EFFECT OF OPIATE ADDICTION ON MITOGEN-STIMULATED LYMPHOPROLIFERATION: POSSIBLE IMPLICATION OF NUCLEAR FACTOR KAPPA BETA (NF-KB)

Abstract

Addiction is a general word that refers to the compulsive use of any substance, person, feeling or behavior with relative disregard of the potentially negative social psychological and physical consequences. Drug addiction, however, is a chronic relapsing disorder that is restricted to compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior which persists despite serious negative consequences. (I)

Usually addictive substances induce pleasant states (euphoria in the initiation phase) or relieve distress, but the continued use induces adaptive changes in the central nervous system (CNS) that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, sensitization, craving and relapse. (2

Generally, addictive drugs can act as positive reinforcers (producing euphoria) or as negative reinforcers (alleviating symptoms of withdrawal or dysphoria). Environmental stimuli associated with drug use itself can also induce a conditioned response (withdrawal or craving) in the absence of the drug. (J)

Heroin use was introduced in the 1980s in a smoked form called "brown sugar". Heroin users increasingly adopted injection drug use when the supply of heroin shifted from the relatively inexpensive "brown sugar" variety to a more refined powder in the 1990s. (4)

Patterns of heroin injection vary from daily or intermittent use to frequent hinging. (S) Heroin use now occurs in most large towns in Africa and is increasing in several countries including Egypt. Drug overdose is the most common method ofarasuicide in young adults and the average age at onset of heroin abuse is 20 years.<

In 2006 an estimated 0.2% of African adults were using heroin, approaching the global average. In 1997, heroin consumption even exceeded marijuana consumption cutting across all socioeconomic groups and playing a visible role in the domestic economy.(?)

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances in the world and has the disreputable status of being the most popular illicit drugs. From 2001 through 2003, approximately 3.7% of the world's population (ages 15-64 years old) reported ever having used cannabis. By contrast, substantially fewer individuals worldwide use cocaine (0.3%) and opiate (0.4%). (&) Prevalence of cannabis use varies considerably across countries. In Europe, estimates of lifetime use between 1999 and 2003 ranged from 31% in the United Kingdom to 5% in Belgium. Sweden showed the lowest rate (I%) of individuals reporting cannabis use whereas Switzerland reports the highest (22.1%). In the United States, 40.1% ofthe population over 12 years of age reported using cannabis at least once in their life and 10.4% reported use a year before. )

Hashish and cannabinoid compounds have the highest rate of consumption among illegal substances as well as the widest geographical territory, and the majority of consumers are youth in a way that the number of young consumers has increased from 147 to 163 million in a 5 year period. (IO)