Conclusion

     This had been my second blog ever. I learned once more to do one. Also, it was great to investigate what I look for to study and know even more in the future. Substance abuse it is an interesting theme, because I can see it in my environment. I know it sounds bad to be interest for such reason, but I like to know more about it. For example, I wonder why it is so hard for this people to quit using the substance, or what make them start to use them. I remember that the effects can come naturally if I seek for a divine force, but I like to think of it as knowing myself more. Therefore, by possessing such knowledge I could trigger such pleasure by acting according to it.

Reference:

McCracken, T. At the Impatient Pharmacy. Drug addiction cartoon. Cartoonstock.com.

Electronic Cigarettes

     Another name it is e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems. This consists of a battery to power the vaporizer to evaporate the nicotine and other chemicals to add flavor. I have heard it is safer than using cigarettes. However, currently there is not much information about it. Therefore, I have heard is better to use it to quit slowly, rather than keep using it for long term.

     The nicotine is what makes it addictive. Consequently, it supplies the person with the substance it is so addict to. It appears to be safer, since as I mentioned in the previous post tobacco not only consist of nicotine, but other harmful chemicals. Therefore, when this item it looks at this way, it appears to be less harmful than using tobacco to provide the income of nicotine. On the other hand, this item opens the possibility to use other drugs.

    Some people think that it can be used to quit smoking. However, little is known about this yet. Also, this product is not advertised as for therapeutic purpose. I believe it depends on the person’s determination to quit, rather than using the product itself.  Therefore, it is not a one hundred percent safety method and so an alternative for long term of nicotine consumption.

Reference:

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013, October 25). NIDA TV Spotlight on Electronic Cigarettes. Retrieved May 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz67IqkLwYs&feature=youtu.be

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, September). Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigarettes). Retrieved May 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes

Tobacco Products Abuse

 Tobacco is a legal drug and it causes many deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including an estimated 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths annually, or 1,300 deaths every day.”  The problem comes due to nicotine, which is present on tobacco and is addictive. Consequently, it makes the hormone epinephrine to release, thus affecting the nervous system by stimulation and increasing blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.

     According to NIDA, “tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of chemicals such as carbon monoxide, tar, formaldehyde, cyanide, and ammonia—many of which are known carcinogens.” Therefore, nicotine is not responsible for cancer, cardiovascular disease or bronchial disorder. However, other chemical as mentioned above does. Also, many people said that pregnant woman should not smoke. This is related to cause problem, such as: low birth-weight, miscarriage, premature infants, learning and behavioral problems.

     In my environment it is very common to see smoker. They are not hard to find in any place I go. I do not like the smell at all, but must live with it as it is legal. However, there are consequences for those secondhand smokers. Consequently, for decrease such thing, areas for smokers have been made.

Reference:

CDC. (15 de April de 2015). Smoking & Tobacco Use. Recuperado el May de 2015, de CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/

Nathan P. (2009, May 17). Smoking Kills (The Bryan Curtis story). Retrieved May 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVLtNgAhPRg

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, December). Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products. Retrieved May 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cigarettes-other-tobacco-products

Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse

      The medicines are legal, but the way of consumption up to the level it can be call abuse is not.  This contains some ingredients that in over consumption categorize them as drug abuse. The common medicines that are abuse for such purpose are: Dextromethorphan (DXM) and Promethazine-codeine cough syrup.  Both produce euphoria, since it increases dopamine.  However, the first also cause dissociative effects and hallucination and the other relaxation.

     Again is not harmful when are taken as what it is supposed to. On the other hand, if is not consume as so it harms the brain just alike an illegal drug. They are consumed in occasion mixed with soda to add flavor. However, there are other worse mixture with alcohol and marijuana. Therefore, it increases the risk.

    I never heard of such drug abuse before. However, it is not surprising as every medicine there are instructions of how much to consume. I read it was used mostly by teenager. Probably because its more appellant as such age than other drugs.  Not to mention the accessibility to get a bottle of it in our home.

Reference:

Bronstein, P. Cheap Drug Complicates Conflict in Southern Thailand. gettyimages, Southern Thailand. Retrieved from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/eNJzKrOK-as/Cheap+Drug+Complicates+Conflict+Southern+Thailand/_Le9Enoht77

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, May). Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse. Retrieved April 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cough-cold-medicine-abuse

"Bath Salts" Leads to Cannibalism

     The term “bath salts” has nothing to do with a bath, but the drug was used to be sold with such disguise parenting to be an actual bath salt. The appearance of this drug it is of disperses white or brown crystalline solids. It is consume in different ways, such as: inhaled, orally ingested or injected. Some cathinones found in this drug are methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone and methylone. According to NIDA “synthetic cathinones in bath salts can produce euphoria and increased sociability and sex drive, but some users experience paranoia, agitation, and hallucinatory delirium; some even display psychotic and violent behavior, and deaths have been reported in several instances.”

