HINDUSTAN INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOL, PADUR
(Affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education,
New Delhi Affiliation No:1931031, School Code: 55940)

GRADE - XII
BIOLOGY PROJECT REPORT

SUBMITTED BY

ASHWINI A J

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 DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project report entitled DRUG ADDICTION submitted
by ASHWINI A J of grade XII ‘Science’ with Roll No.__________________
for the AISSCE - 2022- 23 at Hindustan International School, Padur has been
examined. This report is checked by the Practical External/Internal Examiner on
___________________.

Signature of Internal Examiner Signature of External Examiner

Signature of Principal

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 DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deep sense of honour and gratitude to my project

guide Ms. Lavanya, for guiding and mentoring me through the course of the
project. She always evinced keen interest in my work. Her constructive advice
and constant motivation have been responsible for the successful completion of
this project.

My sincere regards go to our respected Principal, Ms. Susan George for

extending every possible support for the completion of this project.

I also extend my obligation to my Parents for their motivation and support. I

must thank my classmates for their timely help and support in the completion of
this project.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank all those who helped me directly or
indirectly towards the successful completion of this project.

Ashwini A J

Grade XII

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 INDEX
S NO. TOPIC PG NO.

1. Introduction 5

2. Pharmacology of Drugs 7

3. Neurobiology of Addiction 9

4. Neuroadaptive Changes in the Brain 11

5. Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain and Body 12

6. Co-occurring Disorders 14

7. Environmental and Behavioral Factors 16

8. Treatment Approaches 18

9. Case Studies 20

10. Conclusion 21

11. Bibliography 22

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 INTRODUCTION
What are drugs?

A drug is a chemical substance that alters the function of cells, tissues, or

organs in the body when introduced into it.

In biology, drugs are chemical substances that interact with specific

targets within the body to produce a physiological effect. These effects
can range from altering biochemical processes at the cellular level to
influencing the function of organs and systems within an organism. Drugs
can be natural or synthetic and are often used for therapeutic, diagnostic,
or recreational purposes.

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Significances of studying drug addiction:

People with addiction lose control over their actions. They crave and seek
out drugs, alcohol, or other substances no matter what the cost—even at
the risk of damaging friendships, hurting family, or losing jobs.

The understanding of drug addiction informs effective prevention,

treatment, and policy strategies, crucial for mitigating health risks and
improving outcomes for individuals affected by addiction.

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 PHARMACOLOGY OF DRUGS

Pharmacology is the study of the nature, effects and uses of drugs. The
basic processes that pharmacology studies include how drugs get into the
body, what they do in the body, how they do it, and the ways in which the
body breaks down and gets rid of them. In other words, how a drug
interacts with the body and how the body interacts with the drug.

In this paper we will be focusing on Psychoactive drugs. Psychoactive

drugs are chemical substances that, when taken, affect how the brain
works, and changes thinking, mood, and behaviour.

Categories of drugs and their Mechanism of Action:

In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action (MOA) refers to the

specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces
its pharmacological effect. A mechanism of action usually includes
mention of the specific molecular targets to which the drug binds, such as
an enzyme or receptor.

Psychoactive drugs can be categorized into several groups based on how

they affect the brain:

- Depressants:

Slow down brain function and lead to calmness or drowsiness.

Depressants include alcohol, opioids (e.g., heroin, fentanyl,
oxycodone, morphine, etc.), sedatives and medications for anxiety and
sleep (e.g., lorazepam, diazepam, diphenhydramine, etc.). Depressants
have this slowing effect because they affect certain neurotransmitters
that act as the brakes in the brain.

- Stimulants:

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 Increase brain activity, especially in areas that are part of the reward
system. Because of this activity, stimulants lead to pleasurable and
rewarding effects. They include drugs such as cocaine,
methamphetamine, methylphenidate, pseudoephedrine and caffeine.
Some medications in this class, for example methylphenidate, are
prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). - Hallucinogens:

Produce their effects by acting on several areas of the brain, and can
result in major changes in mood, experiences and thinking. They
include drugs such as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), PCP
(phencyclidine), cannabis and jimson weed.

