alcohol abuse

alcohol abuse Adolescence begins with a period of rapid physical and sexual development called puberty to maturity at to years of age. Adolescence is also a highly dynamic period of psychological and social changes in individuals. Adolescents are vulnerable to group (peer) pressure and many youngsters are pushed into experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Proper education and guidance would enable youth to say no to drugs and alcohol and to follow a healthy life style. Alcohol is a psychoactive drug, which acts on the brain, affecting a person’s mind and behaviour. It is a depressant, which slows down the activity of the nervous system. The intake of certain drugs for a purpose other than their normal clinical use in an amount and frequency that impair one’s physical, physiological and psychological functions is called drug abuse . The drugs which are commonly abused include opioids, cannabinoids, coca-alkaloids, barbiturates, amphetamines and LSD . Opioids are drugs which bind to specific opioid receptors present in the central nervous system and intestinal tract . Heroin (smack) is chemically diacetyl morphine, which is white, odourless and bitter crystalline compound. It is obtained by acetylation of morphine, which is extracted from flowers of the poppy plant (Fig. . ) . Morphine is one of the strongest pain killer and is used during surgery. It is the most widely abused narcotic drug which acts as a depressant and slows down body functions. Fig. . Opium plant (poppy plant) Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals obtained from Cannabis sativa , the Indian hemp plant (Fig. . ). Natural cannabinoids are the main source of marijuana, ganja, hashish and charas. It interferes in the transport of the neurotransmitter, dopamine and has a potent stimulating action on the CNS, producing increased energy and a sense of euphoria. Group Drugs Effects Stimulants Amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine and tobacco Accelerates the activity of the brain Depressants Alcohol, Barbiturates, Tranquilizers Slows down the activity of the brain Narcotic/ Analgesics Opium, Morphine Act as depressants on the Central Nervous System Hallucinogens Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), Phencyclidine Distorts the way one sees, hears and feels Stimulants,