Short and to the point presentation on Drug dependency and Abuse of Hospital and clinical pharmacy D-Pharma 2ed year

1. Drug Dependence and
Abuse
Hospital and clinical pharmacy
By Suyash Jain

2. Drug dependence
A state of psychic and also sometimes physical
disturbances resulting from the interaction between living
organisms and drugs showing behavioural and other
responses that always include compulsion to take the drug
in order to experience its psychic effects or to avoid
discomfort. A person may be dependent on one or more
drugs. The two different types of drug dependence are:
Physical Dependence and Psychic dependence

3. Addiction
A condition in which there is both psychic and physical dependence. There is an overpowering
desire to continuous take drugs, a tendency to increase the dose and high tendency to
withdrawal symptoms. Most of the drug used by addicts, particularly, effect CNS. e.g. opiates,
barbiturates alcohol. These drugs produce a feeling of well-being called euphoria.
The addicts continue taking drugs for the following reasons:
1. At first for its medicinal use.
2. To satisfy curiosity about the drug effect.
3. To have new thrilling or dangerous experiences.
4. To relax from stress and strain.
5. To escape from reality and have a dreamy state.
Experience achieved by the addict under the influence of drug is so impressive that he
develops a craving for the drug and finds it difficult to give it up. Hence, the drug is called
masterful drug. The exact mechanism of drug dependence is not known but change in cellular
metabolism of CNS is an important factor in the development of drug dependence. The other
systems may become tolerant to the drug but only CNS is capable of developing dependence.

4. Habituation
•Habituation: It is a pattern of
repeated drug usage, although
the actual physical need for the
drug is minimal.

5. Difference Between Drug Dependence and
Drug Habituation

6. Drug Abuse
•Drug abuse: It is the persistent or
sporadic, excessive use of drugs,
inconsistent with or unrelated to
medical practice. Drug abuse goes well
beyond mere misuse of drugs.

7. Classification of Drug Abuse
(1) CNS depressants: e.g. Alcohol, Barbiturates, Non-barbiturate,
Sedatives and Tranquillizers.
(2) CNS stimulants: Amphetamine, Cocaine, Tobacco.
(3) Narcotics: Heroin, morphine, opium, codeine, pethidine,
methadone.
(4) Hallucinogens: Marhihuana (Cannabis), LSD, mescaline,
phencyclidine.
(5) Volatile inhalants: Benzene, Acetone, Petrol, Trichloroethylene.