- Psychotherapeutic:

Agents are medications used to treat psychiatric disorders and some

types of pain and include antidepressants, antipsychotic medications and
mood stabilizers. Most of these medications do not lead to addiction or
substance use disorder, although it is sometimes possible with
medications used for anxiety and sleep.

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 NEUROBIOLOGY OF ADDICTION

Neurology of Addiction:

Neurons are nerve cells that send messages all over your body to allow
you to do everything from breathing to talking, eating, walking, and
thinking. Each neuron is connected to another 1,000 neurons, creating an
incredibly complex network of communication. Neurons are considered
the basic units of the nervous system.

How drugs affect Neurotransmission:

Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals
via neurotransmitters. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, can
activate neurons because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural
neurotransmitter in the body. This allows the drugs to attach onto and
activate the neurons. Although these drugs mimic the brain’s own
chemicals, they don’t activate neurons in the same way as a natural
neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being sent through
the network.

Other drugs, such as amphetamine or cocaine, can cause the neurons to

release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent
the normal recycling of these brain chemicals by interfering with
transporters. This too amplifies or disrupts the normal communication
between neurons.

Reward circuits:

Pleasure or euphoria—the high from drugs—is still poorly understood,

but probably involves surges of chemical signaling compounds including

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the body’s natural opioids (endorphins) and other neurotransmitters in
parts of the basal ganglia (the reward circuit). When some drugs are
taken, they can cause surges of these neurotransmitters much greater than
the smaller bursts naturally produced in association with healthy rewards
like eating, hearing or playing music, creative pursuits, or social
interaction.

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 NEUROAD APTIVE CHANGES IN THE BRAIN

Neuroplasticity and its contribution to addiction:

Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to change its function and physical

structure based on life experiences and repeated behaviors, thoughts, and
emotions. Whatever you do repeatedly, both good and bad, is wired into
your brain’s structure.

The brain changes and strengthens the synaptic connections that reinforce
addiction. The neuroplastic changes train the brain to continue using
drugs or alcohol to achieve pleasurable feelings. As the person continues
the habit of substance use, tolerance and addiction develop.

Tolerance and Withdrawal:

Tolerance is a person’s diminished response to a drug that is the result of

repeated use. People can develop tolerance to both illegal and legal
drugs. It is a physical effect of repeated use of a drug. Tolerance does not
always equal addiction.

● Withdrawal is symptoms a person experiences when not using a

substance, due to the body reacting to no longer having the substance.

Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal typically begin within 48 hours and
can last between 2-10 days. Symptoms include:
Irritability

● Sleeplessness

● Anger and aggression

● Depressed mood

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● Decreased appetite

● Anxiety

● Drug craving

EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION ON THE BRAIN AND BODY

Structural and functional changes in the brain:

- Dopamine Levels Increase: All addictive drugs affect brain
pathways involving reward—that is, the dopamine system in the
reward pathway.
- Synapse Activity Decreases: Drugs of abuse affect the brain much
more dramatically than natural rewards, such as food and social
interactions. To bring stimulation down to a more manageable
level, the brain must try to adapt.
One way the brain compensates is to reduce the number of
dopamine receptors at the synapse. In addition, sending neurons
increase their number of dopamine transporters, more quickly
clearing dopamine from the synapse. These changes make the brain
less responsive to the drug, but they also decrease the brain’s
response to natural rewards.

- Brain Connections Are Rewired: Over time, brain regions

responsible for judgment, decision-making, learning, and memory
begin to physically change, making certain behaviors “hard-wired.”
In some brain regions, connections between neurons are pruned
back. In others, neurons form more connections.

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 Once these changes take place, drug-seeking behavior becomes
driven by habit, almost reflex. The drug user becomes a drug
addict.
- Changes Last Long After Use
- Stopping drug use doesn’t immediately return the brain to normal.
Some drugs have toxic effects that can kill neurons—and most of
these cells will not be replaced.

