Effects of Substance Use

There are many substances that can be consumed by people. Cocaine and Marijuana come to mind for many people, and then there are Benzodiazepines, Central Nervous System Stimulants, and Opioids, however the focus here will be alcohol, because it is so common. Alcohol is just one of these many substances, and it happens to be one of the oldest, and very popular and available worldwide, on almost any day of the week. Alcohol is consumed either by drinking it, which is the most popular way of consumption, or added to solid foods or candy such as desserts or gummy bears, and inhalation of vaporized alcohol. The most popular and easiest way to consume alcohol, however, is by drinking it. It is estimated that 80-90% of adults have consumed alcohol in the past, and 70% have consumed it in the past year. Some people only drink socially (1-2 drinks daily). Other people consume alcohol in attempt to get through daily life with less stress, or go on alcohol binges (this is popular on college campuses and parties), which can have deadly results. (Doweiko, 2015).

Alcohol intoxication can have major physical affects on people. Alcohol is an anxiolytic and is also mood-enhancing. It is also a sedative, and it slows down reaction time, reduces motor coordination, causes impairment of judgement (which is why it is dangerous to drive while intoxicated by alcohol). Excessive consumption of alcohol can also cause one to lose consciousness, or “pass out” (which is an anesthetic property). It can also cause what people call a “hangover”, which can include nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, and sensitivity to sound and light. (Doweiko, 2015). It is also hard on the liver, which can cause liver damage (Schieber et al., 2015) and heart disease. Alcohol is dangerous to consume in cold weather, because it lowers body temperature, yet gives the impression or feeling of heating the body up (Oscar et al., 1997). This can be dangerous for those who live outside or in inadequately heated living quarters. It should be noted that moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial, such as red wine having a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. For this reason, many people consume only 1-2 glasses of red wine on a daily basis with meals.

Because alcohol molecules are very small, they are very easily absorbed primarily by the intestines (and in smaller amounts, the mouth), and then it is distributed through the entire body. When a person consumes alcohol on an empty stomach (no food eaten), peak blood alcohol levels are reached in 30 to 60 minutes. Because of the way alcohol interacts with body chemistry, intoxication can cause confusion, slurred speech, and loss of memory. (Doweiko, 2015).

In conclusion, alcohol in large amounts can be very harmful to people of all ages. It has negative affects on the human body when binge drinking, and can cause loss of coordination, reaction time, slurred speech, and memory loss (while intoxicated). On the other end of the spectrum, moderate alcohol consumption can have positive effects on the body, such as lowered risk of cardiovascular problems and heart disease. Alcohol can be beneficial, however caution should be taken when drinking, and anyone who is dependent on alcohol could benefit from intervention for the betterment and health of their body and mind.

References

Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of Chemical Dependency (9th ed.). LaCrosse, WI: Cengage.

Oscar-Berman, M., Shagrin, B., Evert, D., & Epstein, C. (1997). Impairments of brain and behavior: the neurological effects of alcohol. Alcohol Health & Research World, 21(1), 65-96.

Schieber, K., Lindner, M., Sowa, J., Gerken, G., Scherbaum, N., Kahraman, A., & ... Erim, Y. (2015). Self-reports on symptoms of alcohol abuse: liver transplant patients versus rehabilitation therapy patients. Progress In Transplantation, 25(3), 203-209. doi:10.7182/pit2015618

Alcohol and Opiate Dependencies

Introduction

This essay is about alcohol and opiates. It will discuss alcohol and opiate use, history, and how both of the drugs work in the body. It also covers current trends in alcohol and opiate use, along with societal concerns with the substances. Finally, the topics of helping people with alcohol and opiate addictions are covered, and also the myths surrounding opioids. 

Alcohol History

Alcohol has been in use for thousands of years. It is highly addictive and people use it for social reasons, along with medical reasons as well. Some people binge drink on weekends, and others use vodka for herbal tinctures that help naturally treat conditions. Alcohol is very addictive because it affects the way people feel. People often feel carefree when they are intoxicated. They may have reckless behavior and put their health and others health in danger. Many hospital emergency rooms are full of extremely drunken individuals on weekends and nights.

Opium History

Poppy seed, which opiates come from, have been referenced in Sumerian texts as early as 4000 B.C. Opiates are outranked only by alcohol as the most used, widespread, and persistent problem in the drug world. Opiates come from being extracted from the poppy seed, and they can also be made in labs. Opiates treat pain, but they are also used by people who want to reduce anxiety and experience euphoria.(Wulffson, 2015).

