There is archeological evidence of the prehistoric use of compounds as diverse as cannabis, opium, coca, tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol for cultural, religious, or recreational purposes. With the advent of written languages, recordings of the use of these substance were made. Following is a brief history of some of the more commonly abused substances.
Alcohol
The first written records of alcohol use may be found in Egyptian hieroglyphics,
warning against the overindulgence of alcohol. Regulations and warnings
of alcohol abuse may be found in the Code of Hammurabi (c. 2000
B.C.) and Greek writings of c. 300 B.C. Comparisons of use
vs. abuse may be found in Roman writings of 100 B.C. Some
five hundred years later are the first written punishments for "drunkards".
During the Middle Ages, the refinements in agriculture and distillation
(and the consequent increase in alcoholic content of beverages) resulted
in an increase in the use and abuse in Europe that continuted through the
Medieval period and the Renaissance. With the discovery and exploration
of the New World, alcohol abuse spread. During the 18th century,
alcohol in the form of rum played a role in the slave trade triangle of
the colonies in the Americas while England was under the influence of a
"gin epidemic". The 19th century United States of America showed
the emergence of a temperance movement that culminated in the Prohibition
of the 1920s. This was (relatively) quickly followed by the repeal
of Prohibition, and alcohol abuse was once more publicly accepted.
Opium
The poppy plant was first cultivated and used in the Middle East as
early as 4000 B.C. for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
Its use spread throughout the Ancient Civilisations, mainly as a medicament.
Interestingly, it also served as an acceptable alcohol alternative in the
Muslim countries. In Renaissance Europe, the renewed interests in
ancient Eastern manuscripts "discovered" the benefits of opium and its
medical use, with subsequent and often unintentional abuse and addiction,
increased. This pattern of use continued until the 19th Century,
when Britain became engaged in the "Opium Wars" with China. These
conflicts were essentially an attempt by the British government to monopolise
the distribution and sale of opium to its colonies in the East. During
this time, the Treasuries of Britain and France became quite wealthy through
this government sanctioned addiction of their colonial subjects.
The 19th century also saw numerous medicines that were composed of opium
derivatives including laudanum, paregoric, and heroin. Opium
addiction was often the consequence and fate of wounds received in the
War Between the States. During the 20th century, opium use flourished,
then decreased, and finally increased again during the 1960s (with many
Vietnam veterans returning home with opium addictions). Recent years
have witnessed the Golden Triangle of Opium Trade (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand)
as well as new sources in Central and South America and Africa.
Cannabis
Cannabis was used in ancient times in China, India, and Eastern Europe
(in fact the area that was Western Russia was quite famous for its excellent
cannabis). During the 18th century, cannabis was widely cultivated
in America as hemp for textile purposes. It was not made an illegal
drug until 1937, with a strong promotional campaign against all forms of
drug abuse and motion pictures such as "Reefer Madness". Its illegal
use increased during the 1950s and 1960s among the "counterculture" movement.
The 1990s, with new cultivation techniques and cross breeding, has produced
new strains that may be as much as 14 times as potent as the marijuana
grown in the 1970s.
Psychedelics
These "mind altering" drugs were used in ancient India (where writing
of them exists), Siberia, and Central and North America. They are
most often derived from mushrooms (Psilocybin) or cacti (Peyote).
In Europe, during the middle ages, plants more often considered poisonous
than recreational, were used for their hallucinogenic effects (belladonna,
henbane, mandrake, and ergot fungi). (Of interest is the theory that
at least some of the "epidemics" of witchcraft and communicating with demons
was the result of ergot-induced hallucinations.) During the 20th
century, LSD (an active constituent of ergot) gained widespread use as
a psychedelic. "Rave" clubs have gained popularity during the 1990s
where psychedelics such as LSD, MDMA, GHB, and ketamine as well as other
drugs are the main form of entertainment.
Caffeine -- Coffee and Tea
While coffee originated in the area that is modern day Ethiopia and
quickly spread to Arabia and tea arose in China, the use and spread of
these drinks is very similar; viz., following the exploration and
trade routes back to Europe and the New World. In 17th Century Britain
(and later in France), coffee houses were under strict governmental control,
for they were seen as dens of sedition and revolution.
Tobacco
Tobacco originated in the New World and was transported back to Europe.
While widely popular, it too was seen as a health and political hazard
early on and tobacco houses were often subjected to the same strict control
as the coffee houses.
Cocaine
Coca, along with Tobacco noted above, were the two methods of the New
World inhabitants seeking revenge on Old World explorers (NOTE -- THIS
IS THE INSTRUCTORS PERSONAL OPINION) in that they, among all abused substances,
are the only ones to exclusively originate n the new world. Similar
to opium, cocaine was first used medicinally in the 19th century, with
many addicted patients as the primary result.
Newer Drugs
With tighter governmental control, many newer drugs and non-drug chemicals
are being synthesised and abused, including amphetamine analogues and inhalants.
CYCLE OF DRUG USE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Curiously, in the past 150 years, drug abuse in the U.S.A. has appeared
to alternate between stimulants and depressants, as evidenced by the following
time-line:
1860s -- Opium use in the War Between the States begins the cycle of
depressant use
1880s -- Cocaine and its advocacy by leading men such as Freud increased
the stimulant's use
1890s-1910s -- Opium dens became popular in fictional works and real
life cities
1910s-1920s -- Cocaine, Cigarettes, & Coffee popular among young
women and as a substitute for prohibited alcohol.
1930s -- Repeal of prohibition and the Great Depression, saw an increase
in depressant alcohol
1940s -- Sanctioned use of amphetamines, coffee, and cigarettes by
the GIs increased stimulant use.
1950s -- Milder forms of marijuana, producing a depressant effect,
were the drugs of choice.
1960s -- Anything goes, including psychedelics and newer amphetamine
stimulants
1970s -- Alcohol use increases nationwide
1980s -- Cocaine, available in stronger and cheaper forms, use again
increases
1990s -- Heroin use increases, relative to the past twenty years.
CLASSIFICATION OF SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE
Many classification criteria may be used for abused drugs. For
the purposes of this course, they will be classified as
Downers -- Depressants that depress the CNS, producing lethargy, lassitude, cardiovascular and respiratory depression, drowsiness and sedation, also produce euphoria and feelings that are described as sexual ("orgasmic").
All Arounders -- The psychedelics, these generally produce hallucinations and feelings of being disconnected from the world. Their side effect profile is diverse and depends upon the pharmacologic class to which they belong.
Miscellaneous -- This "catch-all" category includes newer drugs such as inhalants (solvents, glues, household cleaners) and drugs abused for a specific purpose as anabolic steroids in sports. Their side effect profile and pharmacologic effect is also very diverse and dependent upon the specific class.