Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis

The complexities surrounding the use of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants are multifaceted and warrant a comprehensive examination. This review highlights the complexities surrounding the consumption of chemical substances in excess or for non-medical purposes, obtaine...

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Main Authors: Iasmina-Alexandra Predescu, Alex-Robert Jîjie, Dalia Pătraşcu, Aida-Luisa-Vanessa Pasc, Elisaveta-Ligia Piroş, Cristina Trandafirescu, Cristian Oancea, Cristina Adriana Dehelean, Elena-Alina Moacă
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pharmacy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/7
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author Iasmina-Alexandra Predescu
Alex-Robert Jîjie
Dalia Pătraşcu
Aida-Luisa-Vanessa Pasc
Elisaveta-Ligia Piroş
Cristina Trandafirescu
Cristian Oancea
Cristina Adriana Dehelean
Elena-Alina Moacă
author_facet Iasmina-Alexandra Predescu
Alex-Robert Jîjie
Dalia Pătraşcu
Aida-Luisa-Vanessa Pasc
Elisaveta-Ligia Piroş
Cristina Trandafirescu
Cristian Oancea
Cristina Adriana Dehelean
Elena-Alina Moacă
author_sort Iasmina-Alexandra Predescu
collection DOAJ
description The complexities surrounding the use of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants are multifaceted and warrant a comprehensive examination. This review highlights the complexities surrounding the consumption of chemical substances in excess or for non-medical purposes, obtained through legal prescriptions, over-the-counter purchases, or illicit means, with an emphasis on the predictive role of stressors and individual-level variables in the development of substance use disorders, as well as the influence of the regulatory environment on patterns of consumption. Additionally, the alarming escalation in the mortality rate associated with illicit drug and opioid overdoses is also underscored. The recreational use of prescription medications can lead to significant health risks, particularly when combined with other substances; therefore, the need for interventions and preventive measures to address substance abuse among various populations is imperative. Furthermore, novel insights on substance abuse addiction, exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, and discussing treatment approaches and interventions are elucidated. Advancements in technology for detecting substance abuse are also highlighted, displaying innovative tools for more effective identification and monitoring. In conclusion, the complexities of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants reveal a landscape marked by overlapping motivations and health implications. The distinction between medical and recreational use is critical for understanding user behavior and addressing public health concerns.
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spelling doaj-art-0f47f615e59a4f0f9de9d65740de4dcd2025-08-20T02:44:54ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872025-01-01131710.3390/pharmacy13010007Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth AnalysisIasmina-Alexandra Predescu0Alex-Robert Jîjie1Dalia Pătraşcu2Aida-Luisa-Vanessa Pasc3Elisaveta-Ligia Piroş4Cristina Trandafirescu5Cristian Oancea6Cristina Adriana Dehelean7Elena-Alina Moacă8Discipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad, 86 Liviu Rebreanu Street, 310048 Arad, RomaniaDiscipline of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDiscipline of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaThe complexities surrounding the use of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants are multifaceted and warrant a comprehensive examination. This review highlights the complexities surrounding the consumption of chemical substances in excess or for non-medical purposes, obtained through legal prescriptions, over-the-counter purchases, or illicit means, with an emphasis on the predictive role of stressors and individual-level variables in the development of substance use disorders, as well as the influence of the regulatory environment on patterns of consumption. Additionally, the alarming escalation in the mortality rate associated with illicit drug and opioid overdoses is also underscored. The recreational use of prescription medications can lead to significant health risks, particularly when combined with other substances; therefore, the need for interventions and preventive measures to address substance abuse among various populations is imperative. Furthermore, novel insights on substance abuse addiction, exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, and discussing treatment approaches and interventions are elucidated. Advancements in technology for detecting substance abuse are also highlighted, displaying innovative tools for more effective identification and monitoring. In conclusion, the complexities of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants reveal a landscape marked by overlapping motivations and health implications. The distinction between medical and recreational use is critical for understanding user behavior and addressing public health concerns.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/7substance abusemedication abuserecreational plantsnarcotic plantssubstance use disorderspsychoactive substances
spellingShingle Iasmina-Alexandra Predescu
Alex-Robert Jîjie
Dalia Pătraşcu
Aida-Luisa-Vanessa Pasc
Elisaveta-Ligia Piroş
Cristina Trandafirescu
Cristian Oancea
Cristina Adriana Dehelean
Elena-Alina Moacă
Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis
Pharmacy
substance abuse
medication abuse
recreational plants
narcotic plants
substance use disorders
psychoactive substances
title Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis
title_full Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis
title_fullStr Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis
title_short Unveiling the Complexities of Medications, Substance Abuse, and Plants for Recreational and Narcotic Purposes: An In-Depth Analysis
title_sort unveiling the complexities of medications substance abuse and plants for recreational and narcotic purposes an in depth analysis
topic substance abuse
medication abuse
recreational plants
narcotic plants
substance use disorders
psychoactive substances
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/7
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