ILLICIT DRUG USE AND ALCOHOL USE

The Difference between Illicit Drug Use and Alcohol Use

The Difference between Illicit Drug Use and Alcohol Use

Introduction

Statues distinguish between the lawful and illicit drugs such as nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and heroine and it is important to analyse whether declaring some of the drugs legal and other illegal bring any social benefit. The discussion aims to identify the reasons fro which the drugs are illegal and how alcohol use can become a substance abuse. This understanding is crucial since drug and alcohol use is becoming socially critical. For this purpose, the paper contrast between the use of illicit drug use and alcohol use.

Discussion

In the social perspective drug has two connotations, one is positive explaining the crucial role of drugs in medicine, and the other is negative that reflects the natural and synthetic makeup of these chemicals depict the self destruction and socially disastrous pattern of misuse. There are substances which people use despite their careful prescriptions which bring harmful health effects (West, 2006, 102). On the other hand, the alcohol use is largely recreational and is declared legal by the governments. However, the decisive factor is to ensure the difference between the drugs sue and abuse.

Illegal drug use

These are the drugs whose use is not declared legal by the government. The World Health Organization defines drug as any substance which when introduced into the body may modify one or more functions of it. These drugs are capable of generating dependency, changes and other responses that encourage taking the substance in a continuous way. The government allows illegal drugs and; therefore, there use is not legal. The fact that some drugs are prohibited, despite their popularity, aroused a debate. Drugs acquired a symbolic value and become a fairly simple and yet very self-destructive to express discontent. Some of the drugs under the category of illegal drugs are as following:

Opioids - It has a powerful capability of addiction.

Heroin synthesizes from morphine which the drug addicts use intravenously and sometimes nasal inhaled as dust. The elimination of the drug produces anxiety, vomiting, insomnia, ramps, difficulty breathing, violence, goose bumps, and dilated pupils. Whereas, the effects of intoxication are euphoria and sedation. The language is confusing; there is decreased coordination and attention (West, 2006, 101).

Amphetamines decrease appetite, use overdrive produces hyperactivity- Its abuse leads to feelings of persecution and creates addiction, dependence and tolerance.

Cocaine - It is a synthetic substance in the form of white powder that is inhaled through the nose and produces feelings of well-being, excitement and euphoria. Tiredness disappears and changes in perception and pseudo hallucinations occur. There is an increase in heart rate and breathing.

There are some of the criteria for the drugs to be declared illegal. For an example,

The non medical use of a substance

The excessive use of the substance that alters the mental state

The use in the manner that is detrimental to the individual or the community.

Alcohol use

Alcohol is a culturally acceptable, legal drug that is part of the lives of many men ...