What Happens When You Take Drugs

Drug Abuse

Drugs are chemicals that have a profound impact on the neurochemical balance in the brain which directly affects how you feel and act. People who are suffering emotionally use drugs, not so much for the rush, but to escape from their problems. They are trying to self-medicate themselves out of loneliness, low self-esteem, unhappy relationships, or stress. This is a pattern that too often leads to drug abuse and addiction.

Many people move from casual drug use to drug abuse and addiction. Drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, alter gene expression and brain circuitry. Once drug abuse crosses into addiction, the compulsive drug craving, seeking and use occurs. Our featured publications offer a variety of cultural, social, and scientific views on drug abuse.

Drug and substance abuse among teenagers, is substantial. Among youth age 12 to 17, about 1.1 million meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs, and about 1 million are treated for alcohol dependency.

Substance abuse can also be referred to as chemical dependency. If substance abuse is occurring, the body becomes used to the chemicals that are being put into it. For example, if narcotics are being abused, the body will produce less endorphins because the body thinks it is producing too many due to the effects of the drug. The body will then create a chemical dependency to the drug in order to keep the endorphins at a constant level. If the substance is not introduced one may feel pain or depression and re-introduce the substance to once again raise the endorphin levels and treat their symptoms

What happens when you take drugs?

Its reduces appetite, insomnia, edginess, gastro intestinal upset, increased frequency of ticks and nervousness. Many students may be looking for the insomnia in order to study longer for the upcoming finals, but the damage caused to your body won't go away in a matter of days.

Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household)

Recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct)

Isolation from family members (hiding in room, locking bedroom door, and avoiding family activities)

Incidents or charges for public intoxication, DUI, vandalism, breaking and entering, underage alcohol/tobacco use.

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are examples of central nervous system depressants. Phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal) are examples of barbiturates. Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

Alcohol dependence may hide or deny his addiction, and may temporarily manage to maintain a functional life, assessing for alcohol-related disorder can be difficult. Note physical and psychosocial symptoms that suggest alcohol-related disorder. For example, the patient’s history may suggest a need for daily or episodic alcohol use to maintain adequate functioning, an inability to discontinue or reduce alcohol intake, episodes of anesthesia or amnesia (blackouts) during intoxication, episodes of violence during intoxication, and interference with social and familial relationships and occupational responsibilities.

General lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, an "I don't care" attitude. Difficulty paying attention; forgetfulness.

Continual wearing of long-sleeved garments particularly in hot weather or reluctance to wear short-sleeved attire when appropriate