The Beginnings of Drug Abuse

Mind-altering, intoxicating, psychoactive substances are part of human centricity since the advent of civilization. The substance abuse started with opiates and cocaine in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these two were the primary drugs to be legally accepted within the United States. Opium was called folk medicine for several thousand years, Chinese and subcontinent people accustomed to chewing leaves of opium to satisfy their needs, provide a way of euphoria and other desirable effects, and to serve a function. The consumption of alcohol increased its zenith by late 18th century with the average person drinking three to four, gallons each year. Initially the drug was used for the treatment and medicinal purposes.

 Physicians wont to prescribe opium for managing symptoms instead of managing cure for the disease. Opium was employed in the management of a good type of diseases e.g. 

• chronic respiratory disorders
• syphilis
• rheumatism
• malaria
• insomnia
• anxiety
• fatigue
• alcoholism

Morphine was isolated from opium in 1803 and heroin was produced from morphine in 1898. Scientists thought that these substances have therapeutic purposes, but soon opposite effects were observed. By the tip of the 19th-century cocaine was used as an anesthetic by American physicians in surgeries e.g. ophthalmic surgery, soon they found several other uses including the treatment of wasting diseases, enteric fever, hay fever, nephrosis, fever, cold, and sinus conditions. Alcohol was used for antiseptic purposes for disinfecting wounds and bruises. The cocaine abuse began to take to height once they were illegally getting used, together with ether, chloroform, and depressant. By the tip of the 19th century they found several uses of cocaine including;

• cocaine was used as an anesthetic by American physicians in surgeries e.g. ophthalmic surgery, 
• treatment of wasting diseases
• enteric fever
• hay fever
• nephrosis
• fever
• cold and sinus conditions
• Alcohol was used for antiseptic purposes for disinfecting wounds and bruises. 

The cocaine abuse began to take to height once they were illegally getting used, together with ether, chloroform, and depressant.

By the late 19th century physicians were all right aware that alcohol, cocaine, morphine, and opium caused hallucinations, delusion and distorted view of reality. Alcohol had become easily accessible to, and affordable for, the overall population, leading to deleterious effects on family and society because of increasing drug abuse.

Benjamin rush identified the concept of Alcoholism as an illness during which alcohol is the entity, loss of control over drinking being the characteristic symptom, and total abstinence. the sole effective cure. The approach to mental disorders was influenced by the thought there's a hidden motivation on human behavior and certain personality aspects why people become addicted. Historically an addiction was defined as a dependence on a drug. This substance would alter the brain chemistry, activate neuronal circuits that underline reinforcement, similarly to circuits that produce powerful emotional memories, and subsequently cause dependence.

However, the definition of addiction has itself expanded throughout the second half of the 20th century to include also so-called behavioral, soft, process, or non-substance related addictions like gambling, compulsive sexual behaviors. Whereas the affected person tends to define addiction concerning needs, urges, and diminished control. When the subject of drug use comes up, it's often with respect to teens. This makes some sense because it's during the younger years that the bulk substance use begins as a trend or fashion. Some adolescents may use substances as consumer items, along with clothes and music, to work out an identity or image for themselves. Some youths don't choose substance use in and of itself, but rather choose a way of life within which substance use goes hand in alienation, rebellion, a sense of independence from parents and society, and therefore, the rummage around for freedom and friendship.

Adolescence is a confusing and complex period in life, a time of questioning, exploring, and risk-taking. Drug experimentation is becoming an increasingly prevalent part of an adolescent's rite of passage. Young people are responding masse to the alluring promise of today's chemical culture, which seems to promise quick relief and instant gratification, popularity, and an attractive peer group, not to mention sexual prowess and financial success. All of these offerings, which represent primary adolescent issues and desires, are enhanced further through television, one of the primary reference sources for the adolescent population.

The misuse of medication may provide short-term pleasurable feelings and euphoria, but they ignore the future consequences of misuse may cause a range of diseases including the risk of death from abuse. The common drugs abused by adolescents include alcohol, tobacco, cannabis amphetamines, inhalants, sedative drugs, heroin, and cocaine. Drug use among youths is now a matter of great concern Adolescents believe that alcohol and occasional are the preference of the older generation while the huffing of tobacco and therefore, the use of other non-conventional drugs are the desires of youth during this current generation. Substance abuse is prevailing among adolescents since the 1980s. Drug abuse is an ever-changing trend from smoking stimulating plants, bulk drinking alcohol to chewing some newest local products. Cocaine particularly has been in high demand since the late 2oth century till now, consuming, snorting, and huffing cocaine makes individual high. Heroin, amphetamines, and narcotics are the drugs which are most widely used for mood alteration. Opium is a painkiller but at the same time, it can induce sleep. Because of this effect, many adolescents are addicted to it. Medically prescribed drugs like Paracetamol, Aspirin, Antibiotics, and sedatives drugs are constantly abused nowadays.

The effects of drug abuse include difficulty with concentration, mood, coordination, and judgment. Drugs may cause paranoia, hallucinations, and agitation. Problems with memory, impaired attention span, and delayed maturation may lead to school dysfunction. Adolescents who use one drug are likely to use another. They usually begin with legal drugs-alcohol or tobacco progress to marijuana, and may eventually go on to other drugs or combinations of drugs. About half of adolescents who try marijuana will eventually progress to more potent drugs. Alcohol and tobacco, particularly, and sometimes marijuana are thus known as "gateway" drugs, their use greatly increases the probability of later use of other substances.

It has been made evident from numerous studies that those teenagers who shared a detailed bond with parents were less likely to fall within the pit hole of habit. Teens who are near their parents are more likely to achieve success in class and avoid dangerous, harmful, or destructive behavior. Although there has been a drastic decline in misuse among teens over the years, youth violence, alcohol consumption, drug use, teenage pregnancy, and childbearing remain a heavy problem in today’s generation. It's been estimated those children who begin drinking before the age of 15 are fourfold more likely to become alcohol dependent later in life.