Drug abuse: symptoms of addiction, help and support

Medically reviewed: 1, February 2024

Definition of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse, often interchanged with the terms drug misuse or substance use disorder, denotes a complex issue affecting millions of individuals globally. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), drug abuse reflects compulsive behaviors rooted in a destructive pattern of utilizing chemicals despite evident harms and negative consequences encountered personally, professionally, and socially.

This maladaptive relationship transcends occasional recreation and voluntary experimentation, culminating in dependence, withdrawal syndrome, tolerance accumulation, and potential life-threatening situations when attempts to cease utilization occur.

Illicit substances trigger neurobiological responses, reinforcing reward circuits implicated in cravings and perpetuating cycles of addiction. Beyond opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and emerging designer drugs, prescription medication mismanagement contributes substantially to drug abuse epidemiology.

Drug Abuse: Prevalence and Societal Implications

The Global Burden of Disease Study conducted by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reported that nearly 3 million deaths resulted from problematic substance use in 2017 (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2018). Moreover, drug-related fatalities continue escalating annually, accounting for substantial morbidity, mortality, disability, and lost productivity estimates.

Resultingly, governments, employers, families, and healthcare systems confront colossal direct and indirect expenses attributable to drug abuse incidents. Apart from biological ramifications, numerous psychosocial sequelae emerge, precipitating familial discord, domestic violence, unemployment, crime, homelessness, poverty, transportation collisions, HIV transmission, hepatitis infection, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia spectrum illnesses, suicide ideation, and completed suicides.

Therefore, comprehensively acknowledging the extent and ripple effects triggered by drug abuse becomes paramount for devising preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, supportive, and policy-making endeavors intended to quell this pressing public health challenge.

Understanding Different Types of Illegal Drugs

When exploring the world of illegal drugs, gaining insight into various substances and their effects is essential to recognize potential dangers and safeguard oneself and loved ones from destructive paths. Delving into the universe of illicit drugs reveals two major categories: natural substances extracted from botanicals and synthetically produced chemicals.

Each category presents a range of substances with unique characteristics, impacts, and risks. Comprehension of these factors serves as a springboard to better equip you in making informed decisions about avoiding or seeking help related to drug abuse.

Natural drugs derived from plants

Marijuana

Marijuana, popularly recognized as cannabis or weed, derives from the Cannabis Sativa plant species. Its active constituents include Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and additional cannabinoid molecules exhibiting varied properties.

THC generates euphoric and relaxing states, whilst CBD counters certain unwanted effects, boasting medicinal attributes addressing seizures, pain, inflammation, and anxiety.

Obtained from the flowering tops, leaves, and resinous extracts of the Indian hemp plant (Cannabis sativa), marijuana reigns supreme among the most frequently used illicit substances globally. Users partake in smoking rolled cigarettes (“joints”), water pipes (“bongs”), hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana (“blunts”) or vaporizing dry herbs or concentrated extracts, consuming cookies, brownies, candies, pills, or teas laced with marijuana ingredients.

The primary active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), produces feelings of pleasure, relaxation, sedation, altered senses, intensified enjoyment of music, laughter, and colors, as well as increased appetite (commonly dubbed “the munchies”).

Marijuana assumes various configurations, ranging from smokables comprised of dried leaves and flowers to edibles infused with marijuana extracts or concentrated THC oil preparations like hashish and wax. Vaping pens delivering vaporized THC liquid and topical creams represent alternative modes of delivery.

State legislation determines whether marijuana is lawful medically or recreationally, decriminalized, or wholly prohibited. Federal restrictions hold steadfast despite state lenience, impacting banking and employment opportunities. Remaining cognizant of regional norms ensures compliance with applicable statutes.

Short and long-term effects

Upon initial exposure, short-term effects ensue almost immediately, peaking within half an hour to last approximately two to three hours.

Subjective reports detail:

• heightened heart rate,
• reddened conjunctival membranes,
• dry mouth,
• impaired motor skills,
• difficulty completing complex tasks,
• compromised driving abilities,
• impaired judgment,
• distractibility,
• decreased attention span,
• memory retention deficiencies.

Acute panic reactions, acute toxic psychoses mimicking paranoid schizophrenia, depressed motivation, distorted perceptions, and flashbacks rarely materialize.

