scholarly journals The dialectics of heroin and methadone in Ireland

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
A. Jamie Saris
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Heroin Addiction ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Dialectical Relationship

In this paper, I reflect on two of my intertwined research interests. The first is my professional engagement with researching drug use and abuse in Ireland, especially heroin addiction, in applied ethnographic projects, generally answering a specific set of questions on how services for ‘drug addiction’ work. My second interest is the historical construction of ‘addiction’ and the discursive intersections that produce various kinds of power, subjects, and techniques around this concept. I find the dialectical relationship between heroin and methadone in Ireland, especially the emergence of heroin ‘injecting rooms’, as a window into how drugs are social things. Drugs and the bodies who take them live in complex moral worlds, not as inert objects surrounded by abstract human creations. These worlds are an integral part of how ‘addiction’ works and how drugs treating addiction are actually used. Without a deeper understanding of such complexities we will continue to miss key issues in the lives of people we hope to help.

Structural and Functional State of Erythrocyte Membranes at Drug Addiction

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
A.I. Rabadanova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Functional State ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Fluorescence Analysis ◽  
Heroin Addiction ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Erythrocyte Membranes ◽  
Drug Addicts

The steady growth in the number of drug addicts, especially among young people, dictates the need to find ways to prevent and treat this disease. In this regard, there is a need for a more detailed study of the mechanisms of the course of this disease using modern research methods, such as atomic force microscopy and fluorescence analysis of amino acid residues. Purpose of the work: to reveal the structural and functional state of erythrocyte membranes in drug addiction. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out on the erythrocyte membranes of 60 subjects suffering from heroin addiction. The shape and topography of the erythrocyte surface were studied, and spectral analysis of the proteins of the erythrocyte membranes was carried out. Results. The conducted AFM studies of erythrocyte membranes indicate the heterogeneity of the surface mechanical properties of the erythrocyte membranes of drug addicts. The data obtained indicate an acceleration of the aging process of erythrocytes in drug addiction, which goes in two ways: the formation of outgrowths on the plasmolemma, which subsequently die off (echinocytes) and invagination of the plasmolemma of erythrocytes (spherocytes). The fluorescence spectrum of amino acids in erythrocytes of drug addicts is characterized by a significant decrease in the intensity of almost all peaks and a shift of the fluorescence peak to the short-wave region. Findings. With drug addiction, changes in the structural integrity of red blood cells are noted. In people with drug addiction, in comparison with healthy people, there is a higher variability of the morphology of erythrocytes, which is expressed in a significant increase in the proportion of echinocytes and spherocytes against the background of a significant decrease in the number of discocytes. For the membrane proteins of erythrocytes of drug addicts, conformational changes are characteristic, manifested in a decrease in the intensity of fluorescence of aromatic amino acids, which indicates their structural modification and significant vulnerability of the hematopoietic system. They are largely determined by changes in the fluorescence intensity of tryptophan and, to a lesser extent, tyrosine, which indicates the preservation of the three-dimensional structure of the protein.

scholarly journals Understanding Substance Abuse and its Correlation with Social Changes in Sikkim: A Sociological Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Peter Rai
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries

<p>In contemporary society, the full-fledged impact of modernisation and globalisation which has given the free movement of people, goods and money across the countries of the world can be witnessed. This has also opened the economic opportunities among the individuals and communities in the society, which has become a new way of life. Society has changed over the years and activities of the people have also undergone social change. Even the trend of taking drugs has changed with change in society. Traditionally used drugs have been replaced by modern synthetic drugs. The proliferation of pharmaceutical industries, which manufactures narcotic drugs, has, directly and indirectly, encouraged the use and abuse of drugs due to easy access in the market. The epidemic of illicit drug users in the global society has increased significantly and simultaneously related crimes in society. </p><p>Drug abuse is global phenomena. A drug is a biological substance, synthetic or natural, which is taken primarily for non-dietary needs, and it is a substance, which affects the functioning of the mind and body or both. Globally, according to UNODC estimate, in 2009, between 149 and 272 million people, or 3.3% to 6.1% of the population aged 15-64, had used illicit substance once in the previous year. Cannabis and ATS (Amphetamine-type stimulants) are two important drugs which are commonly used worldwide. Within Asia, ATS ranks as the main drug of abuse in Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea and the Philippines, and also China, Myanmar and Indonesia are in the second rank (UNODC, 2004). Heroin, cocaine and other drugs kill around 0.2 million people each year and also causes health problems with incurable diseases. The European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) defines the problem of drug use as, “injecting drug use or long duration regular use of opium, cocaine and amphetamines”. World Health Organisation (WHO), defines drug addiction as a ‘disease,’ and the American Psychiatric Association, define drug abuse as the ‘illicit consumption of any naturally occurring of pharmaceutical substance for the purpose of changing the way, in which a person feels, thinks or behaves, without understanding or taking into consideration the damaging physical and mental side-effects that are caused.'</p>

The Legislative Response to Alcoholism and Drug Addiction in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-107
Author(s):  
J. Larry Goff
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Americans With Disabilities Act ◽  
Rehabilitation Act Of 1973 ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
Alcohol And Drugs ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Reasonable Accommodations

