Very Dangerous Drug example essay topic

1,143 words
Alana Holly Health 12234 Period 2 Drug Research Paper Methaqualone, is also referred to as Disco Biscuits, Down And Dirties, Jekyll-and-Hyde, Joe Fridays, Lemmon 714, Lemons, Lennon's, Lovers, Lures, Mandies, Mandrake, Q, Qua, Quack, Quad, Quaalude's, So aper, Supper, Vitamin Q, The Love Drug, Wall bangers, Whore Pills, and Sopor. This list of street names for the drug goes on and on. Methaqualones were first introduced in India in 1955. This drug was then sent to Europe and Japan as a safe barbiturate substitute. By 1965 it had become the most commonly prescribed sedative in England. It was also at this time that it was gaining popularity as a street drug, under the names Mandies or Mandrake.

It was introduced to the United States in 1972, and soon after became the sixth best selling sedative on the market. This drug was being used to help short term management of insomnia, as a hypnotic and was also used as a sedative. In 1984 the marketing of Methaqualone pharmaceutical products stopped in the United States. Methaqualone was now considered a Schedule I drug in many other countries as well as the United States. Methaqualone was first produced in a laboratory, since it is considered a synthetic drug. It is usually taken in pill form, however it can also me injected.

The drug is usually seen as brown, gray or black tacky powder, or as tablets or capsules. Before it was considered a Schedule I drug, Methaqualone was used to relieve tension, and mental stress and anxiety, but now that it is a Schedule I drug, it does not have any current accepted medical use. The reason why this drug is being used on the street is because it has what the user would consider positive effects. These effects include a feeling of euphoria, relaxation, horny ness, and sleepiness. These things happen when a small does of the drug is consumed. Long term affects of taking this drug include a higher tolerance so the user must take more and more to reach their high.

By doing this the user becomes dependent on the drug and can experience withdrawal symptoms if they are taken off it. Other long term effects include reduced heart rate, reduced respiration and reduced muscle coordination. There are some side effects for taking Methaqualone. They mostly occur when the user takes high doses of the drug.

They include things such as depression, irrational behavior, poor reflexes and slurred speech. If a person overdoses on Methaqualone, they may experience problems such as Delirium, coma, restlessness, , hyper tonia, myo clonus, convulsions, tachycardia, cardiac and hepatic damage, and bleeding, vomiting, and renal insufficiency. If you take this drug during your pregnancy you could have your baby early, or your child could have severe birth defects such as organ deformities as well as physical deformities. Also when your baby is born it is now addicted to Methaqualone and must go through the detoxification process. Methaqualone is a very dangerous drug. When the drug is combined with alcohol, the combination can be lethal.

This does not stop people however. It is most common to mix this drug with alcohol, when this happens it's known as lu ding. As with any drug, after awhile you can develop a very high tolerance for it. Methaqualone is dangerous for the user, especially if it is used daily.

The user will continually try to get the same effects as the first time they did the drug. By doing this they must take higher and higher doses to reach it. This can lead to the user becoming addicted to the drug. This is very dangerous.

Usually users who take over 600 mrs a day are most likely to become addicted within the time period of just a few weeks. If the user becomes addicted and is unable to take the drug, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include restlessness, irritability, antisocial behavior, insomnia, headache, mild tremors, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, and muscle twitches. In severe cases the withdrawal symptoms may include mental confusion, delirium, nightmares, hallucinations, high fever, epileptic-like seizures that can lead to death, and severe cravings for the drug.

There are many signs and symptoms that show that a person is abusing Methaqualone. If they are constantly getting high off of it, and taking larger doses each time that is a warning sign. If their doses exceeds 600 milligrams per day, that is another sign. If the user begins to experience withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, loss of appetite, hallucinations, and epileptic-like seizures then you should seek treatment and help of them immediately. There are many treatments for people with a Methaqualone addiction. First of all, this is a very powerful drug, so the user will not be able to quit the habit without being hospitalized.

The doctors will substitute barbiturates for the Methaqualone, and then treated the user fro barbiturate addiction and withdrawal. Once the patient is treated, they would then be sent to a center for substance abuse to help them recover from there hospital stay and get them ready to reenter society. Methaqualone is used most by college students. They mix it with alcohol which is known as "lu ding". In a study taken of what kinds of drugs are being used in the work place, Methaqualone was not used at all.

Other drugs such as Marijuana were used almost sixty-five percent of the time. This shows that the drug is not very commonly used. Methaqualone is an illegal drug. It is considered a schedule I drug which means it has no current accepted medical use and that it has a high potential for abuse.

Some other drugs in the Schedule I category is Heroin, LSD and Marijuana. As you can see, Methaqualone is a very dangerous drug. It is also highly addicting and is very dangerous. If someone you know is taking this drug, try to get them to seek treatment immediately.

It can lead to serious long term problems, and even in most cases, death. While staying away from Methaqualone is a good thing, the best thing to do is to stay away from all drugs, unless prescribed by your doctor. Remember, "Being Drug Free, is the way to be". Recreational Drugs Information. 1999.23 December 2004. web Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes. "Methaqualone".

2004.22 December 2004. web 1998-10- 01 1 page 019. html Drug Text. "Methaqualone". 14 November 2004.22 December 2004. web.