Chronically indulging users may encounter:

• respiratory tract infections,
• bronchitis,
• phlegm production,
• periodontal disease,
• cellular mutagenicity,
• DNA damage,
• predisposition to cancer,
• diminished sex drive,
• infertility,
• decreased sperm count,
• testicular atrophy,
• menstrual irregularities,
• impotence,
• fetal anomaly risks,
• developmental impairments in youngsters exposed during pregnancies or breastfeeding periods.

Cocaine

Derived from South America’s Erythroxylon coca shrub, cocaine ranks among the most habituated naturally sourced stimulants, yielding tremendous energy surges, alertness, exhilaration, talkativeness, and hypersensitivity to tactile sensation. Rapid onset induces brief highs lasting roughly thirty minutes, prompting recurrent redosing.

Manufacturers derive cocaine base paste from fresh matured leaves harvested from the Amazonian jungle native to Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, accelerating alkaloid extraction through gasoline, diesel, or kerosene baths.

Subsequent purification stages eliminate residual organic solvents and solid byproducts, yielding powdered cocaine sulfate primed for international export markets, where street gangs convert kilogram quantities into retail-ready rocks of crack cocaine.

Powdered cocaine varies widely in purity, depending largely upon geographical origin and processing sophistication. Traditional Andean trade routes generate inferior product qualities averaging 50-80% pure, contrasted against vastly superior Southeast Asian varieties exceeding 90% purity benchmarks.

Crack cocaine consists chiefly of free-base cocaine dissolved in sodium carbonate solution followed by dropwise addition of ethyl ether, thereby engendering crystalline precipitate prone to aggregation and manual fragmentation. Prices rise incrementally alongside increasing purity percentiles and corresponding reductions in bulk volume.

Risks and harm caused to users

Primarily absorbed through nasal passages or pulmonary alveoli, cocaine courses swiftly through the peripheral circulatory network reaching peak concentrations within twenty minutes.

Cardiovascular perturbations surface abruptly, compounding baseline sympathoadrenergic tonicity with:

• pronounced vasoconstrictor,
• chronotropic,
• inotropic,
• pressoric,
• tachycardiac,
• dyshrhythmic,
• hypertensive,
• hyperthermic,
• diaphoretic,
• pupillary dilator,
• platelet activation cascades.

Animal models demonstrate dose-dependent myocardial injury severity mirroring human electrocardiographic tracings denoting:

• acute ischemia,
• arteriosclerotic plaque rupture,
• coronary spasm,
• coronary ostial occlusive events,
• fulminant myocarditis,
• acute valvular failure,
• septic shock,
• granulomatous tissue destruction,
• cavernous sinus syndromes,
• ephedrine reversible cerebrovasculopathy,
• forebrain micronutrient deficiency,
• profound cytokine release syndrome,
• reperfusion arrhythmias,
• ventricular fibrillation storms,
• systolic dysfunctions,
• restrictive cardiomyopathy evolution,
• heart failure episodes,
• sudden death apoplexy.

Heroin

Renowned for its potent analgesic power, morphine base assimilated from Papaver somniferum poppy capsule latex proceeds to transformation catalyzed by corrosive agents or acidifiers converting raw opiate alkaloids into crude opium surrogates slated for commercial diversion.

Sequential chemical modifications ferret out aspirational oxymorphone derivatives popularized as black tar, Mexican mud, scramble, china white, or number 4 Chinese blue heroines bearing street prices commensurate with respective milligram strength ratios.

Distribution cartels exploit courier hubs embedded within airline personnel, diplomatic corps, military logisticians, merchant sailors, clergy, tourists, students, migrants, commodity traders, and ethnic kinships network nodes functioning internationally.

This drug is utilized in injecting, snorting, smoking or ingesting.

Physiological and psychological impacts

Somatically speaking, heroin binding at mu-opioid receptor sites advances a ubiquitously distributed array of neural signaling functions mediated by:

• pleasurable euphoria,
• pain relief,
• warm flushing,
• dry mouth,
• heavy limbs,
• relaxed muscles,
• slowed heartbeat,
• clouded thinking,
• alternating waves of wakefulness and sedation,
• droopy eyelids,
• itching skin,
• sweating,
• fever,
• yawning,
• runny nose,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach cramps,
• cold toes/fingers.

Behavioral ramifications extend from impulsivity, aggression, anxiety, and restlessness to social avoidance, alienation, isolation.

Synthetic drugs manufactured chemically

Ecstasy (MDMA)

It has been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance since 1985 in the United States, indicating high potential for abuse and no recognized medical use. However, recent studies have explored its therapeutic possibilities in treating mental health disorders like PTSD. Let us delve deeper into ecstasy, focusing on its history, chemical makeup, and impact on brain chemistry and behavior.

