Susceptibility to drug addiction depends on genetic and environmental factors and their complex interactions. Studies with mammalian models have identified molecular targets, neurochemical systems, and brain regions that mediate some of the addictive properties of abused drugs. Yet, our understanding of how the primary effects of drugs lead to addiction remains incomplete. Recently, researchers...

Relationships between sexual abuse and sexual risk, substance use, emotional distress, and conduct problems were examined among 190 runaways. Those who had been abused were significantly more likely than nonabused peers to engage in unprotected sex, have more sexual partners, and use alcohol and drugs, but did not differ in emotional distress. Those abused after age 13 were more often engaged i...

Several factors may affect the validity and outcome of urine testing for abused drugs such as amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, ethanol, opiates, and phencyclidine. Urine is used for large-scale testing because acquisition of the sample is noninvasive and because most abused drugs can be detected in urine for a reasonable duration after ingestion. Urine testing...

Although psychoactive drugs are commonly used by AIDS patients, it is unclear whether commonly abused drugs, such as cocaine and ethanol, affect the course of HIV-associated dementia (HADC). Epidemiological studies have resulted in conflicting conclusions as to what role, if any, abused drugs play in HADC. In this review we discuss the clinical and pathological evidence that cocaine and ethanol...

Drug abuse has become a major social problem of the modern world and majority of these abusive drugs or their metabolites are excreted through the kidneys and, thus, the renal complications of these drugs are very common. Morphine, heroin, cocaine, nicotine and alcohol are the most commonly abused drugs, and their use is associated with various types of renal toxicity. The renal complications i...

Drug dependence is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by neurobiological changes that lead to a compulsion to take a drug with loss of control over drug intake. Abused drugs (cannabinoids, opioids, ethanol, nicotine and psychostimulants) by interacting with various neural pathways in brain induces pleasant state and responsible for relapses. All abused drugs have common property o...

Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of drug addiction. While there are still many unanswered questions about the basic mechanisms of acupuncture, some evidence exists to suggest that acupuncture can play an important role in reducing reinforcing effects of abused drugs. The purpose of this article is to critically review these da...

www.ums.ac.uk deals with commonly used and abused drugs. They describe socially acceptable drugs such as alcohol, nicotine and caffeine; abused prescription drugs, such as steroids and analgesics and sedatives; and illicit substances, such as, Ecstasy, cocaine and hallucinogens. The drugs are discussed in terms of pharmacological class, common slang names, pharmacological effect (“The Buzz”), r...

drug abuse is considered as the most common poisoning in the world. stimulants agent especially amphetamines and methamphetamines are among important abused substances. different types of neurologic, psychiatric, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiogenic complications have been reported to be related to methamphetamine consumption. some of these substances could cause dysrhythmias which is...