Why People Use Drugs

Drugs are use by different people for different reasons some of which are;

Ø Drugs can be used in the treatment and prevention of disease.

Ø To relieve physical or mental symptoms

Ø To replace a  deficient natural substance ( such as hormone)

Ø Drugs are given to destroy foreign organism such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses

Ø To stimulate the body immune systems e.g. vaccines administered by vaccination or immunization

Ø To induce sleep

Ø To alter mood, relieve tension or stressful situations or pains

Ø To increase endurance level

Ø For utilitarian motive i.e. for pleasurable effects on the mind and love.( Oletu, 2005 )

2.5     Classification of Drugs

A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition, according to 0letu (2005), drugs can be classified into two broad headings:

1.    Medicinal Drugs: these are drugs that are used for the treatment of  diseases, these drugs include:

Ø Antipsychotic Drugs  This drug is effective in treating the positive symptoms of psychosis such as delusions, hallucinations, bizarre behavior and patients with schizophrenia, they contains risks / side effects which can be destructive as a result, it has to be well monitored.. The high dosage and side effects of these drugs can lead to dry mouth and throat, sore muscles and joints, sexual impotence, heavy sedation and muscle tremors. These drugs do control the symptoms but they do not cure the disorders.

Ø Antidepressant Drugs: these drugs are used to cheer up the moods of people feeling depressed. It worked very well but it was later found to have some side effect such as; dizziness, liver damage, sexual impotence, raised blood pressure and other things.  These drugs require a strict diet and carefully monitored dosages in order to have their effect.

Ø  Anti-anxiety Drugs (or tranquilizers): these drugs are used to reduce the felt presence of anxiety.). Anti-anxiety drugs affect mostly the central nervous system their impact is very good. They help people to feel less anxious, Their effect does not last long as a result people tend to rely on them and become addicted to them, that is the only danger of  the drug. These tranquilizers have helped schizophrenic patients to return to a more or less normal life. They can also remove the schizophrenic's hallucinations and delusions. 

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