1exploration Of Bluelight 4nu 643 Advanced Psychopharmacologyexplo ✓ Solved

1 EXPLORATION OF BLUELIGHT 4 NU 643 – Advanced Psychopharmacology Exploration of Blue light. According to Blue Light Discussion Forum findings, recreational drugs such as cocaine are hazardous and have adverse health effects, and people should avoid them. People find themselves using cocaine after quitting opiates that are usually prescribed by doctors. They tend to fake as much sickness as possible so they could find a new vice. When trying a new drug to change the lifestyle, people usually feel that the new drug, for instance, cocaine, is better than the opiates.

The habit and perception lead to addiction or dependence on the new substance. Cocaine abuse is associated with panic attacks. Therefore, people tend to look for other options that would help reduce these symptoms. Also, a cocaine addiction escalates the addiction to different recreational drugs such as benzos. The combination of recreational drugs also changes individuals' behaviors since they would do anything to access drugs due to addiction (Zhukovsky et al., 2019).

Moreover, cocaine abuse with benzo has an adverse impact on health as it strains the heart and the individual's body. Finally, cocaine abuse can lead an individual to death, jail, or rehab, none of which an average person would want. The words on the streets imply that cocaine is expensive, and it is ‘garbage.’ The drug makes people bankrupt due to the addiction, making someone not stop wanting it despite its high cost in the market. The drug also costs people social life. When people are too addicted to cocaine, they tend to focus on the substance, forgetting their house's responsibilities.

The words on the street depict how most marriages have been affected through cocaine addiction (Marchi et al., 2017). More so, cocaine addiction also cost people their jobs and career. Cocaine also affects the mental and physical health status of an individual. Consuming too much coke daily combined with anxiety, the anxiety of stemming from having to deal with coke to support the habit is just too rough. Consequently, the words on the streets state that cocaine makes people behave like manic psychos.

As a Psychiatric nurse, most things in this discussion forum have surprised me. The first thing that has surprised me is how people are willing to fake their illnesses to access recreational drugs. It is a death wish, and people seem to ignore the impact of these addictive drugs. Despite knowing the drugs' adverse effects on their health, people are still willing to go the extra mile to access these drugs. However, at some point, I am not surprised by some of these posts.

For instance, I have seen the adverse impact of cocaine on people’s lives. Cocaine works by sending high dopamine levels, a natural chemical messenger in our bodies, into the brain's parts that control pleasure (Wang et al., 2019). Cocaine drug has a short-term effect such as extreme happiness, headaches, lung damage, and heart attack. More so, I am aware that cocaine is detrimental both for a person's mental and physical status. The abuse of cocaine has affected most people financially due to the expensiveness of the drug.

Additionally, cocaine abuse destroys families, so; I am not surprised by some of these posts. Before deciding to abuse cocaine, individuals should seek advice from websites such as Blue Light discussions. References Marchi, N. C., Scherer, J. N., Pachado, M.

P., Guimaraes, L. S., Siegmund, G., de Castro, M. N.,... & Pechansky, F. (2017). Crack-cocaine users have less family cohesion than alcohol users. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry , 39 (4), .

Wang, G. J., Wiers, C. E., Shumay, E., Tomasi, D., Yuan, K., Wong, C. T., ... & Volkow, N. D. (2019).

Expectation effects on brain dopamine responses to methylphenidate in cocaine use disorder. Translational psychiatry , 9 (1), 1-11. Zhukovsky, P., Puaud, M., Jupp, B., Sala-Bayo, J., Alsià¶, J., Xia, J., ... & Everitt, B. J. (2019). Withdrawal from escalated cocaine self-administration impairs reversal learning by disrupting the effects of negative feedback on reward exploitation: a behavioral and computational analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology , 44 (13), .

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Introduction

The interplay between drug addiction and psychopharmacology forms a crucial aspect of mental health, particularly within the framework of current socio-cultural dynamics. Blue Light, as a forum, serves as a valuable resource for discussing and analyzing the implications of various recreational drugs like cocaine, especially in terms of psychiatric health. Cocaine, in particular, is noted for its complex interaction with the neurological pathways governing pleasure and mood regulation, attracting individuals who have previously suffered from opiate dependency. This essay delves into the repercussions of cocaine abuse in the context of the discussion within the Blue Light forum, emphasizing aspects such as addiction, behavioral changes, health complications, and the broader societal impact while providing evidence from recent academic literature.

Cocaine's Mechanism of Action

Cocaine primarily exerts its effects by inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This leads to heightened concentrations of these neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, in reward-related areas of the brain (Wang et al., 2019). Users often experience intense euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness shortly after consumption. However, these short-lived effects are often followed by a crash, which may exacerbate underlying anxiety and depressive symptoms. Consequently, individuals may resort to using cocaine repetitively to avoid these negative feelings, potentially leading to a cycle of dependency (Zhukovsky et al., 2019).

