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This article explores narcotics and hallucinogens, detailing their effects, addiction potential, and treatment options. Narcotics, such as morphine and heroin, are powerful drugs that relieve pain but can lead to intense addiction and anxiety when their effects diminish. Hallucinogens, including marijuana, MDMA, and LSD, alter perceptions and have varying effects on users. Signs of drug abuse are identified, urging individuals who suspect a problem to seek help from professionals or hotlines like the National Council on Alcoholism and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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What are narcotics? • *Narcotics*: Drugs that increase relaxation and relieve pain and anxiety. • 2 of the most powerful narcotics, morphine & heroin, are derived from the poppy seed pod. • Morphine is used medically for severe pain, but heroin is illegal in the US.
Effects of narcotics • Short term effects: sense of well-being & peacefulness • But once that wears off….they feel extreme anxiety and desperate desire to repeat the experience • Larger amounts of heroin are needed each time to produce the same effect.
Heroin Addiction • Biologically and psychologically addicting. • One treatment is to use methadone that satisfies physiological cravings without the “high”. • Drawback: User becomes biologically addicted to methadone.
Hallucinogens • *Hallucinogen*: A drug that is capable of producing changes in the perceptual process, or hallucinations. • The most common hallucinogen is marijuana. • Effects of marijuana vary from person to person. • Active ingredient is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
MDMA (Ecstasy) & LSD (acid) • Both drugs are hallucinogens. • They affect the operation of serotonin in the brain.
Signs of drug abuse • Always getting high to have a good time. • Being high more often than not. • Getting high to get oneself going. • Going to work/class while high. • Missing or being unprepared for class or work b/c you were high. • Feeling badly later about something you said or did while you were high. • Failing at school or on the job. • Thinking about drugs or liquor all the time.
More signs of drug abuse • Driving a car while high • Coming in conflict with the law b/c of drugs • Doing something while high that you wouldn’t do otherwise • Being high in nonsocial, solitary situations • Being unable to stop getting high • Feeling a need for a drink/drug throughout the day • Becoming physically unhealthy • Avoiding friends or family while using liquor or drugs.
If there is a problem… • People who suspect they have a problem should seek immediate attention from a • Psychologist • Physician • Counselor National Help Hotlines National Council on Alcoholism (800) 622-2255 National Institute on Drug Abuse (800) 662-4357 Check phone book for Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous www.niaa.nih.gov or www.nida.nih.gov