Substance Abuse

Drugs have been around since the beginning of time and in the past used for a variety of medical and even spiritual properties. Many individuals are able to use substances with no negative consequences, but for many it can lead to addiction. Addiction will lead the individuals to have to chronic, relapsing, and compulsive behavior despite the known negative side effects. There are many substances that can lead to addiction and these substances are broken down into categories (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2015). Substances that are popular and highly addictive yet cause very different out reactions are amphetamines and opiates. Amphetamines are a group of synthetic psychoactive drugs called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. Amphetamines came
Long term effects are difficulty breathing, mood changes, cardiac issues, convulsions, or death. The National Drug Intelligence Center reports that between two and four million children have been diagnosed with ADHD and as a result been prescribed amphetamine medication, which can improve symptoms when those with the disorder use them properly (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2003). When prescription amphetamines are taken in low prescribed doses, abuse and addiction is not a serious risk. However, drug addiction will become a risk when those amphetamines are consumed at doses higher than what is prescribed. Use of amphetamines can lead to tolerance and physical and psychological dependence, When this happens the user will be consuming increasingly higher dosages, and will attempt to maintain their high by continuing to use these drugs (National Institute on Drug Abuse,
this is when dependance and withdrawal take affect. symptoms of withdrawal with depend on how long you have been on the drug and everyone will experience withdrawal differently. the onset of symptoms can begin in the first 24 hours and include muscle aches, restlessness, anxiety, sweating, and sleeping issues. Later and more intense symptoms include headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, shaking, seizure, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure. The amount of time your symptoms last depends on the frequency of use and severity of the addiction. Opiate withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and intense withdrawal symptoms may require hospitalization and medications such as methadone can be used for long-term maintenance therapy. It’s still a powerful opiate, but it can be reduced in a controlled manner that is less likely to produce intense withdrawal symptom (Case-LoMedically,