History Of Drug Abuse

Use and abuse of dug is as old as mankind itself. Human beings, since long before, have always had a desire to eat or drink substances that make them feel relaxed, stimulated, or euphoric. The start of farming history about 6000 B.C. and the later discovery of fermentation were very closely followed by the production of alcohol. Drug abuse by the younger and teenagers is very common, which can lead to disastrous consequences in the future.

A large proportion of morality in people between 15 and 24 are reportedly connected in some way or the other to drug or alcohol abuse. Such abuse of drugs also leads to violent criminal acts, such as assault, murder or rape. Some young or teenage people also abuse drugs to overcome their mental depression and anxiety. If a young member of a family suddenly starts behaving in some sort of aberrant manner or tries to keep aloof from other family members, others have some reasons to be suspicious. Physical signs and symptoms like nagging cough, red eyes, and changes in eating and sleeping habits should also serve as warning signals. A young kid or a teenager with a family history of drug abuse and a lack of social skills can move rapidly from the level of experimentation to grave abuse or dependency.

Some other young people or teenagers, who have no exact family history of such abuse, may also reach the level of utter dependency. Although any prediction in this case is almost impossible, teenagers with a strong family history of alcohol or drug abuse should especially abstain and refrain from experimenting. Gradually home remedies for the drug addiction were discovered and used to alleviate aches, pains and other ailments. Most of these preparations for drug abuse were roots, herbs, mushrooms or fungi. They had to be rubbed on the skin, drunk, eaten, or inhaled to achieve the desired effect. These types of addictives were all naturally occurring substances. No refinement had actually been occurred, and isolation of specific compounds (drugs) had not taken place.

Certain of these preparations of drug abuse were discovered to produce euphoria, exaltation, and trance-like states. Many of these addictives were used in religious rites. Drugs also were used to see visions or gain insights; to dull the pain of ritual mutilation in initiation ceremonies; to enhance the strength and pain resistance of warriors to prepare them for battle, or to program them to kill; as pain or hunger suppressants; to help cope with thin air at high altitudes; to relax during celebrations etc. By present standards, the historical use of herbal preparations of addictives was not too harmful and they became so only after mankind learned to increase the potency and effects of these substances.

It is likely the first drug to have its strength developed was alcohol, through the discovery of distillation. The strongest naturally occurring strong alcohol preparation was homemade wine, in which the alcohol level could reach a high of about 14-16 % by volume. It was found that by distillation process of the alcohol into spirits such as rum, rye, scotch, gin or vodka, the potency could be more than doubled.

• Janny Raines
• 26/02/2009, 6:59 AM
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