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Essay on Drug Abuse

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Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

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Drug Abuse - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

Drug abuse, the chronic or habitual use of drugs to alter one’s mood, emotion, or state of consciousness, is a severe social and health issue. Essays on drug abuse could explore the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the various types and classifications of drugs, and the societal reactions to drug abuse. Discussions might also cover prevention and treatment strategies, the portrayal of drug abuse in media and literature, and the ongoing efforts by governments and organizations to combat drug abuse and its detrimental effects. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Drug Abuse you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

What are some Solutions to Drug Abuse?

Nowadays, many people have thought that drugs are viable solution for personal problems or any other situations that affect the life of a person, but eventually, if a person reads the words drugs, it becomes a real problem in the current society. Therefore, there are factors that expose the drugs as an issue in the society. How can we understand this point? First, the abuse of different substances and drugs are one of the most common situations that teenagers and […]

Teenage Drug Abuse

There is a major concern about the teenage drug use today. Within the ages 15 through 24, fifty percent of deaths (from homicides, accidents, suicides) involve drugs. The two common reasons why teens use drugs are anxiety and depression. Factors like peer pressure, desire to escape, curiosity, emotional struggles, and stress may also lead to the consumption of drugs or alcohol. Teens are more likely to abuse drugs than adults because the part of their brain used for judgment and […]

Drug Addictions

Drug addictions are something that many people in America face. A lot of families today face a person who is a drug addict or an alcoholic and this is breaking up families. People can help people addicted to drugs by providing community support, education,and teaching drug addicts how to deal with stress after overcoming addiction. Community and support groups are a great ways and opportunities for recovering addicts to be able to meet and befriend people who are also going […]

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Poverty and Drug Abuse Addiction

One popular stereotype associated with drug use is that it is rampant among the poor. However, this is not entirely true since insufficient money linked with the poor cannot probably sustain drug use. The link between the two factors is multifaceted, and the connectedness of poverty is complex. Poverty entails unstable family and interpersonal associations, low-skilled jobs and low status, high arrest degrees, illegitimacy, school dropping out, deprived physical health, high mental conditions, and high mortality rates. Such factors resemble […]

Background on Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has been around for as long as the world has been created. Drug abuse dates back to the early 5000 B.C. when the Sumerians used opium, suggested by the fact that they have an ideogram for it which has been translated as HUL, meaning joy or rejoicing (Lindesmith, 2008). It then occurred often later on because indigenous South Americans chewed on coca leaves in the rainforest as a type of ritual, giving them stimulation and energy. Since then, […]

Drug Testing

For every student who complains that drug testing is an invasion of his or hers privacy we can show you a hundred parents who have lost their children to drugs. With drug testing students get a safe place where they can learn. Even the teachers are better off with this, because with less drugs schools are much safer. Should High School students or even college students be routinely tested for drug use? Before you answer think about this as a […]

Drug Abuse in Sports

Drug abuse occurs in all sports and at most levels of competition. Athletic life may lead to drug abuse for a number of reasons,, to self-treat injuries, and retirement from sport. Most sport organizations ban the use of any drug that can help your ability to excel in any sport. Using enhancing drugs, always have side effects like easy to anger, depression, and even death. Today people may know that athletes use steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, but it is only […]

Drug Abuse – Destructive Pattern

Drug abuse is the destructive pattern of using substances that leads to uncounted problems and diseases in the human body. It is a physical and psychological term which takes dependence on human activities. Drugs create bad effects on human life like anxiety, impaired social relations, depression, hopelessness, rejection etc. Impaired social relations and suicide are considered the worst consequences of addiction. The drugs have negative consequences on one's life. If the addicts were able to see the reality of their […]

The Truth about Drugs – Illegal Drugs

A close amount of 280 million people consume illegal drugs. The most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana or weed. According to the United Nations 2008 World Drug Report close to 3.9% of the earth's population between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse marijuana. Many teenagers and adults abuse drugs everyday. According to many sources a lot of people who let drugs control their lives have turned their life around and made a successful life. While others are still […]

Drug Abuse in the United States

Drug abuse in the United States has long been a topical issue and persists even today. Many different reasons make people get addicted as well as different levels to which people get dependent on drugs. Opioid use and abuse may start out of curiosity while others take them as prescribed medication for treatment but in the long run, they get addicted. In the United States, many people label Opioid addiction as a health problem rather than drug addiction. The reason […]

Effects of Drug Abuse on Families

Abstract In the USA, the family units have emerged to much complicated. Families continue to evolve ranging from the extended, nuclear and up to the single parenting family setups. Others are the stepfamilies, multigenerational and the foster types of families. Thus, abuse by a member of the family of substances may result in differences based on the formation of the family itself. This paper presents a discussion on the issues of treatment that may emerge within the various structures of […]

Drugs – Escape from Reality

Who wants to escape from reality? You must go for Drugs then. A phenomenon used by all fools in today's world. Drug abuse is when one misuses the drugs in a harmful way. Drug addiction is harmful not only for the addicted but also has a lot of negative effects on society. There is no country in the world where such a problem doesn't exist. Today this issue is often being discussed by doctors who claim that dope abuse mainly […]

Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

The deep, energetic and sonorous voice of Whitney Houston that graced our ears will truly be missed. She was found dead in her house as a result of cocaine overdose. She was about 48 when she died. So will young Mac Miller and Lil Peep- talented celebrities who died of accidental fentanyl overdose at a very young age. Their stories, we heard due to the status they have achieved in the society. There are millions of other young people all […]

Drug Abuse in the Community i Live in

The overwhelming problem of drug abuse in Decatur, Illinois has developed into a major issue. For example, Heroin, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, prescription opioids, marijuana, and meth are being sold and used at an epidemic rate. Some cities drug problems might be worse than Decatur's, however, for the small size of this city, the drug abuse is phenomenal. Although some people might not see drug addiction as an illness, people are not drug addicts by choice, but after trying the […]

Drug Abuse and Overdosing Deaths

Drug abuse and overdosing are a grave issue that is affecting the nation. The death rate has increased intensely in recent years in United States due to Overdosing on drugs with number of deaths doubling every nine years including accidental and unintentional deaths. (Cunningham, 2018). The abuse and dependence to opioids- including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription drugs for pain relief is a serious nationwide catastrophe that disturbs communal health and as well as economical, psychological, social, and physiological welfare. The […]

The Drug Abuse Across the United States of America

The drug abuse across the United States of America has been noticed as a tremendous problem since the past thirty years, whether it being the use of prescription drugs or illicit drugs. According to the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, (NIDA, 2015) it is estimated that 24.6 million Americans, in 2013, from ages twelve and older had used illicit drugs. Americans generally take drugs for variety reasons, that being to feel better, be better, or do better. […]

Most Drugs and Medicated Substances Can be Beneficial

People do misuse drugs and medications. Drug abuse occurs when an individual excessively exploits a drug or medication outside of its original function, which could result in harm to the user, their families, and even their community (Huffman & Dowdell, 2015). Abusing drugs can cause hazardous consequences that will affect a person from a biological, psychological, and social standpoint. Fortunately, drug abuse can be prevented and treated. The Foundation Recovery Network (2018) expresses that drug abuse and drug addiction are […]

Effects of Parental Alcoholism and Drug Abuse on Teens

Addiction is a word very common in our day to day lives, but not very many people actually know what it is or how to treat it. It is an individualistic disease that can infect everybody, not just a certain group of people, with damages that can ripple through families for years to come. Addiction within parents can have effects lasting lifetimes within the family and can also have a huge societal impact. For many, addiction is a scary word, […]

Student: Drug Abuse, Struggle, and Health Risks.

