LECTURE 8

States of Consciousness (contd.)

Types
Drug

of Drugs

Abuse and Dependence

PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

A class of drugs that alter conscious experience.

These drugs exert their effects by influencing specific
neurotransmitters in the brain or by chemically
altering the action of neurons in other ways.
The range of effects of psychotropic drugs is
enormous, from mild relaxation to vivid
hallucinations.
The frequency of their use in contemporary society is
enormous.

TYPES OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

Psychotropic drugs can be divided into four major categories:

Depressants: Reduce the activity of inhibitory centers of
the central nervous system, leading to a sense of relaxation
and lowered inhibitions. For example tranquilizers,
sedatives, narcotics and even alcohol.
Stimulants: Are drugs that increase the activity of the
motivational centers and decrease action in inhibitory
centers of the central nervous system . Providing a sense of
energy and well-being. For example caffeine is found in
coffee, tea, soft drinks and some non-prescription medicines.
Caffeine and nicotine are by far the most widely used
stimulants.

CONTD.

Hallucinogens: Produce dreamlike alterations

in perceptual experience. For example PCP or
angel dust. More common amongst teenagers.
Inhalants: Are common household chemicals
that are put to dangerous use when inhaled to
produce feelings of intoxication. For example,
glue, paints and cleaning fluid.

DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

There are two major ways in which drugs can be harmful, drug abuse and
drug dependence.
Drug Abuse: A drug is being abused if its use causes physical or
psychological harm to the individual.

This harm could range from liver damage from excessive alcohol usage to
decline in schools in school performance due to frequent marijuana smoking.
Other kinds of potential harm include brain damage from inhalants, heart
attacks caused by stimulants , loss of control of automobiles caused by
depressants, violence when intoxicated, and the increased risk of infection
with hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from sharing
needles used for drug injection.
Although evidence is less clear but some researchers believe that drugs
change neural functioning in ways that increase risk for serious mental
health problems. For example, early marijuana use may increase a risk of
suicide and later schizophrenia.

CONTD.

Drug Dependence: Many people who use

psychoactive drugs find that they crave them intensely
and suffer intense withdrawal symptoms when they do
not take the drug.
There are three reasons why people become addicted
to psychoactive drugs, regardless of which drug it is
(heroine, cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, nicotine etc).

Sensitization of pleasure and reward system in the

brain.
Reduction of negative feelings
Classical conditioning

CONTD.
Sensitization of pleasure and reward
systems in the brain:
Each class of drug influences different
neurotransmitter systems in the brain.

For example nicotine increases the firing of

acetylcholine neurons and increases alertness.
In addition, however all addictive drugs also
stimulate the systems in the brain that use the
transmitter dopamine and mediate pleasure and
reward.

CONTD.
Reduction of negative feelings
The positive effect on mood created by taking an addictive
drug is quite temporary.

Unfortunately when the positive effect wears off , the

individual often feels worse than before taking the drug.
The more the person takes the drug , the stronger the
negative feeling (withdrawal) is after the drug wears off.
But this aspect of addiction can sometimes result from even
a single experience of some drugs.
When the person takes the drug again , the drug taking is
rewarded by reducing the negative feeling of withdrawal.

CONTD.
Classical conditioning:
When taking a drug is rewarded (through its positive
effects on the brain pleasure systems) or when it reduces
negative withdrawal symptoms, the stimuli that are
present when the drug is taken (the other people or the
bar) become associated with the effects of the drug.

If these stimuli are repeatedly present when the drug is

taken , they become potent cues that increase craving for
the drug.
It is important to know that even the drug itself (such as
a sip of beer or drag on a marijuana joint) is a cue that
increases craving for more of the drug.