Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter mood, thought, or behavior. While some psychoactive drugs are used as medications to treat conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and depression, they can also negatively impact health when abused. Psychoactive drugs are divided into categories like anxiolytics, sedatives, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Both short-term effects like mood swings and anxiety and long-term effects like depression and schizophrenia can result from psychoactive drug abuse. Psychoactive drugs may also contribute to the development of disorders like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder or worsen their symptoms. Fetal exposure to abused psychoactive drugs can cause conditions like fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Drug addiction, Criminal justice & Human RightsAvi Choudhary
Problem of Drug Abuse is very Serious for One and all in society as it affects the overall development of Human Being and affects the crime rate in our society.Moreover it is a threat to Human Rights of Individuals. This power point presentation will give you a deep knowledge about the concept of Drug Addiction, Human rights and criminal justice.
Drug dependence
It is a physical or psychological condition resulting from repeated administration of mood-altering drugs.
It is a state characterized by a compulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its euphoriogenic effects.
If a mood-altering drug is unavailable, then the individual develops certain withdrawal symptoms.
Physical dependence + Psychological dependence
Drug addiction
Drug habituation
Drug abuse
Habit-forming drug
Homeopathy can provide a safe and effective way of treating depression, sadness, and anxiety. Homeopathy stimulates immunity and helps to cope up with depression. Homeopathic counselling works wonders and helps to overcome grief, shock, anger, mental restlessness,etc. Read this PDF to learn more about depression and its treatment.
Drug addiction, Criminal justice & Human RightsAvi Choudhary
Problem of Drug Abuse is very Serious for One and all in society as it affects the overall development of Human Being and affects the crime rate in our society.Moreover it is a threat to Human Rights of Individuals. This power point presentation will give you a deep knowledge about the concept of Drug Addiction, Human rights and criminal justice.
Drug dependence
It is a physical or psychological condition resulting from repeated administration of mood-altering drugs.
It is a state characterized by a compulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its euphoriogenic effects.
If a mood-altering drug is unavailable, then the individual develops certain withdrawal symptoms.
Physical dependence + Psychological dependence
Drug addiction
Drug habituation
Drug abuse
Habit-forming drug
Homeopathy can provide a safe and effective way of treating depression, sadness, and anxiety. Homeopathy stimulates immunity and helps to cope up with depression. Homeopathic counselling works wonders and helps to overcome grief, shock, anger, mental restlessness,etc. Read this PDF to learn more about depression and its treatment.
Bipolar Disorders – Symptoms, Types And MedicationErin Bell
Bipolar disorders, generally categorized by mood swing. Bipolar disorders, depression, stress can be managed with the oral mental health medication. On time proper treatment can lead to cure bipolar disorders. Know here symptoms, types & treatments of bipolar disorders. http://www.myhealthpharma.com/blog/bipolar-disorders-symptoms-types-and-medications.aspx
An unusually high percentage of famous writers, poets, composers and artists have suffered from bipolar mood disorder. This presentation goes in depth.
Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar affective disorder (and originally called manic-depressive illness), is a mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated mood and periods of depression. The elevated mood is significant and is known as mania or hypomania depending on the severity or whether there is psychosis.
Drugs are ‘used’ if they are to cure illness, prevent diseases or improve health status, and are ‘abused’ if self-administered for non-medical reasons, in frequency and amount that may alter the general body homeostasis of an individual.
Nepal is vulnerable in context of drug addiction and its effects. Adolescents and young people are generally are abusing drugs.
Running head BIPOLAR DISORDERBIPOLAR DISORDER9Page numb.docxsusanschei
Running head: BIPOLAR DISORDER
BIPOLAR DISORDER 9
Page number on page one?
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a term that is used to describe a mental illness, which has many dDysthymica effects on the mind and the body of its victims. The condition is also known as the manic-depressive disorder. Research that has been conducted shows that the condition is mostly found in young adults and since recently in children as well. Studies have also shown that in the United States alone the condition affects close to 4 million people and is slowly being considered as one of the most common disabilities amongst Americans. Women in their mid-forties are also at a high chance of developing the mental disorder. After developing the mental disease, a typical patient may experience up to ten episodes of other mental disorders in the course of their condition. For women who suffer rapid-cycling, they may experience more manic episodes and depressive episodes that happen after each other without leaving space for remission (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, UK, 2006). Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: How do you know all of these things? Recall from week one course announcements and discussion feedback that a citation is needed every single time you refer to the work of another. Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: This is not a scholarly source.
