Addiction is a problem of modern society. More and more cases of drug addiction are reported each year. This is harmful to society as a whole, since this category of people, even after treatment, is recognized as mentally injured. Individuals who decide to give up drugs will at first suffer an irresistible desire to take a new "dose", this phenomenon is called MacGregor's disease. The syndrome is named after the author, who first described the clinical signs after drug withdrawal. McGregor syndrome - what is it, a mental desire to take a drug or a physically conditioned requirement of the body?
Why does the syndrome occur?
Long-term exposure to a narcotic substance leads to the fact that the cells of the body adapt to it, changing their internal biochemical processes. This does not happen immediately, but after a long period of time, when a person uses drugs in an increasing dosage. If the supply of a chemical substance is absent, then the cells require its intake, because of this the functions of all body systems are violated. McGregor's syndrome begins to express itself after 4 hours of lack of a narcotic substance in the blood.
Alcoholism: features of McGregor syndrome
The syndrome has different clinical manifestations, it all depends on the use of a particular drug. In alcoholics, withdrawal is manifested as a hangover the next morning after drinking. Cells require ethyl alcohol to be ingested. However, in this case, a spontaneous improvement is possible without the use of ethyl alcohol, which can not be said with cocaine or heroin addiction.
If McGregor’s disease (syndrome is, however, a more accurate term) does not stop on its own after large-scale drinking, then a person is able to help himself. It is necessary to take the optimal dose of alcohol to eliminate headaches and nausea. The syndrome usually lasts about three days in the absence of ethanol in the body. Every day you need to reduce the dose so that toxic substances are gradually excreted by the kidneys and liver.
What are the symptoms of drug addicts?
Heroin and cocaine addicts experience the worst McGregor syndrome. Symptoms will have a vivid clinical picture right after the concentration of the drug in the blood begins to decline. How does McGregor syndrome manifest itself in this case? The syndrome has the following clinical manifestations:
- anxiety, smoothly turning into psychomotor agitation (patients are worried, are looking for a drug, in order to take, hallucinations may occur);
- catarrhal symptoms (runny nose, lacrimation, coughing);
- fever with chills;
- increase in blood pressure;
- dyspeptic disorders (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain);
- fluid loss.
If withdrawal syndrome lasts 5 days or more, then a person begins to lose weight, dystrophy of muscle fibers occurs. Objectively, skin retraction can be detected in the costal spaces, as well as on the extremities. The patient becomes asthenic.
Due to conduction disturbances in the smooth muscles and pelvic organs, uncontrolled ejaculation is observed, as well as an act of defecation.
The duration of the syndrome depends on the quality of care and the drug the patient is taking. For example, with heroin, the breaking time is 10 days, but after the cancellation of marijuana or spice - 5-6 days.
How to fight?
At the present stage of development of medicine, it has become possible to stop McGregor syndrome. The disease requires the help of a narcologist or psychiatrist to eliminate all symptoms.
To get rid of the syndrome, you need to completely overcome drug addiction. Unfortunately, this is not yet possible, because addiction is caused both from the mental side and physical. Nevertheless, it was completely possible to control doses of drugs and reduce them. This is done by specialized narcological dispensaries.
In a hospital setting, the doctor prescribes analogues of narcotic substances that do not adversely affect the human body. Drugs are prescribed on an individual basis according to a certain scheme, the task of which is to reduce the dosage of the drug, as well as to combat euphoria that occurs after taking the drug.
In addition to medications, an important part is psychological assistance. Psychiatrists conduct interviews with patients whose main task is to recognize themselves as drug addicts. If a person admits to himself that he has an addiction, he will be able to recover. It will be important to have support from loved ones, so that the patient can distract and replace the usual activity with some games.
How to prevent the development of the syndrome?
The syndrome can be prevented in only one way - never try drugs. Any harmless substance is instantly addictive (nicotine is no exception). You should not test willpower, remember that no one has yet been able to consciously give up narcotic substances.