Stimulant drug addiction

This refers to a state of dependence on stimulants. Stimulant abuse peaked after the Second World War with the use of "Hiropon," and again around 1970, both of which became social problems. When a person first uses a stimulant, it has central nervous system stimulating effects such as exhilaration, increased activity, reduced fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite, but when the use is stopped, the person becomes restless and easily angered, and it is said that the person continues to use the drug to escape from the pain, and falls into dependence. When the person becomes addicted, symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia (mental schizophrenia) appear, including difficulty concentrating, increased activity, hallucinations, delusions, suspicion, anxiety, depression, emotional instability, lack of inhibitions, aggression, and stereotypies. When the use of stimulants is stopped, the symptoms disappear in a short time. However, symptoms such as emotional blunting and ego disorder may remain afterwards. Even if the person returns to a normal state, the symptoms may reappear if the person uses stimulants again, drinks alcohol, or is subjected to psychological stress, and there are also cases where the symptoms recur naturally. This has attracted attention due to its etiological relevance, particularly when compared with the course of schizophrenia.

[Seiichiro Funatogawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

覚醒剤の依存の状態をいう。覚醒剤乱用は第二次世界大戦後の「ヒロポン」によるピークと、1970年ころのピークがあって、いずれも社会問題になった。初めて覚醒剤を使うと、爽快(そうかい)、増動、疲労感軽減、不眠、食欲不振などの中枢刺激作用が現れるが、中断すると、焦燥にかられたり、怒りやすい状態になり、その苦痛から逃れるために連用し、依存に陥るといわれている。中毒状態になると、集中困難をはじめ、増動、幻覚、妄想、猜疑(さいぎ)、不安、抑うつ、情緒不安定、抑制欠除、攻撃、常同症などの統合失調症（精神分裂病）とよく似た症状が現れる。覚醒剤を中止すると、短期間で症状が消える。しかし、あとに感情鈍麻、自我障害などの症状が残ることもある。正常な状態に戻っても、ふたたび覚醒剤を使ったり、飲酒や心理的ストレスを受けると症状が再現したり、別に、自然再燃する例も認められる。とくに統合失調症の経過と比較し、これは病因的な関連から注目されている。

［船渡川誠一郎］

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