Morphine
At present, various policy-makers and medical workers take several steps in order to minimize the unauthorized access and use of morphine. Moreover, they try to prevent people from becoming addicted to this drug. For example, healthcare professionals attempt to raise people’s awareness about the risks of abusing substances containing morphine. Secondly, much attention is paid to the regulations governing the storage, transportation, and consumption of this drug. These are the main precautions that are currently taken by the state.
Overall, morphine is widely used for medical purposes; in particular, it is used to treat chronic pain. In many cases, this drug can be applied to help patients suffering from cancer. Additionally, morphine is prescribed to patients with pulmonary edema (Field 126). Therefore, there are legal uses of this substance, and it is widely produced today.
Among the short-term psychological effects of morphine, one can distinguish the feeling of euphoria and decreased sense of anxiety or panic. In contrast, the long-term impacts of morphine are cognitive impairment, especially the deterioration of memory. Moreover, people who are addicted to morphine can develop such disorders as anxiety, depression, and mood swings. In turn, the physiological effects can be divided into two groups. In the short-term, this drug can cause constipation, drowsiness, nausea, and impairments of breathing (Berger 173; Hawthorne 110). The long-term effects of this drug include addiction and hormone imbalances. So, morphine can profoundly undermine the health of an individual. These are some of the main risks that should be taken into account.
One should bear in mind that morphine has a very strong potential for addiction. This is one of the reasons why the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) pays close attention to it. Currently, this drug is included by FDA in Schedule II. This schedule incorporates substances that can lead to severe psychological and physical addiction. Moreover, it includes drugs that are often used for medical purposes. To a great extent, morphine has the characteristics which are necessary for inclusion into this list.
Among the main users of morphine, one can distinguish people who need to alleviate pain (Spanagel 49). As it has been said before, this drug is often required by cancer patients. These individuals do not abuse this drug. Yet, there are many people who misuse morphine and eventually become addicted to it. They can represent different social, ethnic, or racial groups. Morphine can often be called morphia or morpho. Furthermore, there are many substances containing morphine. They are known under such names as speedball, Blue Morphine, and many others. These slang names indicate that morphine is widely used for illegal purposes.
There are different treatment strategies that can help patients suffering from addiction to morphine. For example, one can speak about opioid replacement therapy involving the use of methadone. Additionally, such patients often require the psychological assistance of counselors. This is why they can join twelve-step programs that can help them overcome dependence on this drug and avoid the risks of relapse.
Overall, I can say that morphine poses a significant threat to the health of many people in the United States. More importantly, patients who are addicted to this drug run the risk of relapse, even after detoxification (Spanagel 49). This is why the use of morphine should be regulated with the help of legal norms. These are the main arguments that can be put forward.
Diazepam
Diazepam, which is also known as valium, can be widely used and abused in the United States and many other countries. In order to minimize the abuse of this substance, medical workers usually restrict access to this drug. Moreover, they inform patients about the possible impacts of diazepam abuse and the pitfalls that should be avoided. This drug is often applied for medical purposes. For instance, it can significantly benefit patients suffering from insomnia and anxiety. Moreover, this drug is necessary for the treatment of status epilepticus, multiple sclerosis, or a stroke. Furthermore, this drug is of great value to people who try to overcome their dependence on alcohol (Rosenberg 491). These are the major applications of diazepam.
Among the short-term psychological effects of the drug, one can distinguish the feeling of euphoria; however, after a short while, this drug results in anxiety and irritation. Thus, the behavior of a person can change profoundly. In the long-term, diazepam can contribute to a person’s depression. Finally, it is necessary to consider the psychological dependence on this drug because this addiction can significantly impair the health of an individual. This is one of the details that should not be disregarded.
There are some physiological effects produced by diazepam in the short term. For example, one can speak about increased heart rate and fever (Fish 46). Moreover, in the long-term, the organism can become tolerant to this substance. Additionally, in some cases, diazepam can cause insomnia. Apart from that, abuse of diazepam can make a person more irritant. These are the main impacts of this drug.
One can say that this drug can lead only to psychological addiction. Currently, this drug is included in the Schedule Four of FDA (Kost 111). The substances included in this section can be addictive; nevertheless, their aftereffects are not as severe as the impacts of opioids. Moreover, diazepam is included in the list of controlled substances. Therefore, one cannot easily access it. These are the main details that can be distinguished.
There are many people who consume this drug. As has been noted before, diazepam can help patients suffering from alcoholism, insomnia, anxiety, and so forth. These people do not abuse this drug. In turn, there are many individuals who take diazepam for non-medical purposes. Much attention should be paid to the needs of people who try to use it as a substitute for alcohol (Pagliaro 180). Additionally, people who suffer from depression can also become addicted to this drug. These are the main at risk-groups that can be identified, and this information should guide the work of medical workers.
Among the slang names of diazepam, one can single out tranqs, forget pills, or Beez. Thus, one can argue that this substance becomes more widespread. The treatment of diazepam includes predominantly psychological therapy. Yet, alternative medications are not offered to a patient because they can only impair the physical state of this individual.
In my view, the risks related to diazepam should not be overlooked by healthcare professionals and regulators because long-term addiction to diazepam can result in significant complications such as depressions and sleep impairments. Therefore, its use should be regulated by the state. These are the main points that can be made.
Works Cited
Berger, Ann. Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology, New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007. Print.
Field, John. The Textbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care and CPR, New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009. Print.
Fish, Richard. Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals, Boston: Academic Press, 2011. Print.
Hawthorne, Fran. Inside the FDA: The Business and Politics Behind the Drugs We Take and the Food We Eat, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print.
Kost, Michael. Moderate Sedation/analgesia: Core Competencies for Practice, Boston: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2004. Print.
Pagliaro, Louis. Psychologists’ Psychotropic Drug Reference, New York: Psychology Press, 1999. Print.
Rosenberg, David. Pocket Guide For The Textbook Of Pharmacotherapy For Child And Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders, New York: Routledge, 2013. Print.
Spanagel, Rainer. Drugs for Relapse Prevention of Alcoholism, New York: Springer, 2006. Print.