A brief history of drugs & substance abuse

A Brief History of Drugs & Substance Abuse Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of drugs in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance-related disorder. It is one of the main causes of drug addiction, physical disability, and individual financial crisis.

Since the beginning of human history, people have sought ways to alter levels of consciousness as well as the perceptions of our sensate bodies by taking substances such as herbs, alcohol, and other drugs.

For all the positives that mind and body altering substances have brought us, one fact is clear— there have always been people who are unable to restrict their use of drugs or alcohol to culturally prescribed limits, and who have fallen into the trap we know today as drug addiction.

As the patterns of substance use and abuse quickly diversified along the processes of immigration and urbanization, a wider variety of substances and a more diverse assortment of users became targeted for an even richer array of therapeutic experiments of the society.

In the 5000 BC - The Sumerians used opium, suggested by the fact that they have an ideogram for it which has been translated as HUL, meaning “joy” or “rejoicing.”

Here is a list of substances that have been used for altered mental states and for their hallucinogenic properties.

• Cocaine: Used for over 4000 years; Native to Bolivia, Columbia, and Peru.

• Ephedrine: Used from around 3000 BC: Native to China, Greece.

• Marijuana: Used from prehistoric times; India, China, and many parts of the world.

• Khat: Used from ancient Egyptian times; Native to Africa and Arabian Peninsula.

• Psilocybin mushrooms: Used from 7000 BC; Found in several parts of the world.

Though the short term and long term effects of drug and alcohol abuse may vary from person to person, clearly many people currently suffer from the effects of abusing drugs and alcohol every day. Factors affecting the exact symptoms that are experienced may depend on a person’s age, gender, individual physiology, genetic makeup, and mental health condition.

And while some side effects are relatively mild, many abused substances lend themselves to severe and life threatening outcomes, particularly as a person’s pattern of use progresses.

The ill effects of substance abuse on human organs are very dangerous. Here are a few conditions, certain drugs would lead to: Alcohol : If someone consumes alcohol on an empty stomach, he or she will feel the effects far quicker than someone drinking after a large meal. Some common effects of alcohol include: • Mood swings.

• Impaired judgment.

• Coordination issues.

• Trouble concentrating.

• Memory problems.

• Slurred speech.

• Uncontrolled eye movements.

• Coma.

Hallucinogens: Hallucinogen intoxication is commonly referred to as a “trip,” and a negative experience is called a “bad trip.” Tripping on a hallucinogen may increase the risk of suicide, although it is rare. The effects are: • Hallucinations.

• Synaesthesia or mixing of senses.

• Intensified perceptions.

• Significant anxiety or depression.

• Increased heart rate.

• Heart palpitations.

• Dilated pupils.

• Blurred vision.

• Excessive sweating.

• Tremors.

• Paranoia.

Opiates : Using opiates such as heroin or prescription painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin can be particularly dangerous because it often leads to respiratory depression. Heroin is usually injected or snorted (and sometimes smoked), while opiate painkillers are most often taken orally, yet may also be crushed and snorted, or mixed with liquid solution and injected. Some side effects typical of opiates include: • Euphoria followed by apathy.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Pinpoint pupils.

• Itching skin.

• Inattention to the environment.

• Slowed thinking and movements.

• Attention problems.

• Memory impairments.

• Drowsiness.

• Slurred speech.

• Coma.

Almost all these substances can lead to serious addictions and can create havoc in the addict’s life. It takes a lot of effort from the part of the addict and his/her family to come out of the addiction. Hope Trust is an organization that is dedicated to treat addiction holistically. We provide family counselling and the best drug addiction treatment with unique and tested approaches.

Source : https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18481514-a-brief-history-of-drugs-substance-abuse