The origins of ecstasy can be traced back to the late 19th century when Merck pharmaceuticals first synthesized MDMA in 1912. Its psychoactive qualities remained undiscovered until Alexander Shulgin, an American chemist, revisited and popularized the compound in the 1970s. In the decades following, recreational use surged among young adults seeking enhanced sensory experiences and euphoria at social gatherings. Although illegal, ecstasy remains prevalent today, often masked under different names or misrepresented as another substance.

Ecstasy belongs to a family of drugs called entactogens, primarily consisting of MDMA—short for methylenedioxymethamphetamine. This molecule consists of three distinct parts, each responsible for different facets of the overall experience:

1. Methamphetamine: Promotes release of neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, increasing energy and alertness, accompanied by feelings of pleasure.
2. MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine): Enhances serotonergic activity associated with mood elevation, emotional openness, and altered perception.
3. Dimethoxyphenylethylamine (DMPEA): Increases oxytocin levels, fostering trust, love, and sociability.

Once consumed, MDMA inhibits the enzyme that typically breaks down serotonin, allowing greater amounts of this neurotransmitter to accumulate within the synaptic cleft, intensifying its communication between neurons. Consequently, users may report increased extroversion, reduced anxiety, empathetic connections, and heightened sensual awareness.

Effects on Brain Chemistry and Behavior

As mentioned earlier, ecstasy impacts several crucial neurotransmitters in the brain—namely serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Besides enhancing positive emotions and reducing inhibitions, this surge contributes to euphoria and physical stimulation. Furthermore, MDMA indirectly influences additional neural systems by modulating glutamate signaling and triggering opiate receptors, accounting for some cognitive alterations experienced after consumption.

Acute side effects range from mild (nausea, teeth clenching, muscle tension, involuntary eye movement) to severe (hyperthermia, seizures, hyponatremia, cardiac arrest). Prolonged usage may lead to long-term deficiencies in serotonin availability, resulting in depression, sleep disturbances, memory impairment, and difficulties concentrating. Overall, understanding both short-term consequences and long-term neurological implications should encourage caution against illicit ecstasy utilization.

Identifying Signs and of Drug Abuse

Substance abuse continues to plague society, affecting millions worldwide regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Understanding the signs and symptoms associated with drug addiction empowers loved ones and acquaintances to intervene proactively, fostering support and prompting timely assistance.

We discuss key indicators divided into nine categories: changes in appearance, altered behavior and mood swings, declining personal hygiene, disrupted sleep patterns, financial instability, decreased academic/professional performance, secretiveness and isolation, emergent legal concerns, and presence of drug-related objects.

Changes in Appearance

Significant shifts in physical appearance might suggest drug dependence. These manifestations vary depending on the specific substance yet frequently involve fluctuations in weight, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, abnormal skin pallor, or unusual body odors.

Monitor individuals exhibiting sudden unexplained modifications, particularly if accompanied by any other warning signals enumerated herein.

Altered Behavior and Mood Swings

The influence of drugs often precipitates dramatic deviations in conduct uncharacteristic of the person before substance use. Markedly violent outbursts, hyperactivity followed by lethargy, excessive talking or silence, irrational decisions, and abrupt personality shifts warrant attention. Likewise, abrupt cessation of substance intake may result in withdrawal symptoms, leading to irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and intense cravings.

Decline in Personal Hygiene and Grooming

Neglecting daily self-care routines frequently accompanies escalating substance abuse. Unusually disheveled clothing, unwashed hair, lackluster complexion, skipped showers, and diminished interest in maintaining cleanliness signal possible underlying issues requiring intervention.

Disrupted Sleep Patterns and Appetite Fluctuations

Disruptions in sleeping habits and eating behaviors commonly coexist with burgeoning drug dependencies. Insatiable hunger or drastic reductions in food consumption coupled with irregular sleep cycles, whether prolonged slumber or chronic insomnia, necessitate thorough examination. Such alterations could indicate physiological responses triggered by drug use or attempts to suppress uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Financial Instability and Job Loss

Active drug addiction frequently results in exorbitant expenditures dedicated solely to procurement and maintenance of substance supply. Mounting debts, empty bank accounts, pawned possessions, unemployment, and even homelessness occasionally ensue. If fiscally responsible individuals suddenly encounter economic turmoil without identifiable causes, suspect drug-related motives behind monetary strain.

