Chapter 40: Drug Dependence and Drug Abuse

Hallucinogen

an inaccurate label generally applied to a certain group of drugs that produce visual illusions, sensory-perceptual distortions, synesthesias, depersonalization, and derealisation.

LSD

It was first prepared by Stoll and Hofmann in 1938, its discovery was an outgrowth of their search for the pharmacologically active derivative of ergot.

Hallucinogens

________ are though habit forming, addiction is rare.

Ergot

a biological product of the fungus Claviceps purpurea, a parasite of cereal grain.

LSD

________ is the most potent and widely abused hallucinogen.

Hallucinogen

an inaccurate label generally applied to a certain group of drugs that produce visual illusions, sensory-perceptual distortions, synesthesias, depersonalization, and derealisation

Ergot

a biological product of the fungus Claviceps purpurea, a parasite of cereal grain

Bad trips

It is defined as the adverse effects experienced by a person on consuming LSD

Drug dependence

a psychic and physical state of the person characterized by behavioural and other responses resulting in a compulsion to take a drug, on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its psychic effect and at times to avoid the discomfort of its absence

Drug addiction

a state of periodic or chronic intoxication harmful to the individual and to society resulting from repeated consumption of a drug such as opium and its derivatives, pethidine, cannabis, heroin, alcohol, barbiturates, cocaine, LSD, amphetamine, chloral hydrates, etc

Drug habituation

a condition resulting from repeated consumption of a drug, which produces a psychological or emotional dependency on the drug such as caffeine, nicotine, etc

Drug Abuse

improper use of a therapeutic or nontherapeutic drug, which may or may not be harmful, even in absence of addiction constitutes drug abuse

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

It is synthesized from rye ergot. It is tasteless, odorless and the most potent hallucinogen in minute doses. These can be supplied illicitly on sugar cubes, though it is available in the form of pills of varying colors, sizes, and shapes and also in ampoules.

Mescaline

• It is also derived from peyotol plants.

• It is in the form of a crystalline powder.

• It can be dissolved in water or taken in capsules.

• It is not as potent as LSD, acts same as peyote.

Peyote

• It is obtained from a variety of cactus (peyotol) plants.

• The toxic principle is present in its button shaped growth of the plant. They are just rolled into balls and kept in capsules. Rarely it may be placed in hot tea and served

  • It is not as potent as LSD.

Bad trips

It is defined as the adverse effects experienced by a person on consuming LSD.

Organic Solvents

These are used for deliberate inhalation for their psychotropic and hallucinogenic effect. The usual way in which these are used is, by placing some of the solvent in a plastic bag and holding the open end over the nose and mouth.

Drug dependence

a psychic and physical state of the person characterized by behavioural and other responses resulting in a compulsion to take a drug, on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its psychic effect and at times to avoid the discomfort of its absence.

Drug addiction

a state of periodic or chronic intoxication harmful to the individual and to society resulting from repeated consumption of a drug such as opium and its derivatives, pethidine, cannabis, heroin, alcohol, barbiturates, cocaine, LSD, amphetamine, chloral hydrates, etc.

Drug habituation

a condition resulting from repeated consumption of a drug, which produces a psychological or emotional dependency on the drug such as caffeine, nicotine, etc.

Drug Abuse

improper use of a therapeutic or nontherapeutic drug, which may or may not be harmful, even in absence of addiction constitutes drug abuse.