Misuse of Drugs

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Misuse of Drugs What is drug misuse and addiction? Drug misuse refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not attended or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a drug. Physical addiction is characterised by the presence of tolerance (needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms that disappear when further medication is taken. All sorts of different drugs can be misused, including illegal drugs (such as heroin or cannabis), prescription medicines (such as tranquilisers or painkillers) and other medicines that can be bought off the supermarket shelf (such as cough mixtures or herbal remedies). In the UK we have high levels of drug misuse, including high rates of heroin and crack cocaine use. People who misuse drugs often have a range of health and social problems, which may lead them to misuse drugs or may be a consequence of their addiction. Drug misuse can affect people's relationships and have impacts on their family, friends and the wider community. Types of Drugs Prescription * Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering statin drug * Nexium, an antacid drug * Plavix, a blood thinner * Advair Diskus, an asthma inhaler * Abilify, an antipsychotic drug * Seroquel, an antipsychotic drug * Singulair, an oral asthma drug * Crestor, a cholesterol-lowering statin drug * Actos, a diabetes drug * Epogen, an injectable anaemia drug Illegal Drugs * Heroin * Crack Cocaine * Methamphetamine * LSD * Ecstasy * Opium * Marijuana * Psilocybin Mushrooms Causes This depends on the nature of the drug being misused, the person taking the drug and the circumstances under which it is taken. Some drugs – for example heroin, cocaine and certain sleeping pills or painkillers
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