Decreased Performance at School or Work

Suboptimal productivity, absenteeism, punctuality problems, and deteriorating relationships typify occupational decline linked to substance abuse. Academic performance similarly suffers, characterized by missed assignments, poor grades, and waning engagement. Parents, teachers, supervisors, and colleagues must remain vigilant for concerning trends symptomatic of potential addiction struggles.

Secretiveness and Isolation from Friends and Family

Withdrawal from interpersonal interactions constitutes another red flag indicative of probable substance abuse. Gradually isolating oneself from supportive networks, confiding less in cherished relations, lying about activities, becoming defensive during conversations, and avoiding shared engagements merit investigation.

Emergence of Legal Troubles

Illegal actions undertaken to secure drugs, maintain addictive lifestyles, or assuage desperation culminate in frequent run-ins with law enforcement agencies. Arrest records, court appearances, incarcerations, restraining orders, and similar legal predicaments serve as stark reminders of underlying addictions demanding immediate remedy.

Presence of Drug-Related Objects and Paraphernalia

Direct evidence confirming active drug involvement includes locating drug stashes, syringes, needles, pill bottles, burned spoons, rolled paper, aluminum foil, homemade pipes, bongs, or residues suspicious for illicit substances. Recognizing these materials substantiates suspicions surrounding substance abuse, compelling swift action toward resolution.

Recognizing the multitude of signs denoting drug abuse enables concerned parties to identify afflicted individuals promptly. Early detection facilitates access to appropriate treatment programs tailored to individual needs, promoting lasting sobriety and improved quality of life. Remember always to approach subjects gently yet assertively, emphasizing compassion and offering guidance throughout the healing journey.

Negative Impacts of Drug Abuse

Engaging in substance abuse can yield detrimental outcomes across numerous dimensions of life, extending beyond the individual user to affect families, communities, and broader societal structures. Exploring seven major areas reveals the pervasive harm caused by drug abuse: strained interpersonal relationships, damaged physical health, increased risk of accidents, heightened vulnerability to infectious diseases, psychological distress, legal complications, and societal burdens.

Drug Abuse and Strain on Relationships

Drug abuse often leads to fractured familial bonds, friendships, romantic partnerships, and coworker dynamics. Trust erodes as reliable patterns dissolve into erratic behavior fueled by compulsive substance-seeking tendencies. Users prioritize satisfying dependencies over commitments, causing disappointment, frustration, anger, and feelings of betrayal among loved ones who bear witness to transgressions.

Social withdrawal follows as negative sentiments deepen divisions, potentially severing ties permanently. Seek support from trusted allies conversant in addressing addiction and fostering healthy dialogue around expectations, boundaries, and constructive coping mechanisms.

Damage to Physical Health

Persistent drug use compromises vital organs, weakens immune function, and increases propensity for acute injury.

• Cardiovascular risks arise due to vasoconstriction, elevated heart rate, and arrhythmias that contribute to strokes, heart attacks, and respiratory failure.
• Liver toxicity manifests through hepatitis viruses or fatty liver disease exacerbated by alcohol consumption.
• Renal dysfunction develops alongside neuropathies originating in nerve fibers targeting internal organ functions.
• Reproductive consequences span infertility, menstrual cycle disruption, and congenital defects attributed to prenatal exposure.

Prioritize holistic wellbeing by undergoing routine examinations attuned to drug-specific threats, embracing nutritious diets, engaging in consistent exercise regimes, and abstaining from harmful indulgences.

Increased Likelihood of Accidents and Injuries

Intoxication reduces motor skills, impairs decision making, obstructs judgment, and distorts spatial cognition, placing users at greater risk for vehicular collisions, falls, burns, drownings, and electrocutions.

Overdoses claim lives prematurely when dosages exceed tolerance thresholds, poisoning biological systems dependent on homeostasis.

Implement safeguards limiting opportunities for dangerous situations, monitor surroundings consciously, delegate responsibility appropriately, and cease mixing substances capable of amplifying potency or eliciting unexpected side effects.

Greater Susceptibility to Infectious Diseases

Sharing injection equipment transmits HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and C, contributing to global epidemics disproportionately affecting marginalized populations vulnerable to discrimination, poverty, violence, and exploitation.

Sexual encounters driven by drug-induced impaired consent expose participants to bacterial and viral infections threatening genitals, rectums, throats, mouths, and urinary tract tissues.

Practice safe sex consistently, utilize barrier contraceptives correctly, opt for sterile single-use needles whenever injecting substances, refrain from sharing personal belongings, and receive recommended vaccinations protecting against vaccine-preventable illnesses.