Today’s student faces many risks, including drug abuse, struggle, and health risks. Reacting to these risks before they become more serious dilemmas can be difficult. One of the purposes of dealing with drug abuse is to encourage the public to understand the causes of drug abuse and to prevent its onset. Drug abuse has serious consequences in our homes, schools, and communities. The use of all illegal drugs and the inappropriate use of licit drugs is considered drug abuse. Teens […]

Drug Abuse Among Students

Medication manhandle is these days one of the gravest social damages. Late years have encountered an extreme ascent in sedate manhandle among school and college understudies. In America today, more people struggle with some kind of addiction to drugs than in the past. Alcohol use is high among college students and places them at risk for health problems, injuries, and poor academic performance. Drugs have a chemical effect that damage the brain and body. Drugs have shown to interfere with […]

The Correlation between Adult Drug Abusers and Children

The National Institute on drug abuse estimates that a quarter of children in the U.S. grow up in households where there is substance abuse. It makes them 8 times more likely to develop an addiction of their own. Many children are unfortunate enough to have to pay the consequences that drug abusing adults indirectly throw at them. Many of these children grow up to be adults who have, over time, developed the same habits. Others have no control over the […]

Substance Abuse and Development

Substance abuse can be defined as the overindulgence in addictive substance or the reliance on an addictive substance, especially illicit drugs like crystal methamphetamine and others. Methamphetamine, or meth, as it is popularly called is a highly addictive stimulant that creates a feeling of energy, heightened alertness and euphoria. It is synthetically prepared, using toxic and flammable chemicals and side effects include irregular and rapid heartbeat, hyperthermia, convulsions, stroke, insomnia, high blood pressure, restlessness, and tremors . Meth can be […]

Prescription Drug Abuse

In reading the articles 'Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use Among US Young Adults by Educational Attainment,' 'Ethnic/Racial Differences in Peer and Parent Influence on Adolescent Prescription Drug Misuse,' and 'Influences of Motivational Contexts on Prescription Drug Misuse and Related Drug Problems', they all highlight the misuse of prescription drug use by young adults. Each article provides its unique interpretation of studies concerning how and why youth misuse prescription drugs on an ethnic level. The articles also discuss the risks of prescription […]

Drug Abuse in Athletes

Is taking drugs to boost yourself up just to win or maybe even break a record really worth losing your career over? All the hard work you put in over the years, just for it to be taken away from you in a second over performance enhancing drugs because you wanted to win. Maybe your injury was so bad that you need to use illegal drugs to cure it without doctor orders. As a result, to this you could risk […]

Investigation of the Effects of Drug Abuse

ABSTRACT In investigation of the effects of drug abuse on adolescents' academic performance various theoretical perspectives were utilized and strategies to curb drug use were also identified. The study was conducted in Triangle: Chiredzi; Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. The participants were from 3 High schools. The students' ages were ranging from 12 to 21 years. A descriptive survey design combining both qualitative and quantitative research strategies was employed. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique. The sample size represented 10% […]

The Truth of Drug Abuse

As Nathan Driskell once said, Addiction is the only prison where the locks are on the inside. Addiction is a common issue and numerous people don't realize. Over twenty million Americans under the age of 18 are already addicted to a drug. Drug abuse is a major concern despite a person's race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, social status, or religion. Addictions can affect anyone and can be caused by a variety of reasons. To overcome an addiction and staying drug […]

People with an Addiction have a Mental Illness

6.8 million people with an addiction have a mental illness. When people think about addictions they automatically think about a drug addiction. Although it is the most common addiction in America, there are plenty of other addictions. For example, Food addiction, video game addiction, working addiction, and an exercising addiction just to name a few. An addiction is abusing the use of a substance and that can be bad for you if you use too much of it. There are […]

What is Drug and Drug Abuse?

Drugs are substances that can affect the body’s function either physically or mentally, and also kill many cells in our body when we consume them. There are many factors that contribute to drug addiction. One of these factors is peer pressure. Many people succumb to peer pressure, but this is particularly prevalent among teenagers and children, as they are not yet mature mentally, and tend to emulate their surroundings. As an example, if a person has loved ones or friends […]

Reflection of Motivation of Early Dropout from Drug Abuse Treatment

The correlation between early dropout addicts and lack of motivation. Simpson created three scales used to determine the stages of cognitive treatment. Simpson and Joe constructed a theory that different lifestyles can influence how the client will succeed in the treatment program. This study's motive is to test the accuracy of three motivation levels for early treatment dropouts. This study consist of 311 clients, addicts, with diverse socio demographics that are located in Corpus Christi, Dallas, And Houston. The clients […]

Drug Abuse: War on Drugs

Drug abuse has been happening over so many years and it’s bad for our community. A drug isn't a good thing to mess with it understandable if its used for reasonable reasons but more than needed is drug abuse. Some people disagree with this and opposed to other side drugs are good for our community. Many people coming back from the war will be addicted to drugs and alcohol due to the massage amount of drugs that is given to […]

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How To Write an Essay About Drug Abuse

Understanding the complexity of drug abuse.

When tackling an essay about drug abuse, it's essential to first comprehend the intricacies of the topic. Drug abuse, a prevalent issue globally, involves the chronic or habitual use of drugs for non-medical purposes, leading to health hazards and socio-economic problems. In your introduction, define drug abuse and distinguish it from drug use and addiction. Address the multifaceted nature of the issue, encompassing psychological, physiological, and societal dimensions. This foundation is crucial for guiding your exploration of drug abuse, its causes, effects, and potential solutions. Recognizing the sensitivity and complexity of this topic is key to writing an insightful and respectful essay.

Analyzing Causes and Effects

The body of your essay should delve into the causes and effects of drug abuse. Explore the various factors that can lead to drug abuse, such as psychological distress, peer pressure, socio-economic status, and exposure to drugs in the family or community. Then, discuss the ramifications of drug abuse on individuals, families, and society. These effects can include health issues, strained relationships, financial problems, and societal costs like increased crime and healthcare expenses. Use specific examples and data to support your points, while maintaining a compassionate tone, acknowledging that individuals suffering from drug abuse often face a complex interplay of challenges.

Addressing Prevention and Treatment

In this section, shift your focus to prevention and treatment strategies for drug abuse. Discuss different approaches to preventing drug abuse, such as education and awareness programs, policy changes, and community support initiatives. Then, examine the various treatment options available, including medical interventions, counseling, rehabilitation programs, and support groups. It's crucial to discuss the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, which addresses not just the physical aspect of addiction but also the psychological and social factors. This part of your essay should highlight the importance of compassion and support in addressing drug abuse, rather than solely punitive measures.

Concluding with a Call to Awareness and Action

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points and emphasizing the importance of addressing drug abuse in society. Reflect on the need for increased awareness, better prevention strategies, and effective treatment programs. Encourage readers to consider the role they can play in combating drug abuse, whether through personal support, advocacy, or policy change. A strong conclusion will not only provide closure to your essay but also inspire a sense of responsibility and urgency in dealing with this critical issue.

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Forms of Drug Abuse and Their Effects

• February 2018
• Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 1(1):13-19

• University of Kashmir

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Substance Use Disorders and Addiction: Mechanisms, Trends, and Treatment Implications

Information & authors, metrics & citations, view options, insights into mechanisms related to cocaine addiction using a novel imaging method for dopamine neurons, treatment implications of understanding brain function during early abstinence in patients with alcohol use disorder, relatively low amounts of alcohol intake during pregnancy are associated with subtle neurodevelopmental effects in preadolescent offspring, increased comorbidity between substance use and psychiatric disorders in sexual identity minorities, trends in nicotine use and dependence from 2001–2002 to 2012–2013, conclusions, information, published in.

• Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
• Addiction Psychiatry
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Essay on Impact of Drugs on Youth

Students are often asked to write an essay on Impact of Drugs on Youth in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Impact of Drugs on Youth

Introduction.

