Welcome to Drug Test Fact.com
Synthetic Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Synthetic. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse
from: Drug Test FactPeople use drugs for a variety of reasons – mostly, though, to numb the pain of everyday life so they don’t have to face it. Eventually drug use turns to drug abuse and finally to drug addiction. Most people use the two terms interchangeably, but the truth is there is a difference between drug abuse and drug addiction.
Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate use of legal drugs. People who abuse drugs are using them to obtain a specific feeling – a “high” – that they can’t get from other substances. Often drug abuse is recreational with the drugs being used to loosen a person up and make them feel like they fit in with the crowd.
Drug addiction, on the other hand, is the uncontrollable use of drugs and the inability to stop using drugs in spite of health or social consequences. People with a drug addiction are physically and emotionally unable to stop using drugs. Their bodies have become used to having the drug in the system, and stopping the drug use brings about often painful physical and psychological symptoms.
Drug addiction does begin with drug abuse when an individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs, but addiction is not just "a lot of drug use." Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity.
At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into addiction, a chronic, relapsing illness. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves. Treatment is necessary to end this compulsive behavior.
Many people view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem. Parents, teens, older adults, and other members of the community tend to characterize people who take drugs as morally weak or as having criminal tendencies. They believe that drug abusers and addicts should be able to stop taking drugs if they are willing to change their behavior. This just isn’t true.
People from all walks of life abuse drugs and become addicted. We can start combating these problems if we educate ourselves and each other about drug abuse and drug addiction. It is an ever-growing epidemic that doesn’t have to take hold of people or society. Drug abuse and drug addiction can be stopped, but only if we start with education.
Synthetic News
Synthetic marijuana being delivered door to door in Eastern Idaho
Spice, a synthetic marijuana, is sweeping into Eastern Idaho.
Read more...Cities mimic Eau Claire on synthetic marijuana ordinance
Synthetic cannabinoids are sold under brand names including Spice. The marijuanalike substance was banned in Eau Claire Aug. 2, and now other regional cities are doing the same.
Read more...The public looks at synthetic biology -- cautiously
( Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies ) A new poll conducted by Hart Research Associates and the Synthetic Biology Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center finds that two-thirds of Americans think that synthetic biology should move forward, but with more research to study its possible effects on humans and the environment, while one-third support a ban until we better understand its implications ...
Read more...Synthetic derivative of Retinoic acid can induce cell death
Retinoic acid (RA), a natural derivative of vitamin A, is the basis of a number of treatments against cancer. Nevertheless, it has certain disadvantages, such as the possibility of the appearance of retinoic acid syndrome, present in 25 % of cases and which can lead to death. The development of 4-HPR, a synthetic derivative of RA, has meant a considerable advance due to its greater efficacy ...
Read more...Commissioners target synthetic pot
PORTER COUNTY -- The Porter County commissioners took the first step in making synthetic marijuana substitutes illegal in the county. On Tuesday, they passed a first vote to fine those selling smoking herbs infused with the synthetic THC called JWH-018. The fine would be up to $25,000 and those selling it would receive a court injunction against selling it. "This particular substance, it's kind ...
Read more...