Unit 4: Terminology of drug action (part 1)Drug useDrug use consists in using any substance for its intended purpose, for example it would include talking an antibiotic or a sleeping pill as prescribed.Drugs can cover : legal drugs (eg alcohol and tobacco-illegal drugs) (eg Cannabis, Ecstasy, amphetamines) and medicinal drugs,( eg Paracetamol, Insulin,Ventolin)Drug misuse Drug misuse is when people take medicine in a way not recommended by their doctor or by the manufacturer. for example they take drugs in very large quantities that are dangerous to their health or they take them at more frequent intervals than prescribed . examples of drugs that are commonly misused include: illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, prescribed medicines including painkiller, sleeping tablets and cold remedies.ToleranceDrugs tolerance occurs when a subjec'ts reaction to a psychoactive drug ( such as a painkiller, alcohol) decreases so that larger doses are required to achieve the same effect . as an examples, if you are an occasinal drinker, you may become intoxicated after drinking three beers. however, after drinking every night for a week , you may find that it take five beers to reach the same condition . this might indicate a developing tolerance to alcohol. the rate at which an individual develops tolerance to a drugs depends on the individual's genetics , the dose of the drug, the size of the person, and the frequency of drug administration.Drug tolerance can involve both psychological drug tolerance and physiological factors.Addictionit is defined as a chronic pathological condition characterized by drug-seeking and abuse and by long- lasting chemical changes in the brain. this generally occurs with depressant drugs, which include alcohol , barbiturates, tranquilizers, and opiates. the individual has an overpowering need for the substance, object, or activity that produces a psychological and or physiological dependence. the desire or need is repetitive, impulsive, and compulsive. if the person ceases the activity or abstains from the substance,withdtawal symptoms usually occur.Withdrawal Symptomswhen one has become physically dependent on a drug and suddenly stops the substance, a psychological and or physiological reaction occurs. psychological withdrawal symptoms, includerestlessness, irrtability, inability to sleep, depression, and sleep disturbances and sometimes convulsions that may lead to death.StimulantsStimulants (in slang "uppers") are a group of drugs that tend to stimulate the central nervous system . Stimulants are used therapeutically to increase or maintain alertness, to counteract fatigue in situation where sleep is not practical . the euphoria produced by some stimulants leads to their recreational use, although this is illegal in the majority of jurisdictions. habituation to these drugs can occur . caffeine as well as nicotine are among some of the world's most commonly used stimulants. example of other well known stimulants include epherinne, amphetamines and cocaine.Depressants a Depressant drug, referred to in slang as a downer , is a chemical agent that diminishes the function or activity of a specific part of the body. depressant drugs produce slowed brain function and a drowsy or calm feeling , and are generally prescribed to relieve symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. the most common depressants used in medicine are generally divided into two classes, namely barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
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