The Social Psychology of Drug Abuse

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Definition and Demographics

Stimulants are defined as drugs which cause temporary improvement in either physical or
mental states (functions) or both. These drugs improve wakefulness, alertness, excitability,
locomotion etc. A central nervous system (CNS) depressant is a drug that tends to lower the vital
capacity rate of physiological activities. These drugs depress excitability and arousal; they have
the opposite effect of the stimulant drugs. Opioids are analgesic (pain killer) medications. There
are various types of opioids including hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and morphine among
others. Hallucinogens are drugs which are hallucinogenic, which means that they induce
hallucinations. These include cocaine and heroin among others.
Alcohol which is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol is the intoxicating component of
beverages such as wine, liquor and beer. Marijuana, also known as cannabis is a psychoactive
product of the hemp plant. It could be any part of the plant including its leaves, seeds, flowers,
and stems which is known as hashish in a more concentrated form.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted by the
Human Health Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration between
2002- 2005, there has been a rising trend in the abuse of prescription drugs in the united states.
Concerning the abuse prescription drugs i.e. stimulants, CNS depressants and opioids, the study
revealed that adolescents (especially girls), the elderly population and women in general are
likely to abuse these drugs. People likely to abuse alcohol come from families with a history of
alcohol abuse. These will often be adolescents. Men are also more likely to abuse alcohol. On
marijuana and hallucinogens, people likely to abuse it also report abuse of other substances, most
of who are aged 18-25 years.

Drug Regulations
In an effort to curb and reduce drug abuse, the food and drug administration (FDA) sets
laws and regulations concerning drugs with risk of abuse. An example of this is shown in certain
prescription drugs, such as opioids which require a prescription for the drugs to be provided.
These prescriptions must be refilled after a set number of uses and after a certain time period.
This helps with the regulation of prescription drugs.
Most hallucinogens are illegal in most countries in the west, and are considered to be
schedule I drugs. Marijuana is also a schedule I controlled substance. The legality of these drugs
however varies in many parts of the world, just like the penalties for possession and trafficking
of these drugs do. The medical benefits conveyed by marijuana cause it to be legalized in some
cases; however, this also contributes to its abuse.
How these drugs work and their effects
Prescription drugs can be very helpful to the body and the health of an individual when
taken correctly under supervision, but they can be very harmful when taken outside of the correct
parameters. Stimulants work by raising the baseline of normal physiologic body functions. By
doing this, they cause increased blood pressure, increased respiratory and heart rates, sleep
deprivation and heart rates and may induce paranoia. Prolonged abuse or overdose may cause
irregular heartbeat, cardiac failure and even seizures. Opioids prevent pain by depressing the
CNS centers responsible for pain sensation. If abused, they cause the depression of respiratory
rates and this may lead to death. CNS depressants work in the exact opposite of the stimulant
drugs; they depress the normal baseline of physiologic body functions. A reduction in their

chronic use may cause seizures when they trigger a rebound in brain activity suddenly. If
overdosed, they cause death through excessively depressed respiratory and/or heart rates.
Alcohol also works as a CNS depressant. When abused it may cause harm to a
developing fetus inside its mother, impairment of motor skills and brain function, and heavy,
prolonged use predisposes one to cancers, liver disease and stroke.
Hallucinogens cause a feeling of euphoria but their overdose causes respiratory
depression which may result in respiratory failure and death.
Marijuana has many effects on the body including: the impairment of short-term
memory, impaired motor coordination and reduced reaction time, increased heart rate, altered
mood and altered judgment and ability to make decisions.
Symptoms of abuse
The symptoms of drug abuse range from drug to drug, but they may also overlap as
abusers tend to abuse more than one drug at a time. The general symptoms of drug abuse
include; a feeling that one needs to use the drug; inability to stop using the drug; the abuser
ensuring that they have a constant supply of the drug; spending money irresponsibly in the drug;
developing habits that one wouldnt otherwise display to maintain the drug habit e.g. stealing;
feeling that one needs the drug to deal with their problems; indulging in risky behavior when
under the influence of the drug; devoting more energy and time to acquiring the drug.
Though these symptoms may not always be apparent, other signs may be used as a red
flag for the suspicion of drug abuse. These signs include; altered personality; failure to keep up

with ones responsibilities; if the abuser is school-going, it may surface in reduced academic
performances; and other general behavioral changes.
Treatment Methods
There are many different methods used in the treatment of drug abuse and drug problems.
Treatment may involve inpatient settings for more serious addictions and outpatient for less
serious ones. Detox is used to remove the drug from the patients bloodstream and cause them to
be less dependent on it; this may involve the use of certain medications. Cognitive behavioral
therapy is used to help the patient go to the root of the problem; the root cause of their addiction
to the drug. Outpatient treatment involves support groups, encouraging the patient to engage in
constructive pass time activities, and monitoring them to ensure that they do not relapse.
Counseling is also necessary to prevent initial relapse after the patients rehab stay.
Prevention of drug abuse
The national institute of drug abuse (NIDA) has set specific goals towards the prevention
of drug abuse. Concerning the abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol, they have set up
surveillance systems and conduct frequent researches to keep them updated on what is going on.
They disseminate information on the harmful effects of abuse of prescription drugs in an effort to
curb their abuse. This information is specifically targeted at high risk groups such as adolescents
and college students.
Other drugs such as hallucinogens and marijuana are considered illicit. Strict penalties
are imposed on traffickers especially, and possessors to a lesser extent. If one is found in the
possession drugs, they risk facing a prison sentence. These penalties are put in place to curb or at
least reduce the abuse of these drugs.

References
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2006). Efforts of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to
Prevent and Treat Prescription Drug Abuse. Testimony before the Subcommittee on
Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources Committee on Government
Reform, United States House of Representatives.
Coalition against drug abuse (n.d). Symptoms and Signs of Drug Abuse. Retrieved from
http://drugabuse.com/library/symptoms-and-signs-of-drug-abuse/