     There was case where a man ate a homeless face while being on the effects of this drug. This even received a name as “Miami ‘zombie’ attack.” The man did not stop eating its “prey” even when the police came. Therefore, he was shot to dead, but he did not feel the pain, it was inhuman. Perhaps, this was caused by the hallucinatory effects this drug provides.

    I have never heard of this drug before. The first time I heard about it was from a lecture about harmful drugs in a pastoral center. They mentioned a similar case, but it was about a man who ate his roommate’s heart. Therefore, at that moment and even now it appears to be the scariest drug to me. However, it does that to everyone it consumes it, but its effects might to do so.

Reference:

Dan The Man. (2013, April 28). Bath Salts 'Zombie' Drug This video contains graphic images. Retrieved April 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTdxH-pJf5Q&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsTdxH-pJf5Q&has_verified=1

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013, November 2012). DrugFacts: Synthetic Cathinones (“Bath Salts”). Retrieved April 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cathinones-bath-salts

Simon, M. (2012, May 30). Security video shows entire Miami 'zombie' attack. Retrieved from CNN: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/30/security-video-shows-entire-miami-zombie-attack/

Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine it is a powerful drug. It looks like disperse crystalline white solid. Other names for it are: chalk, meth, ice, among others. It was developed from it is parent amphetamine, which was used as an inhaler. However, the difference from this two is that the original one does get into the brain as much as the other does.

     There are many ways of using this drug such as: inhaled, injected, smoked or orally ingested. However, for getting the effects as fast as possible it is smoked and injected. These effects only last a few minutes, but it provided a great pleasure. It can be manufactured according to NIDA with “ingredients such as pseudo-ephedrine, a common ingredient in cold medications.” Therefore, even with the limits of individual purchase that has been established, it still manages to prevail.

     I love watching series and one of those it is about this drug. The name of the TV series it is “Breaking Bad” and it is about an “unsuccessful” chemistry, which with the bad news of having cancer turns to make a lot of illegal money by making this drug. At the end, it does not lead him anywhere good. In this program it presents lot of example how drugs can destroy families. Like the family of the chemistry, despite his good intentions of getting money to leave when he is gone, it brings a lot of problems to their life.

Reference:

Animeme. (2014, November 15). Do You Want to Build a Meth Lab? (Frozen x Breaking Bad Parody/Mashup). Retrieved April 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uty2zd7qizA

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013, September). Methamphetamine. Retrieved April 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine

Heroin Addiction

     Heroin is an illegal drug. The source of it is morphine, which is processed into it. Pure heroin appearance it is of disperses white solids. This type in great quality can be snorted. However, if is impure it is usually injected after diluting it.

     This drugs it is converted to morphine inside the brain. There it affects the opioid receptors. Consequently, it causes a pleasurable feeling. However, after some of first effects it will decrease the breathing, among others. Therefore, this can lead to coma and damage the brain due to the lack of oxygen income.

     I have not seen this drug in person, but I have seen someone using drugs. I am not sure which one, but surely it was taking it by injection. The person was down some stairs at school (after school), hiding below them was diluting it and before he could inject another dose, he spotted me and ran away. This was not rare to happen, since if I looked hard enough through my school, I could perceive discarded needles one the playground. That is when it becomes a problem to other people, because it is dangerous to leave such instrument at that place.

Reference:

Hartz, M. (2010, March 6). How heroin affects your brain. Retrieved April 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSoyfLcwcKE

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, November). Heroin. Retrieved April 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine affects the brain directly. Originally was extracted from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush. The appearance of this drug it is like disperse solid white crystals. According to NIDA there are two type of chemical form such as “the water-soluble hydrochloride salt and the water-insoluble cocaine base (or freebase).” In other words, the powdered form and “crack” that refers to the crack sounds it does when it is smoked.

     Cocaine is a stronger drug than the usual ones such as: alcohol, cigarette and marijuana. However, it does not mean the others are any better. It pleasures effects comes by building up dopamine in the synaptic space. Consequently, after using this drug receptors will decrease and so the intensity of pleasure without it. Therefore, the person will suffer of this.

    According to NIDA “there are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction.” In other words, the addiction this gives can’t be treated so easily. However, the use of medication battles some of the withdrawal symptoms like depression and anxiety. Therefore, this drug does serious damage like any other. Not only by the drug itself, but also if an additive is added to it, which in the worst case may lead to death.

