Reflection Paper #3

Reflection Paper # 3

Name

Institution

Chapter 7—Just Say Know; Reflection

Drug use is the most alarming underlying cause of multifaceted physiological, neurological, psychological, emotional, social and economical issues of individuals both at micro and macro levels. After consulting this chapter, in the starting section, I came to know that how prevalent the illegal drug use has become in the USA; various surveys from reliable organizations such as National Household Survey on Drug Use, National High School Senior Survey, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study and Drug Abuse Warning Network were presented to enable the reader realize the extent to which this plague perpetuates today’s society. The information presented was obtained from the reliable data collection tools hence it is reliable and authentic enough to believe. Moreover, these surveys presented that drug use is one of the leading cause of death in young people; Codein, Valium, Darvon and Luminal are responsible for the higher proportion of mortality. Surprisingly, 70% of the drug users were found to be employed and earning followed by the 12% student population (SAMSHA, n.d). The second part of the chapter suggests that illegal drug use is not just an active attempt of the abuser to use drugs but it is a formalized business that prepares addicts deliberately and earns considerable amount of money through their recurrent and pervasive urge to consume drugs at any cost. The economic idea of our consumption is your production and your production is our consumption suits best here because despite acknowledging the potential adversities of drugs, individuals tend to consume it repetitively once they get addicted to it (Gahlinger, 2004). Their irresistible urge to use drugs and immense anxiety associated with the uncertain availability of the drugs is the crux of drug business. In addition, there are certain prescribed drugs that cause dependence and addiction through working directly on their nervous systems either suppressing its activities or stimulating it. These drugs are called psycho-pharmaceutical drugs that are often prescribed for anxiety, depression, phobias, panic disorder, mania, psychosis and other mental illnesses. The need of the hour is to develop self- control and a power to say “no” so that issues at macro levels could be mitigated through eradicating troubles at micro levels.

Chapter 8—Amphetamines; Reflection

Amphetamine is the class of drugs that stimulate nervous system and takes the body to alertness and excitation. Its composition and effects are similar to the adrenaline secreted by adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland. This chapter defines the nature and intoxication effects of Amphetamine, frequent users, chemical characteristics and withdrawal symptoms. Its common name is ice and is commonly used as a medical drug for treating obesity, depression, chronic pain, narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When these drugs are prescribed, individuals become overwhelmed by the sense of power and grandiose along with euphoria and excitation. This is the most desired effect of Amphetamine because this drug directly works on the reward system of brain through stimulating prospective receptors of reward system. With the ongoing consumption of this drug, individual becomes habitual to work on the similar pace and feels an urge to take drug after intermittent intervals. Its withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, enhanced drug craving, increased appetite, fatigue, depressed mood, decreased motivation and motor movement, insomnia and lucid dreams (Kao et. al., 2009). Moreover, its overdose causes some psychotic symptoms such as delusion, hallucination and disorganized thinking. In a nutshell, any drug that affects the nervous system either suppressing or stimulating it, must be prescribed with appropriate debriefing about its potential side effects and symptoms originating from its over dosage. Moreover, such patients must be counseled frequently in order to develop self controlling techniques for minimizing the instances of drug dependence.

References

Kao, U., Shoptaw, S. J., Heinzerling, K., Ling, W. (2009). Shoptaw SJ (ed.). Treatment for amphetamine withdrawal. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. (2), CD003021. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003021.pub2

Gahlinger, P. (2004). Illegal Drugs. Penguin Group, Hudson Street: NY USA