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Klonopin Drug

Drug abuse and addiction are often viewed by people as a social problem. This attitude is the opinion of some parents of teens, older members of society and the community who characterize victims of this abuse and addiction as been weak and subject to criminal activities. These people often feel that the users should be able to stop this act if they are willing to change their behavior.

Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical consequences. Certain drugs, such as narcotics and cocaine, are more physically addicting than some other drugs (MayoClinic.com, 2003).

There are myths and stereotypes that have made drug abuse and addiction a major public health problem. This problem affects many people, from all walks of life. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has as a long term goal to help replace its myths and long held mistaken beliefs about drug abuse and addiction with scientific evidence that addiction is a chronic, relapsing, and treatable disease.

A range of drugs to which persons may become addicted is wide. These drugs include:

* Cannabis compounds. Contained in marijuana and hashish.

* Central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), donazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

* Central nervous system stimulants. Amphetamines and cocaine.

* Designer drugs. Synthetic compounds such as Ecstasy, which has both amphetamine like and hallucinogenic effects.

* Hallucinogens. LSD and phencyclidine (PCP).

* Inhalants. Glue, paint, solvents, nitrous oxide.

* Opioids. Narcotic, painkilling drugs produced naturally from opium or made synthetically. These include heroin, morphine, codeine and methadone (www.MayoClinic.org).

According to NIDA (2003), addiction does begin with drug abuse when an individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs. Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but, they also have long term effects on brain metabolism and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into addiction, a chronic, relapsing illness. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves. Treatment is necessary to help end this kind of behavior.

Many approaches are used in the treatment stages. Treatment is tailored to individual needs, and those clients can learn to control their condition and live relatively normal lives. Treatment also has a profound effect not only on the drug abusers, but on the society as a whole by significantly improving social and psychological functioning, and decreasing related criminal and violent acts. Treatment may also help to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS, and assist with reducing costs to society as related to drug abuse.

An understanding of drug abuse helps in understanding how to prevent its use in the first place. Results from NIDA-funded prevention research have shown that comprehensive prevention programs that involve the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. It is very necessary to continue sending messages about programs that assist in preventing drug abuse and addiction (http://www.nida.nih.gov/ Infofax/understand.html).

COPYRIGHT 2003 Tucker Publications, Inc.
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