Drugs have a significant impact on youth, affecting their health, education, and social relationships.

Health Consequences

Drugs can damage a young person’s physical and mental health. They can lead to addiction, organ damage, and mental disorders.

Educational Impact

Drugs can impair a youth’s ability to concentrate and learn, leading to poor academic performance.

Social Effects

Drug use can lead to isolation from friends and family, and involvement in illegal activities.

250 Words Essay on Impact of Drugs on Youth

The impact of drugs on youth is a topic of significant concern, affecting individuals, families, and communities worldwide. The youth, being the most vulnerable demographic, are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of drug use.

The Allure of Drugs

The allure of drugs for young people often stems from a desire to fit in, escape reality, or experiment. Peer pressure, social media influence, and the thrill of rebellion can all contribute to the initiation of drug use. This early exposure can lead to addiction, impacting their physical, mental, and social health.

Physical Impact

Drugs can have devastating physical effects on young bodies. They can hinder growth, affect brain development, and lead to long-term health problems like heart disease and cancer. Moreover, drug use can lead to risky behaviors, increasing the likelihood of accidents, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Mental Impact

On the mental front, drug use can exacerbate or trigger mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. It can also impair cognitive abilities, memory, and academic performance, limiting a young person’s potential for success.

Social Impact

Socially, drug use can lead to isolation, strained relationships, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. It can also lead to legal issues, reducing opportunities for future employment and education.

500 Words Essay on Impact of Drugs on Youth

The global landscape of drug abuse and addiction is a complex issue that has significant implications on the youth. The impact of drugs on youth is far-reaching, affecting not just their physical health, but also their mental well-being, academic performance, and future prospects.

The Physical Consequences

The first and most apparent impact of drugs on youth is the physical damage. Substance abuse can lead to a host of health problems, ranging from liver damage, cardiovascular diseases, to neurological issues. Furthermore, drugs can interfere with the normal growth and development processes, particularly during the critical adolescent years when the body undergoes significant changes.

Mental Health Implications

The social implications of drug use among youth are equally significant. Substance abuse can strain relationships with family and friends, leading to isolation and loneliness. It can also lead to delinquency, crime, and a general disregard for societal norms and values. This damage to their social fabric can have long-term consequences, affecting their ability to form meaningful relationships and contribute positively to society.

Educational and Career Impact

Substance abuse can severely impact a young person’s educational attainment and future career prospects. The cognitive impairments caused by drug use can lead to poor academic performance, lower grades, and increased likelihood of dropping out. This, in turn, can limit their career opportunities and earning potential, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and substance abuse.

Prevention and Intervention

In conclusion, the impact of drugs on youth is a multifaceted issue that extends beyond the individual to families, schools, and communities. It is a pressing problem that requires collective effort and commitment to address. By understanding the depth of its impact, we can better equip ourselves to combat this issue and pave the way for a healthier, more productive future for our youth.

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Drug Abuse and Its Negative Effects Essay

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Introduction

Works cited.

One of the consequences of using drugs is, eventually, an individual becoming addicted. Addiction refers to a neuropsychological disorder that involves persistently feeling an urge to engage in particular behaviors despite the significant harm or negative effects. The psychology that explains addiction covers many areas, such as an illness or personal problem, an effect of someone’s lifestyle, family history, or socioeconomic demographics. This paper aims to highlight what the field of psychology says about the negative effects of drugs and why people continue using despite the consequences.

Using drugs once does not necessarily mean someone will never consume them again. In most cases, the drugs contain elements that can cause a person to become addicted. From a psychological perspective, it is important to understand how people enter into addiction. At the root of addictive behavior is a level of emotional stress deeply hidden within someone’s subconscious mind, and addressing it becomes a challenge. To relieve stress, pleasure is discovered in excess (Bechara 100). An example is when people choose to drink alcohol to ease their pain and ultimately find fun.

Stopping the behavior is a danger to someone’s mental state as they fear returning thoughts of the initial source of emotional stress. When a person is addicted, it suggests they lack healthy coping methods for the problem. The only mechanisms are distracting as well as unhealthy such as substance usage. Individuals dealing with addiction do not care about what matters since what is important to them is the desire to do something when that stress appears (Bechara 101). Some can stop their behaviors as their emotional stress does not manifest as among the addictive behaviors. Meanwhile, for others, their drug usage indicates an issue they may not have known and needs treatment. This leads to associative learning, which refers to learning to do something according to a novel stimulus.

Associative Learning

It is regarded as associative learning when an individual finds and takes drugs and ultimately gets high. The concept can be further explained using Ivan Pavlov’s experiment, where he rang a bell to call a dog and then rewarded it with food (Fouyssac and David 3015). A specific part of the brain controls associative learning, which it does via a neurotransmitter named dopamine. Dopamine is produced naturally by the brain when an individual does something rewarding or pleasurable.

The dopamine effect is a survival mechanism whereby eating or drinking feels good. It ensures continuity of life, family, and species in general. The element’s production is among the key drivers behind sex since, as much as the act is rewarding and pleasurable simultaneously, it is needed for survival (Fouyssac and David 3015). The main effect is that it creates a memory of the experience, which pushes people to seek the feeling again. People forget about the negative effects of drugs due to the moments of pleasure. As mentioned earlier, it is most likely that someone who uses the drug once will consume it again. The feeling established, regardless of how long, is enough to convince a person to forget everything they know concerning the negative effects and pursue a minute or two of a great time.

The paper has highlighted what the field of psychology says about the negative effects of drugs and why people continue using despite the consequences. It has been established that, in most cases, individuals experience addiction due to the pursuit of stress relief. Using the logic of the dopamine effect, once someone experiences something pleasurable or rewarding to them, they are most likely to pursue that feeling again. Eventually, it becomes impossible to convince them against the drugs as their desire to end their problem is more than the need to remain healthy.

Bechara, Antoine, et al. “A Neurobehavioral Approach to Addiction: Implications for the Opioid Epidemic and the Psychology of Addiction.” Psychological Science in the Public Interest, vol. 20, no. 2, 2019, p. 96–127.

Fouyssac, Maxime, and David Belin. “Beyond Drug‐Induced Alteration of Glutamate Homeostasis, Astrocytes May Contribute to Dopamine‐Dependent Intrastriatal Functional Shifts That Underlie the Development of Drug Addiction: A Working Hypothesis.” European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 50, no. 6, 2019, p. 3014-3027.

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An Addiction Medicine Pioneer

An appreciation of "dr. dave," the father of community-based addiction medicine..

Updated July 20, 2024 | Reviewed by Margaret Foley

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• David E. Smith, M.D., started the first free medical clinic for problem drug users in the United States.
• “Dr. Dave” is considered one of the founders of modern addiction medicine.
• He is known for his addiction journal, treatment protocols, and treating the whole person and family.
• Dr. Dave worries about the strength, tobacco-like business model, and effects of marijuana on adolescents.

When David E. Smith, M.D., now age 85, was a shiny new doctor just graduated from UCSF, he launched the first free medical clinic in the United States in San Francisco during the “Summer of Love” (1967). Known to people then (and now) as “Dr. Dave,” Smith’s initial plan was to help some of the tens of thousands of young people flocking to the area for sex , drugs, and rock ‘n' roll, most with little or no money. Some became ill from using hallucinogens and other drugs, and some developed addictions. Others suffered serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other illnesses. The prevailing attitude of the medical establishment, and the community in general, was these people deserved whatever happened to them. Dr. Dave decided somebody needed to step up to take care of their urgent health care needs, and since nobody else was offering, that person would be him.

