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.