Drug dependence and abuse

Drug

• Is any substance other than those required

for maintenance of normal health that when
taken into the living organism may modify
one or more of its function
Substance dependence

Arises out of maladaptive pattern of substance

use, leading to a cluster of behavioral,
cognitive and physiological phenomenon that
develop after repeated intake.
Substance abuse

It is persistent or sporadic excessive drug use,

inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable
medical practice.
 Physical dependence
• Alteration of the neural systems which is
manifested by tolerance and the appearance
of withdrawal phenomenon when a
chronically administered drug is discontinued
or displaced from its receptor
Addiction

Chronic disorder characterized by compulsive

use of drugs (craving) resulting in physical,
psychological and social harm and continued
use despite evidence of that harm.
Drug habituation

It is a condition resulting from the repeated

consumption of a drug, in which there is a
psychological or emotional dependency on
the drug
Trait Drug addiction Drug habituation

Compulsion Present Desire but no

compulsion

Dose Tendency to increase No tendency to

increase

Dependence Psychological and Psychological

physical

Withdrawal Characteristic None or mild

symptoms

Harm Both to individual If any ,to the

and society individual
 Symptoms of drug dependence
• Loss of weight, appetite
• Clumsy movements, gait, tremors
• Reddening, puffiness of the eyes
• Profuse sweating, mood changes
• Depersonalisation and emotional detachment
• Impaired memory and concentration
• Money disappears, needles, syringes, strange
packets at homes
 Withdrawal symptoms
• 6 to 8 hours after stoppage of a drug
• Chilliness, yawning, rhinorrhoea
• Goose skin, lacrimation, gross tremors and
dilated pupils
• Anorexia, GI symptoms, delusions and
hallucinations
 Types of dependence
• Morphine type
• Barbiturate type
• Cocaine type
• Cannabis type
• Amphetamine type
Classification of drug of abuse
Opiates - Heroin , morphine etc

Stimulants- Cocaine , methamphetamine etc

Hallucinogens – LSD , marijuana etc

Depressants- Barbiturates, chloralhydrate etc

Miscellaneous-Amitriptyline , pentazocine etc