At first, Smith tried valiantly to obtain funding for his free clinic from the state to treat all these problems in one place, but to no avail. Rock stars and promoters of the time, aware of the kindness of Dr. Dave and his staff, helped fund the clinic, which became known as the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic (HAFC). David Smith was a role model to other physicians and became known as one of the fathers of addiction medicine in the United States, a title of which he is rightfully proud.

He still remembers when doctors were punished for treating people dependent on drugs. It hadn’t occurred to most people then that integrated, whole-person treatment was an option. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous existed, as did Synanon . That was pretty much it.

Free of Judgment

Providing no-cost health care in a “Health Care Is a Right” setting was not the clinic’s only key underlying principle in 1967—or now. Instead, a major goal was to offer judgment-free treatment. According to Smith, “The initial approach to addiction at the HAFC drug detoxification program revolved around therapeutic engagement, dealing with patients’ medical and psychiatric issues. The approach emphasized management of the problems that brought them into medical care.” If patients had underlying issues of depression or anxiety , those were dealt with to help them break away from drug use.

With patients experiencing multiple relapses , Haight Ashbury Free Clinic also had a mobile overdose "squad" carrying Naloxone to reverse ODs in 1971. "The most dramatic rescue was when Janis Joplin ODed in the Haight." The HAFC served as a meeting site for 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous and referred patients to Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the neighborhood.

The detoxification techniques and protocols developed at the HAFC also helped nonpsychiatric physicians sign up to help those with substance use disorders (SUDs) and create the California Society of Addiction Medicine, medicalizing treatment of addiction throughout the state. Smith says this effort led to the nationwide development of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, founded by Ruth Fox, M.D., attracting young and idealistic physicians to a new field with new approaches, methods, and standards of practice used throughout the country.

Rockers Who Helped

Many rock stars helped fund Dr. Dave’s clinic, but some famous names include Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and George Harrison of the Beatles. Actors Dennis Hopper and Robin Williams helped too. Under the auspices of “Rock Medicine,” Dr. Dave and his volunteers began providing free medical care at rock concerts, talking down people with bad trips, helping concertgoers deal with adverse drug reactions and health problems, and assisting many thousands of patrons. The “Rock” doctors also helped rockers who overdosed or experienced drug abuse and dependence.

Methamphetamine Brought New Danger

Smith recalls when methamphetamine entered the drug scene. Because of his research at UCSF, he knew the drug would be a problem: When amphetamines were given to mice, they became violent. He recalls, “Methamphetamine dramatically changed a peaceful kind of culture into a violent community, and we had to develop specialized treatment.” Smith saw addiction as a physical, psychological, behavioral, and spiritual disease. Dr. Dave created the saying “Speed kills” to actively discourage methamphetamine use—in contrast with other popular sayings of the time, such as “Tune in, turn out and drop out” or “Better living through chemistry.” Smith's Speed Kills prevention message helped convince people the risks of use exceeded any benefits. He says, “Methamphetamine was so toxic,” remembering a terrifying Rolling Stones concert when meth-intoxicated Hells Angels stabbed a concertgoer to death.

Journal of Psychedelic Drugs

In 1967, Smith founded the oldest peer-reviewed journal examining the use of licit and illicit drugs that alter consciousness, a new periodical “to compile and disseminate objective information relative to the various types of drugs used in the Haight-Ashbury subculture.” Conceived and edited by Smith, the Journal of Psychedelic Drugs , shared information among locals, the HAFC, and medical colleagues. Smith refocused his journal on the displacement of the hippie subculture and psychedelic drugs by high-dose intravenous amphetamine users, who either burned out or turned to other drugs, like barbiturates and heroin, to ameliorate the speedy effects of the stimulants.

Vietnam Veterans

Smith says the clinic received its first federal funding in 1972 for a heroin detoxification program. Some Vietnam combat veterans came home addicted to heroin they used in overseas. “We were lefties from San Franciso. But even though they were in a foreign and unpopular war and ostracized by society, they knew we would be a place to get help. They came to our clinic for its nonjudgmental health care,” Smith recalls.

Dr. Dave’s Current Views on Marijuana and Psychedelics

Although Dr. Dave does not think marijuana should be criminalized, his views toward the drug have considerably shifted since the 1960s, slowly over the years. He says, “More emphasis needs to be placed on preventive treatment, particularly in youth. I feel much more needs to be done on the health consequences of cannabis.” He adds, “There has been a substantial increase in cannabis dependence today with more potent forms of marijuana and with higher THC content.” Once dependent on marijuana himself, Smith became clean and sober with the help of a 12-step group emphasizing sobriety.

Smith is also concerned marijuana could become commercialized like tobacco. “One of the things I fear is big companies will promote marijuana to youths as big tobacco did while denying they cause addiction with health consequences.” Smith wrote a personal account of his concerns in a scientific paper on psychedelics. He worries large corporations may similarly misuse psychedelics if researchers discover psychedelics are effective treatments for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.

Still active in community-based medical and addiction treatment and in the mutual support of physicians and other health providers, Smith is an inspiring speaker and addiction medicine consultant. He says it’s important to note he did not achieve his success alone and acknowledges the assistance of many others, such as his charismatic wife, Millicent Buxton-Smith, who pioneered recovery programs for nurses and others impaired by drugs. Millicent and the Smith family will be a big part of any update to his 1993 profile, Dr. Dave . Smith says, “At UCSF medical school , I learned important principles that have lasted me a lifetime when addiction issues were rarely taught.” For example, Smith notes that UCSF professor Dr. Earle Marsh wrote the chapter for physicians in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. “I appreciate that I stand on the shoulders of giants,” says Smith. “I do what I can to support the next generation in continuing our glorious addiction medicine movement.”

Smith DE. The Role of the Journal of Psychedelic Drugs in the Evolution of Psychedelic Medicine. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2019 Apr-Jun;51(2):98-101. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1589607. Epub 2019 Mar 20. PMID: 30890033.

Smith DE. Marijuana: A Fifty-Year Personal Addiction Medicine Perspective. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2016 Jan-Mar;48(1):3-10. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2015.1116720. Epub 2016 Jan 12. PMID: 26757396.

Smith DE. The evolution of addiction medicine and its San Francisco roots. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2010 Jun;42(2):199-201. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2010.10400692. PMID: 20648915.

Mark S. Gold, M.D., is a pioneering researcher, professor, and chairman of psychiatry at Yale, the University of Florida, and Washington University in St Louis. His theories have changed the field, stimulated additional research, and led to new understanding and treatments for opioid use disorders, cocaine use disorders, overeating, smoking, and depression.

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Gender Differences in Substance Abuse and Addiction: Statistics

In This Article

Substance abuse and addiction affect millions of people worldwide, but the impact and patterns of use can vary significantly between men and women. We must understand these gender differences to develop effective prevention strategies and treatment programs.

Let’s explore the key statistics and trends that highlight how substance abuse and addiction manifest differently across genders.

Statistical Differences in Substance Abuse by Gender

Historically, men have shown higher rates of substance use, abuse, and dependence compared to women. However, recent trends indicate that the gender gap is narrowing, with increasing substance use among women.

These statistics highlight the notable differences in substance abuse and addiction between males and females:

• Between the ages of 12 and 17, boys and girls use illegal drugs at the same rate.
• Women develop alcohol-related dependence faster and with lower amounts of alcohol due to biological differences such as higher body fat and lower body water content.
• Women suffer more severe health consequences from alcohol use, including higher death rates.
• Females, particularly those aged 65 or older, report higher rates of abuse of prescription pain relievers compared to males.
• Women with substance use disorders (SUD) are more likely to experience psychiatric comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. 
• Women are more likely to have experienced sexual or physical abuse and interpersonal violence, which can influence their substance use and recovery needs.

