AL-HARAMAIN ENGLISH

SCHOOL

BIOLOGY PROJECT
2022-23

AYESHA ROHA K
DRUG ADDICTION
 INDEX
SL. CONTENT PG
N NO.
O
1. AKNOWLEDGMENT
2. INTRODUCTION
3. CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
4. COMBINATION OF DRUGS AND
ALCOHOL
5. ALCOHOL
6. TOBACCO
7. NICOTINE
8. TREATMENT
9. STAGES OF ADDICTION
10. PREVENTION
11. CONCLUSION
12. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project. However it would not be possible

without the kind support and help of many individuals. I would like to
express my special thanks of gratitude to our Biology ma’am Mrs.
NISHA ARIVIND and our principle Mrs. M T SAFIYA who gave me the
golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic DRUG
ADDICTION which also helped me in doing a lot of research and I came
to know about so many things . Secondly I would also like to thank my
parents and friends for their co-operation and encouragement which
helped me in the completion of this project.
 INTRODUCTION
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug
seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be
long-lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in
people who use drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return
to drug use after an attempt to stop.

The path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs. But over time,
a person's ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised. Seeking and taking the
drug becomes compulsive. This is mostly due to the effects of long-term drug exposure
on brain function. Addiction affects parts of the brain involved in reward and
motivation, learning and memory, and control over behavior.

Addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior.

 CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
• There are a large number of drugs on which people become
dependent . These are classified into four major groups:

TYPES OF DRUGS EXAMPLES EFFECTS

1. Sedatives and tranquillizers
2.Opiate Narcotics
Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines
Opium, Morphine, Codeine and
Heroin
Depress CNS activity, gives a
feeling of calmness and
drowsiness.
Suppress brain activity relaxed
pain .

3.Stimulants Amphetamines, Caffeine, Cocaine Make a person more wakeful and

alert.

4.Hallucinogen LSQ, Mescalin etc Alter thoughts and feelings.

 COMBINATIONS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

• Some addicts use mixtures of drugs to have immediate ‘kid’ or

‘charge’. Simultaneous use of drug and alcohol may produce
dangerous effects, including death…A mixture of cocaine and heroin
called Speed ball , gives spontaneous kick of cocaine and prolonged
pleasure of heroin.
COMBINATION EFFECT
1.Alcohol + Barbiturates Markedly increase the depressant effect.
2.Alcohol + Antihistamines Marked drowsiness.
3.Alcohol + Valium Increases sedative effect.
4.Alcohol + Marijuana Decreases coordination.
5.Alcohol + Aspirin Increases chances of damage to gastric mucosa.
HOW DRUG ADDICTION BEGINS ?

There are many factors that lead people to drug addiction.

1.Curiosity: Frequent references to drugs by public media create curiosity
for having a personal experience of the drugs.
2.Friends pressure: Frequent appreciation of drug experience by friends
allures other to start the use of drugs
3.Frustration and Depression: Some people start taking drugs to get relief from
frustrations and depression.
4.Desire for more Work: Students sometimes take drugs to keep awake the
whole night to prepare for examination . It is not desirable as it may
cause mental breakdown.
5.Looking for a different world: A wrong notion that the drugs open up a new world tempts
some youngsters to start taking-drugs.
6.Relief from pain: A prolonged use of pain-relieving drugs with physician’s advice at
times leads to addiction.
 SOCIAL DISEASES –SMOKING, DRINKING AND USES
OF DRUGS