            Reference:

Clore, J. (2010, March 6). Cocaine in the human brain. Retrieved March 2015, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqwo9dmIXAQ

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2010, September). Cocaine. Retrieved March 2015, from NIDA: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine

Marijuana Addiction

     Marijuana comes from the plant Cannabis sativa. According to WebMD “most people smoke the plant's dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds.” Also, it can be ingest through food by preparing them with it or inhaled by vapor.  The effects only last a few hours. This drug is also called as “weed”, “pot”, “grass”, etc…

     This drug just like alcohol if it is used in large amount without any control will affect your life. However, not only your body will be affected, but also your responsibilities. Therefore, it will affect your family, jobs, among others. On the other hand, by consuming it once or as prescribed, does not mean it is harmful. However, if it affects your life as I mentioned before, it is definitely a problem.

     Some people said along with alcohol and cigarette it is the first step of a path which will lead to consumption of stronger drugs. For example, cocaine could be the next step. This happens due to tolerance of the effects of the previous drug. Therefore, changing to a stronger one will cover the effects once more.

Reference:

Bukowsky, J. (2011, May 25). Court finds that a marijuana plant to be a poisonous tree, suppresses fruits thereof. Retrieved March 2015, from The Bukowsky Law Firm: http://www.lawbuk.com/court-finds-that-a-marijuana-plant-to-be-a-poisonous-tree-suppresses-fruits-thereof

ON THE ROAD TO DRUG ABUSE. (2006-2015). Retrieved March 2015, from Drug-Free World: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/on-the-road-to-drug-abuses.html

Wesley Boyd, J. (2013, November 3). Is Marijuana Addictive? Retrieved March 2015, from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/almost-addicted/201311/is-marijuana-addictive

Alcohol Addiction

     Alcohol is a legal drug worldwide for the most part. Therefore, asking where is illegal rather than where is legal would give a shorter list. However, it has age restriction. According to Pharmacist Support, alcohol addiction "can occur if a person drinks frequently or drinks large amounts of alcohol." In other words, it will be a person who tolerate, have a need and so continue nonstop drinking. On the other hand, the abuser of such substance does not have the need, but ingest it in large amount.

     The problem with alcoholics and abusers varies. For example, car accidents due to the effects of the substance while driving. This is one that we can perceive even if we do not have any familiar with such addiction. Also, it usually bring problems to the family. For instance, forget about an obligation that was given and it applies as well on work.

     I have seen it in my family. Therefore, I have seen what it can do to people in person. I cannot said I have not drank a glass of wine before, but I am in control. This control must be present, since as I said before it is a legal substance. Consequently, it is a legal method to harm our self. The best way to confront this is with help and for such there are organizations.

References:

Help With Alcoholism. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2015, from Pharmacist Support: http://www.pharmacistsupport.org/fact-sheets/help-with-alcoholism/

ForWallpaper. (2013). Dont drink and drive wallpaper [Painting]. Retrieved from  

            http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/5/58be/58be6460/137728/

            art-accident-car-man-death-joy-skull-timber-spray-rain-lightning-a-bottle-
            of-alcohol.jpg

Drug Addiction

     First of all, drug addiction according to WebMD, "is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the drug addict and those around them." In other words, it affects the brain which leads to uncontrollable use of the substance. Consequently, it will not only harm us, but others too.  This damage can come from the substance itself. However, getting this substance, which probably is illegal, it will also bring consequence.

    The abuse of it can harm others. I have seen families suffering, because of this. This person, this addict, will not be in control; therefore, won’t be able to stop even if it’s bad for others. For example, this substance it’s definitely not free, it cost money, because of this it can lead us to steal if we are short on it. However, this won’t stop there, drugs tends to increase on demand, which leads to either more desperate methods to get more of it, or change to a stronger and more harmful substance.

     I have been told not to use drugs ever, but we use them to treat or cure. However, I knew there were some, which the effects of it can lead to abuse it. For example, alcohol a legal substance, which with no proper control of consumption it can do harm. Peer pressure definitely covers this one, like if to hang out there must be alcohol.  I believe this is not like if we consume it once, it will lead to addiction, but as I mentioned before the effects might do so.

Reference:

Drug Abuse Characteristics Wallpaper. ForWallpaper.

WebMD. (2000-2015). Substance Abuse and Addiction Health Center. Retrieved March 2015, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/drug-abuse-addiction#1

Introduction

     Hello, my name is Kevin J. Rosario Rivera and I am currently nineteen years old. Also, I am a student of the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey. In this blog, I am going to be talking about Pharmacist. However, I will focus on substance abuse and addiction, which I am interest mostly on. Therefore, I will start next week. I am not an expert in this field, but I would like to talk about it and so learn.