Most Commonly Abused Substances by Gender

The most commonly abused substances differ between males and females.

Commonly Abused Substances by Males

Here are some interesting statistics about the commonly abused substances by males:

• Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among males, with 42.3% of male admissions to substance abuse treatment reporting it as their primary substance of abuse.
• Marijuana is the second most commonly abused substance among males, with 19.9% of male admissions.
• Heroin follows, with 15.0% of male admissions.
• Prescription pain relievers are reported by 7.8% of male admissions.

Commonly Abused Substances by Females

Here are some interesting statistics about the commonly abused substances by females:

• Alcohol is also the most commonly abused substance among females, with 33.3% of female admissions.
• Heroin is the second most commonly abused substance among females, with 15.3% of female admissions.
• Prescription pain relievers are reported by 13.8% of female admissions.
• Methamphetamine/amphetamines are reported by 8.9% of female admissions aged 18 to 24.

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Motivations and Consequences of Substance Abuse

The motivations for substance use and the consequences of addiction exhibit notable differences between males and females.

Motivations for Substance Use

Peer influence plays a significant role in substance use initiation for men, while women are more likely to self-medicate for underlying mental health issues.

• Men often use substances in social settings or for recreational purposes, and they are more likely to start using substances like heroin with friends.
• Women are more likely to use substances as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions.
• Women are more likely to begin using opioids through legal prescriptions for pain management.

Consequences of Addiction

The consequences of addiction vary between men and women.

Men often have:

• Higher rates of death from opioid overdoses and emergency department visits due to substance use
• More likely to exhibit inappropriate behaviors under the influence (e.g., marijuana)
• More likely to switch drugs if their preferred substance is unavailable

On the other hand, women:

• Experience a “telescoping effect,” which is a progress from initial use to addiction faster
• Suffer more severe medical consequences from substance use, including higher rates of depression, PTSD, and other mental health problems
• Face greater social stigma and are more likely to experience intimate partner violence, which worsens addiction and mental health issues
• More susceptible to cravings and relapse, possibly due to hormonal changes

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Changes in Gender Differences in Substance Abuse and Addiction

Gender differences in substance abuse and addiction in the US have evolved significantly over time, influenced by both biological and sociological factors.

Historical Context and Recent Trends

Historically, addiction research focused predominantly on men, but since the 1990s, the inclusion of women in studies has revealed distinct patterns and trends in substance use disorders (SUD) between genders.

• Recent trends show that the gender gap in alcohol misuse is narrowing, with more women drinking at levels similar to men.
• The rate of opioid overdose deaths among women has also increased more rapidly than among men, particularly in the 45 to 54 age group.
• The onset of marijuana use in women typically occurs later than in men, but women who misuse it are more likely to have mood or anxiety disorders.

Sociological and Biological Influences

Women face unique social pressures and stigmas related to substance use. These factors contribute to higher rates of co-occurring mental health disorders among women.

• Women are more likely to experience higher rates of trauma, such as sexual and physical abuse, and greater responsibilities related to caregiving.
• Sociological factors, such as peer influence and social bonding, play a more significant role in substance use initiation and progression for men.
• Women are more likely to use substances to cope with negative emotions and underlying mental health issues.

Differences in body composition, hormone levels, and metabolism also affect how substances impact men and women.

• Estrogen can enhance the dopamine “reward” effects of stimulants, leading to faster addiction development in women.

Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Among Men and Women

Treatment and recovery can look different for men and women. Gender-specific programs can be a game-changer. Men and women often have different experiences with addiction, and these programs address those unique needs.

Women’s programs often address:

• Trauma-informed care
• Mental health struggles
• Family and relationship issues during recovery

Men’s programs often focus on:

• Anger management
• Communication skills
• Dealing with societal pressures

Barriers to Treatment and How to Succeed in Recovery

Different factors can hinder recovery for men and women.

• Shame and stigma can be powerful deterrents to seeking help, especially for women. Childcare responsibilities can also add another layer of difficulty.
• Men, on the other hand, might struggle to admit they need help or talk openly about their emotions.

It has been proven repeatedly that treatment works for everyone.

• Studies show that both men and women benefit equally when they complete the full program.
• Women tend to have slightly better outcomes and lower relapse rates.

Men and women show incredible growth in different areas of recovery. Building a strong support system and addressing any co-occurring mental health issues are crucial parts of lasting recovery for everyone.

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Crack cocaine use in the us, the relationship between substance abuse and academic performance, substance abuse and domestic violence: national statistics, the pandemic's toll: substance abuse and addiction trends during covid-19.

• “ Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use. ” National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• McHugh, R. K., et al. “ Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use Disorders. ” Clinical Psychology Review, 2018.
• “ National Survey on Drug Use and Health .” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• “ Sex, Gender, and Drug Use. ” National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• Fonseca, F., et al. “ A Gender Perspective of Addictive Disorders. ” Springer Link, 2021.
• Pinedo, M., Zemore, et al. “ Women’s Barriers to Specialty Substance Abuse Treatment: A Qualitative Exploration of Racial/Ethnic Differences. ” Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 2020.
• Minero, V. A., et al. “ Differences in addiction and recovery gains according to gender – gender barriers and specific differences in overall strengths growth. ” Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention Policy, 2022.
• Schinke, S., & Schwinn, T. “ Gender-Specific Computer-Based Intervention for Preventing Drug Abuse Among Girls. ” The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 2005.

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• What Is the Impact of Parental Substance Abuse on Children? Parental substance abuse is a pervasive issue that has far-reaching...
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UNM Health Sciences Researchers to Test Psychedelic Drugs as Treatments for Depression, PTSD and More

Psychedelic drugs – often associated with 1960s counterculture – are attracting newfound attention from physicians and neuroscientists who are studying their potential to help people suffering from an assortment of behavioral health problems.

University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers are at the forefront of several new studies to evaluate the use of drugs like psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA to treat depression, opioid use disorder, methamphetamine addiction and PTSD.

Two new psilocybin-related studies are getting underway, said Larry Leeman, MD, MPH, a professor in the Departments of Family & Community Medicine in the UNM School of Medicine, who  also serves as medical director for UNM’s   Milagro Program .

“The exciting thing about [RE104] is it has the potential to quickly reverse postpartum depression.”

RECONNECT is a Phase 2 multi-center study of RE104 – a novel compound that’s related to psilocybin – for postpartum depression, which affects about 13 percent of new mothers. “The exciting thing about this one is it has the potential to quickly reverse postpartum depression,” Leeman said.

Some participants in the double-blind placebo-controlled study will receive a one-time injection of the short-acting drug, whose psychedelic effects peak at about 2 1/2 hours, he said.

 “I have an interest because it might be useful in cases where a shorter experience might be more useful,” Leeman said. While some people experiencing postpartum depression have a pre-existing mood disorder, many experience it only as an outcome of pregnancy, and might need just one treatment session to recover, he said. Psilocybin has been shown to have effect on major depression within a few days, which may be particularly beneficial for mothers whose postpartum depression may be affecting maternal-infant bonding. It can only be used for people who are not breastfeeding, however. 

RE104 is also being explored for treating patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who are experiencing depression and anxiety, he said. Leeman expects UNM will probably participate in that study, starting in 2025.

The other new study, dubbed uAspire , is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind multicenter project assessing the potential benefits of psilocybin, the active ingredient in so-called “magic mushrooms,” for major depressive disorder. UNM’s portion of the study is planned for 15-20 participants, Leeman said. Earlier studies have found that psilocybin trips coupled with therapy can help people rapidly reframe their traumatic memories and alleviate their distress.

The study is designed so that everyone who enters it can eventually receive psilocybin, he said. “This is an issue with randomized controlled trials, especially if you take people that are in emotional pain,” he said. Study participants who desperately hope a trial medication will alleviate their distress may actually feel worse if they receive an inactive placebo. “It’s like a negative placebo – a nocebo,” Leeman said.