The conditionBipolar disorder is characterized by two specific mood swings, namely mania, and depression. These mood swings that almost constantly affect bipolar people can further be divided into three subcategories, namely bipolar I disorder (BD-I), bipolar II disorder (BD-II), and cCylothymia. This The purpose of this paper seeks is to discuss the bipolar disorder in general, as well as summarizeing a short history of the condition, the subcategories of the condition, the symptoms, causes, and treatments of the disease (Miklowitz & Alloy, 2009). Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: ? What is your source on this? Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: The disorder is divided into three categories not the mood swings. Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: What about your case study?
The existence of the bipolar disorder was discovered during the ancient Greek era. The Greeks took it that this type of manic depression disorder was a condition of the blood, choler, phlegm, and black bile. The condition was thought to be associated with human body fluids because these fluids are responsible for homeostatic imbalances within the human body. According to the Greek academics, ensuring that the body was in a homeostatic equilibrium would cause humans to develop a need to purge themselves or release into the blood stream specific amounts and quantities of these fluids. Plato, the scholar, was strongly founded on the belief that the disorder was caused by inspirations such as God, love, and writings. Other scholars slightly agreed with Plato but imagined that the disorder was as a result of environmental factor ...
Bipolar Disorders – Symptoms, Types And MedicationErin Bell
Bipolar disorders, generally categorized by mood swing. Bipolar disorders, depression, stress can be managed with the oral mental health medication. On time proper treatment can lead to cure bipolar disorders. Know here symptoms, types & treatments of bipolar disorders. http://www.myhealthpharma.com/blog/bipolar-disorders-symptoms-types-and-medications.aspx
An unusually high percentage of famous writers, poets, composers and artists have suffered from bipolar mood disorder. This presentation goes in depth.
Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar affective disorder (and originally called manic-depressive illness), is a mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated mood and periods of depression. The elevated mood is significant and is known as mania or hypomania depending on the severity or whether there is psychosis.
Drugs are ‘used’ if they are to cure illness, prevent diseases or improve health status, and are ‘abused’ if self-administered for non-medical reasons, in frequency and amount that may alter the general body homeostasis of an individual.
Nepal is vulnerable in context of drug addiction and its effects. Adolescents and young people are generally are abusing drugs.
Running head BIPOLAR DISORDERBIPOLAR DISORDER9Page numb.docxsusanschei
Running head: BIPOLAR DISORDER
BIPOLAR DISORDER 9
Page number on page one?
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a term that is used to describe a mental illness, which has many dDysthymica effects on the mind and the body of its victims. The condition is also known as the manic-depressive disorder. Research that has been conducted shows that the condition is mostly found in young adults and since recently in children as well. Studies have also shown that in the United States alone the condition affects close to 4 million people and is slowly being considered as one of the most common disabilities amongst Americans. Women in their mid-forties are also at a high chance of developing the mental disorder. After developing the mental disease, a typical patient may experience up to ten episodes of other mental disorders in the course of their condition. For women who suffer rapid-cycling, they may experience more manic episodes and depressive episodes that happen after each other without leaving space for remission (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, UK, 2006). Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: How do you know all of these things? Recall from week one course announcements and discussion feedback that a citation is needed every single time you refer to the work of another. Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: This is not a scholarly source.
The conditionBipolar disorder is characterized by two specific mood swings, namely mania, and depression. These mood swings that almost constantly affect bipolar people can further be divided into three subcategories, namely bipolar I disorder (BD-I), bipolar II disorder (BD-II), and cCylothymia. This The purpose of this paper seeks is to discuss the bipolar disorder in general, as well as summarizeing a short history of the condition, the subcategories of the condition, the symptoms, causes, and treatments of the disease (Miklowitz & Alloy, 2009). Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: ? What is your source on this? Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: The disorder is divided into three categories not the mood swings. Comment by Dr. Barnes-Young: What about your case study?
