Substance (Drug) and its effect on Mental Health

Substance (Drug) Use Part 1

A drug is any substance other than food which changes the way the body or mind functions. It may or may not have medicinal value. Drugs can come from plants or manufactured in laboratories. Their use can be legal, illegal, helpful or harmful. Helpful drug use by a doctor’s prescription can be in instances such as:  Getting better if one is ill  Reducing pain from illness or injury  Preventing illness by vaccination  Managing mental illness by balancing brain chemicals  Helping the body produce chemicals it may not do on its own like making insulin.

Psychoactive drugs work on the mind or on behavior by altering one’s mood and the way they think and act. Their classification can be based on their status as well as action and properties. Status:  legal  chemical  medical  social Action and properties:  stimulant – caffeine, nicotine, khat, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine (crystal meth) , MDMA (ecstasy)  depressant – alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, solvents, cannabis in low doses, opioids (heroin, morphine, pethidine)  hallucinogenic – cannabis in high doses, ketamine, mescaline, magic mushrooms, LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine), PCP (Phencyclidine), MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) Why do people use drugs?  Experimenting  Relax/energize/excitement  Gain confidence/reduce anxiety  Be cool/socialize/have fun  Go to sleep/stay awake  Reduce physical and emotional pain  Forget problems  Boredom/depression  Loose/gain weight  Get high/experience altered states  Sports  Sex  Symbol of rebellion  Religious ritual  To avoid withdrawal symptoms if dependent Substance abuse or misuse is any drug use that causes personal problems such as health, emotional, relationship, work, financial and legal. It is any drug use that breaks healthy connections with family, friends and society.

One does not have to be an addict or alcoholic to have a problem with substances.

.......................................................................................................................................................To be continued in Part 2