UAspire will follow participants for 54 weeks, randomizing some participants to 25 mg of psilocybin – a moderate-to-high dose – while others will receive a smaller 5 mg dose or an inactive placebo. “In six weeks, you get re-scored for depression, and if you meet the criteria then, without anyone knowing what you got in the randomized portion, you become able to be re-dosed in the open label session for a total of four times in the next year,” he said.

“It’s a really pragmatic trial,” Leeman said. “Even if you do your session and don’t feel like you have the active drug, you know that in six weeks if you’re still depressed you’ll receive the 25 mg psilocybin dose. I think this will minimize the likelihood of their depression worsening if they believe they did not receive psilocybin.”

The new studies join Leeman’s existing research project to study whether therapy coupled with MDMA – better known as “Ecstasy” or “Molly” – can help postpartum mothers with opioid use disorder overcome their addictions. The hope is that MDMA sessions facilitated by trained therapists will alleviate the PTSD symptoms that often drive illicit drug use, Leeman said.

The studies are carried out at the Interdisciplinary Substance Use and Brain Injury Center (ISUBI), adjacent to Pete & Nancy Domenici Hall on UNM’s North Campus, he said. ISUBI can accommodate overnight stays for MDMA-assisted therapy and day-long stays for other psychedelic therapy studies, enabling studies requiring that patients be observed for a period following their treatment to be in a safe, supportive setting.

UNM Health Sciences psychedelic research dates back to the early 1990s, when Rick Strassman, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, studied psilocybin and DMT – the active ingredient in ayahuasca, Leeman said.

More recently, UNM researchers, including Snehal Bhatt, MD, professor of Psychiatry and chief of the Division of Addictions Psychiatry, played a major role in a widely reported 2022 study reporting that psilocybin-assisted therapy helped people overcome alcohol use disorder. 

Now, Bhatt is taking part in the KMD (Ketamine for Methamphetamine Dependence) study, a multi-site evaluation of ketamine as a treatment for methamphetamine addiction. Ketamine is an anesthetic whose dissociative properties have sometimes led to its abuse as a recreational drug, but it has also been found to rapidly alleviate depression symptoms.

The safety and efficacy study, run through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Clinical Trials Network, involves four sites and seeks to enroll 30 participants at each location over two years, Bhatt said.

 “Methamphetamine, in particular, is posing a huge public health challenge,” he said. “Here in New Mexico and around the country the rates are just going up.” At the moment there are few effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction, he said, but there is hope that ketamine might be a game-changer.

“Some artificial intelligence algorithms that NIDA used actually showed that ketamine is one of the more promising treatment approaches,” Bhatt said. “One of the big priorities at NIDA is co-occurring depression, because you do see that a very high proportion of people using methamphetamine have depression.”

Some participants will undergo two 40-minute infusions of ketamine per week for three weeks, then one per week in week 4 and week 6. The others will receive similar infusions of an active placebo called midazolam, a sedative and anesthetic. Participants will be followed for 12 weeks and submit urine samples to reveal whether they had used methamphetamine, he said.

“The primary endpoint is looking at reductions in methamphetamine use within weeks 5 and 6 – that maintenance infusion period at the end of the active treatment,” Bhatt said. “We’ll also be tracking meth use all the way up to week 12. That’s part of the secondary outcome, to see if the effects persist or if they wash away.”

Study participants will be recruited from both UNM and community treatment clinics. “We want to make it available to our patients,” he said. “It’s going to be one of those big, all-hands-on-deck outreach efforts to make those connections, and if someone’s interested, really get them enrolled in a timely way.”  

People with postpartum depression interested in participating in the Reconnect study may contact the study team by email: [email protected] to learn more about the study and see if they are eligible.  

People with major depression interested in participating in the uAspire psilocybin study may contact the study team by email: [email protected] to learn more about the study and see if they are eligible.

Postpartum People with PTSD and Opioid Use Disorder interested in participating in the MAT-POD study (MDMA Assisted Therapy) may contact the study team by email: [email protected] to learn more about the study and see if they are eligible.

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Could This Van Help People Quit Fentanyl?

Methadone has been used for decades to treat opioid addiction. It is also difficult to come by, a problem health providers hope to ease with a new fleet of vans that can provide the drug.

By Sharon Otterman

Before he started taking methadone, Vinny Parisi had overdosed 16 times from using street drugs, including fentanyl. Eating out of garbage cans and sleeping under a bridge in Harlem, he finally hit bottom, he said.

Now, Mr. Parisi goes every weekday morning to an R.V.-size white van parked at a Days Inn in the South Bronx. Within a few minutes, he drinks a bright pink fluid — a dose of methadone — saving him the hours of commuting and waiting it often takes to visit a brick-and-mortar clinic to get the drug.

“This definitely works, I’m living proof,” Mr. Parisi said on a recent Tuesday outside the van, where he was waiting with about a dozen other men from his residential drug treatment program. He is only 30 years old, but has been in and out of treatment programs since age 15, after starting to abuse pain pills on Staten Island.

“My mother sent me a picture of me and 12 friends, and I’m the only one left alive,” he said.

Mr. Parisi is one of an estimated 450,000 Americans who take methadone, a powerful weapon in the fight against the fentanyl overdose crisis hiding in plain sight. Methadone, itself a potent opioid, has been used for decades to treat people addicted to drugs like heroin. But it can also be hard to come by, because of government rules that have kept its distribution tightly controlled.

As America’s deadly overdose crisis has worsened, however, some of those rules are loosening. Now, some public health experts hope that mobile treatment programs, like the one in the Bronx, will help increase access.

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8 things to know about the drug known as 'gas station heroin'

Bill Chappell

An image released by the FDA shows bottles containing tianeptine and other compounds. Authorities have urged gas station store owners and others not to sell the products, with names like Neptune's Fix, Za Za and Tianaa, citing serious health risks. FDA hide caption

Decades before it became known as "gas station heroin," tianeptine was prescribed to treat depression in dozens of countries. Now, U.S. poison control centers are reporting a dramatic spike in cases involving tianeptine — a drug that isn't FDA approved, and one that authorities warn poses overdose and dependency risks.

Tianeptine inhabits a murky space in U.S. drug regulation. It's illegal to market or sell the drug, but it's also not on the list of federally controlled substances . And while it's in products sold at gas stations and other stores, it's also available to buy online.

'We are shipping to the U.S.': Inside China's online synthetic drug networks

A growing number of states have now banned tianeptine, most recently, Florida . But millions of people in Europe, Asia and South America have used the drug — despite the fact that for years, no one was sure exactly how it worked.

"This is kind of a mistaken identity type of drug," Todd Hillhouse, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay who studies antidepressants' mechanisms and history , told NPR. "And it's kind of wild."

The drug's true identity emerged after researchers figured out it's a type of opioid — one that does, in fact, work in a way that's similar to heroin. Another similarity? People who abuse tianeptine report that it has left them wrestling with addiction.

Here's more to know about tianeptine and its unusual history:

It's available in the U.S., despite lack of FDA approval

Launched in Europe in the 1980s, tianeptine has never been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medical use. It's sold in the U.S. as a nootropic , a substance promising to enhance users' mood and cognitive function.

Experts warn that it's dangerous to consume any unapproved drug, particularly one that poses the risk of dependency and withdrawal , and that in the case of tianeptine, can cause respiratory depression and severe sedation. Often packaged in colorful, shot-sized bottles, these rogue tianeptine products contain the drug in varying concentrations and have also been found to include dangerous synthetic cannabinoids.

