Methods_of_Drug_Use

Methods of drug use Drug addiction is an illness that many people face every day. They are compulsive drug seekers that cannot control their cravings. It affects the way your brain functions, including learning, memory, and behavior. Pharmokinetics which is the process by which a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated, is another factor for drug abusers. There are certain elements when using drugs. The way they enter your body (route), how fast it reaches the brain, and a certain attraction for nerve cells and neurotransmitters. The more rapidly a psychoactive drug reaches its target in the central nervous system, the greater its reinforcing effect. Although it is the person’s choice to take the drugs, the drugs most often take over the person. In many cases drug abusers are not particular in the way they use drugs, especially in emergencies. If they don’t have the syringes to inject the drug, they use foil to inhale it. If they can’t find foil then they sniff or smoke it. There are many methods that drug abusers use to get their “high”. One method of choice is inhaling, which is quicker than any other method. The smoke enters the lungs and is absorbed by the capillaries of the bronchi and only takes seven to ten seconds to enter the brain. Another name for this method is “chasing the dragon.” This method is used for freebase coke, crack, cocaine, speedballs, and heroin. Even though inhaling is safer than injecting and reduces the risk for HIV it can still cause lung damage. Injecting is another method that drug abusers use. By using a syringe they inject heroin, speed, cocaine, and methamphetamine intravenously (directly into the bloodstream), intramuscularly (into muscle mass), and subcutaneously (under the skin). The drug of choice is usually placed on a spoon or bottom of a cut soda can. It’s then dissolved in water and acid and then heated. It is then put into a syringe and injected into a vein. It takes 15-30 seconds intravenously and 3-5 minutes intramuscularly/subcutaneously to feel the effects. Although injecting gives you that more intense “rush,” it can cause abscesses if the syringe or injection site is not sterilized. If you don’t properly dissolve cocaine in water, it can leave lumps which sometimes cause blood clots and blocked veins. Absorption into the mucous membrane or “snorting” is usually used for coke, speed, heroin, and methamphetamine in powder form. The powder is laid in a line then by using a straw is snorted through the nose. It is then absorbed by the capillaries. The effect of the drug is felt within minutes but wears off faster. It could also cause nosebleeds, headaches, infections of the airways, and loss of smell or taste. There is also a risk of getting Hepatitis C. Contact absorption is a method that is used when you apply an adhesive patch saturated with the drug to your skin. This method allows a certain amount of the drug to be absorbed over a period of time. Some forms of this method are Nicotine patches which help smokers stop smoking, Fentanyl patches for pain, and Clonidine to reduce blood pressure. Some drug addicts will lick the patches to feel that “rush” but they could easily overdose and even death could occur. Eating, swallowing, and drinking are all forms of oral ingestion. It passes through the esophagus and stomach to the small intestine where it’s absorbed into the capillaries enmeshed in the intestinal wall. When using this method it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to feel the effects of the drug. Cannabis is usually eaten in brownies or “space cakes” and is considered healthier than smoking it. The absorption is so slow that many people are at risk of overdosing. Swallowing is used for speed, ecstasy, LSD, sleeping pills, and much more. Although pills are easy to take, without testing them, you don’t know what substances they contain. Drinking alcohol, methadone, or even mushrooms in tea are other methods of oral ingestion. Even though alcohol is accepted socially, if used in excess it could cause cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, and esophagus. Liquid methadone contains a lot of sugar which in the long run could destroy your teeth. Over time studies have shown that the use of psychoactive drugs are not only hereditary but more of an environmental influence.