The Americans With Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990 and became law on July 26, 1992. It represents the latest Congressional effort to provide protection against discrimination in the workplace to people with disabilities, giving them more access to employment opportunities for which they are qualified and which they can perform and imposing requirements on employers to help facilitate this through reasonable accommodations. The act also amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, extending the coverage of that earlier legislation to include more employers as covered entities as well as clarifying selected sections. For those who use or are addicted to alcohol or drugs, treatment under both acts has been uneven. The 1973 legislation was silent about these individuals except for an exclusionary provision dealing with current use vis-à-vis job performance and threats to the safety of other people and property. The Americans With Disabilities Act is more comprehensive in its approach both to individuals who use alcohol and drugs and to those who use them addictively. It has, however, still left some open questions and created some new concerns. The purpose of this article is to review the highlights of the Americans With Disabilities Act as it relates to alcohol and drug use and to explore some of the unresolved issues.

An Analysis of the Criminogenic Effects of Terminating the Supplemental Security Income Impairment Category for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 391-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Swartz ◽  
Zoran Martinovich ◽  
Paul Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Property Crime ◽  
Supplemental Security Income ◽  
Moderate Increase ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Treatment Access ◽  
Reported Crime

This study examined the criminogenic effects of terminating the Supplemental Security Income program for drug addiction and alcoholism. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze self-reported crime, economic, and drug-use data collected as part of a two-year multisite study with five interview waves from 1,640 former DA&As. The primary independent variables examined included subjects’ replacement of lost SSI benefits legally or through re qualification under another disability category and their weekly use of heroin and/or cocaine. The study found that failure to replace lost cash benefits resulted in a moderate increase in crime, particularly drug and property crime, that peaked two years after loss of benefits. Heroin and cocaine use were also related to criminality, though the magnitude of this effect was greatest at six months after loss of benefits. The study also found a relationship between drug use and loss of benefits, suggesting that the federal legislation has created a crime-prone residual population of drug users with limited treatment access.

Methadone Maintenance in the Treatment of Narcotics Addiction

1991 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Tommasello
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Treatment Approach ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Heroin Addiction ◽  
Admission Criteria ◽  
Narcotics Anonymous ◽  
Needle Sharing ◽  
Heroin Addicts ◽  
Degree Of Stability

Despite numerous studies documenting its success, methadone maintenance is an often misunderstood and frequently maligned treatment approach for heroin addiction. By taking 40 to 60 mg of methadone orally every day, heroin addicts are able to achieve a degree of stability in their lives allowing them to pursue productive goals while decreasing risky behaviors such as needle sharing and street drug use. Strict admission criteria for methadone maintenance are spelled out in Food and Drug Administration regulations, and those ineligible for methadone maintenance must avail themselves of other forms of treatment. The emergence of Narcotics Anonymous is an encouraging development for heroin addicts who achieve abstinence through a variety of new pharmacotherapeutic options.

The Psychopathology of Drug Addiction: A Review

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Cancrini
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Drug Abusers ◽  
Acting Out ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Type D ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Hiv Infection Prevention ◽  
Type C

The psychopathology of drug addiction is reviewed. Empirical research data on a time span of more than twelve years are presented. The data support a four-type-based classification of drug abusers, and the family structure underlining such personality types is analyzed. Clinical cases are presented. Type A addicts (adjustment disorders) present an evident relation between the external event, psychic trauma, and drug-abusing behavior. Type B (neurotic disorders) have a tendency to reduce internal anxiety by drug abuse, and their personal problems may be covered by drug use. Type C (psychosis and borderline) are an heterogeneous group, where often drug use can create a intense experience of inner freedom. Type D (sociopathic personality disorders) often express their psychic conflicts by means of serious acting-out, and come from families were “nonexistent” marriages were established. Intervention in public health services is examined, as well as the evolution of the addiction depending on the typology. The special cases of information on HIV infection prevention and overdose risk are also evaluated. It is concluded that the typology of drug addicts may shed light on prevention and therapy, whereas more specific therapeutic programs are needed.

Junkie Work, “Hustles” and Social Status among Heroin Addicts

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Biernacki
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
General Relationship ◽  
Heroin Addiction ◽  
Rehabilitation Center ◽  
Heroin Addicts

Although the general relationship between heroin addiction and criminal behavior is widely acknowledged, little is known about how addicts come to engage in particular types of crime. This paper presents a detailed description and analysis of the criminal activities reported by 1,248 narcotic addicts who had been committed to the California Rehabilitation Center for drug addiction. The study findings confirm the general relationship between addiction and crime. However, the data also shows that addicts often come to concentrate their hustling efforts in particular types of crime—that is, most addicts develop a main hustle. The findings also suggest that the process of selecting a particular hustle might be a more considered one than priorly believed. In addition, the study shows the main hustles of addicts to be closely related to their feelings of self-esteem. The relative sense of worth that addicts have about themselves appears to be a reflection of how social status is differentially attributed in the heroin world.

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