Recreational Drugs Addiction, Withdrawal and its Impact on the body: A Literature Review
Mustafa Zaman, Aseel Aljeshi, Kuragamage Kuraga, Saif Bunni, Tonmoy Sarker, Aiza Kashif, Jyothsnaa Sathish, Hussien Abouzeid, Hamza Alouf, Jessarij Chinthamraks, Adhved Krishnan, Shaan Patker, Simone Talreja, Datta Pentapati
Medical Research Archives January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.18103/mra.v13i3.6295 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational drug use now involves opioids, hallucinogens, and cannabinoids, whose psychoactive properties can lead to addiction, withdrawal, and serious health complications. Cannabinoid addiction is linked to endocannabinoid system dysregulation, causing physical dependence, mental health issues, and cognitive impairment. Opioid abuse has become a public health emergency, with withdrawal marked by intense psychological and autonomic symptoms. Hallucinogens like LSD and PCP alter neurotransmission and can cause neurotoxicity, lasting perceptual abnormalities, and mental illness. Pharmacological treatments such as opioid agonists and cannabinoid receptor modulators show promise, but long-term recovery remains difficult. Comprehensive treatment combining pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and harm reduction is essential to reduce the global burden of recreational drug abuse.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Recreational drug Psychology Medicine Street drugs |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Recreational drug abuse leads to addiction, withdrawal, and health complications through mechanisms involving endocannabinoid dysregulation, opioid receptor activation, and altered neurotransmission by hallucinogens, requiring comprehensive treatment approaches. |
Abstract
The use of drugs for recreational purposes has changed dramatically, involving a variety of substances such as opioids, hallucinogens, and cannabinoids. Although these substances are often initially used for recreational purposes, their psychoactive properties can contribute to the development of addiction, withdrawal syndromes, and significant physical and mental health complications. The mechanisms behind addiction, symptoms of withdrawal, and the pathophysiology of frequently abused recreational drugs are all examined in this literature review. Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system is associated with cannabinoid addiction, which can result in physical dependence, mental health issues, and cognitive impairment. A public health emergency has been exacerbated by opioid abuse, and withdrawal is marked by intense psychological and autonomic symptoms. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and Phencyclidine (PCP) are examples of hallucinogens that change neurotransmission and can cause neurotoxicity, long-lasting perceptual abnormalities, and mental illnesses. Long-term recovery is still difficult to achieve, despite the promise of pharmacological treatments like opioid agonists and cannabinoid receptor modulators. To lessen the worldwide burden of recreational drug abuse, comprehensive treatment approaches that include pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and harm reduction techniques are essential.