Long-lasting brain changes can make it challenging for addicts to

stay drug-free. They often experience intense cravings, leading to
relapse.

Impact on organ systems:

- Circulatory/Cardiovascular System Organs: Alcohol and drugs tax the
heart considerably. This can cause several chronic heart conditions,
including high blood pressure, deteriorated heart muscle
(cardiomyopathy), and an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). High blood
pressure can cause hormonal irregularities and strokes. Deterioration
of the heart muscle reduced blood flow, which can interfere with your
daily life and puts you at higher risk for heart attacks.
- Nervous System Organs: Alcohol and drugs affect how a person
moves, perceives, thinks, and feels. Alcohol acts as a depressant over
the entire system and slows your ability to process information and
how your body performs its basic functions. Drugs interfere with the
nervous system’s ability to regulate your mood, thinking, and
coordination of bodily functions.
- Reproductive System Organs: Drug and alcohol abuse can affect the
production and processing of reproductive hormones such as
testosterone and estrogen. For men, this may cause breast
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enlargement, testicular shrinkage, and impotence. For women, drug
and alcohol abuse can lead to a decreased sex drive and menstrual
irregularities. Both male and female substance abusers risk infertility
and sexual dysfunction.

CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS
Mental health disorders associated with addiction:
- Many chronic drug abusers--the individuals we commonly regard
as addicts--often simultaneously suffer from a serious mental
disorder. Drug treatment and medical professionals call this
condition a co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis.
- Chronic drug abuse may occur in conjunction with any mental
illness. Some common serious mental disorders associated with
chronic drug abuse include

● Schizophrenia

● bipolar disorder

● manic depression

● attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

● generalized anxiety disorder

● obsessive-compulsive disorder

● post-traumatic stress disorder

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 ● panic disorder

● antisocial personality disorder

Chronic drug abusers who also suffer from mental illness can be
treated. Researchers currently are investigating the most effective
way to treat drug abusers with mental illness, and especially
whether or not treating both conditions simultaneously leads to
better recovery.
Physical health complications:
- People with addiction often have one or more associated health
issues, which could include lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, or
mental health conditions. Imaging scans, chest X-rays, and blood
tests can show the damaging effects of long-term drug use
throughout the body.
- For example, it is now well-known that tobacco smoke can cause
many cancers, methamphetamine can cause severe dental
problems, known as meth mouth, and that opioids can lead to
overdose and death. In addition, some drugs, such as inhalants,
may damage or destroy nerve cells, either in the brain or the
peripheral nervous system.
- Drug use can also increase the risk of contracting infections. HIV
and hepatitis C can occur from sharing injection equipment or from
unsafe practices such as condom-less sex. Infection of the heart and
its valves (endocarditis) and skin infection (cellulitis) can occur
after exposure to bacteria by injection drug use.

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 ENVIRONMENTAL AND BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS
Environmental Factors Increase the Risk of Addiction:

- Family and Home Life

Early childhood experiences can lead addictive behavior. Family

interactions and parental styles play a significant role, causing a person to
either develop healthy outlets in a happy home or maladaptive hobbies in
the face of adversity.

Risky environments might include family conflicts, stress and divorce.

When a person grows up unable to healthily deal with the stressors of
chaotic home life, they may turn to substances to cope. They may also be
influenced by family members who misuse substances and normalize
these unhealthy behaviors.

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- Friend Groups

It can be challenging to avoid using substances when a person’s social

interactions rely heavily on these activities. Everyone wants to feel a
sense of belonging and when a person’s friend group and community is
comprised of those who use substances, they may fall victim to peer
pressure.

Younger people, whose brains are still developing, are especially

vulnerable as they’re more likely to repeat the behaviors they learn early
on, no matter how risky.

- Trauma and Life Stressors

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often a co-occurring disorder of

addiction, meaning PTSD can contribute to the development of substance
use disorder, while addiction can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD. When
trauma takes over a person’s life, they’ll often experience severe anxiety
when exposed to triggering situations and may misuse substances to cope
with the emotional turmoil. While a person may feel as if alcohol or
opioids curb their psychological pain, the effects can do the reverse and
lead to addiction.