Alcohol and the Body

Alcohol is very bad for the human body when consumed in large amounts in short periods of time, or when one has an addiction. People can develop irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, and stroke because of alcohol addiction. It can cause damage to the liver and pancreas, as well. It can weaken the immune system and cause cancer, as well. It can cause impaired movement, slow reaction time, and memory loss and blackouts. Thiamine deficiency is common in people who are addicted to alcohol. This deficiency is caused by poor nutrition, and thiamine is a nutrient that is needed by the brain to properly function.

Opiates and the Body

Opiates can cause problems in the body. Some of the negative side affects that it can cause are nausea and vomiting, constipation, liver damage, slow breathing, and brain damage. It can cause veins to collapse, which is usually a problem with heroin. It can also cause a greater sensitivity to pain. Opiates cause people to be extremely relaxed, and they can become so sleepy that they might hurt themselves or others if trying to drive or operate machinery. People who share needles can contract hepatitis. Lastly, opiates can cause the immune system to function in a reduced capacity, causing a person to be more susceptible to illness.

How Alcohol and Opiates are Used

Alcohol is most commonly drank out of glasses. People consume them with juices and pop. There is also a fairly recent trend of people infusing candy like gummy bears in vodka by soaking them for a few days. Some people do not use alcohol for recreational purposes. They may use them to create herbal tinctures (medicines), and there are many people who use it for religious purposes. Opiates are smoked very often, but also used as crushed pills, and injected as well. They can even be consumed by drinking or eating

Societal Concerns with Alcohol and Opiates

Alcohol and Opiate detoxification programs exist for people who are dependent on the substances. Many people may struggle with withdrawal symptoms, making it difficult to stop using the substances permanently. They may have the typical withdrawal symptoms such as pain, depression, anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, dilated pupils, and high blood pressure. Sometimes an integrated method of detoxification is helpful.(Stein, 2016).

A societal concern with opiates is that nurses and doctors should know the signs of someone who is addicted to the substance. Running out of medicine and refilling prescriptions before they should is a sign that the person is taking too much of the medication, too often. Many people may start down this path because of chronic pain that makes them want to be pain free around the clock.(Moore, 2016).

Helping People with Alcohol Addictions

As mentioned earlier, it is important to pay attention and understand the signs of alcohol and opiate addiction. Reading and educating oneself as a counselor will be helpful, as well as paying attention to clients who are exhibiting these symptoms such as borrowing medicine from other family members, going to multiple doctors to get the same type of prescription, and losing the prescription. With alcohol, people who are addicted tend to drink to the point that it causes problems with employment and family relationships, and they may have risky behavior (such as reckless driving while drunk, risky sex, etc.).(Smidth 2016).

Myths About Opiates

A myth about opiate use is that it is typically young teens or people in their 20’s who overdose on the drugs. The truth is that it is usually people who are over the age of 30, and are experienced, chronic, dependent users who overdose on these drugs. Teens are in the minority in this statistic of overdoses. Another myth about opiates is that they do not provide relief for acute or chronic lower back pain. The fact is that  they actually do provide modest relief for these conditions.(Darke, n.d.).

Conclusion

To conclude, alcohol and opiates are very addictive. They have very negative side effects when taken inappropriately or excessively. They have negative effects, and can cause problems in the personal life of any person who is dependent on them. The withdrawal symptoms for these drugs are very difficult for people to deal with, and can include depression and high blood pressure. It is highly important for mental health professionals to understand and be aware of the symptoms of addiction to alcohol and opiates so that they can properly help their clients get the help that they need. There are many myths involved with opiate use, and one is that teens are the most likely to overdose. Overall, alcohol and opiate overuse and addiction is not good for the human body.

References

Darke, S. (n.d). Opioid overdose and the power of old myths: What we thought we knew, what we do know and why it matters. Drug And Alcohol Review, 33(2), 109-114.) 

Moore, D. J. (2016). What you need to know about safe opioid prescribing. American Nurse Today, 11(6), 12.

Treating opiate addiction, part I: detoxification and maintenance. (2004). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 21(6), 4-6.

Smidth, M. (2016). Integrated Care for people who want Alcohol Detoxification in the middle of Denmark. International Journal Of Integrated Care (IJIC), 16(6), 1-2. doi:10.5334/ijic.2930

Stein, M. D., Risi, M. M., Flori, J. N., Conti, M. T., Anderson, B. J., & Bailey, G. L. (2016). Gender differences in the life concerns of persons seeking alcohol detoxification. Journal Of Substance Abuse Treatment, 6334-38. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2015.12.005

Wulffson, R. M. (2015). Detoxification and substance abuse. Salem Press Encyclopedia Of Health.