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Drug Addiction

Further information on drugs

Addiction is primarily about altering the chemistry of the brain. There are numerous substances that will do this to great effect. To give some idea of the most common drugs associated with chemical dependence, the list below briefly examines their chemistry, effect and social impact.

The most widespread substances of misuse fall into four broad categories. These are:

Stimulants
Depressants (including alcohol)
Analgesics
Hallucinogens

Stimulants

Stimulants include cocaine and crack cocaine, amphetamines (speed) and amyl nitrate. Ecstasy (also known as MDMA) is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

Cocaine is generally sold as a salt which is soluble in water and can be injected.
Pure cocaine is a chemical base; a compound that combines with an acid (in this instance, hydrochloric acid) to form a salt. A relatively simple, but dangerous, process known as ‘freebasing’ can convert the salt into pure cocaine, known as freebase or crack.
Crack is not soluble in water and the relatively large crystals are usually smoked.
Cocaine in any form is a Class A drug. It is illegal to produce, supply or to possess it. It is also illegal to allow premises to be used for the supply, production or consumption of cocaine. Penalties are high.

Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine are collectively referred to as amphetamines. Their chemical properties and actions are very similar. These drugs stimulate the central nervous system, increasing activity in the brain.

Amphetamines are Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to produce, supply or possess them.

Nitrates are popular in clubs and as a sex drug, sometimes said to be used for its muscle relaxant properties, but more often for added stimulation at the time of orgasm. The purchase of Amyl nitrite is controlled but Butyl nitrite can be bought from sex and other speciality shops, or in clubs.
Amyl nitrite can only be issued by pharmacists, but it is not illegal to possess this drug.
Cocaine and crack cocaine interfere with the chemistry of the brain; amphetamine stimulates the release of adrenalin, whilst nitrate inhalants cause the blood vessels to dilate.

The most commonly misused stimulants are cocaine, crack cocaine and amphetamine.

Depressants

Depressants slow down the central nervous system. By far the most widely used depressant is alcohol, which is commonly acknowledged to be the most dangerous and widespread drug of abuse. It is ironic that if alcohol, a legal substance, were to arrive on the scene now, it would almost certainly be given the status of a ‘Class A’ illegal drug. Through the media, the public at large are aware of the nature of withdrawal from heroin, and the popular view is that it is a very uncomfortable experience. Unfortunately, little is shown about the far more serious effects of alcohol withdrawal. It is unusual for a withdrawing heroin addict to require hospitalisation, but an alcoholic should never contemplate stopping without the guidance of an understanding doctor. Please click on the following link to learn more about Alcohol.

Apart from alcohol, the two types of depressant most commonly open to misuse are barbiturates, such as Seconal and Nembutal, and benzodiazepines like Vallium and Mogodon.

Barbiturates were commonly misused in the 1950s and 1960s, but because of their addictive properties and association with suicides and accidental deaths, their legitimate medicinal use has been reduced significantly since the 1970s.
Barbiturates are Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to produce, supply or possess them.
Benzodiazepines have now become drugs of misuse. Vallium, Librium and Temazepam, the most commonly abused tranquillisers, are often taken with alcohol. These two types of drug amplify each other’s effect.
Benzodiazepines are classified as Class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is an offence to possess them without a doctor's prescription or to supply them to another person. However, if Temazepam is illicitly prepared for injection, then it becomes a Class A drug under the 1971 Act. Penalties for possession and/or supply of Class A drugs are very high.

Analgesics

Analgesics are chemicals that provide relief from pain. Paracetamol and aspirin are examples of mild analgesics.

Painkillers that are far more powerful are derived from the fruit of the opium poppy Papaver somniferum. These include heroin, morphine and codeine.
Heroin is a Class A drug. It is illegal to supply or possess it and penalties for doing so are high.

Drugs similar to heroin, such as morphine, opium, methadone, dipapanone and pethidine, are also Class A drugs. Codeine and dihydrocodeine (DF118) are Class B drugs unless they are prepared for injection, when they become Class A drugs.
Some synthetic analgesics are also powerful and subject to misuse. These include methadone, physeptone, diconal, pethidine and palfium.

Methadone is a Class A drug, and it is only legal for a person to possess it if it has been prescribed for that individual. If the prescription specifies drinking the methadone syrup within the dispensing clinic or pharmacy, possession of the drug outside of those premises would constitute an offence of unlawful possession.
The maximum sentence for unlawful possession of methadone is 7 years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The maximum sentence for supplying methadone (including giving some to a friend) is life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the UK, with up to 3 million consumers per year. It is most commonly smoked.
Cannabis is now a Class C drug. It was reclassified in January 2004.
It is illegal to grow, produce, supply or possess cannabis, except under special UK Home Office licence. It is also an offence to allow premises to be used for growing, producing, supplying or using cannabis.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are unique in that they do not have any legal medical application and are therefore all drugs of misuse.

The most common hallucinogens are LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), ecstasy and psilocybin (magic mushrooms)

LSD and ecstasy are Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to produce, supply or possess them. In the eyes of the law the offence of supply can be committed by giving a single dose to another person.

Conclusion

Taken individually or together, the psychological and physical effects of these substances can present a very serious problem to the addict. The impression often given by the media is of withdrawal being the whole picture. Recovery from chemical dependence is a long-term prospect involving a detailed review of the addict’s beliefs and attitudes. Given the right help, this process can be a voyage of discovery into a new and meaningful life.

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