Is the drug a stimulant or depressant?

Caffeine, probably the most widely used drug affects the psychological state of those who consume it. Abuse results in symptoms of caffeinism which include agitation, disorientation and a syndrome which may be mistaken for anxiety/neurosis. It is a habit-forming drug in which tolerance develops. It affects sleep in a dose related manner which is dependent on the daily caffeine intake, i.e., high users have less effect. Its central nervous system stimulation can cause pleasant effects with improved attention and concentration at lower doses. At high doses, the reverse may occur. Used judiciously, it may be a useful therapy in the treatment of hyperkinetic children.

Caffeine is a chemical found in many different plants from all over the world, and it is a stimulant, which means that it speeds up the brain and nervous system.
Caffeine is found in:

• the coffee bean, originally from Arabia
• the tea leaf from China
• the kola nut from West Africa
• the cocoa bean from Mexico
• the ilex plant from Brazil
• the Cassina (or Christmas berry tree) from North America.

* These plants are now grown in many other places in the world. Extracts from these plants are used in many foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, chocolate and cola-flavoured drinks.

Is the drug physically active?

How is the drug taken?

What are the street names for the drug?

Street names:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Soda
• Chocolate
• The Caf
• Bathroom Express
• Piss Maker
• Harry The C
• Poppers
• Rush
• Ram
• Liquid Gold
• TNT
• RockHard
• Kix

What drug are you researching?

I'm researching the drug, caffeine.

How many different classes of drugs are there and what are their names?

There are seven different classes of drugs and their names are:

• opium
• cocaine
• cannabis
• LSD
• PCP
• amphetamines
• barbiturates
• hallucinogens

What is an addiction? What does this mean? How do people become addicted?

"Substance dependence When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. This, along with Substance Abuse are considered Substance Use Disorders..."

In medical terminology, addiction is a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence.

A bit of history...

When this substance is suddenly removed, it will cause withdrawal, a characteristic set of signs and symptoms. The term 'addiction' was first used in 1906, in reference to opium (although there is an isolated instance recorded from 1779, refering to tobacco). The first use of the adjective 'addict' (with the meaning of 'delivered, devoted') was in 1529 and comes from the Latin addictus, pp. of addicere ('deliver, yield, devote,' from ad-, 'to' + dicere, 'say, declare').[1]

DRUG ADDICTION

Drug addiction is widely considered a pathological state.

TERM USAGE
However, common usuage of the term addiction has spread to include a wider range of meanings, including ones asociated with psychological dependence. It is used to describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individual's health, mental state or social life.

"Addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over use of the substance, preoccupation with the substance, use of the substance despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking."

HOW DO PEOPLE BECOME ADDICTED?

Why do people abuse drugs?

THE MOST COMMON REASONS
There are many reasons why people use illegal drugs, curiosity is possible the most common. There are other possibilities:

• To avoid feeling bored - some may think that drug taking is daring and exciting.
• Peer pressure, to join in with others and belong to a ‘special’ group.
• To feel more self confident.
• As an escape from problems at home and school, or as an escape from outside pressures.
• To relax and ‘feel good’.
• Ease of access to drugs.
• Some medications, such as sleeping pills and painkillers, are physically addictive.

MEDIA & COMMUNICATION

Illegal drugs!? Yes. They are illegal and some are even used in advertisements on TV, magazines, newspapers or even the radio however, the portrayal of illegal drugs in plays, films and availability of them on the internet can affect or change people's opinions about drugs in general.

Advertisements may promote drinking or smoking as a social activity or link use to the achievement of success; magazine and TV advertisements may also promote use of over-the-counter medications as treatments for minor ailments; characters in plays or films may provide models for healthy or unhealthy substance use; the Internet provides access to information on drugs through sources ranging from government public awareness materials to "how to" manuals advising on the illegal use or manufacture of drugs.

CURIOSITY

Since curiosity is a natural aspect of human behavior, it is not surprising or shocking that most of the drug abusers are youngsters, tempted to experiment with either legal or illegal drugs. Also, these days, although there are advertisements and billboards on the streets which exemplify not to cooperate and abuse drugs, there are always bad friends who are taking drugs and trouble occurs.

CELEBRATION

It is also important to consider the religious and cultural aspects too as drugs might be used in a celebration, family occasion or as a religious/cultural practice.

EMOTIONAL PRESSURE

Another concept or idea of why people abuse drugs are probably because of emotional pressure. There are many people in this world who abuse drugs to relieve various amounts of emotional issues such as stress, anger, depression or even boredom. Some drugs can even be used for boosting self-confidence.

PEER PRESSURE

This is one of the biggest issues in the world as peers are your peers, but they can be dangerous. There are many people who feel social pressure on consumption of alcohol or any type of drugs. Sometimes, for example, there is always a social group who want to look cool and accept only people who will smoke, creating isolations amongst others who don't smoke.

What parts of the brain are affected by drugs? By your drug?

THE HUMAN BRAIN

It is important to know that drugs can change or alter important brain areas which are essential for life-sustaining functions and could change addiction from the compulsive drug abuse which is the step to addiction.

Brain areas which are affected by drug abuse is:

• The brain stem- this is the basic functional control to critical life such as heart rate, breathing and sleeping.


• The limbic system- this system contains the brain's rewards, it links or connects together for brain structures which regulate our ability to feel pleasure.
• Feeling pleasure motivates us to repeat behaviors such as eating - actions that are critical to our existence.
• The limbic system is activated when we perform these activities - and also by drugs of abuse. In addition, the limbic system is responsible for our perception of other emotions, both positive and negative, which explains the mood-altering properties of many drugs. The cerebral cortex is divided into areas that control specific functions. Different areas process information from our senses, enabling us to see, feel, hear, and taste. The front part of the cortex, the frontal cortex or forebrain, is the thinking center of the brain; it powers our ability to think, plan, solve problems, and make decisions.