Addictions and Substance Use Disorders - Essay Example

The discovery of alcohol and its usage goes way back in history. The record of alcohol abuse possibly dates far back to the Egyptian era and medieval periods where wine and narcotics were used to experience pleasure. Intoxicants such as opium have found use in ancient medical science to treat wounds, inflictions or create a temporary trance like effect. The only and probably the most notable difference was they were not used for narcotic purposes nor did they have the same intensity that they have in today’s world, because they were used purely for their medicinal value and hence in very small doses.

The medicinal effects of these plants and herbs were felt when they were inhaled, sniffed or rubbed on the skin to cure injuries or soothe. The use of these natural plants and herbs for narcotic value came in as modern man in his constantly searched for substances that will make him feel happier, keep him in elevated moods and pain free. As man progressed, science advanced and the curiosity of man saw him extracting and isolating the narcotic element from these plants or substances, based on the specific kind of emotion or feeling it triggered.

Increasing the dosage of that isolated element and producing drugs or “non food” substances found usage in medicine as painkillers and relievers. This essay talks about drug addiction and substance abuse. Substance abuse is also classified under the same state as addiction. Any dependency towards any non-food substance is thereby classified as abuse. Any non-food substance that creates an emotional and physical high is a narcotic substance. When this substance reflects on a person’s physiological development as well as influences their social behaviour, their sense of awareness and ability to perform their regular duties.

it gravitates towards an abuse and classified as an addiction. This essay looks at the topic of drug addiction, alcohol and substance abuse, and is classified as below for reasons of easier understanding Pharmacology Substances Abuse Dependency Foundations of Addictions and Substance Use disorders. Principles of Self help groups. Theories and techniques in treatment. Communication skills in treating addiction. We examine the problem, theories and techniques and corroborate them based on case studies to understand this branch of medical science and therapy.

ASD110: Pharmacology Substances Abuse Dependency ASD110: Wk 6: Video reflections The video gives us an overview on the kind of risks we face towards becoming slaves to addictive substances. It examines the basic science involved in the study of these kinds of addictions. The science behind the administering of a drug either orally or physically is to induce a change in a particular cell in the human body which in turn plays a part in the change of behaviour by the body as a whole. These are termed drug receptors.

Pharmacology is the study of the reaction of drug receptors in the human body. The intensity of the change in the body depends on the intensity of the characteristic change-inducing component in the drug and its effect on the human brain. Pharmacology is involved predominantly with the study of drugs in relation to medicine and examines the therapeutic effects in the human body and means to conduct scientific research on for usage in the field of pharmaceuticals. Pharmacology can be classified and applied in many different fields of medical science.

This article is focussed on the application in the study of drug addiction and substance abuse - behavioural pharmacology. Pharmacology has studied the effects of prolonged exposure, feared addiction and positively life threatening factors of inhalants. They are essentially