Smoking and drinking and use of drugs frequently or regularly are social
diseases. They adversely affect the health of the addicts and the
society. Young people take these habits for fun, show off or curiosity, as
an adventure or feeling of freedom, or as a gesture of defiance against
the elders who themselves include in this activities to check the
youngsters. Temporary escape from the life problems and metal
relaxations felt on taking the drugs in the beginning increase person
increase in them. Soon they became habitual and find in difficult to
leave . The daily dose to get the desire effect increases with time. As in
other countries , menace of drug addiction is spreading in India also. A
Large number of our young men and women have taken to intoxicants.
 HEALTH AND SMOKING
Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many
diseases, and reduces the lifespan of the smoker in general. Quitting
smoking lowers your risk for smoking related diseases and can add
years to your life.
Cigarette smoking cause more than 4,80,000 deaths each year in
United States. Smoking can make it harder for a women to become
pregnant. It can also effect her baby’s health before and after birth.
Smoking increases risk for:
Preterm delivery, Stillbirth, Low birth weight, Sudden infant death etc.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DISEASES CAUSED BY
SMOKING:
1.Lung Cancer
2.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
3.Heart Disease
4.Stroke
5.Aortic Aneurysm
6.Oropharyngeal Cancer
7.Esophageal Cancer
8.Cataracts
9.Weaker Bones
10.Cervical Cancer………..and many more harmful diseases
 ALCOHOL
SOURCES:
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, flammable, coloured liquid having a
penetrating odour and burning taste. It is one of the products of the
distillation of fermented grains, fruit juices and starches with the help
of east enzymes. It is the principal constituents and intoxicating
principle od the wines
MODES OF USES:
Alcohol is taken in low concentration, as the beer, toddy and wine and
in relatively high concentration as arrack, brandy, whisky, rum, gin ,
vodka etc
 ADDITION:
Addition to alcohol is called alcoholism. Alcoholics are found in all society
section of society. Alcohol causes intoxication and thus, act as a poison. They
drinkers begin with small doses, but many of them soon start consuming
large doses and become addicts. By the time realize that drinking is adversely
effecting them, it is too late to give up.
What happens when alcohol is consumed?
Alcohol is quickly absorbed in the stomach and upper part of small intestine
and reaches all the tissues in minutes. Its oxidation starts at once and a large
amount of heat is produced, since heat is not needed in the body, it is taken
up by the blood and carried to the skin for dissipation. The blood supply of
the internal organs is greatly reduced resulting in fall of temperature in them.
Energy released by alcohol is not used in any life process. Rather the energy
derive from food is used up in ridding the body of excess heat.
 Is Alcohol a Stimulant?
Many people take alcohol for stimulation. Actually alcohol is a
depressant, a substance which dulls the senses. It reduces the
efficiency of every tissue of the body. Any feeling of lift a person may
claim to feel is the mistaken impression or an attempt to justify the act
in his own mind.
 TOBACCO

What is TOBACCO?
Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are dried and fermented before
being put in tobacco products. Tobacco contains nicotine, an ingredient that
can lead to addiction, which is why so many people who use tobacco find it
difficult to quit. There are also many other potentially harmful chemicals found
in tobacco or created by burning it.
How do people use tobacco?
People can smoke, chew, or sniff tobacco. Smoked tobacco products include
cigarettes, cigars, bidis, and kreteks. Some people also smoke loose tobacco in a
pipe or hookah (water pipe). Chewed tobacco products include chewing
tobacco, snuff, dip, and snus; snuff can also be sniffed.
How does tobacco affect the brain?
The nicotine in any tobacco product readily absorbs into the blood when a
person uses it. Upon entering the blood, nicotine immediately stimulates
the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).
Epinephrine stimulates the central nervous system and increases blood
pressure, breathing, and heart rate. As with drugs such as cocaine and
heroin, nicotine activates the brain’s reward circuits and also increases
levels of the chemical messenger dopamine, which reinforces rewarding
behaviors. Studies suggest that other chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as
acetaldehyde, may enhance nicotine’s effects on the brain.
 NICOTINE
Nicotine, a stimulant found in tobacco plants, is one of the most heavily used drugs in
the United States—and it's just as addictive as cocaine or heroin, according to the
surgeon general. Nicotine products are regulated by the Federal Drug Administration
(FDA). While nicotine is legal, as of 2019, it is illegal to sell or distribute nicotine-
containing products to people under 21

Cigarette smoking is the primary source of nicotine,

with one pack of cigarettes providing some 250 "hits"
of the extremely addictive substance.
What does NICOTINE do?
When a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly
absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within 10 seconds. Once
there, nicotine triggers a number of chemical reactions that create temporary
feelings of pleasure and concentration. But these sensations are short-lived,
subsiding within minutes.

These chemical reactions include the release of catecholamines such as adrenaline,

the "fight or flight" hormone. Physically, adrenaline increases heart rate and blood
pressure. When this occurs, the person may experience rapid, shallow breathing
and the feeling of a racing heartbeat. Adrenaline also tells the body to dump excess
glucose into the bloodstream.

