The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on Mood Swings

The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol on Mood Swings

Introduction

In United States, young people have the highest rates of illicit drug, tobacco and alcohol use among developed countries. For adolescents abuse of alcohol and substance destroys the basis of their personality and morality. In adults drug and alcohol, abuse leads to diseases like cancer and HIV (indirectly). The basic problem in teenage substance abuse is destruction of personality. As generations evolve, life changes and moves on (Guyol, 2006). The new generation's personality will be dysfunctional due to substance abuse and it will automatically destroy generations with a chain reaction effect. This chain reaction if takes place will disturb certain economic indicators like unemployment, law enforcement, poverty level and social health of citizens.

Illicit drug use in the United States and Great Britain happens very often, and it usually begins as early as adolescence. According to the 2008 survey, 46% of Americans at some point in their lives have tried drugs, but only 8% of respondents had used them recently. By comparison, 51% of respondents said they had used alcohol recently. This means that the majority of people who use drugs do not become addicted.

Doctors have long believed that people with certain mental illnesses are increasingly dependent. According to many different studies, it is obvious that this is true. About 60% of people, who are addicted to certain harmful substances, suffer from mental illness. It is not clear, however, what often starts early: development of mental illness or the use of such substances.

Scientists believe that the people who are more dependent on alcohol and drugs are the ones who are trying to help themselves ease their suffering. To this statement, there is clinical evidence. Alcohol and drugs affect mood and behavior by activating the part of the brain, which is disrupted in the event of a serious mental illness. Then, it is not surprising that people, who are depressed, begin to use alcohol and other "calming" means. Since these substances are not effective antidepressants, they only make the situation worse (Shorter, 2009). An unstable mental health is not the only cause of addiction. Diseases of the brain can cause drug addiction and alcoholism.

One well-known doctor scanned the brains of people who use cocaine, heroin and alcohol. It turned out that they have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and desire. These and other results show that the drugs blunted their feelings of pleasure, so their only relief is to get another dose of the drug.

However, people do not "keep the brains in the banks" - the environment also has a significant impact on them. One thing is clear drugs change the functioning of brain. Stressful situations provide a "free pass into the body" of dangerous substances that can turn a person into a drug addict. Many people believe that they are not threatened (Torrey & Knable, ...