8.5.3 Effects of Drug/Alcohol Abuse

8.5.3 Effects of Drug/Alcohol Abuse
  • The immediate adverse effects of drugs and alcohol abuse are manifested in the form of reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence.
  • Excessive doses of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, heart failure or cerebral hemorrhage.
A combination of drugs or their intake along with alcohol generally results in overdosing and even deaths. 
  • Alcohol + Barbiturate = increases depresent effects
  • Alcohol + Antihistamines = cause drowiness
  • Alcohol + Valium = increase sedative effects
  • Alcohol + Hashish = decrease coordination
  • Alcohol + Aspirin = damage to gastro-intestinal mucosa
The most common warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse among youth include.
  • Drop in academic performance, unexplained absence from school/college, 
  • lack of interest in personal hygiene, withdrawal, isolation, depression, 
  • fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour, 
  • deteriorating relationships with family and friends, 
  • loss of interest in hobbies, change in sleeping and eating habits, 
  • fluctuations in weight, appetite, etc. 
  • There may even be some far-reaching implications of drug/alcohol abuse. 
  • If an abuser is unable to get money to buy drugs/alcohol he/she may turn to stealing. 
  • The adverse effects are just not restricted to the person who is using drugs or alcohol. At times, a drug/alcohol addict becomes the cause of mental and financial distress to his/her entire family and friends.
  • Those who take drugs intravenously (direct injection into the vein using a needle and syringe), are much more likely to acquire serious infections like AIDS and Hepatitis B. 
  • The viruses, which are responsible for these diseases, are transferred from one person to another by sharing of infected needles and syringes. 
  • Both AIDS and Hepatitis B infections are chronic infections and ultimately fatal. Both can be transmitted through sexual contact or infected blood. 
  • The use of alcohol during adolescence may also have long-term effects. It could lead to heavy drinking in adulthood. 
  • The chronic use of drugs and alcohol damages nervous system and liver (cirrhosis). 
  • The use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy is also known to adversely affect the foetus. 
  • Another misuse of drugs is what certain sportspersons do to enhance their performance. 
  • They (mis)use narcotic analgesics, anabolic steroids, diuretics and certain hormones in sports to increase muscle strength and bulk and to promote aggressiveness and as a result increase athletic performance. 
The side-effects of the use of anabolic steroids in females include
  • masculinisation (features like males), 
  • increased aggressiveness, 
  • mood swings, depression, 
  • abnormal menstrual cycles, 
  • excessive hair growth on the face and body, 
  • enlargement of clitoris, 
  • deepening of voice. 
In males it includes
  • acne, increased aggressiveness, 
  • mood swings, 
  • depression, 
  • reduction of size of the testicles, 
  • decreased sperm production, 
  • potential for kidney and liver dysfunction, 
  • breast enlargement, premature baldness, 
  • enlargement of the prostate gland. 
  • These effects may be permanent with prolonged use. In the adolescent male or female, severe facial and body acne, and premature closure of the growth centres of the long bones may result in stunted growth.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

6.10 DNA FINGERPRINTING

Image
  6.10 DNA FINGERPRINTING   DNA fingerprinting is a very quick way to compare the DNA sequences of any two individuals. DNA fingerprinting involves identifying differences in some specific regions in DNA sequence called as repetitive DNA, because in these sequences, a small stretch of DNA (TANDEM REPEATS) is repeated many times.  Satellite DNA Repetitive DNA are separated from bulk genomic DNA as different peaks during density gradient centrifugation.  The bulk DNA forms a major peak and the other small peaks are referred to as satellite DNA. Depending on base composition (A : T rich or G:C rich), length of segment, and number of repetitive units, the satellite DNA is classified into many categories, such as micro-satellites, mini-satellites etc.                                 POLYMORPHISM  &  POLYMORPHIC DNA  Polymorphism is a variation at genetic...
Read more

DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION

Image
DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION Food is one of the basic requirements of all living organisms.  The major components of our food are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.  Vitamins and minerals are also required in small quantities.  Food provides energy and organic materials for growth and repair of tissues.  The water we take in, plays an important role in metabolic processes and also prevents dehydration of the body.  Biomacromolecules in food cannot be utilised by our body in their original form. They have to be broken down and converted into simple substances in the digestive system.  This process of conversion of complex food substances to simple absorbable forms is called digestion and is carried out by our digestive system by mechanical and biochemical methods.  General organisation of the human digestive system is shown in Figure 16.1. 16.1 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM  The human digestive system consists of the alimentary canal and the a...
Read more

Regulation of Breathing

Image
  Regulation of Breathing The regulation of breathing is based in the body's acid/base balance. The Central Chemoreceptors (CCR), primarily responsible for the breathing stimulation, are affected by the PaCO 2.  The responsiveness of the peripheral receptors is tied to the level of pH and PaCO 2 . Together these provide the ultimate in servo-control - sensors provide feedback that increase or decrease breathing. Medullary Respiratory Center The rhythmic cycle of breathing originates in the medulla. Higher brain centers (voluntary control), systemic receptors, and reflexes modify the medulla's output. However, no truly separate inspiratory and expiratory centers have been identified. The medulla does contain several widely dispersed groups of respiratory-related neurons that form dorsal and ventral respiratory groups. Fig-Schematic illustration of the respiratory components of the lower brainstem (pons and medulla oblongata). PNC = pneumotaxic center; APC = apneustic center; DR...
Read more