Nicotine also curbs appetite and may contribute to weight loss in complex ways.
Common side effects :
• Nicotine causes a range of effects on both the body and mind, including:

• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Heightened mood
• Improved memory and alertness
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Increased production of saliva and phlegm
• Nausea
• Sweating
 ADDICTION
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that's found in all tobacco
products, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff,
hookahs, e-cigarettes, and other vaping devices.
Nicotine activates the same reward pathways in the brain that other
drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines do, although to a lesser
degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of
dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for
feelings of pleasure and well-being.
 WITHDRAWAL
As the level of nicotine in the blood drops, people may begin to feel edgy and agitated. The
acute effects of nicotine wear off within minutes, so people who smoke must continue
dosing themselves frequently throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of
nicotine and to prevent nicotine withdrawal, which causes a host of physical and
psychological symptoms:
• Constipation, gas, stomach pain
• Cough , sore throat
• Cravings to smoke
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Inability to concentrate
• Insomnia
• Irritability, crankiness
• Postnasal drip
TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION
Although there's no cure for drug addiction, treatment options explained
below can help you overcome an addiction and stay drug-free. Your
treatment depends on the drug used and any related medical or mental
health disorders you may have. Long-term follow-up is important to
prevent relapse.

Chemical dependence treatment programs

Treatment programs usually offer:

Individual, group or family therapy sessions

A focus on understanding the nature of addiction, becoming drug-free
and preventing relapse
Levels of care and settings that vary depending on your needs, such as
outpatient, residential and inpatient programs
 DETOXIFICATION
The goal of detoxification, also called "detox" or withdrawal
therapy, is to enable you to stop taking the addicting drug as
quickly and safely as possible. For some people, it may be safe to
undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis. Others may
need admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center.

Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as

depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side
effects and requires different approaches. Detox may involve
gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting
other substances, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or a
combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.
 OPIOID OVERDOSE
In an opioid overdose, naloxone, an opioid antagonist, can be given by
emergency responders, or in some states, by anyone who witnesses an
overdose. Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioid drugs.

While naloxone has been on the market for years, delivery systems such as
Narcan (a naloxone nasal spray) and Evzio (a naloxone injection device) are
now available, though they can be very expensive.

Evzio is a small injection device that provides voice instructions to guide

the user and automatically insert the needle into the thigh to deliver the
naloxone injection. Whatever the method of delivery, seek immediate
medical care after using naloxone.
 BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
As part of a drug treatment program, behavior therapy — a form of psychotherapy —
can be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist, or you may receive counseling from a
licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Therapy and counseling may be done with an
individual, a family or a group. The therapist or counselor can:

Help you develop ways to cope with your drug cravings

Suggest strategies to avoid drugs and prevent relapse
Offer suggestions on how to deal with a relapse if it occurs
Talk about issues regarding your job, legal problems, and relationships with family and
friends
Include family members to help them develop better communication skills and be
supportive
Address other mental health conditions
 SELF-HELP GROUPS

Many, though not all, self-help support groups use the 12-step model first
developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups, such as Narcotics
Anonymous, help people who are addicted to drugs.

The self-help support group message is that addiction is a chronic disorder with a
danger of relapse. Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and
isolation that can lead to relapse.
 Age Groups and Drug Addiction
A person’s age can significantly affect their vulnerability to addiction and resulting
health risks. Abusing drugs as a child or teen can hinder brain development. Young
adults entering college for the first time often find themselves in an environment
where drugs are easily accessible. Even the elderly can develop a dependence or
addiction to opioid painkillers after surgery or treatment for cancer-related pain.
ADOLESCENTS
Because of their still-developing brains, children and adolescents are more
susceptible to drug addiction than many other age groups. Part of growing up is
rebellion, and some children feel that doing drugs is a way to rebel against their
parents’ wishes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, teens who are
sexually or physically abused are also more likely to be diagnosed with substance use
disorders. Other factors include genetic vulnerabilities, prenatal exposure to alcohol
or drugs, lack of supervision and association with drug-using peers. One encouraging
bit of news is that the 2016 Monitoring the Future survey results showed a continued
long-term decline in the use of many illicit substances among teens, including
marijuana.
COLLEGE-AGED YOUNG ADULTS
Almost 5 percent of college students used marijuana daily in 2015, according to Monitoring
the Future. That number has grown steadily over the last 20 years. Conversely, after six years
of steady decline starting in 2007, past-year cocaine use in full-time college students
surpassed 4 percent in 2014 and remained high the following year. Because college is usually
the first time young adults are living away from their parents, it’s also a time of
experimentation, including with drugs. Lack of supervision and association with drug-using
peers is a major factor in whether college students will become addicted. Luckily, many
colleges offer drug education, sober housing and other programs aimed at getting addicted
college students back on track.
ELDERLY
When children grow up and leave home, they don’t often think that their parents could be
prone to drug abuse and addiction. Many factors can contribute to issues with drugs among
the elderly, including death of a spouse or partner, boredom from retirement, ailing health
and waning friendships. Treating physical pain with opioids can be particularly dangerous. As
one gets older, surgeries and injuries can create pain that is only assuaged by medication. A
doctor may prescribe oxycodone for chronic back pain, but long-term use may lead to
dependence and addiction.
Symptoms of addiction in the elderly are different than in other age
groups, and include:

• Solitude
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Immediate and frequent use of tranquilizers or pain medications
• Slurred speech
• Chronic and unsupported health complaints
• Hostility or depression
• Memory loss or confusion
Sometimes, children of addicted elderly parents can mistake these symptoms for
dementia or a normal part of the aging process. However, the effects of alcohol and
drug abuse are much more harmful for the elderly. Roughly 2.5 million older adults in
the United States have an alcohol or drug problem. While adults over the age of 65
represent only 13 percent of the total population, they consume almost 30 percent of all
the prescription drugs in circulation. Drug and alcohol abuse in the elderly is an invisible
epidemic that is difficult to pinpoint but essential to address.
 STAGES OF DRUG ADDICTION
Stage 1: Experimentation
Experimentation is defined as the voluntary use of drugs without experiencing any negative
social or legal consequences. For many, experimenting may occur once or several times as a
way to “have fun” or even to help the individual cope with a problem. For many,
experimentation can occur without any desire to continue using the drug. For others, it can
start to become a problem when it moves into the next stage of addiction: regular use.

Stage 2: Regular Use

Some people will be able to enter the stage of regular use without developing a dependence
or addiction. These people will be able to stop the drug use on their own. The problem with
regular use is that the risk for substance abuse greatly increases during this stage. It also
increases risky behaviors such as driving under the influence, unexplained violence, and
symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Stage 3: Risky Use/Abuse
The line between regular use and risky use/abuse is a very thin one, but is usually
defined as continued use of drugs in spite of severe social and legal consequences.
What might have begun as a temporary form of escape can quickly lead to more serious
problems. This is the stage where the warning signs of addiction will begin to appear:
craving, preoccupation with the drug, and symptoms of depression, irritability and
fatigue if the drug is not used.

Stage 4: Drug Addiction and Dependency

Physical dependence on a drug is often intertwined with addiction. Characteristics of
dependence and drug addiction include withdrawal symptoms and compulsive use of
the drug despite severe negative consequences to his or her relationships, physical and
mental health, personal finances, job security and criminal record.
 Anti-Drug Awareness and Prevention
Bringing awareness to the realities of addiction is one form of prevention. Unfortunately,
there is a stigma surrounding drug use, so many people are ashamed to talk about it. During
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October, people are encouraged to come
forward and share their experiences with addiction to reduce the stigma associated with this
disease. By raising awareness and reducing stigma, people will be less ashamed to talk about
addiction and more willing to participate in prevention efforts or seek treatment.

Creating awareness and talking about prevention are critical so that addictions do not
develop. This is important because treating an addiction is much more challenging than
preventing drug use in the first place. Because addiction is a brain disease, it disrupts the
brain’s natural reward system, which causes a person to compulsively seek drugs in order to
continue to experience pleasure. Addiction also changes the structure of the brain in ways
that can interfere with learning, memory, and rational decision-making. These brain changes
can understandably make quitting a challenge. It is easier to simply never use drugs than it is
to recover from an addiction.
 TIPS FOR PREVENTING SUBSTANCE
ABUSE
While there is no one way or guaranteed way to prevent someone from abusing drugs and
alcohol, there are things that everyone can do to prevent substance abuse.

Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by:
Using addictive drugs (illicit or prescribed) for recreational purposes
Seeking out intoxication every time you use
Abusing prescription medication

2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. Develop healthy friendships and relationships by
avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances. It’s often said “we
become most like those we surround ourselves by,” meaning if you surround yourself with
people who abuse drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well.
Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults. If you are looking to stay drug
free develop a good way to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to
keep from giving into peer pressure
3. Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in
hand. If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or post-
traumatic stress disorder you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist
or counselor. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate
your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol.

4. Examine the risk factors. Look at your family history of mental illness and
addiction, several studies have shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but
can be prevented. The more you are aware of your biological, environmental and
physical risk factors the more likely you are to overcome them.
 CONCLUSION
Drug addiction and its increase usage causes a lot diseases and disability in
the world. Recent advances in neuroscience may help to improve policies
to reduce the harm of tobacco, alcohol, and other psychoactive drugs
impose on the society….!!!
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• NCERT Class 12 Lab Manual
• https://en.Wikipedia.org
• https://www.google.co.in
• https://www.slideshare.com
• Reference articles from various blogs