Since ancient times, people have found ways to alter their perception and level of consciousness.
Starting with psychoactive herbs and finishing with stimulants, drugs are nothing new in society. However, there have always been those who abused them and became psychologically and physically dependent on those substances.
There are plenty of sociological and psychological aspects of why drug abuse and addiction have developed. And although today’s addiction treatment is as explore more here, it wasn’t always this way.
Have you ever wondered how it even happened that people discovered drugs or how did the substances develop through the centuries? If yes, let us give you a history lesson about humans and drug abuse.
Opioids in China and Mesopotamia
Opioids have been used by humankind since approximately 3,900 BC. Sumerians found that opium is helpful in pain relief and used it for medical purposes. However, soon, they discovered the psychoactive effect of this drug, and smoking opium became a social ritual. They were also the first ones to find that poppy seeds can be used to manufacture addictive substances.
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Later on, the Chinese took this custom after them. Over time, it was discovered that people could make morphine and heroin from poppy seed – both drugs started to be widely used to relieve pain. It was Chinese immigrants that contributed to the worldwide spread of opioids.
Mushrooms and Marijuana in Ancient Greece and Rome
The history of psychoactive plants reaches ancient times. Greeks and Romans were known to cherish life and celebrate social gatherings with vast amounts of alcohol. However, aside from alcohol use, religious and spiritual events were often accompanied by mushrooms and marijuana to evoke hallucinations.
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They were a significant part of the rituals. The effects on people in ancient times were as damaging as they are now, but back then, nobody took into consideration brain-altering negative side effects of the plants.
World trade and cocaine
The development of the trade has significantly contributed to overspreading drug abuse, especially in the second millennium. When America started to develop and build trading links, the conquerors discovered the drugs that locals were using.
One of them was cocaine that soon became a recreational drug causing “great contentment” and considered a cure for all the diseases. Sooner than later, the risk that coke usage carries was discovered.
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Dr. Benjamin Rush
While analysing drug abuse from the historical perspective, it’s a sin not to mention Dr. Benjamin Rush. This figure changed the view we take on addictions to psychoactive drugs and alcohol abuse and their treatment.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, a founder of the first medical school in the United States, was the first to research and explore the impact of alcohol abuse on the human brain and body and shed light on its harmful effects. The society in the 1700s highly concentrated on alcohol consumption created sobriety groups among the tribes. It was the first time in history when addiction was considered a disease, not a matter of human willpower, that later impacted how humankind perceived drug usage.
World War I
World War I was when people started to lose faith in the successful treatment of drug addiction. Morphine, heroin, opium, and cocaine were “prescribed” by military authorities and “self-prescribed” by soldiers to fight PTSD and trauma as well as for medical purposes. The fear of drug abuse was growing. From this moment, the legislation started to be more restrictive to limit access to the substances.
Psychedelic Sixties
Social and political shifts caused by the Vietnam War contributed to the growing abuse of marijuana and psychoactive substances. It was the heyday of illegal drug use, and LSD started to become a popular recreational drug. Again, the fear of widespread drug abuse began to grow.
The government’s fear over lack of control over that phenomenon contributed to intensive drug possession restrictions. The penalties and restrictions were increasing, and the government has started to put much effort into fighting the 60’s drug wave. It lasted to the ’70s when drug abuse has started to be a real national concern.
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The Bottom Line
The history of drug abuse is long and complicated. Drugs overspread around the world and became a significant part of the culture. However, through the years, drug addiction became a problem difficult to overcome. More and more people started to suffer from the adverse effects of drugs and became entirely dependent on them.
Contemporarily, drug treatment is developed. There are plenty of rehabs and places where addicts can get professional help to fight their addiction and have control over their lives again. Drug use can lead to severe mental health issues and be dangerous to human health and life, so don’t be afraid to reach professional help if you detect any addictive behaviours.
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Castlefield is being transformed into Gotham amidst more Hollywood filming in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Castlefield, with its iconic viaduct and cobbled streets, is once again being used for big-budget filming as the latest Batman/DC Universe title, Clayface, looks to be setting up in the eye-catching Manc corner.