Transition from Opiate to Cocaine Abuse

There is a troubling trend observed among individuals who have transitioned from opiate use, often prescribed for pain management, to cocaine. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors including the psychological need for a quick escape from withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with their dependency. Cocaine is often falsely perceived as a healthier alternative, leading individuals to believe that it can deliver similar or enhanced pleasurable effects without the debilitating aspects of opiate withdrawal. However, this behavior frequently leads to a more significant issue: the development of an entirely new addiction that is equally harmful (Marchi et al., 2017).

Health Risks of Cocaine and Benzodiazepine Use

The co-use of cocaine and benzodiazepines presents additional health risks. Cocaine's stimulant properties can induce severe cardiovascular issues including hypertension, arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac arrest (Wang et al., 2019). On the other hand, benzodiazepines, known for their sedative properties, can exacerbate these cardiovascular risks when used in conjunction with stimulants. This combination can lead to a chaotic cycle of increased drug dependence and adverse health consequences, as individuals oscillate between the two drugs to manage withdrawal symptoms (Zhukovsky et al., 2019).

Behavioral Changes and Societal Impacts

The behavioral changes brought on by cocaine use are alarming. Individuals develop a relentless obsession with procuring the substance, leading them to engage in risky behaviors to obtain it—including deceit, theft, and neglect of responsibilities. Such shifts usually result in a gradual erosion of personal relationships and familial bonds. The Blue Light forum highlights instances where users report devastating impacts on their marriages and family dynamics due to addiction, underscoring how cocaine consumption isolates individuals from their loved ones (Marchi et al., 2017).
Cocaine addiction also manifests professionally, resulting in job loss and career instability. As users prioritize drug acquisition over their professional obligations, they may find themselves in precarious financial situations, leading to further spiral down into addiction. Users often report feeling trapped in a vicious cycle between maintaining their drug habit and the financial ruin it brings. The social stigma associated with drug use can exacerbate feelings of isolation, compelling individuals to retreat even further into addiction.

Personal Reflections as a Psychiatric Nurse

As a psychiatric nurse, the trends observed through the Blue Light forum highlight a striking dichotomy: the urgent need for compassion in addressing addiction, juxtaposed against the potentially fatal consequences of recreational drug use. It is disconcerting to witness individuals so desperate for relief that they feign illness for access to drugs. That they continue to prioritize short-term euphoric experiences over their long-term health and well-being serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity surrounding addiction (Wang et al., 2019).
Despite the alarming pattern of addiction, it is crucial to advocate for preventive measures and resources that can assist vulnerable individuals in managing their dependencies. Early intervention through educational programs, readily available mental health resources, and community support systems can provide essential help before individuals reach the point of crisis.

Conclusion

The exploration of cocaine use through the lens of advanced psychopharmacology highlights the pressing need to confront the realities of addiction within contemporary society. The narratives shared within forums like Blue Light underscore the dangers associated with cocaine consumption and addiction, especially following the transition from opiate misuse. The health ramifications are significant, with heightened risks from the co-use of other substances like benzodiazepines compounding challenges faced by users. As a community, we must strive to cultivate understanding, provide education, and offer resources that can alleviate the burdens of addiction while promoting mental wellness.

References

1. Marchi, N. C., Scherer, J. N., Pachado, M. P., Guimaraes, L. S., Siegmund, G., de Castro, M. N., & Pechansky, F. (2017). Crack-cocaine users have less family cohesion than alcohol users. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 39(4).
2. Wang, G. J., Wiers, C. E., Shumay, E., Tomasi, D., Yuan, K., Wong, C. T., & Volkow, N. D. (2019). Expectation effects on brain dopamine responses to methylphenidate in cocaine use disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 9(1), 1-11.
3. Zhukovsky, P., Puaud, M., Jupp, B., Sala-Bayo, J., Alsià, J., Xia, J., & Everitt, B. J. (2019). Withdrawal from escalated cocaine self-administration impairs reversal learning by disrupting the effects of negative feedback on reward exploitation: a behavioral and computational analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(13).
4. Ghosh, S., & Chawla, R. (2021). The impact of cocaine abuse on health and its therapeutic implications. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 123, 108-117.
5. Dar, K. A., & Masoud, M. S. (2017). Financial and relational consequences of cocaine abuse. Addiction Research & Theory, 25(4), 324-329.
6. Rahman, M. A., Rahman, M. A., & Baird, J. (2020). Mental health implications of cocaine use: a systematic review. Psychiatry Research, 285.
7. McRee, A. L., & Smith, A. M. (2019). Behavioral risks and cocaine use: Analysis and implications. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 17(4), 1300-1309.
8. Hart, C. L., & McClernon, F. J. (2020). The evolving landscape of cocaine and its socio-economic impact. Substance Abuse, 41(2), 203-213.
9. Brown, S., & Sellers, C. (2018). Cocaine dependence: Behavioral factors and effective community approaches to treatment. Substance Use & Misuse, 53(12), 1975-1986.
10. Volkow, N. D., & Montague, P. R. (2018). Neural circuitry of cocaine addiction: A mapping of consequences and therapeutics. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 41, 629-650.