Drugs and Behavior



Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion2

Background2

Drug and its Types3

Drug Addiction4

Drug Use, Abuse, and Addiction4

Effects of Drugs5

Risk Factors7

Individual Level Factors9

Environmental and Other Factors9

Prevention from Drug abuse10

Conclusion12

Drugs and Behavior

Introduction

Throughout the last century, scientists studied the drug abuse which was deeply shadowed by the misconceptions about addiction and its nature. As a successful result of scientific research, addiction is found to be like a virus or disease that has an effect on both brain and behavior. A number of organic and ecological aspects are identified, and the scientists continue their search for the genetic deviations that add in the growth and development of this disease. Using this information and data, scientists are developing effectual treatments and deterrence methods that can be used to reduce the addiction of drugs among societies, groups, families and individuals as well. Regardless of these advancements, still majority do not understand that why persons are abused by drugs or how drugs change and promote their mind to become drugs addicted. Addiction and abuse to nicotine, alcohol and illicit substances costs Americans a huge economy loss per year, affecting their social, criminal, economical and medical aspects. More than 100,000 Americans die due to the abuse of illicit materials like alcohol and drugs. Death rate of people addicted to tobacco is approximately 440,000 per year.

The harmful consequences of drug addiction and abuse are suffered by people of all ages. These include parents, babies, adults and teenagers or adolescents. Drug abuse by parents means hectic, anxiety and tensions in homes and child neglecting and abuse. These circumstances damage the happiness, health and development of children in the home and causes drug addiction in their next phase of life. Babies are born premature and scrawny, which are exposed to illegal drugs in the womb. Adults who are addicted to drugs have severe problems in remembering, concentration and thinking. The drug abuse results poor social behaviors, work performance and effects on their personal relationships. Teenagers who are addicted to drugs perform academically poor which causes school dropout. They are at a maximum risk of infectious diseases and illness, violence and crime and unplanned and early pregnancies. Drugs have diverse effects on the brain and on people's behavior. In accordance to this information, scientists have developed courses for averting drug abuse and helping individuals to recuperate from addiction. The increased understanding of the basics of addiction will allow people to make conversant selections in their lives, implement science-based strategies and plans that diminish drug addiction and abuse in their societies.

Discussion

Background

Before the dawn of society development, human beings have used drugs to change their mood and behavior. Various seeds have been found by the archaeologists proving the abuse of drugs in early centuries. Writings on clay tablets also described rules to manage and stop abuse of alcohol in local bars. Native Americans utilized peyote cactus enriched with mescaline for boosting and encouraging religious insights during their spiritual ceremonies. For many centuries, in the silver mines of South America, the miners masticated coca leaves that contained cocaine, ...