The existence of the bipolar disorder was discovered during the ancient Greek era. The Greeks took it that this type of manic depression disorder was a condition of the blood, choler, phlegm, and black bile. The condition was thought to be associated with human body fluids because these fluids are responsible for homeostatic imbalances within the human body. According to the Greek academics, ensuring that the body was in a homeostatic equilibrium would cause humans to develop a need to purge themselves or release into the blood stream specific amounts and quantities of these fluids. Plato, the scholar, was strongly founded on the belief that the disorder was caused by inspirations such as God, love, and writings. Other scholars slightly agreed with Plato but imagined that the disorder was as a result of environmental factor ...
Running head and connection to substance abuse1comorbidity an.docxtoddr4
Running head: and connection to substance abuse 1
comorbidity and connection to substance abuse 6Literature Review
Comorbidity and Its Connection to Substance Abuse, Treatment, and Relapse
Paula King
Walden University
Capstone
Dr. Jane Lyons
June 23, 2019
Comorbidity and Its Connection to Substance Abuse, Treatment, and Relapse
Comorbidity is considered as two or more conditions that occur in one person. These disorders can happen one after another or at the same time. Comorbidity has a strong connection with substance abuse, treatment, as well as relapse (Kelly & Daley, 2013). It is essential to note that many of those who suffer from substance use disorder usually develop other mental disorders, which is a similar case to many of those diagnosed with mental disorders. Research indicates that about half of those experiencing mental illnesses have a high probability of experiencing substance abuse disorders at some time in their life. Some few research have been conducted on children, and the result indicates that youths with substance abuse disorder typically have a high rate of co-occurring mental diseases like anxiety and depression (Child, 2012). Clinicians must find an effective way to treat individuals with substance use and addictions mental health disorders. To be effective they need to prescribe the right medication to treat alcohol, opioid, and nicotine addiction and there are also medications to alleviate symptoms of mental disorders. There are some behavioral therapies that have promise in treating comorbid conditions. The programs are tailored for the clients according to age, drug misused, and other factors, which can be used alone or with medication. Some effective therapies for treating comorbid conditions: cognitive behavioral therapy, Dialectical therapy, assertive community treatment, therapeutic communities, and contingency management (Kelly & Daley, 2013).
According to Woody and Blaine (1979) for over 25 years there has been a correlation between substance abuse illnesses and other mental disorders is not a visible indication that one resulted in another, albeit one came after another. Understanding the directionality or causality can sometimes be difficult because of different reasons. For instance, emotional or behavior issues may not be severe enough to raise the alarm for diagnosis. However, sub-clinical mental health concerns may prompt abuse of drugs. The main factors that contribute to comorbidity between mental illnesses and drug abuse disorders include the aspect of conventional risk factors, the possibility of mental diseases contributing to addiction and drug abuse, and the possibility of drug abuse and addiction contributing to the growth of mental health disorders (Bukstein & Horner, 2015). Drug use and mental health illnesses can result from coinciding aspects such as epigenetic and genetic exposures, concerns with related parts of the brain, and environmental factors.
Psychoactive Drugs Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit SubstancesGreenFacts
Psychoactive drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin can change consciousness, mood, and thoughts. The use of these drugs imposes a substantial health burden on society.
How do psychoactive drugs affect the brain? How does drug addiction develop and how can it be treated?
Data Transcription 21. Research question What are barriers to OllieShoresna
Data Transcription 2
1. Research question
What are barriers to mental healthcare access experienced by West and Central African immigrants in the United States?
2. History of the participant
I: Mr. Phineas tell what part of West/Central Africa you are from, Gender, Interaction with other people and Interaction with the healthcare system
R: I am from Zimbabwe; I am a male gender. I used to go to the hospital for my mental health, but I have not been there for some time now due to language barrier. I felt like people did not understand me.
I: What are the lived experience as a person with mental health disorders or knows someone who does?
R: It was very rough at the beginning. As I said before, I felt like people did not understand me and that was frustrating.
I: Any problems one can define as a culturally based stigma?
R: Yes, cultural stigma is huge. People are afraid to even say they have a mental illness. And when the providers start moving you around rom one counselor to another, it affected my pride.
I: How do you define of mental illnesses?
R: People losing their minds or experiencing psychosis.
