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8: Substance Use and Abuse

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Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives. Before further studying addiction and recovery, we must first gain an understanding of the different types of drugs and substances and their effects on the body.

  • 8.1: Understanding Drug Use and Addiction
    This page clarifies misconceptions about drug addiction, emphasizing that it is a complex disease affecting brain function rather than a lack of morality or willpower. It highlights the importance of understanding different drugs and their effects to aid recovery, noting that advancements in knowledge have led to effective treatment options.
  • 8.2: Types of Drugs
    This page discusses the significant health risks associated with drug abuse, highlighting methamphetamine, anabolic steroids, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Methamphetamine use leads to severe psychological issues and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, while anabolic steroids cause mood changes and serious health risks. Cocaine and heroin have high addiction potentials and severe health consequences. Although marijuana is widely used, it poses cognitive and respiratory risks.
  • 8.3: Prescription Drugs
    This page discusses the growing issue of prescription drug abuse in the U.S., affecting about 20% of users for nonmedical reasons, primarily with opioids, CNS depressants, and stimulants. Contributing factors include increased prescriptions and online access. The FDA regulates drug advertising for accuracy. Mixing alcohol with medications poses serious health risks, particularly for older adults and women.
  • 8.4: Alcohol Abuse
    This page discusses the potential cardiovascular benefits of moderate alcohol consumption while highlighting the risks associated with excessive drinking, such as liver disease, addiction, and increased cancer risk. It emphasizes that certain individuals should avoid alcohol altogether, and stresses the importance of moderation and informed choices based on personal health and healthcare guidance.
  • 8.5: Tobacco
    This page emphasizes the severe health risks of tobacco smoke, declaring no safe level of exposure. It highlights immediate bodily damage, increased long-term disease risks, particularly cancers and cardiovascular problems, and nicotine's strong addiction potential. Cigarette designs enhance this addiction, making quitting challenging. However, quitting at any age can drastically reduce health risks, though many require several attempts.
  • 8.6: Myths about Smoking and Cigarettes
    This page discusses the challenges of smoking and nicotine addiction, emphasizing that cessation is difficult but beneficial at any age. It notes that cigarette filters do not make smoking safer and actually increase addiction. Occasional smoking still poses serious health risks, especially to vulnerable populations like children. The harmful effects of secondhand smoke are highlighted, and quitting smoking entirely is presented as the best way to safeguard health and protect others.
  • 8.7: Drug Addiction
    This page discusses addiction as a complex brain disease starting in youth, characterized by compulsive drug use despite negative outcomes. It highlights how drugs affect brain functions, especially dopamine, altering priorities and cravings. Individual variations in addiction stem from biological, environmental, and developmental factors.
  • 8.8: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction
    This page discusses the treatment of drug addiction, emphasizing its chronic nature and the need for ongoing care. Effective treatment includes stopping drug use, maintaining sobriety, and enhancing daily productivity through individualized plans and quick access to services. Key components are detoxification, behavioral counseling, and medication for addiction and mental health disorders.

Thumbnail: Lines of cocaine prepared for insufflation. (Public Domain; Zxc).


This page titled 8: Substance Use and Abuse is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Garrett Rieck & Justin Lundin.

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