Common Substances Abuse

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of common substances abuse in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on the effect of the different psychoactive substances and its relation with society. The research also analyzes many aspects of psychoactive substances and tries to gauge its effect on an individuals and risks associated with it. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for the addiction of these psychoactive substances and tries to describe the overall effect of the society.

Introduction4

Discussion4

Social Effect4

Risk Factors5

Intervention strategies5

Impact of Traumatic or Depressive Event6

Level of Addiction6

Abuse or Dependence7

Social Use8

Cultural Specific Intervention8

Genetic Impact of Chemical Dependency8

Genes9

Mental Illness9

Social Environment9

Traumatic Event9

Conclusion9

References11

Common Substances of Abuse

Introduction

Psychoactive substances are chemical substances that cross the blood-brain barrier and impacts upon the central nervous system. These substances effect the brain functioning and result in altering the mood, perception, cognition, attitude, thoughts and behavior of an individual. Psychoactive substances are mainly used intentionally to change the mood and alter one's consciousness. Consequently, some of the psychoactive drugs and substances are used by the therapist as an anesthesia for the treatment of the psychiatric disorders (Roth, 2007).

As these substances are used to bring about subjective changes in consciousness and perceptions, which are found pleasant by the user. These substances are abused because they are used excessively despite the adverse effect on the health and the user might lose his conscious and ability to evaluate things, which results in different criminal acts and unethical practices in the society. This research is conducted to evaluate various impacts of the psychoactive substances on the society, the risk associated with these and its genetic collision (Nixon, 1972).

Discussion

Social Effect

Psychoactive substances are presumed to be harmful for the society. These substances are commonly available and are referred as 'legal high' because they contain certain essences that are not legally accepted in the society and are not safe for an individual. When a society is subjected to psychoactive substance, and the use of these chemical substances grows in a culture, the crime rate, rate of unethical activities and social injustice are expected to rise (Danielle & Agrawal, 2006). According to the researchers, there are various neurobehavioral links between the psychoactive substances and violence.

With the use of the psychoactive substances, a person is exposed to diseases and loses his ability to differentiate between the ethical and unethical. Although, an individual is linked with these substances; however, the adverse effect and the agonizing disorders have to be suffer by the whole society. Poverty, crime, unemployment, illegal and unethical activities are some of the things which are associated with the use of psychoactive substances and have an adverse impact over the society and its participants (Nixon, 1972).

Risk Factors

Alcohol and drugs are the most powerful combination of chemical substances which is used to alter the moods, perception, cognition and directly effects cognitive functioning of the brain. Therefore, when a person experiment alcohol and drugs his/her body is not used to it and reacts ...