246 million; this is the number of people aged between 15 and 64 years old estimated to have used an illicit drug in 2013 (World Drug Report 2015, 2015). This alarming statistic becomes even further disturbing when considering that 27 million people: more than 1 out of 10 drug users is a drug dependent. Drug abuse has many damaging consequences not only for the individual, but also for the society as a whole. The harm of a substance misuse is known by many however, some still acknowledge that substance use disorder is a disease that explicitly affects one’s brain and behavior (Branch, 2011). This belief is the result of decades of misconception about the nature of addiction. Nonetheless, decades of scientific studies on this matter have come
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To this day, the substantial consequences and nature of this disease, are still unknown to many.
The estimated worldwide number of drug users is colossal : 246 million. This tremendous statistic represents 1 out of 20 people between the ages of 15 and 64 years old (World Drug Report 2015, 2015). From a public health perspective, substance abuse has long been a source of major concern, both for the individual’s health and for society as a whole. According to the United Nation Office for Drugs and Crime, worldwide drug abuse has remained relatively stable considering the global population increase. Regardless of these very concerning estimates, some still believe that people addicted to drugs are simply lacking of willpower. However, modern scientific findings about the functioning of drugs in the brain contrasted the belief of this moral failing in drug users (Waraich, 2005). Researchers have observed that regarding the type drug, the process of becoming dependent remains sensitively the same. Nonetheless, a basic understand of the concept of drug tolerance is crucial for the comprehension of the nature of drug dependence. Essentially, the concept of drug …show more content…
Nonetheless, scientists agree that drug abuse changes one’s brain chemistry. Moreover, like with most chronic diseases, the longer the use of a drug is, the more consequences there will be. For instance, cannabis, a drug that is mainly consumed as marijuana, impairs cognitive and behavioral functions., affects the ability to focus and might also increase heart rate and decreases blood pressure. When cannabis is smoked, it is absorbed bloodstream very fast and consequently, reaches the brain within seconds. Shortly after the consumption of small doses, a feeling of relaxation will arise. However, high doses can create hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, anxiety and even paranoia. Nonetheless, its chronic use leads to an increased probability of developing complex medical issues such as lungs, mouth or throat cancer (Magí, 2003). Furthermore, despites its illegal status in many countries, marijuana is widely use for recreational purposes and mainly appreciated for its hallucinogenic effects. Nonetheless, it has significant and very concerning consequences on brain development especially among youth population. Despites the fact that marijuana smokers a more likely to consume less marijuana than they cigarette smokers consume tobacco, the vast majority inhale deeper and hold the smoke much longer than they would normally hold the smoke of tabacco . Consequently, its exposure
To this day, the substantial consequences and nature of this disease, are still unknown to many.
The estimated worldwide number of drug users is colossal : 246 million. This tremendous statistic represents 1 out of 20 people between the ages of 15 and 64 years old (World Drug Report 2015, 2015). From a public health perspective, substance abuse has long been a source of major concern, both for the individual’s health and for society as a whole. According to the United Nation Office for Drugs and Crime, worldwide drug abuse has remained relatively stable considering the global population increase. Regardless of these very concerning estimates, some still believe that people addicted to drugs are simply lacking of willpower. However, modern scientific findings about the functioning of drugs in the brain contrasted the belief of this moral failing in drug users (Waraich, 2005). Researchers have observed that regarding the type drug, the process of becoming dependent remains sensitively the same. Nonetheless, a basic understand of the concept of drug tolerance is crucial for the comprehension of the nature of drug dependence. Essentially, the concept of drug …show more content…
Nonetheless, scientists agree that drug abuse changes one’s brain chemistry. Moreover, like with most chronic diseases, the longer the use of a drug is, the more consequences there will be. For instance, cannabis, a drug that is mainly consumed as marijuana, impairs cognitive and behavioral functions., affects the ability to focus and might also increase heart rate and decreases blood pressure. When cannabis is smoked, it is absorbed bloodstream very fast and consequently, reaches the brain within seconds. Shortly after the consumption of small doses, a feeling of relaxation will arise. However, high doses can create hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, anxiety and even paranoia. Nonetheless, its chronic use leads to an increased probability of developing complex medical issues such as lungs, mouth or throat cancer (Magí, 2003). Furthermore, despites its illegal status in many countries, marijuana is widely use for recreational purposes and mainly appreciated for its hallucinogenic effects. Nonetheless, it has significant and very concerning consequences on brain development especially among youth population. Despites the fact that marijuana smokers a more likely to consume less marijuana than they cigarette smokers consume tobacco, the vast majority inhale deeper and hold the smoke much longer than they would normally hold the smoke of tabacco . Consequently, its exposure