Pharmacology
By Jake Kohl
There are many classes of drugs, all of which were
primarily created to be used medicinally, “by changing the biological function
of target cells through chemical actions (Doweiko, 2012, p. 18).” Pharmacology
is the study of how these chemicals actions affect living organisms,
specifically, in humans. It includes
drug composition, interactions, therapeutic capabilities, and toxicology.
Counselors in the addiction and rehabilitation field must have a working
knowledge of all the components of pharmacology to better understand and serve
the field and those whom they counsel.
One of
the most important parts of pharmacology is the route of administration for a
drug compound, because this greatly affects the intensity and speed of the
drug’s action. According to Doweiko (2012), there are thirteen methods of
drug administration, with primary routes including oral and injection (p. 19).
Oral administration has the longest effect time because it involves breakdown
of the drug compound in the stomach and intestines before absorption into the
blood stream (Doweiko, 2012). Because of this, some abusers prefer to crush
pills meant for oral administration, and inhaling them intranasal (Doweiko, 2012, p. 20). This method provides a faster
effect time because it provides the drug direct access to the blood flow in the
sinus cavity, but it is somewhat “erratic (Doweiko, 2012).” Injection involves
directly depositing the drug compound into a muscle, vein, or under the skin.
One benefit of this method is an almost instant effect with no interference
from the gastrointestinal tract (Doweiko, 2012).
The
effective dose of a drug compound is the estimated amount of the drug needed to
reach the desired effects for a percentage of the population. The lethal dose
is the estimated amount of the drug that would kill a percentage of the
population. The therapeutic index measures the difference between the effective
dose and a lethal dose. The lower the therapeutic index, the smaller the margin
is between the compound being effective or becoming toxic.
According
to Doweiko (2012), drug compounds “must enter the body in sufficient
strength to achieve the desired effect (p. 21).” The bioavailability of a drug
compound describes how it is absorbed, distributed, broken down, and eliminated
from the body. The process of moving the drug compound from the route of
administration to the sight of action is absorption (Doweiko, 2012, p. 21). The
way the drug is moved throughout the body is distribution (Doweiko, 2012, p.
22). Biotransformation is the detoxification, or breaking down the drug
compound for elimination (Doweiko, 2012, p. 23). Elimination is the process in
which the human body purges itself of the drug compound (Doweiko, 2012, p. 25).
When
looking at the components of pharmacology and addiction, it is vital to look at
all of the components of how a substance is introduced, processed, and
eliminated from the human body. The faster a drug compound can be absorbed,
allowing the user to reach a high, the greater the risk of abuse and addiction
by the user (Doweiko, 2012). Substance abuse counselors should be knowledgeable
and have a greater understanding about the pharmacology of the drugs their client’s
abuse in order to understand the complex nature of addiction. They must know the
benefits of the drug(s), the side effects, risks, and symptoms in order to be
most effective in treatment and/or prevention.
Reference
Doweiko, H. E. (2011).
Concepts of chemical dependency. (8th
ed.). Belmonte, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub Co.
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