- Culture and Media

Culture and religion can trigger addictive behaviors, including the

geographic area in which you grow up, beliefs prevalent in your culture,
teachings related to shame and the exclusion or partaking in religious
activities. For example, some cultures allow men to drink while women
are prohibited from the same behavior.

Behavioural aspects:

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Behavioral addictions such as gambling, overeating, television
compulsion, and internet addiction are similar to drug addiction except
that the individual is not addicted to a substance, but he/she is addicted to
the behavior or the feeling experienced by acting out the behavior.

TREATMENT APPROACHES
Addiction therapy is a set of evidence-based therapeutic tools
specifically focused on helping people with addiction and co-
occurring disorders:
- Significantly reduce and stop drug and alcohol use.
- Achieve long-term abstinence by addressing the underlying causes
of addiction, identifying triggers, and learning coping skills to
avoid relapse.
- Foster meaningful relationships in recovery to enable individuals to
participate fully in work, family life, and society.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Addiction:
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals address underlying
causes that may have contributed to their substance use disorder, as

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well as identify, avoid, and handle situations where they are likely to
relapse and use drugs or alcohol.
CBT hypothesizes that:
- Mental health challenges are based on unhealthy and unhelpful
learned behavior patterns.
- Psychological problems are due to faulty and incorrect ways of
thinking about yourself, others, and the world.
- By learning healthy coping skills, you can manage and alleviate
your mental health symptoms and have a higher quality of life.
Holistic Therapy:
Holism—or “holistic”—refers to the interconnectedness of all aspects
of who an individual is, and effective treatment programs evaluate and
address all the underlying components that contribute to the
development of addiction.
Many substance use disorder treatment programs incorporate holistic
or alternative therapies into their programming.
Holistic therapies can include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Art
- Expressive therapy
- Spiritual/religious interventions
Drug Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Drug therapy can be a part of addiction treatment. The use of
medications depends upon factors unique to the individual, and a
medical provider will determine the suitability for medication.
Medication can be used as part of addiction treatment to:

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- Help manage withdrawal symptoms, particularly during medical
detox.
- Reduce cravings for substances.
- Minimize the risk of relapse during recovery.

CASE STUDIES
The victim of this case is a young man named Jack. Though he is 24
years of age, he looks like a man of 40 years. Firstly, his friends
introduced him to drugs as a means of enjoyment. Gradually he
became addicted. He started with ‘ganja’. He sometimes changes his
drugs to meet his satisfaction level. He changes drugs one after
another from ‘ganja’, ‘wine’ to ‘phensedyl’. Now he is fully addicted
to ‘phensedyl’ for 4.5 years, and has to take it four times in a day.
Without having it he can’t do anything. He spends ₹300-500 every
day for drug purposes. For the excess money, sometimes he takes loan
from friends or steals his own household materials. He collects drugs
from the local spots or a particular person. On physical examination

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he was uncleanness, anxious looking and irritated. Speech was
slowed. Physique was lean and emaciated. Mild anemia and jaundice
were present. Nothing abnormality was detected in heart, lungs and
kidneys.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, drug addiction remains a pervasive and complex issue
that affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
Throughout this paper, we have explored the multifaceted nature of
drug abuse, examining its causes, devastating effects, and various
interventions aimed at prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. It is
evident that drug addiction is not merely a personal failing but often a
consequence of intersecting biological, psychological, social, and
environmental factors. Effective strategies to combat drug addiction
require a comprehensive approach that includes education, community
support, evidence-based treatment modalities, and supportive policies.

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 Despite the challenges, there are success stories and ongoing research
that offer hope for individuals struggling with addiction. Moving
forward, continued investment in research, education, and policy
development is crucial to mitigate the impact of drug addiction and
promote healthier communities globally. Addressing drug addiction
demands collective effort and a commitment to compassion,
understanding, and proactive intervention.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
https://www.ccsa.ca/
https://englishmountain.com/
https://www.utoledo.edu/
https://www.justice.gov/

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