WHY DO PEOPLE ABUSE NARCOTICS?

Narcotic drugs produce their effect by stimulating opioid receptors in the central nervous system and surrounding tissues.

The abuse of narcotics occurs as a result of the euphoria and sedation that narcotics produce within the central nervous system. Abusers of intravenously injected heroin describe the effects as a "rush" or orgasmic feeling followed by elation, relaxation, and then sedation or sleep.

Narcotics used for short-term medical conditions rarely require weaning since stopping the medication after a brief period rarely produces adverse effects. If circumstances allow, the dose for people using narcotics over an extended period of time for medical purposes is slowly lowered over a few weeks to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The goal is to wean individuals off narcotics so that they are pain-free or able to use a less potent nonnarcotic analgesic.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF

NARCOTICS ABUSE?

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS ABUSE? The term narcotic has several definitions but often

pertains to opioid drugs that produce actions similar to morphine. Narcotics are used therapeutically to relieve pain, induce anesthesia and treat additional symptoms such as cough and diarrhea. The physical effects of narcotics make the drugs desirable, however, and may contribute to their abuse. Narcotic abuse is defined as any use of a narcotic that is inconsistent with medical guidelines.

SENSE OF EUPHORIA

Narcotics produce a variety of physical manifestations that are desirable for narcotic abusers. Narcotics produce an exaggerated sense of well-being or euphoria, decreased anxiety, pain relief and sedation. Over time, tolerance to the euphoric effects of the narcotic develops.

RISK OF ILLNESS AND DEATH

Unless taken in lethal doses, use of medically prescribed narcotics rarely directly results in death. There is an increased risk of disease, infection and overdose, however, with illicit drug use often due to the lifestyle of narcotic abusers. For example, injection of narcotics without sterile equipment increases the risk of skin infection, heart inflammation, hepatitis, and AIDS. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, narcotics sold on the street may contain additional compounds, making their effects unpredictable and potentially lethal.

PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

Narcotics do not cause birth defects; however, regular use of narcotics during pregnancy causes physical dependence in the newborn child. Furthermore, use of narcotics during labor and delivery can cause a decrease in uterine contractions and respiratory depression in the newborn. Respiratory depression in a newborn is a potentially fatal condition and babies born to mother's using narcotics must be monitored closely.

PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE

Physical dependence refers to the state in which an abstinence syndrome, or withdrawal, will occur if the drug is discontinued abruptly. Furthermore, physical dependence indicates that the body requires the narcotic to be present in order to function normally. Withdrawal from narcotic abuse can be extremely unpleasant but is rarely fatal. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the severity of withdrawal depends on the narcotic used, the total daily dose, duration of use, frequency of use and the overall health of the abuser.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE

Often, narcotic abusers continue to think about using narcotics even after the physical demand for the drug has passed. Narcotic abusers have a difficult time adjusting to daily life without the use of narcotics and may feel overwhelmed and anxious. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, narcotic abusers have a high rate of relapse if the factors contributing to the abuse have not been resolved or removed.

TOLERANCE

Tolerance to narcotics and their effects develops with continued narcotic use. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, tolerance is defined as a shortened duration and decreased intensity of a narcotic's desirable effects which generates the need to consume progressively larger doses to attain analgesic, euphoric, and sedative effects. Tolerance does not develop for the other physical manifestations of drug use including constipation, papillary constriction and respiratory depression.