Do You Abuse Drugs ?

Man has always sought pleasure, abatement of anxiety, and other alterations in states of consciousness through the ingestion of various natural and chemical substances. Opium, the God's own medicine, has been a source of eternal happiness, and cannabis preparations have been extolled for the psychotomimetic effects for more than 5000 years.

Substances Of Abuse

1. Opiates:

Morphine, codeine, heroin, pethidine and other narcotic derivatives.

2. Sympathomimetic stimulants

Cocaine, amphetamine, methylphenidate.

3. CNS depressants

Barbiturates, methaqualone, ethanol, meprobamate, benzodiazepines.

4. Hallucinogens

Mescaline, LSD-25

5. Others

Phencyclidine (PCP), cannabis (marijuana) preparations, nicotine, caffeine

Treatment of drug addiction

Management of drug addiction and withdrawal reactions varies from drug to drug and the severity of the symptoms. However, there are certain basic approaches which may be considered as general measures in the management of drug abuse phenomenon. Among the various measures, psychotherapy and rehabilitation play a key role. Taking the individual into confidence, keeping away from the peer group pressures, attending to emotional disturbances, group or individual didactic approach, alternative life-style, work habits, meditation and communal living are part of the rehabilitation process.



There is no standard pharmacotherapy available for the management of drug abuse. But in opium addiction, methadone is substituted for the drug as latter has long duration of action, orally effective and gradual withdrawal from methadone is easier to handle. There are supportive drugs available for the management of withdrawal reactions to substances of abuse. These drugs help in suppressing withdrawal-induced anxiety and convulsions.

Recently, some anticraving drugs have been introduced for use. These drugs have been found to be useful in alcoholism. Bupropion (zyban) (150 mg twice daily) is helpful in quitting smoking.

When all this is done for months or years the addicts eventually burn out, even without the therapy.