Question

Certain drugs when taken for a prolonged period cause addiction. Discuss the cause, withdrawal symptoms and prevention of addiction due to any one drug.

Answer 1

1. Cause of Addiction: Heroin is an opioid drug derived chemically from morphine, extracted from the poppy plant. It acts on the central nervous system by binding to specific opioid receptors. This produces a potent depressant effect on body functions and induces a sense of euphoria. The repeated use of heroin leads to physical and psychological dependence, i.e., addiction. Over time, the body becomes used to the drug’s presence and requires it to function normally.
2. Withdrawal Symptoms: When a heroin addict suddenly stops taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms appear due to the body’s dependence. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, shivering, twitching, excessive perspiration, and severe abdominal and muscle cramps. With appropriate medical treatment, these symptoms gradually subside over a few days, and the body returns to normal functioning.
3. Prevention of Addiction:
   • Educating adolescents and the general public about the harmful effects and risks of drug addiction.
   • Proper parental care and monitoring, especially during adolescence, a vulnerable phase for experimentation.
   • Encouraging social, moral, and cultural values to reduce the tendency to use drugs as an escape from life’s difficulties.
   • Support programs involving counseling and treatment for those at risk or already dependent.
   • Avoiding easy availability of drugs like heroin and controlling their illegal trade.

Thus, addiction arises from the drug’s effects on the central nervous system, causing dependence; withdrawal symptoms cause physical distress, and prevention depends largely on education, social support, and limiting drug access.