Consumo de psicotrópicos, toxicidade, abuso e dependência entre jovens : uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

The present study deals with the consumption of psychotropic drugs, toxicity, abuse and dependence among young people, it is considered a relevant issue, since the use of psychotropic substances among people has always existed, since the beginning there are reports of people who used drugs in rituals, parties and medical and aesthetic procedures. This reality is not only related to certain social classes, since the vast majority of young people have an active life, being a public that experiences different physical, mental, social and affective transformations in their daily lives and, thus, may develop some type of psychological disorder such as anxiety, depression, phobias and even some seek drugs to relieve the signs and symptoms of these disorders. Therefore, this study aims to describe the current consumption of psychotropic drugs by young people and their side effects. A bibliographic survey was carried out in order to compile significant data and select articles. The following bases concerning the research were the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Google Scholar, and the Virtual and Health Library - VHL, LILACS. From this survey of theoretical references, a total of 80 articles were found and only 32 scientific papers were selected that emphasize the proposed theme. As a result, the data presents the main psychotropic drugs such as benzodiazepines, anorexigenics, antidepressants, opiodes and methylphenidates, highlighting the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicity, in addition to the brief survey of intoxications by psychotropic drugs in Brazil. Thus, it is concluded that among the psychotropics most used among young people are stimulants and benzodiazepines, the high prevalence of these drugs among young people, is combined with the treatment of anxiety disorders and that the prescription is not always carried out legally, developing in many cases chemical dependency.