Drug and Nicotine Abuse - Essay Example

Some drugs that are used to relieve stress may not be as physically addictive. Nevertheless, Myers (1998) explained that both physical addiction and psychological dependence evoke upon its user the constant focus of trying to obtain such to relieve any feeling of unhealthiness.

Easton(1992) attributed to abuse of drugs and nicotine as caused by multifactorial reasons that consist of a highly complicated interrelationship between neuropharmacology, genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. The American Psychiatric Association (1984) differentiates between the abuse of drugs and other substances and dependence. Substance dependence according to Mereness (1986) is a subjective opinion that depends on a situation.  It is otherwise used to explain a particular use of a substance for other than therapeutic purposes. World Health Organization (1964) coined drug addiction as a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by repeated consumption of a drug, whether natural or synthetic. In such cases, an individual who is in the habitual use of sleeping aids due to insomnia is certainly using this medication for therapeutic purposes but could also be considered abusing it. Mittlemen(1984) related that physical dependence occurs as a result of the body’s adaptation to a substance in order to function normally. Tolerance to the substance gradually increases to achieve the same effect, therefore, ensuring continuance. Psychological dependence according to Tashkin (1980) is a learned behavior in which an individual genuinely believes that he could not function without the substance. Its unavailability causes anxiety and is one factor that leads to craving even after withdrawal and is therefore clinically observed as addiction to the drug or substance.

Reiger (1988) observed that most substances are likely to produce physical dependence if taken consistently over a period of time. However, all substances can create psychological dependence in susceptible individuals. Both types of dependence are harmful to the physical, emotional, and social functioning of the individual and as stated often require medical intervention for a cure.

Drug dependence refers to chemicals taken in forms other than drinking; some are injected directly into the bloodstream or ingested in the form of pills while others are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth. The administration of the drug produces a temporary state of well-being which the user would relate as basic needs being met. Ever-increasing amounts are necessary to acquire this state until distressing symptoms are noted upon its wear-off. Finally, according to Millman(1988), nervous irritability is observed upon withdrawal and the individual becomes noisy and hysterical. Generally, Gawin’s(1988) observations relate that most drug-dependents are emotionally immature and unstable individuals who have poor coping mechanisms with stress.

Nicotine dependence according to Lee (2005) is a habit-forming psycho-active substance and is the primary variable driving tobacco use. It definitely has reinforcing properties and like other habit-forming substances is self-administered. It is absorbed by all sites from the lungs to the mucosa, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. It delivers nicotine rapidly to the nervous system.

Contrary to misconceptions and common beliefs, addiction refers to a strong craving for a substance and a host of driven behaviors as related by Myers (1998) such as overeating, shopping, exercise, and sex among many others. Psychologists and psychiatrists have stopped using the term in relation to drug addiction and the like because of the general terminology attached to it so as not to fund and fuel previous misconceptions. However, scientists have discovered a scientific basis for drug addiction through the exact mechanisms responsible and are later identified. Encyclopedias would heavily relate and use drug addiction as the medically appropriate term for “substance abuse which in the actual sense is the same as drug dependence” as cited in Leavitt(2003).

     In general, both drug misuse leads to abuse and dependency, when one can no longer do without for a state of mental and physical functioning. In 1961, a WHO committee found these definitions inadequate and suggested using the term “drug dependence with the definition of addiction which slowly gained some acceptance, but confusion in the use of the terms addiction and habituation and misuse of the former continued.

     In perspective, drug dependence with the resulting factor affecting the physical and mental being of an individual with continued abuse develops into pseudo-addiction. Nicotine use as an addictive agent results in dependence on the substance and its withdrawal evokes physical responses that are clinically problematic for the patient. The ill effects of the drug exhibit its potency upon withdrawal and an individual is constrained to continue usage rather than suffer pain.