Recreational drug dangers

Humans have been experimenting with body and mind-altering substances since the beginning of time. Many indigenous tribes still use them today in their rituals. However, potions and drugs extracted from plants are far less dangerous than the far more powerful synthetic chemical versions which are available today.

Some people are able to withstand the effects of drugs and come through virtually unscathed whilst others can be damaged for life. Unfortunately, peer pressure can often cause someone to persevere with drug taking even when they are suffering serious side effects. Ignoring these warnings can be dangerous and even fatal.

Any drug that is taken without moderation can have a lasting, and often irreversible, adverse effect. Psychiatric problems caused by some drugs can affect everyday life and become permanent and addiction to any drug is usually devastating and life limiting.

Dopamine cells die off over a person’s lifetime, and severe damage is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease causing a loss of control over movement and eventual paralysis. Heavy cocaine, ecstasy or MDMA use can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease after as little as 10 years.

Society and drugs

Banning drugs outright and punishing users, dealers and manufacturers with prison sentences has been the world’s government’s answer to this concern but it has not been a successful solution.  It is far too easy for young people to obtain virtually any drug they want especially with the increase in communication via the internet and mobile phones.

Education and strict regulation would work far better but changing a regime that has outlawed many recreational drugs for so many years is a huge undertaking. However, it must be done because the result of illegal drugs for millions of people is a devastated life caused by:

• Physical or mentally irreversible damage caused by taking unregulated drugs
• Being targeted by drug trafficking gangs and used and abused and unable to escape
• Being incarcerated in prison for their addiction which is, in fact, an illness not a crime

The hypocrisy of allowing, and even condoning, the use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine laden drinks or sugar but not the other, often far less harmful substances, does not make for a credible system of law and this confuses everyone especially the young and naive.

It has even become comically acceptable to see people drunk and out of control when it could not be farther from a joke if one considers the damage being done to that person’s body and mind.

Naivety, ignorance and poverty should not be punishable either. Many people turn to drugs when their lives are unbearably harsh. When lack of money and education causes boredom or discomfort drugs can be a cheap alternative escape.

Young people and drugs

It is natural for young people to want to experiment with life experiences and drugs are often part of this stage of growing up. Unfortunately, recreational drugs have become much stronger over the years and, as the brain and bones are still developing well into the 20’s, it is a potentially hazardous psychiatric and physical risk to take any powerful chemical drug before the age of 25-30 and even then, it is a dice with danger and can prove fatal for some.

Tackling the root cause by providing education, opportunity, hobbies, sports, jobs and adequate healthcare would eliminate the need for most young people to turn to drug taking. The abolition of Community Centres for youths in the UK has led to displacement and made the resulting unsupervised young an easy target for drug dealers.

Alcohol can also fuel drug taking. Young people are constantly putting themselves in very serious danger by taking drugs obtained from strangers and having unprotected sex whilst under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Young people should be educated about the damage they are doing to themselves especially in the long term and advised on alternatives to alcohol and drug binges

Not knowing what has been added to a drug is dangerous. Drug dealers try to increase profits by adding cheap toxic contaminants which can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys or brain and causing permanent damage to these vital organs.

Alternative options to taking drugs

• Take up a sport or hobby.
• Do some voluntary work for a local charity.
• Do some fundraising for a chosen charity like running a marathon or cycling.
• Travel and find work doing anything anywhere in the world. Once the first step is taken it will lead to more opportunities.
• Avoid people that do drugs or binge drink.

Stop and think how detrimental and upsetting it is to family and friends.

NOTE: Remember that when illegal drugs are purchased it perpetuates criminal activities and even terrorism.

Drugs and Parkinson’s disease

Unfortunately, there are many commonly prescribed medications and recreational drugs which can cause drug induced Parkinsonism which has all the same symptoms as Parkinson’s Disease. Any drug that blocks the action of dopamine (referred to as a dopamine antagonist) is likely to cause parkinsonism.

Recreational drugs especially ‘legal highs’ are often made with synthetic chemicals like desmethylprodine MPPP and MPTP. A breakdown product of these chemicals is capable of producing severe and permanent damage to the dopamine-containing cells in the basal ganglia of the brain which causes permanent Parkinsonism.

Toxicity due to substances such as carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, manganese, paraquat, mercury, hexane, rotenone and toluene as well as inhalant abuse can also cause permanent damage and lead to Parkinson’s disease.

Drugs and their dangers

Related subjects

• A-Z of hazards to health
• Brain and mental health disorders
• Medication dangers
• Nerve disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy

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