(ii)
Injection
Injection involves puncturing
the skin with a needle in order to squirt
a solution of the drug directly into the
bloodstream. This can be done by:
Injecting the needle under
the skin: subcutaneous
Injecting the needle into
the muscle tissue: intramuscular
Injecting the needle into
a vein: intravenous
Most rapid effects are
achieved by injecting intravenously and
large amounts of drugs can be taken. Because
it bypasses the filtering mechanisms of
the gut and mucous membranes, injection
into a vein maximises the impact of the
drug and results in almost immediate effects.
For these same reasons
it affords little protection against infections.
Injecting is the most dangerous way of
taking
drugs. [Top]
(iii)
Orally
For this to work the drug
must be soluble in stomach/intestinal
fluids and be able to pass through the
lining of the gut into the bloodstream.
Some drugs are effectively
inactivated by the fluids – heroin being
an example.
The slowness of the absorption
process means there is no sudden intense
effect and this limits the maximum blood
concentration achieved. [Top]
(iv)
Snorting
Drugs which are sniffed
are absorbed through the nose not through
the lungs.
Most drugs cannot be absorbed
this way – but for those that can it is
a very effective method and the effects
are very rapid.
Cocaine hydrochloride
and amphetamines are drugs commonly taken
this way.
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