Drug Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders

Protracted drug exposure alters corticolimbic circuitry mediating stress response regulation, reward anticipation, habit formation, executive functioning, motivation, and learning, imparting enduring neuroadaptations reinforcing continued substance abuse despite negative consequences.

Anhedonia, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, obsessive thoughts, personality disorders, and psychotic states represent common sequelae accompanying extended periods of sustained drug abuse.

Consult licensed clinicians proficient in diagnostic assessments, psychotherapeutic modalities, and pharmacotherapy recommendations to manage emerging mental health conditions arising from drug use trajectories.

Approaching Drug Abuse and Supporting Recovery

Approaching a loved one struggling with drug abuse requires sensitivity, empathy, and a nonjudgmental attitude. By providing unwavering support throughout their journey towards recovery, you can significantly improve their chances of achieving long-term sobriety.

Focus on six key elements:

1. initiating open conversations,
2. encouraging professional evaluations,
3. selecting suitable rehab centers and detox facilities,
4. engaging in therapeutic modalities and peer group meetings,
5. establishing relapse prevention strategies and sober supports,
6. advocating for policy reforms and combatting stigma.

Open Conversation Starters and Nonjudgmental Listening

Start by creating an emotionally safe space where your loved one feels heard and understood. Refrain from accusatory statements or expressing disappointment. Instead, ask open-ended questions demonstrating genuine concern and willingness to comprehend their situation better. Examples include:

• “How have things been lately?”
• “What challenges are you currently facing?”
• “Are there ways I can provide support?”

Listen carefully to their answers without interrupting them, express empathy verbally (“That sounds difficult”), validate their emotions (“It makes sense that you feel this way given the circumstances”), and communicate unconditional love and acceptance. Avoid jumping into problem-solving mode immediately; sometimes, simply being heard helps alleviate stress.

Encouraging Professional Evaluation and Treatment Entry

If your loved one indicates readiness to explore treatment options, facilitate connections with qualified professionals specializing in substance use disorders.

Medical doctors, therapists, and certified counselors possess the training required to evaluate patients accurately and recommend tailored courses of action. During appointments, accompany your loved one to offer reassurance and ensure clear communication regarding diagnosis, proposed interventions, and expected outcomes.

Locating Suitable Rehabilitation Centers and Detox Facilities

When searching for appropriate rehab centers or detox facilities, consider factors like location, cost, accreditation, staff qualifications, program duration, and offered amenities.

Begin by checking reputable databases such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or The Joint Commission. Speak directly with facility representatives to clarify details, verify insurance coverage, and obtain references. Visiting potential sites allows a glimpse into living conditions, meeting staff members, and experiencing atmospheres firsthand.

Ultimately, select settings that cater specifically to your loved one’s needs, ensuring personal comfort and successful recovery prospects.

Participating in Therapeutic Modalities and Peer Group Meetings

Various therapeutic techniques facilitate healing during the recovery process, including individual counseling, group sessions, and alternative therapies.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), contingency management, motivational interviewing, and family behavioral therapy prove effective in managing substance use disorders.

Moreover, attending twelve-step groups like AA, NA, or SMART Recovery provides valuable peer support, helping individuals navigate challenges encountered throughout sobriety journeys. Regular participation bolsters coping skills, strengthens relapse prevention strategies, and fosters a sense of belonging within a community committed to maintaining sobriety.

Establishing Relapse Prevention Plans and Sober Supports

Collaboratively devise a written relapse prevention plan specifying early warning signs, triggers, emergency contact numbers, and soothing activities.

Engaging in healthy habits like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, and enjoyable hobbies promotes overall well-being while curtailing temptations towards substance use. Building a robust sober support network comprised of friends, family, sponsors, coaches, and peers sustains long-term recovery, enhancing accountability, reinforcement, and encouragement.

Reducing Stigma Attached to Substance Use Disorder

Lastly, champion policy reforms aimed at improving access to quality care, reducing recidivism, and eliminating discriminatory practices faced by those grappling with substance use disorders.

Educate yourself and others about addiction as a treatable medical condition rather than a moral failing, challenging lingering stigmas that hinder recovery efforts. Stand beside those navigating turbulent waters, serving as staunch allies committed to breaking down barriers and fostering inclusive environments that genuinely support individuals pursuing healthier lives free from the constraints of drug abuse.

