PHAR 300 Final: Psychoactive compounds

• School: McGill University
• Department: Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Course: PHAR 300
• Professor: Edith Zorychta

Document Summary

Recreational substance use: use of a substance (usually occasionally) for its psychoactive effects. Substance misuse: using a prescribed drug in a way it is not intended to be used (ex: using someone else"s prescription, using the wrong dose) According to studies, 10. 1% of the american population 12 years and older reported using illicit substances in the month preceding the survey. Marijuana was the most common drug, followed by prescription pain relievers, prescription tranquilizers, cocaine, prescription stimulants, hallucinogens, etc. In addition to this, 50% of the population uses alcohol and 25% of the population are smokers. Sud occurs when drug use leads to severe adverse consequences on health and integration into society. Individuals with sud often need to be treated for overdose and need to go to detox/rehab. Detox is used to treat physical dependence and usually requires gradually reducing doses. Maintenance therapy is using drugs such as methadone to reduce cravings and dependence symptoms.