Definitions:


Drug Abuse
Drug Addiction
Drug Dependence
Drug Habit
Drug Tolerance
Drug Syndicate

2. Signs of Drug Abuse

3. Signs of Abuse of
   Specific Drugs

4. Hazards and
   Effects

6. Types:
   
   Depressants/Sedatives
   
   Narcotics
   Opium
   heroin
   Morphine
   Barbiturates
   Tranquillizers
   

   Stimulants
   
   Amphetamines
   Cocaine
   

   Hallucinogens
   
   Mescalene
   Marijuana
   LSD
   

7. Ecstacy

8. Other substances of
   Abuse

9. Teenagers and Drugs

10. Street Drugs

11. Drugs in the Elderly

12. Drugs in Sports

13. Abuse and Misuse of
    legal Drugs

14. Dependence on
    Analgesics

15. How to Recognize drug abuse
    and addiction

Dependence on Analgesics

The ideal analgesic (painkiller) would be one that furnishes sufficient pain relief, produces a minimum of unwanted side effects, acts promptly and over time with a minimal amount of sedation, prevents any tolerance from developing and is nonaddicting. Unfortunately, there is no ideal painkiller.

Individual needs determine the suitability and choice of the most appropriate drug, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Analgesics can be divided into addictive and non-addictive types. The first group includes the opiates (and opioids) such as morphine (and methadone); the second group includes non-opiods such as aspirin acetaminophen.

The strongest painkillers, although not always the most effective, are opiates and opioids. Opiates are narcotic drugs derived from opium, and opioids are synthetic narcotic substances with the same properties. Morphine, a frequently used opiate for the treatment of severe pain, is prescribed for only short periods because it is addictive. In the case of terminally ill persons who are in severe pain, there is no reason, other than the possibility of causing confusion or excessive sedation, to be concerned about the addictive property of morphine or other narcotics. The opiate codeine often is used in combination with other nonnarcotic drugs as a pain reliever and cough suppressant.

People most likely develop an addiction with the use of narcotic analgesics are those with chronic pain. To avoid developing a drug dependency or addiction, the treatment of chronic pain usually includes other therapies.

Symptoms of withdrawal from opiate abuse include diarrhea, depressed respiratory rate and blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, sweating, uncoordinated muscle movements, general weakness, body pain, insomnia, and intense drug craving. The withdrawal symptoms begin within 8 to 16 hours after last dose, which explains why some addicts wake every morning in mild withdrawal.