I: What are examples that qualify to be mental health illnesses
R: Psychotic behaviors, depression
I: How challenging is it to access medical help?
R: The cost and language barrier
I: How has been the experience when seeking help?
R; Language barrier has been a problem. Cultural beliefs
I: Are there any barriers? Which ones
R: Stigma people afraid to open up, cost, language
3. Current feeling
I: What are your feelings regarding past experiences?
R: Back home was even worse. We hardly talk about our mental health. We do not even have mental health setup. Most people with psychotic disorders are seen to be under some form of spell or witchcraft. It was a taboo.
I: If the same experience happened today, what would be your response
R: Education and interacting with other people have helped me gained some awareness and coping skills.
4. Barriers to access to mental health services among African immigrants
I: Why is it challenging to access mental health services?
R: Cost, stigma, language
I: How does cultural stigma occur for African immigrants when seeking help?
R: People do not want family to know they are struggling mentally. They want to look strong. It is a cultural thing to be strong.
I: What are your experiences with mental health providers or hospitals?
R: it has been very difficult to explain myself to them.
I: How has it been living as a West or Central African immigrant?
R: It has been great living here and being able to support my family back home and having the opportunity to get ahead in life.
I: How did you discover you had developed mental illnesses?
R: I was not able to sleep at night and I was very tried and angry.
I: What efforts have you made to ensure you get mental health-related services? Were they successful?
R: Understanding me and not judging me was very challenging and I had to keep changing counselors and sharing my i ...
Psychiatric Disorders in Chemically Dependent Individuals - October 2012Dawn Farm
This program provides an overview of co-occurring addiction and psychiatric illness, including standard diagnostic criteria, individual considerations for determining the appropriate course of treatment, available treatment interventions, and the perspectives of both the addict and the treatment provider on addiction and psychiatric illness. It is presented by Dr. Patrick Gibbons, LMSW, DO; Adjunct Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at the University of Michigan; Medical Director of the WCHO Community Crisis Response Team; consultant with Pain Management Solutions in Ann Arbor; Medical Director of the Michigan Health Professionals Recovery Program, and Medical Director of Dawn Farm. This program is part of the Dawn Farm Education Series, a FREE, annual workshop series developed to provide accurate, helpful, hopeful, practical, current information about chemical dependency, recovery, family and related issues. The Education Series is organized by Dawn Farm, a non-profit community of programs providing a continuum of chemical dependency services. For information, please see http://www.dawnfarm.org/programs/education-series.
CHAPTER SIXThe Age of AnxietyThe multiple perspectives we have.docxtiffanyd4
CHAPTER SIX
The Age of Anxiety
The multiple perspectives we have been using in this book are particularly useful in understanding the impact anxiety has on U.S. society. The word “anxiety” comes from a Latin root meaning to “choke or throttle” connoting a troubled state of mind (Tone, 2009). Anxiety disorders are believed to be the most common mental health problem in the United States. Two common measures are lifetime morbid risk (the theoretical risk of getting a disorder at any point in life) and 12-month prevalence (the proportion of the population thought to suffer from the disorder in any 12-month period). Baxter et al. (2013) conducted a meta-analysis of 87 studies from 44 countries between 1980 and 2009. They found that anxiety disorders are common across the globe with an estimated current prevalence of approximately as much as 28% of the global population. The prevalence of anxiety disorders in the United States is estimated for lifetime morbid risk/12-month prevalence as follows: Specific Phobia 18.4%/12.1%, Social Anxiety Disorder 13%/7.4%, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 10.1%/3.7%, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 9%/2%, Separation Anxiety Disorder 8.7% /1.2%, and Panic Disorder, 6.8%/2.4%, (Kessler, Petukhova, Sampson, Zaslovsky, & Wittchen, 2012). Although anxiety disorders are prominent, it is important to realize that their incidence has remained steady over several decades despite pharmaceutically funded efforts to make the public think there is an epidemic that needs medicated (Baxter et al., 2014).
Although psychotropic medications are available for anxiety disorders, many psychological treatments also have excellent track records. Remember, from an integrative perspective it is not enough to describe anxiety symptoms, posit a biological explanation, then describe how certain drugs act biologically to (at least temporarily) decrease or eliminate these symptoms. With sentient beings, we have to look to the psychological, cultural and social variables that contribute to anxiety.