"Imagine if you're [at a] truck stop, you take two bottles of that and you're driving down the road — now you're high on opioids," Hillhouse says. "It's not a safe situation to be in. And it could be accidental. So I think it's good to get this out there and keep people vigilant. Just because you see it in a gas station doesn't mean it's safe."

People who use more pure forms of tianeptine often face another danger: addiction. A Reddit forum for people trying to quit the drug many of them call "tia" has grown to some 5,500 members. They describe taking full grams of the drug each day — in some cases, more than 100 times the manufacturer's recommended daily dose.

A packet of tianeptine is seen in federal court documents, in a case that resulted in an online retailer being hit with a two-year prison term and an order to repay more than $1.8 million in proceeds from illegal drug sales. As the packet notes, the drug is not approved by the FDA. Justice Department/Screenshot by NPR hide caption

It was developed in France

In the late 1980s, Tianeptine gained its first market approval as an antidepressant: in France, where it was sold under the trade name Stablon.

The drug eventually spread to at least 66 countries, sometimes under the trade names Coaxil and Tatinol. Its recommended dose was small — one 12.5 mg tablet — and because the body clears it quickly, doses were to be taken three times a day. It also was advertised as having minimal side effects.

Tianeptine came out as Prozac was becoming a sensation, bringing a new era of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor drugs, or SSRIs. Tianeptine was lumped in with older drugs called tricyclics .

"Its chemical structure has three rings, so people thought that it was a tricyclic antidepressant," Jonathan Javitch, a professor at Columbia University and a research psychiatrist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute who is an authority on tianeptine, told NPR.

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Researchers soon realized tianeptine didn't seem to work like any other antidepressant. Even in 2012 — 25 years after its initial authorization — France's Transparency Committee, an advisory panel that assesses medicines for the government, described tianeptine as "an antidepressant, the exact mechanism of action of which is not known."

Both tricyclics and SSRIs work by targeting receptors for neurotransmitters such as serotonin, aiming to block neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed so they can boost levels of our bodies' key behavioral and mood regulators. But in tests, tianeptine didn't attach to those receptors.

"It didn't work at a whole variety of receptors," Javitch said. "And it was basically a mystery of how this compound worked."

Hillhouse of the University of Wisconsin compares it to having a key that fits a lock — but not knowing which lock the key opens.

It showed promise of broad benefits to the brain

Tianeptine caught Javitch's eye about 10 years ago , after a colleague at Columbia, Dali Sames, suggested they take a look at the drug. Studies had suggested it can improve memory and ease anxiety and bring other benefits.

Javitch's interest grew when he saw research by the late scientist Ben McEwan , outlining the drug's seeming "neurorestorative" ability to correct damage in the brain. Tianeptine was described as modulating one of the major neurotransmitters in the brain and promoting neuroplasticity, the brain's vital ability to adapt.

"This antidepressant is rich in future possibilities," both for its own application and to improve our understanding of depression, McEwan and his fellow researchers wrote.

A 'shocking' breakthrough showed it worked like an opioid

In their work, Javitch, Dali and their colleagues found that tianeptine targets the mu opioid receptor, which is named for morphine and controls pleasure, pain relief and need. The finding was shocking, Javitch said, given the ongoing opioid crisis . Even more surprising: Tianeptine didn’t just bind to the opioid receptor.

"It actually activates the receptor like other opioids do, like morphine or like oxycodone or like fentanyl," Javitch said.

Stimulant users caught up in fatal 'fourth wave' of opioid epidemic

They were also shocked because it's not the way other antidepressants work — and at the time of their research in 2014, there were few signs of tianeptine abuse, Javitch said.

The researchers’ findings brought a swirl of competing emotions. They were excited to discover a unique antidepressant mechanism — but they were also well aware of surging opioid addiction in the U.S. Their hopes for the drug's future were immediately tempered.

Since then, Javitch and his colleagues have been working to synthesize analogs for tianeptine, hoping to isolate its potentially beneficial properties from its potentially harmful ones.

"I'm not cavalier about it," he said. "I don't think it should be sold in gas stations or over the counter. But I think that it does have scientific and medical therapeutic potential."

But it's also upsetting, Javitch said, that reports of abuse rose after his team published their findings in 2014.

Abuse, and calls to poison centers, have risen

Even before the opioid link was confirmed, people were beginning to abuse tianeptine.

In 2007, Stablon added a warning that patients with a history of addiction should be closely monitored. And in 2011, French officials found a small subset of patients were "deviant users of tianeptine," meaning they were far younger than the median age of 57; were taking an extremely high estimated daily dose of 540 mg of the drug; and were "shopping" for tianeptine, using multiple doctors and pharmacies each month.

France imposed new restrictions, putting tianeptine under narcotics regulations and limiting prescription length.

In the U.S., emergency calls about tianeptine spiked after the opioid findings emerged. From 2000 to 2013, the National Poison Data System received an average of less than one call a year about tianeptine exposure, according to the CDC . But dozens of calls began to come in after 2014, and cases have continued to rise, with 391 calls about tianeptine to U.S. poison centers in 2023, according to America's Poison Centers , a nonprofit that partners with the CDC and state agencies.

"This increase in voluntary reports to poison centers serves as a strong signal that use of this substance is on the rise in the U.S.," the organization said in a message to NPR.

Packets labeled as containing 5 grams of tianeptine are seen in an image submitted by federal prosecutors earlier this year. Justice Department/ Screenshot by NPR hide caption

From 2000 to 2017, the National Poison Data System reported that 82% of tianeptine calls involved men and that nearly 57% of calls involved people aged 21-40.

The flood of stories about its habit-forming properties are another sign of tianeptine's spread. In the Reddit forum about quitting the drug, people who describe themselves as former heavy users of opioids say tianeptine is as addictive, if not more, than other drugs they’ve used.

Tianeptine withdrawal has been documented since at least 2017, when Yale clinicians described "a significant withdrawal syndrome" in a 36-year-old patient who was trying to quit the drug. The man bought the drug online and had been self-medicating his depression.

Several deaths have been linked to tianeptine

Last year, a cluster of calls to New Jersey's poison control center was traced to Neptune's Fix — a tianeptine elixir that also contains other compounds, such as cannabinoids — prompting the FDA to issue repeated warnings and send a letter to retailers urging them to stop selling any product with tianeptine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that 13 of 17 tianeptine patients in New Jersey were admitted to intensive care — with severe symptoms that could be due to potent cannabinoids and/or the effects of multiple drugs.

"To date, we have identified one overdose death that involved tianeptine in New Jersey," Michele Calvo, the New Jersey Health Department's director of opioid response, told NPR earlier this year. "However, tianeptine was not implicated as a cause of death for this case (the case involved multiple other substances that were implicated in the cause of the death)."

The first known tianeptine fatalities in the U.S. occurred when two men died after ordering tianeptine powder online, according to a 2018 study.

The family of an Ohio man who died after taking Neptune's Fix recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit . In Texas, the parents of a man who died after taking tianeptine in 2015 sued online retailer Powder City ; the company said it was halting its business soon afterward.

U.S. authorities try to crack down

Lack of a federal ban on tianeptine has meant states have been acting on their own. In 2018, Michigan became the first state to ban sales of the drug , classifying it as a Schedule II controlled substance , the same category as drugs like cocaine and fentanyl. The FDA says at least 12 states have enacted similar bans, which includes products such as Neptune's Fix and prohibits retailers from shipping to those states.

When contacted by NPR, an FDA spokesperson noted that all sales of tianeptine are illegal in the U.S., because the drug hasn't been approved for any medical use. They said the agency is "working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help stop imports of tianeptine."

