Drug Use: History, Reasons for Use, Evolution, and Impact on Society

Drugs, whether they are depressants, stimulants, opioids, psychedelics or any other category are have been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. While the history of drug use spans back to Stone Age humans, the psychological reasons and effects of abuse are detrimental to the minds and bodies of people, especially young people whose brains are still developing. In fact, drugs have such a negative impact on society that governments around the world have banned or restricted use to reduce the effects of drug use and abuse.

Marking the exact date that drug use began is difficult since humankind began experimenting with psychotropic drugs, opium, marijuana, and other plant-derived drugs before written records were kept and their reasons for use were varied. The recorded history of drug use is known as far back as 2500 BCE in the mentioning of opium and psychotropic drugs in the texts of ancient civilizations. Opium had been grown in China and spread to the Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans during this time and was originally used for stomach complaints, although there are also records of “opium houses” where people smoked opium recreationally (Public Broadcasting Service). Drugs are also mentioned in almost every culture’s stories, myths, and legends. In fact, there is archeological evidence of drug use from the Stone Age, such as mortar and pestles, which were used to prepare psychotropic drugs, although the purpose for their use is not clear yet- although archeologists suggest it was spiritual (Wynne-Jones, 2008). Much later, in 1600s United States, the Jamestown settlers planted marijuana for the purpose of growing hemp fiber for rope and fabrics and there are signs that some individuals smoked it in the form of hashish (PBS). It is worthwhile to examine the earliest drug use and their reasons for use to help understand the evolution of drug use throughout the centuries.

Psychotropic drugs, or drugs that are mind-altering, have the longest presence in human history, dating back to the early hominid humans 200 million years ago (Saah, 2005) although there are many types of drugs used throughout history. However, there is not always clear evidence as to why the drugs were being used, whether it was medicinal, spiritual or recreational. The history continues 40,000 years ago where evidence of nicotine use, during the era of European colonialism in Australia. In a separate region 13,000 years ago the use of betel nut has been recorded in Timor and, later, Thailand, (Saah, 2005) the drug use spreading as countries explored and conquered different regions. About 5,000 years ago there are records of cocaine use in Ecuador and the drug began spreading into North America (Saah, 2005). However, while there is documentation of drug use among ancient people for different reasons, there are few records of widespread abuse.

While ancient and historic cultures have used drugs for recreational, social or medical reasons the biggest change in drugs themselves is that modern refining processes have made drugs much more powerful and addictive as well as lead to the development of new drugs. The unprocessed drugs are less addictive because it is less concentrated (Gerald, 2013). Laborers in South America, for example, may chew leaves of the coca plant with few negative repercussions but refined cocaine is extremely potent and has a higher risk of abuse (Gerald, 2013). This isn’t to say that the users aren’t addicted to the coca plant; they do suffer withdrawal symptoms when they don’t take it. However, the symptoms are more like nicotine withdrawal symptoms and lead to shaky hands and irritation than cocaine withdrawal symptoms which can be so severe that they can lead to death (WebMD). While humans may have used drugs for many years, there have been some changes in not only the types of drugs used but the reasons that they use them.

The use of drugs also has a major impact on the user’s emotions are different in historical drug use than modern drug use. When an ancient user took psychoactive drugs, he or she had an increased feeling of happiness and, therefore, an increased feeling of fitness akin to how this individual would feel if he or she had successfully foraged for food (Saah, 2005). This means that ancient people only used drugs to enhance performance and would not continue to use the drug if it meant negative evolutionary effects. For example, if an individual used a drug that had negative consequences (seizures or extended periods of withdrawal symptoms), there is a good chance that this individual would not continue to use the drug because of the possible impact it may have on survival. As society changed, the use of drugs also changed.

In modern times, most people do not have to hunt or scramble to survive and drugs may still be used, even if the user is negative for the individual’s survival. Drug use has also changed in that modern individuals seek out drugs not to simply feel euphoric (like the ancient people) but rather to block negative emotions (Saah, 2005; Nesse, 1997). This change in drug use means that users may become dependent on drugs and their emotional systems are “concentrated on drug-seeking rather than survival” (Saah, 2005). This means that without the need to struggle to survive, the users instead just focus solely on obtaining drugs since they are not expected to hunt or build shelter.

There are several psychological reasons that people use drugs: to feel the sense of euphoria, to self-medicate for emotional issues, to enhance physical or mental performance and because of peer pressure. Some drugs, such as cocaine and other stimulants make users feel “high” while other drugs make them feel more relaxed. For other people, they use drugs to self-medicate; meaning that people feel lonely, depressed or anxious may use pain killers to numb their feelings or cope with problems. In the athletic or academic arena, some drug users reach for steroids or performance-enhancing drugs to make them stronger or for improving their focus for studying. Some users even use drugs because they are curious or because of peer pressure. Wanting to fit into a group of friends isn’t uncommon but some people, especially adolescents, feel they will not be accepted unless they join into the risky behavior (Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction). However, there are many dangers in using drugs for any reason since the brain can be permanently altered.

