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Effects of Drugs of Dependence

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Substance Abuse and Dependence
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Synopsis

The chapter deals with the short- and long-term effects of psychoactive drugs, particularly their effects on the brain, mind and behaviour. In discussing harmful results it should be noted that harm can ensue from misuse of a drug which affects the mind, although dependence on the preparation may not have developed. Misuse is here viewed as the non-medical use of a drug for its seemingly pleasant mental effects. Unintentioned damage can arise from casual, even single misuse, e.g. infection following non-sterile injection or accidental injury while intoxicated. There are many substances whose effects on the brain and mind can lead to misuse and dependence, but they can be grouped into a relatively small number of categories.

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© 1990 Macmillan Publishers Limited

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Madden, S. (1990). Effects of Drugs of Dependence. In: Ghodse, H., Maxwell, D. (eds) Substance Abuse and Dependence. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20859-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20859-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-45859-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-20859-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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