Resources for Further Learning and Assistance

Overcoming drug abuse and supporting recovery require substantial knowledge, resilience, and external assistance. Fortunately, countless resources arm you with tools needed to make informed choices, seek expert guidance, connect with inspiring stories, and engage with dynamic communities.

We break down five avenues to pursue:

1. governmental organizations fighting drug abuse,
2. nonprofit entities focused on education,
3. research, and advocacy,
4. helplines devoted to crisis intervention and resource allocation,
5. online platforms disseminating narratives, insights, and discussions,
6. literature furnishing specialized learning materials.

Governmental Organizations Combatting Drug Abuse

Government bodies strive to combat drug abuse through legislation, awareness campaigns, research grants, and accessible resources.

• For instance, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers extensive educational content covering topics ranging from neuroscience fundamentals to real-world case studies.
• Similarly, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hosts an exhaustive library of publications detailing pressing matters affecting individuals, families, and communities.
• Lastly, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services houses numerous offices tackling public health priorities, many of which contain sections dedicated to drug abuse mitigation.

Nonprofits Specializing in Education, Research, and Advocacy

Nonprofit entities concentrate on raising awareness, advancing scholarly endeavors, and driving policy reforms to reverse the tide of drug abuse.

Some prominent examples include Shatterproof, the Partnership to End Addiction, and Faces & Voices of Recovery. Each boasts diverse missions, engaging websites, abundant articles, insightful reports, interactive quizzes, and instructive videos created for laypeople.

Consider joining mailing lists to stay current on newly published findings, grassroots movements, and regional happenings.

Helplines Devoted to Crisis Intervention and Resource Allocation

When urgent concerns arise, toll-free hotlines provide instant relief, steering sufferers towards appropriate channels. Among these, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) maintains a directory of helplines catering to unique demographics such as veterans, teens, pregnant women, Native Americans, older adults, and rural residents.

Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) operates a helpful line handling queries about mental health diagnoses and corresponding therapies. Professionals field incoming calls confidentially, connecting anxious souls with local specialists equipped to handle emergencies effectively.

Online Platforms Featuring Testimonials, Blogs, Podcasts, and Documentaries

Firsthand accounts relayed through storytelling formats hold profound sway over audiences, shedding light on lived experiences few outsiders grasp fully.

• User-generated content flourishes on YouTube channels, Reddit threads, Medium publications, and Patreon pages, populated by brave survivors determined to lift veils obscuring raw truths.
• Meanwhile, podcast series like “Recover Girl,” “The Addicted Mind,” and “Since Right Now” probe depths seldom breached elsewhere, exploring triumphs and setbacks embedded within complicated recoveries.
• Finally, documentary films streamed via Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO reveal stories once buried by societal taboo, sparking newfound comprehension.

Books and Educational Materials Authored by Experts and Survivors Alike

Exhaustive volumes condense expansive knowledge into digestible chunks ideal for methodical study. Must-read:

• memoirs (“Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff, “Smacked” by Eilene Zimmerman),
• guidebooks (“The Easy Way to Stop Smoking” by Allen Carr, ” Beyond Addiction” by Jeffrey Foote, Carrie Wilkens, and Nicola Kimbell),
• anthologies (“Unbroken Brain” by Maia Szalavitz, “Clean” by David Sheff),
• college texts (“Principles of Addiction” edited by Robert F. Schmidt and Howard C. Becker).

Pursue online retailers, libraries, or bookstores to acquire suggested reads, feeding voracious appetites for learning and absorbing tried-and-tested strategies for combating drug abuse.

By utilizing these rich resources, equipping ourselves with updated information, and drawing inspiration from poignant tales, we strengthen defenses erected against drug abuse and narrow gaps permitting entry. Keep fighting valiantly, knowing ample support surrounds everyone touched by this devastating pandemic.

References:

American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2019). What Is Addiction? ASAM definition of addiction. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Prescription Opioids. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (2018). Findings From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Seattle, WA: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2023.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). What is MDMA?

Center for Substance Abuse Research. (2013). MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly).

Rugani, R., Kober, H., & De Berker, A. O. (2020). Serotonin in psychiatric and neurological disorders: New developments and challenges. Pharmacological Reviews, 72(3), 433-466.

Farre, M., Inturrisi, C. E., & Rosner, S. W. (2007). Clinical Implications of Altered Monoaminergic Neurotransmission by MDMA (‘Ecstasy’). Journal of Psychopharmacology, 21(2), 153-160.

Liechti, M. E. (2015). MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): clinical pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 54(9), 961-977.