Drug use can be dangerous for people of all life stages since the chemicals can permanently and irreversibly impact the brain. This is especially true of children who are still undergoing development, such as children and teenagers. Teenagers are undergoing important changes in their brain maturation in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is responsible for decision making and impulse control so any damage to this part of the brain can lead to a lifetime of problems (Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction). The parts of the brain that are impacted by drug use are the brain stem, the limbic system, and the cerebral cortex. The brain stem is responsible for providing the body’s basic functions and drugs can affect this and make the user’s heart rate and breathing faster as well as alter sleep patterns. The limbic system is the part of the brain that moderates needs and desires so when drugs are introduced, this system is disrupted and the brain begins to crave the pleasure that drugs bring. The cerebral cortex is the sensory and problem-solving part of the brain making the user feel, see, hear and taste with more intensity but reducing the ability to make good decisions.

Drug use of any kind can potentially be dangerous to the health of the user and leads to many health problems. While most drugs can lead to fatal overdoses, the biggest threat of drug use is actually the decisions that are made relating to drugs; including how to get drugs (or raise money to buy drugs), the possibility of overdose, and the possibility of unsafe behavior (sexual, legal, etc.) while high on drugs (WebMD). The withdrawal symptoms are also hazardous, and with some drugs, the symptoms are so intense, that the user can die from them if they do not seek medical treatment. Addiction itself can also be dangerous, as people will often break the law or engage in unsafe activities to raise the money needed to buy drugs (WebMD). For example, there are cases of people robbing banks or convenience stores to feed their addiction and some abusers even resort to prostitution (Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction). Drug use and abuse are also very expensive for the legal, medical, and rehabilitation systems which must provide care for users when things go wrong and the courts must charge and prosecute drug users.

The impact of drug use on society has been recorded since governments have made drug productions, sale and use illegal. A 1992 study by Harwood, Fountain & Livermore found the global cost of drug addiction was $294 billion, a quarter of this cost being healthcare costs for treatment and drug-related ailments. Nearly half of the cost in this study was because of costs relating to death, a decrease in work-related financial income, and incarceration. Even though governments and groups have launched programs to guide people to avoid using drugs in the first place, the number and cost of hospitalizations and incarcerations are steadily increasing (Harwood, Fountain & Livermore, 1992). While the exact causes of these increases are unknown, researchers and governments have been trying to discover the causes in hopes of finding a solution to the problem of drug use and abuse.

Some drugs have connections to medicine and have been traditionally used and some have purposes in medicine but the social and recreational use of modern drugs can be dangerous since the drugs are more potent and have a higher risk of addiction. In conclusion, while drug use has been a part of human society and culture since the very beginning of history, the changes and impact in drug use have an extremely expensive and detrimental effect on society.

References

Cocaine Use and Its Effects. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved November 18, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/cocaine-use-and-its-effects

"Drug use around the world." Gale. Cengage, n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. <http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/samples/sp65756X.pdf>.

"Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction." Drugs and the Brain. Drug Enforcement Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain>.

Gerald, Michael. "Drugs throughout history." Discover Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. <http://discovermagazine.com/galleries/2013/august/drugs-throughout-history#.UoqZDnBjt8E>.

Harwood, Henrick, Douglas Fountain, and Gina Livermore. "Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the United States, 1992." NCJRS 7 (1998): Abstract. National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

Public Broadcasting System. "Frontline: Social History of Drugs." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/socialhistory.html>.

Saah, Tammy. "The evolutionary origins and significance of drug addiction." US National Library of Medicine 2.8 (2005): n. pag. National Institute of Health. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

Wynne-Jones, Jonathan. "Stone Age man took drugs, say scientists." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 19 Oct. 2008. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3225729/Stone-Age-man-took-drugs-say-scientists.html>.

Speaking Notes

Introduction: Drug use has been around since the beginning of time; even Stone Age man may have used hallucinogenic drugs. In history, there have been medicinal, social and recreational uses of drugs and many reasons why users decide to use them. However, in modern times, there are some major differences in both the drugs themselves and the reasons that people use them.

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Conclusion

Some drugs have connections to medicine and have been traditionally used and some have purposes in medicine but the social and recreational use of modern drugs can be dangerous since the drugs are more potent and have a higher risk of addiction. In conclusion, while drug use has been a part of human society and culture since the very beginning of history, the changes and impact in drug use have an extremely expensive and detrimental effect on society.