A tragic death shows how ERs fail patients who struggle with addiction

In February, two separate federal cases involving tianeptine sales online resulted in the forfeit of a combined $4.2 million. In one of those cases , Ryan Stabile of Pasadena, Calif., was sentenced to two years in prison. In the other, Nootropics Depot CEO Paul Eftang was ordered to serve probation .

Bipartisan legislation to federally classify tianeptine as a Schedule III drug was introduced in Congress earlier this year. The House bill would place the drug in the same category as ketamine, anabolic steroids and some codeine preparations. It has lingered in committee; its backers say they'll keep fighting for the bill.

But there are signs that even if efforts to keep the drug out of stores succeeds, tianeptine has already become part of the nation's struggle with opioids.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said this year that law enforcement agents have found tianeptine powder in bulk. Drug dealers have used it to make counterfeit hydrocodone and oxycodone pills, the agency said, or to fill baggies made to resemble heroin packages.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Drug Abuse — Causes and Effects of Drug Abuse

Causes and Effect of Drug Abuse

• Categories: Drug Abuse Drug Addiction Drugs

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Words: 2063 |

11 min read

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 2063 | Pages: 5 | 11 min read

Essay about drug abuse: causes and effects

• A reduced and weakened immune system, the chance of illness and infection got increased.
• Heart attacks from abnormal heart rates, collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs.
• Nausea and abdominal pain can also cause changes in appetite and weight loss.
• Increased strain on the liver, this will expose this person to the risk of serious liver injury or liver failure.
• Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage.
• Lung disease.
• Problems with memory, attention and decision making, which make daily life more difficult.
• Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems.
• Family influence.
• Show off they are rich.
• Wrong friend making.
• Innocent of the dangerous of drug.

Works Cited

• Drugabuse.gov. (2023). Commonly Abused Drugs Charts. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
• Newcomb, M. D., & Locke, T. F. (2021). Substance abuse prevention. Oxford University Press.
• SAMHSA. (2022). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Shah, R. (2021). Drug abuse. CRC Press.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma18-5063.pdf
• UNODC. (2022). World Drug Report. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• Volkow, N. D. (2020). America’s addiction to opioids: Heroin and prescription drug abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2020/02/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse
• World Health Organization. (2021). Substance abuse.
• Zweben, J. E. (2019). Treating Substance Use Disorders: A Clinical Handbook. Guilford Press.

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Watch CBS News

NYC police seized narcotics worth around $10 million in a major drug bust. That's not all they found.

By Zinnia Maldonado , Mark Prussin

Updated on: July 22, 2024 / 6:59 AM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK -- Nearly $10 million worth of narcotics were seized in the Bronx in what the NYPD said was its most significant drug bust to date involving illegal cannabis products . 

Police said they were investigating community complaints about illegal marijuana sales on Timpson Place in the Mott Haven section overnight Saturday when they discovered the illegal drug operation.

Some drugs were packaged as candy, police say

Mayor Eric Adams was on the scene with the New York City Sheriff's Office and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Officials said the unregulated and dangerous products, some packaged as candies and chocolates, were being distributed throughout the community. 

"We found, obviously, flower, the cannabis flower. We found pre-rolls, but we also have found mushroom hallucinogens, candies, chocolates, kids packaging. Everything that you can think of in terms of what the illicit, illegal market is distributing to our committees, we found at this location. This location takes almost more than a half a block in terms of the volume and space that it has back there. It has a social club, it has a usage place, packaging, distribution, everything is coming out of just one location," said New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda. 

Four people were arrested in connection to the drug bust, according to Fabien Levy, Adams' deputy mayor for communications.

Neighbors sensed something was up for years

Neighbors say it has been two years since they first noticed suspicious activity out of the building along Timpson Place.

"You could see the packages of smoking and things that we never used to see before, so that was a concern," Aileen Rivera said.

"When I would walk my dog in the morning, the line would start around 7 o'clock. Going all the way down the block the cars are double parked. The kids can't get to school," a woman named Sandy said.

That woman lives next door and shared photos of police on the roof of the building on Saturday. Police said they were investigating community complaints about illegal marijuana sales on the block when they discovered the drug operation.

"I know the people on the second and the third floor called 311 and made numerous complaints about the noise and the traffic. I'm happy to see them go," Sandy said.

Residents said they are relieved to see the shutdown and hope similar operations don't pop up.

"It's good that it's gone so let's keep it out. Hopefully, we'll have our block back," Norma Otero said.

A citywide drug enforcement operation

The Timpson Place drug bust was the latest in a citywide enforcement initiative called Operation Padlock to Protect.

Last week in the Bronx, city officials said they seized cannabis products worth an estimated $1 million . The investigation along East Tremont Avenue led to the seizure of 176 pounds of cannabis flower, less than one pound of THC vape products and edibles. A warehouse was also discovered nearby, investigators said. 

The NYPD has encouraged New Yorkers to submit complaints if they become aware of suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. Investigators said they rely on the community to crack down on the problem. 

More drug busts are expected in the coming week, Levy told CBS New York.   

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We should leverage the successes of HIV care to prevent overdose mortality

For complex reasons, HIV and substance use have been inextricably linked since the HIV epidemic began more than four decades ago. Consequently, it was not a surprise when an analysis of the New York City HIV surveillance registry published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (JAIDS) found that in 2017, rates of overdose deaths for people living with HIV were more than double overall overdose death rates in that city. However, the study also reported a shocking finding that highlights an overlooked opportunity to save lives: Nearly all (98%) of those who died of overdose had been linked to HIV care after their HIV diagnosis, and more than three quarters had been retained in care; more than half were virally suppressed. 

In other words, the victims of fatal overdose were not unreached, or on the margins of the system—the stereotype of people with addiction. They were engaged in care. Their drug use put them at greatly increased risk of overdose death, but because they were living with HIV, they were engaged with healthcare settings where preventive interventions could have been provided. 

Drug overdose claims more lives of people with HIV than HIV-related illness. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health data from 2015-2019, nearly 1 in 5 people with HIV had a substance use disorder. Other studies show people living with HIV commonly report both acute and chronic pain and have a high prevalence of prescription opioid use, and they are at increased risk of drug overdose . 

But as the JAIDS study shows, the United States has made significant strides in reaching people who need HIV care. Indeed, according to the CDC , 81% of people who received an HIV diagnosis in 2019 in the United States were linked to HIV care within a month, two thirds (66%) received care, and half (50%) were retained in care. It is sometimes hard to reach people who use drugs with substance use disorder (SUD) treatment or harm reduction, but when people living with HIV seek and receive treatment for that condition, it represents a promising opportunity to deliver those services.  

Delivering naloxone and overdose education in HIV care settings is an obvious and relatively easy way to prevent overdose deaths. Readily available both as a nasal spray and in an injectable formulation, naloxone quickly and safely reverses the respiratory depression caused by opioids including fentanyl. Although it is not a magic bullet—someone must be nearby to administer it—dispensing naloxone to people at risk of overdose is now a core harm-reduction strategy, and clinics delivering HIV care are settings where this strategy could and should be implemented. Even if a given person does not use substances, they may know people who do, so giving them naloxone and instruction in how to use it could save a life.

There are resources from federal agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to facilitate naloxone provision, and some states and cities take on the cost so that naloxone can be given to residents for free. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recently to build evidence on how to implement and sustain overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) in HIV care settings.

Enormous strides have been made in screening and treating people with HIV with antiretroviral drugs and then retaining them in care long-term. Now, overdose is among the greatest threats to people with HIV. Especially in a drug landscape now dominated by deadly fentanyl, clinicians serving people living with HIV have a critical role to play in preventing overdose deaths with a relatively simple and extremely effective harm-reduction measure.

Dr. Nora Volkow, Director

Here I highlight important work being done at NIDA and other news related to the science of drug use and addiction.

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