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THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 1
The Understanding of Pharmacology
Ursula Miles
Liberty University
Addiction and The Recovery Process-SUBS505
Dr. Michael Howard
September 21, 2025
THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 2
Introduction
Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs and how they interact with the human body. To
fully understand the science of pharmacology will take years to attain. This paper will entail a
brief understanding of pharmacology, how the different ways of administration of the drug and
its effectiveness. The components of Pharmacology are divided into two major areas called
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics.
Components of Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics refers to what the body does with the drug. Many factors influence the drug's
primary effects and side effects. A facet that alters the severity of both the primary and
secondary effects of a drug is its way of administration.
More thoroughly, the particular organization in which a substance is delivered vastly influences
the following: the rate at which the substance starts to exert its effects on the body, the
distribution of the substance throughout the body, the strength of its effects, and the rate at
which the individual may start to notice any side effects from the substance. For instance, a
substance that rapidly crosses the blood–brain barrier produces effects much faster than one
that must be metabolized first (Doweiko, 2019). Pharmacokinetics refers to the absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and
Biotransformation/elimination of the drug. The way a drug is absorbed is how drugs enter the
body. For example, a drug can be taken orally (siblingually and buccal), inhaled (intranasal), the
Parenteral Method (injection), and transdermal.
Pharmacodynamics
As stated earlier in the essay, pharmacodynamics refers
The route of drug administration, a person’s weight and age are a few factors that can have an
effect on the compound’s strength to achieve the desired effect is referred to as the
THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 3
bioavailability of a compound. The concentration of unchanged chemicals at the site of action
(Doweiko, 2019). Absorption, distribution, biotransformation and elimination affects the
bioavailability of the compound.
Absorption is the process of how the drug enters the bloodstream, factoring the route of
administration and drug formulation. The drug must be absorbed into the body to have any
effect (Doweiko, 2019). The drug must pass through the GI tract and the first pass metabolism
and blood vessels before it reaches the circulation. Oral administration is the slowest to absorb,
usually taken effect in up to twenty to sixty minutes.
Intramuscular administration is like vaccines and some drugs, which are absorbed from the
muscles at a slower, steady rate, and have a moderate high intensity effect. There are a number
of specialized transport mechanisms in which the body uses to move necessary substances into
and away from the circulatory system (Doweiko, 2019). Drug molecules utilize these transport
mechanisms to move beyond the site of administration to the final site of action (Doweiko,
2019).
After the molecule reaches the circulation it then can be transported to the site of action. Some
drug molecule’s characteristics allow them to integrate with fat molecules that already circulate
throughout the body. As long as the drug molecule is attached to the body’s natural molecules
it is safe from elimination from the body and is not capable of reaching its desired effects.
The elimination involves the drug half-life and therapeutic life. The drug half-life refers to the
rough estimate of a compound’s effectiveness, duration of the effect, and the length of time
that it will remain in the body (Doweiko, 2019). There are several concepts of the Drug Half-Life:
Distribution half-life is the amount of time that compounds need to transport its way into the
general circulation; and its subforms, alpha half-life and beta half-life. The Therapeutic half-life
is a rough estimate of the compound’s duration of effect. This is the required time to inactive
THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 4
50% of a compound. Finally, the elimination half-life is the time required to eliminate the other
50% of the compound.
Common Routes of Administration
The two most common routes of administration for misuse of drugs are enteral and parenteral
routes. The enteral route is referred to oral, sublingual, rectal and buccal administration.
Enteral Route
Enteral route enters the body by the gastrointestinal tract and is a common route of drug
administration. Oral administration in the form of a tablet/pill is the most common enteral
route (Doweiko, 2019). It results in a slower onset of action and can have effects on the food,
stomach acidity, or the first-pass metabolism. In most cases, the tablet is designed to be
ingested whole, although in some cases it might be broken up to allow the patient to ingest a
smaller dose of the medication or for ease of administration, if desired. (Doweiko, 2019). A
capsule form is the medication being suspended into a solution and surrounded by a gelatin
capsule (Doweiko, 2019). This form can also be given as a liquid. Especially for younger children.
It is very common with Over-the counter medications to come as a pill and capsule, and those
be in the form of a liquid, but less common for liquid drug misuse. This route is the slowest
absorption rate, due to the
drug needing to pass through the digestive system. The high is less intense than most routes,
but is longer lasting (Doweiko, 2019).
