they don’t experience major disruption in their life  How is drug abuse different from drug addiction? In contrast, those with an addiction have a disorder that affects most if not all aspects of their lives They often miss work or school, endanger their families physically and/or financially, suffer health problems, get into legal trouble, and other serious issues because of their substance use But despite these, they are unable to change their habits to improve their situation This is why many people with drug addiction become jobless, homeless, or separated from their families. Some even die from their substance use How do someone get help for drug misuse? Since drug misuse isn’t a disorder, a simple reprimand may help remedy the issue However, repeated drug misuse can easily escalate to drug abuse and eventually addiction This is because it can lead to increased drug tolerance then drug dependency where cognitive, behavioural, and physiological problems develop How do someone get help for drug abuse? In drug abuse cases, an honest conversation about drug abuse and its consequences can inspire a person to change since they still have control over their behaviour It’s important that they understand all the psychological, social, legal, mental, and spiritual repercussions of substance abuse How do someone get help for drug addiction? On the other hand, willpower is not enough to change the behaviour of a person with a drug addiction As their bodies are already chemically dependent on a substance, they would need pharmacotherapy The process usually starts with a medically supervised detoxification period to manage the symptoms of drug withdrawal A mental health professional then works with the patient to tailor a recovery plan toward sobriety This plan may involve regular attendance at support group meetings and follow-up therapy sessions to ensure that the patient has the tools and techniques to help them maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle  Drugs dependence Drug dependence means that the body has become so used to having that drug regularly that the person needs that particular drug to function normally, and if it were stopped person would feel unwell. People who have drug dependence may have psychological dependence and/or physical dependence and/or tolerance to a particular drug Psychological dependence Psychological dependence means a person has a craving or compelling to use a particular drug and is unable to stop even though it may be dangerous to take the drug Physical dependence Withdrawal symptoms Physical dependence not being able to means that if the sleep drug is stopped irritability suddenly, the person changing moods depression get withdrawal anxiety symptoms aches and pains cravings tiredness  Tolerance Tolerance is a person's diminished response to a drug, which occurs when the drug is used repeatedly, and the body adapts to the continued presence of the drug It means that a person needs more and more of the same drug to give him/her the same effect/feeling as the smaller amount that person used when first started taking that drug Examples of some drugs that cause dependence include nicotine heroin (also known as diacetylmorphine) cocaine amphetamine alcohol Tolerance Some people can also become dependent on medicines that are on prescription Examples are: Z drugs (called this because they begin with the letter Z: zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon). Benzodiazepines (for example, lorazepam, lormetazepam, diazepam) Opioids (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine) Other medicines that can be bought from pharmacies – for example, over-the-counter medicines (Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine, Dimenhydrinate) What are the UK drug laws? The Medicines Act (1968) The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) The Psychoactive Substances Act (2016)  This law governs the manufacture and supply of medicine It divides medical drugs into three The categories Medicine Prescription only medicine (POM) is the most restricted s Act They can only be dispensed by a pharmacist if supplied by a doctor. 1968 Pharmacy medicine (P) can be sold without a prescription but only by a pharmacist General Sales List medicine (GSL) can be sold by any shop, not just a pharmacy The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 This act is intended to prevent the non-medical use of certain drugs (For example-recreational drugs) For this reason, it controls not just medicinal drugs (which will also be in the Medicines Act) but also drugs with no current medical use Drugs subject to this Act are known as ‘controlled’ drugs  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 The law defines a series of offences including: unlawful supply intent to supply import or export and unlawful production unlawful possession The main difference from the Medicines Act is that the Misuse of Drugs Act prohibits unlawful possession To enforce this law, the police have the power to stop, detain, and search people on ‘reasonable suspicion’ that they are in possession of a controlled drug  The Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) divides drugs into three classes as follows: The Misuse Class A of Drugs Act 1971 Class B Class C  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Class A: drugs are most dangerous to health cocaine (including crack; nicknamed charlie, coke, snow) MDMA: 3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (ecstasy, molly or mandy, E, pills, XTC, disco biscuits, Mitsubishis, Rolexs, dolphins) heroin lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD; nicknamed- acid, trips, blotters, tabs) methadone methamphetamine (crystal meth) fresh and prepared magic mushrooms (nicknamed- liberties) phencyclidine (PCP; nicknamed- angel dust) DOM: 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (STP- serenity, tranquility and peace)  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Class B: drugs are also considered to be dangerous, but less than class A drugs amphetamine (not methamphetamine) barbiturates codeine ketamine (nicknamed- special K, vitamin K, green) SCRA-Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists (nicknamed- Spice, Kronic, Northern Lights, K2, and Kaos) The term synthetic cannabinoids or synthetic cannabis is incorrect, as they do not have similar chemical structure but mimic the effects of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in cannabis. GBL (gamma butyrolactone) and GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) (nicknamed- liquid ecstasy, club drugs and date-rape drugs) All cathinone derivatives, including mephedrone, methylone, methedrone and MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone)  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Class C: drugs are treated as harmful to health by the law (they are still illegal to possess and give or sell to other people) anabolic steroids (it’s not an offence to possess them for personal use) minor tranquillisers or benzodiazepines like valium, and flunitrazepam (rohypnol) (nicknamed- roofies, date-rape drugs) Khat-leafy green plant (contains cathine and cathinone) BZP-Benzylpiperazine (nicknamed- party pill, Lovelies, A2, Legal X, Pep X, Frenzy or Nemesis) The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act can include: Possession of a controlled drug Possession with intent to supply another person Production, cultivation or manufacture of controlled drugs Supplying another person with a controlled drug Offering to supply another person with a controlled drug Import or export of controlled drugs Allowing premises you occupy or manage to be used for the consumption of certain controlled drugs or supply or production of any controlled drug, smoking of cannabis or opium Certain controlled drugs such as amphetamines, barbiturates, methadone, minor tranquillisers and occasionally heroin can be obtained through a legitimate doctor’s prescription. In such cases, their possession is not illegal The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Designer drug It is a structural or functional analog of a controlled substance that has been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug This is to avoid classification as illegal and/or detection in standard drug tests  The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971-Temporary Class Drug Orders (TCDO) As new drugs were being found frequently, TCDO was amended in 2011 under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 This allow the Home Secretary to place a new psychoactive substance not already controlled as a Class A, B or C drug but causing concerns TCDO come into immediate effect and last for up to 12 months This period allows the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) time to provide expert advice on the temporary class drug and its potential harms During or at the end of the 12-month period the TCDO is subject to Parliamentary review The review considers the independent report given by the ACMD After 12 months the TCDO will expire unless it is brought under permanent control of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or extended  Offences committed under the Tempora 1971 Act in relation to a temporary class drug are ry Class subject to the following maximum penalties – 14 years’ imprisonment Drug and an unlimited fine on indictment Orders and 6 months’ imprisonment and a (TCDO) £5,000 fine on summary conviction Where do people get them? Internet pharmacies Theft Forged prescriptions Friends and family Elderly patients Patients on pain medication On prescription from a doctor – Possible doctor shopping (visiting multiple physicians to obtain multiple prescriptions) Manipulation of doctor  Question patient further How to identify drug Contact prescriber misuser/abus er? Patients usual doctor – if ‘doctor shopping’ Professional judgement Questions?