The Underlying Mechanisms of Drug Addiction

ABSTRACT
In this modern day that we live in, people suffering from drug addiction are becoming rampant.
To better understand the mechanisms of drug addiction, we need to know first the reasons why
people are dependent on drugs. From this point of view, we could connect the commonalities
between the factors for drug addiction and its mechanisms.

(I think this part should be refurbished in order to hook the readers intrigue on subject at hand.
Maybe adding a quote or a phrase which encapsulates how and why man is prone to addiction---
or that man is susceptible to self-destruction for the sake of pleasure etc this is just for
enticement sake.

An abstract is a summary of the entire paper. It should include: goals and objectives, results,
and conclusions. Half way through the article I still could not still grasp what the phrase
Mechanism of drug addiction means. I suggest a brief definition and scope on the matter so
that the readers are able to understand the point you are trying to convey; considering that it is a
technical subject full of medical jargons and theories. The end goal is to convey information and
to teach the readers--- not confuse them more.)

INTRODUCTION restrain behaviour.1 Secondly, drug-related

Drug addiction is an end stage type of
disorder in which humans tend to suffer
despite facing chronic consequences.
Addicts first uses drugs of abuse to
experience euphoria.
As they continuously use it the body tends to
adopt to the changes these drugs contribute.
Adverse effects may then be experienced. In
this study, it is discussed the factors why
addicts verge on drugs of abuse. Abused
drugs discussed in this article are
Cannabinoids, Cocaine and Opiates.
FACTORS INFUENCING DRUG
ADDICTION
Three theoretical explanations for the drug-
violence relationship have been proposed.
Firstly, drug use may be linked to violence at
the direct psychopharmacological level.
Here, as a result of short- or long-term
ingestion of specific substances, individuals
may experience changes in physiological
functioning that, in an unintoxicated state,
violence can be economic compulsive, in
that individuals addicted or dependent on
illicit substances (e.g. cocaine and heroin)
will commit crimes, including violent
crimes, as a means to fund their drug use.1
Thirdly, drug-related violence can be
systemic, with violence being an inherent
part of the illicit drug market. Violence is
used to enforce the payment of debts, to
resolve competition between dealers, and to
punish informants.1
MECHANISMS OF COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a group of psychoactive
compounds found in marijuana. Of these,
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most
potent and abundant. Marijuana, or its
processed product, hashish, can be smoked
or ingested. A sense of well-being and
euphoria is the subjective effect of
exposure.2 Marijuana does not appear, in
general, to cause physiologic dependence,
but tolerance (Martin, 2004) and
psychological dependence do seem to occur,
although a proportion of chronic users of
this drug can develop physiologic
dependence on it (Iversen, 2003).3 The
preponderant changes seen with cannabis
intoxication are perceptual and psychic
changes. These range from euphoria,
relaxation, passiveness, and altered time
perception, seen at low doses, to adverse
reactions such as paranoia, delusions, and
disorientation, which can be seen at high
doses in psychologically susceptible
individuals. High doses in psychologically
susceptible individuals.3
Cocaine
Cocaine is an effective local aesthetic with
few adverse effects at therapeutic
concentrations. At higher circulating
concentrations, it is a potent CNS stimulator
that elicits a sense of excitement and
euphoria. Cocaine is an alkaloid salt that can
be administered directly (e.g., by
insufflation or intravenous injection) or
inhaled as a vapor when smoked in the free-
base form (crack).2 One study (Azmitia,
1990) suggests that cocaine induces
increased calcium ion influx in
dopaminergic neurons. The increased
intracellular calcium activates
phospholipases that possibly act as second
messengers in causing ultimate release of
dopamine in synapses. In causing ultimate
release of dopamine in synapses. 3 Through
this study, cocaine is found to be neurotoxic.
Many cocaine abusers consume this drug
together with alcohol. Ethanol becomes
esterified to cocaine in the liver to form
cocaethylene, which blocks reuptake of
dopamine in dopaminergic pathways more
effectively than does cocaine and causes
pronounced vasoconstriction of the coronary
arteries and induces increased myocardial
oxygen demand. This cocaine derivative is
deadlier than either cocaine or ethanol alone
(Jones, 2006).3
Opiates
Opiates are a class of substances capable of
analgesia, sedation, and anesthesia. All are
derived from or chemically related to
substances derived from opium poppy.2
Heroin induces a pleasant, euphoric state
and is highly addictive both physically and
psychologically.3 Heroin is a diacetyl form
of morphine. This characteristic facilitates
heroins crossing the blood-brain barrier,
allowing it to reach higher concentrations in
the CNS. Withdrawal from this drug is
exceedingly difficult, with a myriad of
symptoms such as hypothermia, palpitations,
cold sweats, and nightmares. This is a true
physical dependence, the molecular basis for
which is not fully understood. It appears that
the dependence is strongly linked to the
number of cell surface -receptors (Tso,
2003).3
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUG
ADDICTION
CONCLUSION
1. World health Organization. Interpersonal
Violence and Illicit Drugs
2. Michael L. Bishop. Clinical Chemistry:
Techniques, Principles, Correlations (6th
Edition)
3. McPherson & Pincus. Henrys Clinical
Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory
Method