Adicción a las drogasestado de la cuestión y papel de las enfermeras en nuestra comunidad

Abstract

Drug addiction is a serious problem for society, with large economic impact on health systems and social consequences because addictive behaviors not only produce deterioration in the addict but also affect their social and family environment. Despite the wide variety of addictive substances, all of them have in common the underlying physiological/biochemical mechanisms. The dopaminergic system, as well as other neurotransmitters along with the genetic susceptibility of the patients, are pivotal in these reward mechanisms. Thus, the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in addiction is essential to search for therapeutic targets. In our region and, despite the fact that heroin usage has significantly decreased in the last decades, different associations and institutions are working with addicts helping them to stop consuming heroin and to have a better quality of life. Of interest, the educational role carried out by the nurses responsible for these centers. In fact, beyond their brilliant work in health monitoring, they also provide guidance and support to these people in their daily lives.