Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system thus making an individual dependent on it to perform normally. It is considered to be amongst the easiest solutions towards redeeming oneself from stress and depression. Alcohol abuse is subject to a person’s lifestyle family history, social environment, and emotional health of the person. It is essential to realize that genetic connections are amongst the leading causes to distinct alcoholism. However, other factors such as stress and depression play a key role in the development of alcohol dependence. Although alcoholism and alcohol abuse has been rated the same, it is worth noting that alcoholism is the total dependence of alcohol while alcohol abuse is the use of alcohol to handle certain situations. Individual who abuse alcohol often get into self destruction plans and violence (Brannon, 2008).
Dangers of Withdrawal
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is known to be a challenge especially in times of recovery. Recovering from alcohol requires a person to take a bold step to admit the problem. Nonetheless, it is imperative to understand that the person has to confront the challenge faced before the time of addition. In this context, issues such as depression, stress, emotional, and mental illness are inevitable. Hence, quitting alcoholism and getting sober renders a person weaker thus one requires immediate support to overcome. Without support, such addicts become violent, depressed and have anxiety throughout the day. Many alcoholics have to undergo recovery rehabilitation in order to overcome the craving of alcohol.
Rohypnol: Biopsychosocial Effects of Using of this Drug
Rohypnol is a tranquilizer or a sedative, which has a high sedating effect on a person. The drug has been highlighted as one of the key substances, which take effect faster. Rohypnol is an odorless and tasteless tab. The tab can as well be crushed into powder and dissolves easily in a drink. This drug is often used in date-rape cases.
Rohypnol causes a person to lose consciousness after about 10-20 minutes of ingestion. The drug affects brain functions of an individual. The person subjected to the drug feels dizzy, slurred speaking, and disoriented. In addition, the person may pass out after a while. The drug has effect for about 2-8 hours. After the peak time, a person can gain consciousness. However, there are some extreme cases where the person does not gain consciousness. A person who has been subjected to this drug is likely to lose memory of what happens when he or she had passed out (Trisha, 2011).
Psychoactive Properties of Marijuana and Issues of Legalization
Marijuana is a drug classified as a hallucinogen, a stimulant, or a depressant. The psychoactive drug can influence the effect of neurotransmitters in the brain. Marijuana mimics the effect of these neurotransmitters causing the body to have altered body functions. Marijuana, also called Cannabis causes a person to be calm and have a sense of euphoria. The drug affects learning ability of an individual and shortens memory of a person. Extensive effects on men include decrease sperm count and low testosterone levels in women.
Although marijuana has been known to have high risks to human health, the drug has benefits to human health and wellness. Marijuana has been tasted to be a stimulant and an anti-depressant agent. This drug releases stress and treats people with depression. In addition, marijuana is used in chemotherapy. The drug plays a significant role in the treatment of cancer. Hence, legalizing the use of marijuana can bring more advantages to the society. However, it is worth noting that the drug should be prescribed with caution (Nahas, Harvey, Sutin, Turndorf & Cancro, 2002).
Alcohol Effect on the Brain and Nervous System
Alcohol is a substance that affects brain functions. Alcohol limits the functions of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters act as the communicative agents between different brain receptors, which play a fundamental role in body senses, thus influence brain functions. Serotonin is one of key neurotransmitter, which is affected by the level of alcohol in a person.
Acute alcoholism affects the level of serotonin released in the brain and serotonin receptors. This effect alters the messages sent across the nerves thus impairing brain functions. On the other hand, chronic alcoholism leads to high alcohol tolerance. Chronic alcoholism defiles normal cell functions and causes a person’s body response to be altered. As a result, homeostasis stops functioning normally amongst other metabolic processes. For instance, an alcoholic experiences anxiety and cessations after taking too much alcohol (Lovinger, 1999).
Eating Disorders as an Addictive-Like Behavior
Eating disorder is one of the problems which come as a result of over eating. Often people with eating disorders are related to binge eating. The disorder comes up when a person cannot control eating habits. Such a person is often fascinated about food around him or her. Food addicts consume excessive amounts of food. These individuals are not controlled by hunger, but eat at any time food is available.
People with food addiction have similar characters of addiction including depression and stress. Such individuals often feel ashamed of their constant craving for food. Food addict also suffer anxiety especially when the person does not have the craved food type. A food addict has a tendency of feeling guilty about being overweight, which leads to depression and emotional disability. A food addict can have anxiety attacks, which may lead to taking high risks to obtain the food at any time.
References
Brannon, C. A. (2010). Alcohol: Functional Food or Addictive Drug?. Today’s Dietitian, 10(12).
Hyman, M. (2010, October 16). Food Addiction: Could It Explain Why 70 Percent of Americans Are Fat?. Huffpost: Healthy Living, Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/food-addiction-could-it-e_b_764863.html
Lovinger, D. M. (1999). The Role of Serotonin in Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain. 18(1). Retrieved from http://www.currentseparations.com/issues/18-1/cs18-1d.pdf
Nahas, G., Harvey, D.J., Sutin, K., Turndorf, H., & Cancro, R. (2002). A molecular basis of the therapeutic and psychoactive properties of cannabis (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol).. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, 26(4), 721-730.
Trisha (2011, May). What is Rohypnol?. BBC-Health. Retrieved July 16, 2012, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/rohypnol.shtml
