Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences .Addictive substances which when taken , have ability to change an individuals consciousness and modify perception , mood , thinking process , behaviour and mortar function, these substances are also called psychoactive substances , but not all substances acting on brain are addictive. Addictive substances primarily act on a particular area or a group of neurons in frontal region of mid brain which controls emotion, thinking, judgment and memory leading the individual to repeatedly administer the addictive or psychoactive substances that is drug seeking behavior.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmits signals and regulate countless functions and processes in our body from sleep to metabolism. Dopamine and serotine play an important role in the functioning of the brain. When a person use the particular addictive substances , depending upon the substances level of dopamine and serotonin starts increasing and moderate their functioning that can lead to lots of nervous conditions like Parkinson’s disease , tremors, ADHD, restless leg syndrome and schizophrenia .
FUNCTIONS OF DOPAMINE AND SEROTONIN
DOPAMINE – motivation , pleasure, euphoria, motor function , compulsion ,perseveration ,loss of interest
SEROTONIN – mood, memory , processing, sleep, cognation
COMMON TYPES OF ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES:
Alcohol, tranquilizers , solvents , barbiturates, cannabis, opium, heroine
EFFECTS OF ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES – It may be addictive or it may slow down the nervous system.
Makes people feel less anxious and more relaxed.
It slows down the physical reactions and cause sleepiness or unconsciousness.
A mixture of these can be dangerous because vital process like heart beat gets slows .
STIMULANTS – It include amphetamines, tobacco, cocaine, caffeine
EFFECTS – Speed up the bodies reaction .
It makes people feel more alert and less tired .
Caffeine is a common stimulants taken in higher doses , it causes nervous anxiety and paranoia ( being convinced the world is against you )
HALLUCINOGENS – cannabis, LSD , magic , mushrooms
EFFECTS – After how people experience what is going on around them under its influence .people may hear, see and think things that are not really happening.
People experiences very , just as dreams my or my not be pleasant.
PAIN KILLERS – opium, heroine, medicines that contain codeine
EFFECTS – it takes away pain as the name suggest , people stop reacting to physical pain or emotional worries, heroine is common pain killer.
DRUG ABUSE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
CHANGES IN PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Red eyes and running nose.
Frequent congestion and coughing
Pale face, circles under eyes
Spots and sores around the mouth
Lack of personal cleanliness.
Messy appearance
Smell of drugs on breath , clothes or body
Needle marks of bruises on lower arm, legs or bottom of feet
CHANGES IN SLEEPING AND EATING HABITS
Difficulty falling asleep ,Insomnia
Significant weight loss or gain.
Poor appetite and sudden appetite
CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR AND PERSONALITY
Abrupt changes in mood
Depression , I don’t care attitude
Lack of responsibility
For instance, not doing chores and work , forgetting family occasions.
Blaming , lying ,making excuses
Loss of memory
Shortened attention span
Disordered thought patterns
Withdrawal from family, isolation, secretiveness
Easily angered when confronted about drug abuse
CHANGES IN FRIENDS AND INTEREST
New or different friends, especially ones who use drugs
Friends really introduced or seldom come to the house.
More time spent in room or away from home
Secrecy about actions and possessions
Hobbies, sports or extracellular activities are given up , as everything seems boring .
RED FLAG BEHAVIOUR
Steals , run away from home , violent behaviour , threatens or attempt suicides
COPING UP WITH THE WARNING SIGNS
There are range of strategies you may find helpful in dealing with such signs . They may involve stress management , techniques and distraction activities such as –
reduce stress and stimulation
indulging in relaxing activities like exercising , playing sports , staying calm
use self talk , use a diversion like a distraction , meditation, watch tv , talk to someone, massage therapy
initiate social contact
do a reality check of the situation
Note people advice
Try some suppressive techniques, wear and flick a rubber band on your wrist
Seek assistance , tell someone like a friend or to a doctor
Think positively
Keep taking your medication
Get more sleep
Try to plan your day
Follow the action plan
SCOPE OF HOMEOPATHY IN DRUG DEPENDENT – CASES
Homeopathy is a unique science which is based on individualization which means , every person is different, his symptoms will be different , so well selected homeopathic remedy will be different for every individual.
IN CASE OF EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SUBSTANCE USED LIKE SEDATIVE , EUPHORIC , MEMORY LOSS , SENSUAL PERCEPTION , INCREASED SEXUAL DESIRE OR ACTIVITY, LACK OF CONCENTRATION, FORGETFULLNESS , CONFUSION, ANXIETY AND PARANOIA , CURSE AND SWEAR , EMPTY FEELING , ABSENT MINDED, PANIC ATTACK , DEPRESSION , MANIA etc can be addressed by homeopathy differentiating on the type of drug patient is taking .what is the mental state of the person, what is the dosage of the drug patient is taking the physical symptoms that is different and unique need to be considered and very importantly what is life history , past experiences and the causation why patient got influenced to take such addictive substances. Getting addictive to such drugs means there must be a weakness inside that invited the circumstances around the individual that provoked him to be addicted by such circumstances . In homeopathy we not only treat the upper layer of the disease that is – not just stopping the more addictive drugs and giving the substitute of less addictive substance, homeopathy puts a ray of light on what and how it stated and patients mind set of what they are getting out of this. As with the complete approach of mental, physical and physiological aspect homeopathy can play very important role in substance abuse cases as it acts on all the plane it focuses on complete treatment of an individual as a holistic system of medicine along with that strict change in dietary regimen , fasting therapy ( naturopathy ) , yoga, meditation, accudetox , family support, counselling for family and proper guidance for long time till the patient restores to normal healthy happy positive life.
So I request people who need help and who really want from the core of their heart and soul that they want to get rid of the drugs they need to make very strong decision with themselves that they have to STOP drugs rest WE ARE THERE TO HELP YOU.
About the Author:
DR SAHIL GUPTA.
BHMS,MD(AM),PG HOM.LONDON,PGDACG,PGDEMS,PGCDD(DRUGDEADDICTION)NISD,NEW DELHI.
Author is Homeopathic Addictionologist & Counsellor
Practising in Jammu.
Sahil.gupta123892@gmail.com
Dr.Sahil Gupta (+91-9018067072)
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