We recall a client (Elijah) who lived in what could be described as a “toxic environment.” Elijah's urban residence was the regular scene of violence, and he himself had witnessed two shootings in his 23 years. He was court-ordered to receive treatment for an alcohol-related charge (drunk and disorderly conduct). Even after abstaining from all drugs for 60 days, Elijah was what could only be described as “a nervous wreck.” He showed symptoms of both Panic Disorder and PTSD (the latter related to stimuli associated with the shootings he had witnessed). In consultation with a psychiatrist, who prescribed SSRI medication, Elijah asked why he had his symptoms, and the doctor replied, “Some people have a genetic predisposition to such things.” As Charlie Brown would say, “Good grief!” In this client's case, genetic predisposition not withstanding, there were clearly psychological, cultural, and social contributors to his anxiety. His alcohol use was a .
IntroductionMental health conditions have effects regardless of .docxvrickens
Introduction
Mental health conditions have effects regardless of race, color, gender, or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. Although we are similar, your experiences and how you understand and deal with these conditions may be different. Anyone can develop a mental health problem, but African Americans sometimes experience more severe forms of mental health conditions because of limited resources and other barriers. African Americans are twenty percent more likely to have severe psychological distress than Whites are. Also, African Americans and other minority communities are more likely to have similar experiences, such as barriers from health, educational, social, and economic resources because of cultural and societal factors. These may contribute to worse mental health outcomes. More than half of the people in the United States are being recognized with a mental illness in their lifetime; however, now not everybody will acquire the assistance they need. Even though mental illness is common and might affect everyone, there is still a stigma attached. This stigma creates shame in seeking help, especially in the African American community. The understanding of mental illnesses has come a far way from where it used to be, but improvements have to make. Mental illnesses should not be viewed any differently from physical diseases. I believe the two are very similar. When the mind is ill, it is not just the brain, but it has effects on the whole body and health overall. Substance abuse, self-damage, and suicide are widespread and dangerous in people with mental illness. The stigma connected to mental illness stops people from getting the assistance they need and causes them to cover their pain. Clinically trained social workers are the nation’s largest group of mental health service providers. (Staff, 2016). This is important to social work because social workers push the conversation of mental health forward. Many social workers in the field are first responders to most mental health claims. Also, the stigma of mental illness in the african american community has to change and social workers can be the driving force of a new outlook of mental health. To navigate towards a better views on mental health it is important to understand how we got to this point. Though this text it will discuss the following, what is mental illness, historical information of mental health in the African American community, barriers to mental health in the African American community, also the perspective African Americas have on mental health.
Literature Review
WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental illness is a general term referring to all mental health conditions that involve changes in emotions, thinking, interaction with other people, and behavior in a person. The changes can be caused by different factors, such as genetics, daily habits, environment, biology, and life experiences (McNally, (2011).). Mental i ...
This PPT aims to help learner about mental health, Causes of Mental health, Types of Mental illness, Anxiety disorder, Mood disorder, Personality Disorder, schizophrenia, Eating Disorder, substance use Disorder, obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
1. Running head: PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 1
Psychoactive Drugs and Associated Health Effects
Erin N. Bosman
University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire; Harlaxton College
2. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 2
Psychoactive Drugs and Associated Health Effects
Psychoactive drugs are substances that act to alter mood, thought, or behavior
(Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 173). All drugs come with a risk, as any drug can lead
to an addiction. Nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol are amongst the substances that make up
the category of psychoactive drugs with addictive properties.
Anxiolytic and sedatives, hypnotics or sleeping pills, antidepressants,
antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers are five categories that make up psychoactive
medications (http://www.cqld.ca/livre/en/en/16-medicaments.htm, n.d.). They are taken
socially and used to manage neuropsychological illnesses. For example, psychoactive
substances are often used to reduce anxiety, insomnia, and depression among other
problems. Psychoactive substances are used to alter one’s mood, for spiritual purposes,
and as treatment (http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/p/psychoactive_drug.htm). They
are also often abused (http://www.greenfacts.org/en/psychoactive-drugs/, n.d.).
