Abstract

Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Drug addiction is associated with impairment in various aspects of physical, psychological and socio-occupational functioning. Drug addiction is a growing problem in India and the world. The global problem of addiction and drug abuse is responsible for millions of deaths and HIV cases. The use of the term Addiction has now been dropped from the scientific literature because of its derogatory connotation and instead the use of Substance use disorder is preferred. Drugs are any chemical substances that affect physical, mental, emotional or behavioural states of an individual. Drug abuse, a form of substance use disorder is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amount or with method which are harmful. The pattern of substance use and substance use related syndrome can be described as, Substance intoxication is a reversible, substance-specific syndrome due to the recent ingestion of a substance of abuse. Signs of intoxication often include confusion, impaired judgment, inattention, and impaired motor and spatial skills.

Keywords: Cognitive symptoms; Psychoactive substance; Stimulants; Dopamine receptors; Amphetamine; Muscle strength