During the last century, scientists involved in research and studies on drug abuse were governed by the powerful misconceptions and fabricated stories about the addictive nature of the drugs and the reason behind drug addiction. Proper scientific studies on drug addiction started in the 1930s when the research was done to learn the behavioral aspects of addiction. People who were addicted to drug usage were considered as immoral individuals and those who lack willpower. During that time, these viewpoints shaped the response of the society towards drug abuse, considering it as an immoral act rather than treating it as a health issue. This stream of thought highlighted the importance on imposing a penalty for drug abuse, rather than avoiding it and offering an effective treatment. However, in the present day world, science has given good clarity for our perception and views towards the issue of drug addiction and related substance use abnormalities persistent in our society. In this paper, I will be briefing a critical analysis of the scientific studies related to drug addiction. (Preventing Drug Abuse)
Medical science has made dynamic discoveries relating the brain and has revolutionized our thinking about deliberate drug use, helping us to react proactively to the problem.
Based on the findings of scientific research, we have now found that substance addiction is a health issue that alters and damages both the human brain and his behavior. Research also identified numerous biological and related factors and is starting to look for the codes that can find genetic changes that add to the increase in the magnitude of the disease. Scientific researchers use this information to evolve efficient prevention and management strategies that bring down the impact drug abuse makes on persons, families, and society.
As we analyze the issue of drug addiction, the findings related to its impact on the society is very important. Every year, consumption of illegal as well as prescription drugs and alcohol results in more than 90,000 deaths in America. Direct and indirect consumption of tobacco and related products results in 480,000 deaths in America every year. (Preventing Drug Abuse) Addiction is the main reason why people continue to use these products despite the knowledge that they are harmful to their lives. Pregnant women who use these drugs expose their babies to the risk of being prematurely born or being underweight with added medical complications. When the expectant mother uses drugs, it can also retard the child’s intellectual growth and impact his personality and behavior later in life. In the Adolescent age group, the sense of addiction is much higher, and drug abuse results in poor concentration and academic performance. In most of the cases, they drop out of the educational institutions. Additionally, they are also exposed to unforeseen pregnancies, infectious diseases, and violence.
Adults who are addicted to drugs often face problems with thinking ability, memorizing things, and lack concentration. They often show poor public behaviors due to their drug abuse, and their professional output and personal associations suffer.
Based on scientific studies by Drs. N. Volkow and H. Schelbert, drugs typically have chemicals that penetrate into the brain, and affect the normal communication system. It interrupts the normal communication pattern of the nerve cells and affects the pattern of sending and receiving information. The drugs create brain disruption in two major ways. (1) By mimicking the normal chemical messengers of the brain. (2) By overstimulation of the reward circuit system of the brain. (Preventing Drug Abuse)
Certain drugs like marijuana and heroin are identical in their structure to neurotransmitters which are the brain’s chemical messengers. Neurotransmitters are naturally formed in the brain for message transmission. These drugs mislead the receptors in the brain and force the neurons to send wrong signals and messages. Thus, wrong messages are communicated to the brain, and this is the main reason for addiction. (Science of Addiction | Shatterproof)
Scientific research has also found that other addictions causing drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are capable of stimulating nerve cells to discharge abnormally huge volume of neurotransmitters like dopamine to send wrong signals to the brain. The process also results in the prevention of the regular recycling process of these unwanted chemicals by the brain. The recycling process is required to close down the signal transmission between nerve cells. The subsequent effect is the flooding of the brain with dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter seen in brain parts that regulate movements, feelings, motivation, and pleasure. The unwanted stimulation of this reflex system, which naturally reacts to natural behaviors connected to human survival like eating, social life, recreation, etc., produces ecstatic feelings due to the usage of psychoactive drugs. This response creates and stimulates a reassuring style that prompts people to continue the exciting approach of abusing drugs. These scientific studies clearly show that drug addiction is not a personality or behavioral aspect, whereas it is closely linked with the chemical aspects of the addicted person. (Science of Addiction | Shatterproof)
Another revealing report is the influence of Parents' drug abuse on their children. When a parent is under drug addiction, the result is complete chaos, stress and unrest in the family, and even child abuse and abandonment of children. Such circumstances in families damage the well-being and proper growth of children. Parent drug abuse can even lead to drug abuse the next generation as well.
A scientific study analyzes the impact of drugs on the behavioral patterns of individuals. Scientific studies have also helped to implement effective de-addiction campaigns using scientific strategies by understanding the influence of drug addiction on the human brain.
References
Preventing Drug Abuse: The Best Strategy. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preventing-drug-abuse-best-strategy
Science of Addiction | Shatterproof. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from http://www.shatterproof.org/pages/science-of-addiction
