Drug Abuse And Vitamin Deficiency

Drug abuse is related to taking of a performance enhancing drug or a psychoactive drug for a non-medical purpose. The drugs most associated with abuse are amphetamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cocaine, opium alkaloids and methaqualone. Drug abuse often leads to criminal penalty apart from psychological, social and physical harm. Abuse of drugs can make the body vitamin deficient. Vitamins are certain organic substances that are the catalysts in the body's metabolic processes. Neither calories nor energy are directly supplied to the body by vitamins. Their working is much more subtle in the sense that they ensure smooth running of metabolism.

People who consume a balanced and nutritious diet do not need vitamin supplements. All types of vitamins are present in ample quantities in the green vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs and sea food that we consume on a daily basis. Vitamin supplements are for those who are on low-calorie diets, take certain medications or indulge in some kind of drug abuse like consuming too much drugs or alcohol.

Drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana, opium and Phencyclidine are some of the most abused drugs in the world. Their effects vary from person to person but one thing is sure — they lead to the destruction of the body as well as mind. Most of these drugs are potent stimulant of the nervous system. Extensive substance abuse leads to the body being vitamin deficient.

The effects of any kind of drug vary depending upon what kind of drug is taken, how often it is taken, how much is taken and what food or other drugs are being taken at the same time. Drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana, opium and Phencyclidine are some of the most abused drugs in the world. These drugs are potent stimulant of the nervous system. Extensive substance abuse leads to the body losing essential vitamins and nutrients.

Korsakoff's syndrome or psychosis occurs due to a deficiency of thiamine or vitamin B1 in the brain. Among the major symptoms of this syndrome are anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, apathy, lack of insight and confabulation. Other symptoms include tremors, ataxia, paralysis of eye muscles and coma. Chronic alcoholism is the main reason behind the occurrence of Korsakoff's syndrome. Alcohol inflames the stomach lining and leads to thiamine deficiency.

To treat this disease the deficient vitamin needs to be replaced. It can be done by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Proper nutrition is equally necessary. Recovery from this disease is very slow and may not be complete. The best way to avoid this syndrome is to desist from taking in excess alcohol. Even if one takes in thiamine and continues to drink excessively, the occurrence of the disease won't be prevented. Alcohol makes the body resistant to vitamins.

Some medications, toxins or chemicals can lead to vitamin deficiency. It is best to consult a doctor before opting for any over-the-counter drugs, supplements or alternative treatments. Many commonly prescribed drugs have been found to induce vitamin deficiency in the body. Among them are oral contraceptives, anti-diabetes medicine, anti-hypertensive or blood pressure lowering drug, anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen and aspirin, cholesterol-lowering drugs and many antibiotics.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 09/05/2009, 4:59 PM
• 0 Comments