Psychological Element in Drug Use and Dependence Term Paper

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Psychological Element in Drug Use and Dependence

Placebo, the Latin term for "I will please," refers to the psychological positive response that a patient exhibits to a non-specific treatment. It is a purely psychological element, which arises out of the patient's trust in the physician, or the belief in the positive medicinal effects of the drug. Researcher Henry Beecher's famous study in 1955 showed that more than 30% of patients respond positively to a placebo. Since then, numerous studies that were focused on the effects of placebo have reported mixed results. The brain imaging study conducted by Leuchter, in 2002, revealed distinct patterns of cerebral blood flow as a response to placebo among depressed subjects. Similarly Evans (2004) reported that placebo effect was quite marked in medical conditions that involved acute phase response. (inflammtion, acute sensitivity, etc.). [Wikipedia] Since placebo trials report significant positive response (at least in one third of the subjects) it strongly suggests of the existence of psychological element in drug dependance.

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Drug action in general depends on the dosage, potency, drug interactions, metabolism and changes in the brain chemistry. [University of Waterloo] Drugs interfere with the homeostasis of the body and prolonged use creates long-term changes in the brain. Thus withdrawal symptoms manifest upon stoppage of drug use. The body tends to be accustomed to the presence of the drug and hence withdrawal as such leads to unmanageability of bodily functions, at least temporarily. (Withdrawal period). The levels of naturally occurring brain chemicals are modulated by drug usage, resulting in a situation where the brain is not able to respond normally upon withdrawal, as it is conditioned to the presence of the drug in the body. For example, patients under long-term use of anti-depressants have unusually increased levels of monoamine neurotransmitters. These changes in the brain and the….....

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