Psychopharmacology is the study of how psychoactive drugs affect the nervous
system and behavior. While psychoactive drugs can be effectively used as medication, in
some situations they can also lead to negative health effects when abused (Kolb, B., &
Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 173). Some harmful health effects from these drugs include
diseases of the lungs, cancer, and depression (http://www.greenfacts.org/en/psychoactive-
drugs/, n.d.). Some psychoactive drugs can act as a toxin; resulting in sickness, brain
damage, or death (Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 173).
Psychoactive drugs tend to be used to gain personal benefit such as a source of
pleasure, a source of energy, or a way to avoid pain; those same drugs can lead to
negatively affecting health in the short or long term
3. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 3
(http://www.greenfacts.org/en/psychoactive-drugs/, n.d.). For example, some known
effects of psychoactive drugs include mood swings, anxiety, and trouble with having an
effective sleep cycle. Drug-induced anxiety disorder, drug-induced psychosis, and drug-
induced mood disorders are three short-term effects of psychoactive drugs on mental
health. Long-term effects include depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(http://www.drugs.ie/drugs_info/about_drugs/mental_health/, n.d.).
Many psychoactive substances can cause chemical dependence leading to
substance abuse and chemical imbalances, which can in turn lead to long-term negative
effects. In contrast psychoactive drugs, such as methylphenidate and dextroamphatemine
for ADHD, are often used as treatment for these effects. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder is a developmental disorder that is generally characterized by impulsivity,
hyperactivity, and inattention (Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 172). Stimulants and
depressants are often associated both as treatment and as being the source of abuse
leading to these effects (http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/p/psychoactive_drug.htm).
Another condition associated along with psychoactive substances is bipolar
disorder, which is characterized by alteration between periods of depression, periods of
intense excitations, and periods of normal behavior. Bipolar disorder is a manic
depressive order that is difficult to treat due to the opposite effects of mania and
depression. Mood stabilizers are often used for treatment of bipolar disorder, muting the
intensity of one mood, and making the other less likely to occur in response (Kolb, B., &
Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 187).
4. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 4
Major depression is another mood disorder that often leads to a disruption in
sleep. Eating habits, and behavior. Major depression can be onset by many variables one
of those being the psychoactive substance of alcohol, which is a depressant. Within a
lifetime, 30 percent of the U.S. population could experience a minimum of one episode
((Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 186).
Illnesses and disorders that coincide with psychoactive drugs can affect the
individual themselves, or those who are connected with them. Fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder is depicted by a range of physical and intellectual impairments observed in some
children born to mothers that abused a psychoactive drug, alcohol. Approximately 6
percent of alcoholic mothers have children who suffer from these symptoms.
Psychoactive drug and alcohol- induced illnesses or abnormalities can vary from smaller
physical or psychological effects to larger conditions, such as FASD (Kolb, B., &
Whishaw, I., 2001, p. 184).
To summarize, psychoactive drugs are highly accessible and while they are often
used as treatment for many disorders, they can also be the cause, or contribute to the
cause, of onset of various other disorders and health problems. They can even be toxic,
leading to death. These substances act either agonists or antagonists; Agonists to
stimulate neural activity and antagonists to depress neural activity (Kolb, B., & Whishaw,
I., 2001, p. 209). Drugs influence the brain and behavior and on one hand, they can be
helpful and energizing at times. However on the other hand, they can also be dangerous
leading to negative short-term and long-term effects.
5. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS 5
References
Blow, F. (2004). Use and abuse of psychoactive prescription drugs and over-the-counter
medications. In Substance abuse among older adults. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept.
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
Drugs and mental health. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from
http://www.drugs.ie/drugs_info/about_drugs/mental_health/
Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. (2001). How do drugs and hormones influence the brain and
behavior? In An introduction to brain and behavior (4th ed.). New York: Worth.
Psychoactive drug. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/p/psychoactive_drug.htm
Psychoactive Drugs Tobacco, Alcohol, and Illicit Substances. (n.d.). Retrieved February
19, 2015, from http://www.greenfacts.org/en/psychoactive-drugs/
PSYCHOACTIVE MEDICATIONS. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2015, from
http://www.cqld.ca/livre/en/en/16-medicaments.htm