Sublingual and buccal methods represent alternative forms of oral ingestion, providing the
advantage to avoid the first-pass metabolism. The pharmaceutical agents are placed under the
tongue (sublingual) or the inner cheek (buccal). It is absorbed through the venous blood present
in the oral cavity resulting in a faster onset than the oral method because of the advantage of
avoiding the first-pass metabolism.
THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 5
Lastly, rectal administration is used for local treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids, anal
fissures, inflammation, and hyperkalemia (Hua 2019) used in medical practice and unheard of in
those who abuse illicit drugs.
Parenteral Route
Parental route involves the injection of the pharmaceutical agents directly into the body.
Doweiko (2019) states, “The drugs are not exposed to gastric juices, delays caused by the
stomach emptying process, or the danger of being mixed with food in the GI tract, which might
delay absorption” (Doweiko, 2019, “Typical Forms of Drug
Administration”) . There are several methods in which this can happen.
Subcutaneous is not an unheard of administration for drugs. This takes place with the
compound being placed under the skin and is absorbed at a slower rate. Skin popping, when
illicit drugs are first injected, is a term used by those who use illicit drugs. Intramuscular for
injecting the drug compound into the muscle tissue. This method will absorb at a faster rate
than compounds injected under the skin (Doweiko, 2019).
Medical practices utilize this method and are sometimes preferred by those who use illicit
drugs. Especially those using anabolic steroids. This route produces a slower absorption rate
and less of a dramatic high, but sustained effects.
Intravenous injection is the frequently used method of drug administration (Doweiki, 2019).
This method places the compound directly into the vein resulting in it being rapidly absorbed.
The absorption rate is a serious disadvantage, due to the body not having ample time to adapt
to the foreign chemical. This can result in a serious matter within seconds of being
administered. Since this method delivers directly into the bloodstream, it produces the fastest
and the most intense “high” (Doweiki, 2019). Transdermal is another method of parenteral
administration of drugs. The compound is placed outside on the body, such as a nicotine patch.
It allows the compound to slowly be released into the body, requiring up to 24 hours before
THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 6
enough of the substance is in the person’s blood to experience the effects. The transdermal
absorption avoids the peaks and rushes like most other drug administration routes.
Intranasal or snorting is another method of drug administration. It is another preferred route for
drug administration for those who are misusing drugs. Snorting places the drug into the blood-
rich tissues into the sinuses resulting in a relatively rapid absorption of the drugs (Doweiko,
2019). Drugs such as cocaine, heroin powder, and methamphetamines are regularly used in this
manner. This route bypasses the liver’s first-pass metabolism, resulting in a quicker effect than
oral administration, but slower than inhalation and injection (Doweiko, 2019).
Classes of Drug
Doweiko (2019) organizes psychoactive substances commonly associated with abuse and
dependency into several categories: Central Nervous System (CNS), Stimulants, Opioids,
Hallucinogens, Cannabinoids, Inhalants, and Anabolic Steroids and
Performance Enhancers. Each one uniquely differs in mechanism of action and risk, but all can
potentially be misused for non-medical euphoria (Doweiki, 2019).
Conclusion
My understanding of the components of pharmacology, such as the absorption, administration
routes, the drug classifications, has allowed me to have a much deeper outlook on those who
are struggling with substance use disorders. Doweiko (2019) Understanding the principles of
pharmacology, such as absorption, routes of administration, and drug classifications, allows for
a deeper perspective on the lived experiences of those with substance use disorders. As
Doweiko (2019) highlights, the pharmacological effects of a drug are strongly influenced by
how it enters the body, which in turn shapes the intensity and duration of the high. Gaining
this knowledge has shifted my viewpoint of addiction. It is not a moral failing but to recognize
it as a condition rooted deeper in the biological and chemical processes. Now, I can approach
those suffering with SUD with greater empathy. Now I can recognize their challenges are a
THE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACOLOGY 7
battle with physiological forces rather that we most believe, lack of willpower. At last, I have
learned that the science behind substance use aids both my comprehension and my
compassion. It reminds me that treatment and recovery, not only, requires medical support,
but also human understanding. Adding, Jesus’ ministry was marked by mercy, healing, and
restoration for those who were marginalized or struggling (Matthew 9:12-13).
References
Bible Gateway. (2019). Galatians 6:2 (New International Version).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Galatians+6%3A2&version=NIV
Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
Hua S. (2019). Physiological and Pharmaceutical Considerations for Rectal Drug
Formulations. Frontiers in pharmacology, 10, 1196.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01196
Nationwide Children’s Hospital. (2017). HH-V-274 11/17. Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org