Whether it’s football kit reveals and brand shoots, BBC dramas or the next upcoming Netflix series, production crews can’t get enough of Castlefield, it would seem.
For those who hadn’t heard, work on the new Clayface movie revolving around the cult favourite Batman villain is well underway, and the North West has been used as the backdrop on multiple ocassions this month already.
You can see early glimpses of the set being put together down below.
Come on, how cool is it that we get to stumble on stuff like this right on our doorstep so often?
Speaking to The Manc, a source detailed that the set is being assembled today (Tuesday, 16 September) ahead of a single day of principal photography on what we can only assume is more Clayface filming sometime tomorrow.
While she could not confirm with us directly, she said, “If you’re a comic book nerd and look at the posters, you’ll be able to figure it out.” We’ve certainly been studying all the easter eggs already.
It might not quite be as dark and gritty as Gotham City, but this particular part of Manchester has been used in TV and film – especially period dramas – many times for good reason.
The Victorian-era steel structure, dark red brick and overall industrial aesthetic work so well when it comes to creating a believable and cinematic world.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, you can add multiple music videos, several Manchester United and Man City shirt launches, and so many more that we’re starting to lose track.
As for Clayface, this isn’t even the first time the upcoming DC ‘body-horror’ flick has popped up in Greater Manchester.
Last week saw the equally striking Art Deco facade of the old The Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport turned into a fictional movie premiere to stunning effect:
Speaking of, another childhood favourite is filming here in Manchester right now, too.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, the new Narnia adaptation by Greta Gerwig may just be one of the biggest projects that has ever landed underneath the familiar ‘birdcage’.
ln fact, it just so happens that there are actually multiple noteworthy small and silver screen works fighting over the Castlefield shooting schedule at the moment…
Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift
Danny Jones
Man City have divided a fair few supporters after they sacked a barman for wearing a United shirt to their shift during the Manchester derby.
Although it’s not exactly surprising, the decision has ruffled plenty of feathers on both sides, as well as among neutral fans.
The Blues emerged victorious in the 197th clash between the two local rivals, winning 3-0 on an evening that paid tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton, but another backstory looming over the fixture that caught the attention of football fans online was the City staff member who lost his job.
Working on concessions inside the Etihad Stadium before the game, the barman was made known to the official MCFC Matchday Support channel on X, who quickly confirmed he had been let go before the game even began.
In the since-deleted post, the home fan who reported the worker wrote: “Absolute joke – letting one of the bar staff in block 315 wear a United shirt on Derby Day.”
Although many City fans applauded the fast action by the club on the day, it’s fair to say that sacking him so soon that he didn’t even last until kick-off has rubbed many others the wrong way.
One Liverpool fan commented: “I hate United way more than City, but to sack him from a job because of an item of clothing is crazy. So, so poor from Manchester City, this. It’s just football lads, he’s not wearing a political or derogatory symbol. It’s literally a football team…”
Another neutral added: “Getting a minimum wage worker sacked for having a bit of fun instead of just winding him up is the absolute sad state this country is in.”
Even the ‘Out Of Context Football Manager‘ parody account chipped in, writing: “The guy’s been sacked for this. All he needed was a formal warning. I get he’s taking the p*ss – but losing a salary he might really need over this?!
While many have been even more outspoken in their response, as you can see, many supporters – be they Red or otherwise – have come up with arguably the perfect solution:
Manchester City are yet to comment on the backlash, apart from the initial confirmation that the still-anonymous staff member has been released from his position, but as for Man United, simply sticking him on the kiosks in the Stretford End could prove to be a very easy bit of positive PR.
Besides the growing frustration around the fanbase, as Ruben Amorim has yet to turn things around at Old Trafford (pressure was growing even before the derby day defeat), the Red Devils could no doubt do with some positive press for a change.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and the wider INEOS Sports administration sanctioned a second round of redundancies at United, with approximately 450 individuals losing their jobs.
That being said, although some have labelled the sacking of the now ex-City barman as “absolutely horrendous behaviour” for Man City, many jumped to quip back that “[United are] more likely to sack more bar staff, not hire them”, as well as simultaneously taking aim at their significant transfer spending.