Drugs and Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program - Essay Example

The activation of cognitive tasks within the brain of a substance-abusing individual is also lowly coordinated. A developed brain is highly affected by neurotoxic substances. Drugs can also affect additional brain maturation and development hence affecting the neurological development of drug users. These are some of the long-term side effects of alcohol and other substance abuse. Even though these effects begin chronically, they may lead eventually to death (Inaba, Cohen, & Parm, 1997).

Question #2
The fastest way of introducing heroin into the body is through injection. Injection gives a direct linkage of the drug into the bloodstream, and body cells subsequently. Therefore, heroin abusers get an instant feeling of the drug’s effect through injection (Inaba, Cohen, & Parm, 1997). Through intravenous injection, the drug content in heroin passes through the body tissues deep into the muscles, which instantly interferes with normal body functioning.

Question #3
Home and community environments can greatly influence an individual’s state of alcohol and drug abuse, or even dependence. This follows several factors that one can be potentially subjected to in these environments. For example, peer influence and socioeconomic factors that prevail within the environments have a strong potential of determining an individual’s risk for alcohol and drug abuse, and dependence. Different people of different backgrounds and characters exist within a community. People, especially teenagers, are usually victims of peer influence. They become drawn to other peers’ behaviors in a bid to either fit in, or enjoy the same experience together (Inaba, Cohen, & Parm, 1997).

Consequently, they usually indulge in alcohol and drug abuse, which most probably leads to alcohol and drug dependence (addiction). Socioeconomic factors like poverty and joblessness influence levels of alcohol and drug abuse. In this case, alcohol and drug abuse is considered and means of fighting idleness and boredom (Inaba, Cohen, & Parm, 1997). At home, parents who indulge in alcohol and drug abuse may influence their children into the habit. Read More