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11 - Drug use and drug dependence

from Section 2 - Psychiatric Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2009

By
Wayne Hall  and
Michael Farrell
Edited by
Robin M. Murray ,
Kenneth S. Kendler ,
Peter McGuffin ,
Simon Wessely  and
David J. Castle
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
King's College London
Kenneth S. Kendler
Affiliation:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Peter McGuffin
Affiliation:
University of Wales College of Medicine
Simon Wessely
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
David J. Castle
Affiliation:
University of Melbourne
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Summary

This chapter describes the major forms of drug use and dependence in developed countries, that is, cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine and heroin. It also presents the patterns of use, problems experienced by users and interventions to assist dependent users. Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug globally, with around 150 million users, or 3.7% of the world's population aged 15 years and older. Regular cannabis smoking impairs the functioning of the large airways and causes chronic bronchitis. After cannabis, cocaine is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in developed and developing societies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), amphetamines and methamphetamines are the most widely abused illicit drugs after cannabis, with an estimated 35 million users worldwide. Research in the United States indicates that dependent heroin users who seek treatment or come to attention through the legal system may continue to use heroin for decades.

Keywords

abnormalities of mental statedelusionsdepersonalisationderealisationmoodsspeech disorderemotionsfeelings
Type
Chapter
Information
Essential Psychiatry , pp. 230 - 249
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

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