DRUGS: MISUSE & ABUSE Objective: At the end of the unit you should be able to explain the difference between drugs & medicine, list ways people misuse or abuse drugs, & recognize the different drug classifications.

Drugs vs. Medicine Drugs:  Any chemical substance that causes a physical or mental change in the structure or function of the body.  Most are illegal – Have no medical use Medicines:  Drugs given for the purpose of prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease.  Usually prescribed by a doctor.

Misuse vs. Abuse Misuse: Using legal drugs in the wrong way. How? Taken more than prescribed Using without doctor knowing Using someone else’s medicine Abuse: Using substances that are illegal & are not intended to be taken into the body. Examples? Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Other

What are some common causes of drug use? Peer Pressure Easily available Looks cool Curiosity To deal with feelings of sadness, loneliness, boredom or anxiety Media Low self-esteem Genetics

Important Terms: Tolerance:  When an user needs more & more of the drug to achieve the previous effect. Addiction:  Dependence on a drug – 2 types Physical Dependence:  When a users body needs the drug to function.  Users need the drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms Psychological Dependence:  Users rely on a drug for their sense of well-being.  Users are convinced the drug is needed to function. Withdrawal:  Physical & psychological symptoms that occur when users stop taking a drug.  May cause death

DRUG CLASSIFICATION There are 6 classifications that drugs are placed in based on how they effect the body. Stimulants Depressants Narcotics Cannibis Hallucinogens Inhalants

STIMULANTS Drugs that stimulate the CNS by increasing heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, pupil size & BP Cocaine: A white powder that can be inhaled, smoked or injected. A strong stimulant that can last 15 min to 2 hours. Highly addictive – both psychologically & physically Effects on body: Causes excitement, euphoria, & hyperactivity Withdrawal symptoms include confusion, anxiety & depression Risks of if HIV increases Nasal membranes & lungs are damaged Overdosed symptoms include sweating, dizziness, vomiting & death Chronic use may lead to hallucinations of the cocaine bug – hallucinating that insects or worms are crawling under or on skin

STIMULANTS CONT…. Crack: A concentrated form of cocaine that is smoked. Reaches the brain within 10 seconds Most addictive drug known – instantaneous addiction Psychologically & physically addictive No medical uses Effects on the body: Produces a feeling of energy & excitement – high lasts 15 min) High is followed by an extreme crash of depression Strong increase risk of heart attacks User becomes violent & commits crimes to support habit Long-term effect include psychiatric problems, paranoia & depression – which often is suicidal)

STIMULANTS CONT….. Amphetamines: Stimulant that speeds up CNS – commonly called uppers or speed Taken orally or injected Tolerance develops quickly which leads to physical & psychological dependence Withdrawal symptoms may be severe which include depression and sleepiness that lasts for weeks Medical use include treating children with ADHD (Ritalin) Effects on the body: Stroke, brain seizures, heart attack Increased aggressiveness Over dose may cause death

DEPRESSANTS Drugs that slow down the body’s CNS such as heart rate, breathing, BP & reaction time Physically & Psychologically Dependence Examples:  Sedatives  Alcohol  Barbiturates (most commonly abused depressant other than alcohol) Medical use:  Reduce tension & anxiety  Higher doses are used to induce sleep  Overdosing can be fatal

DEPRESSANTS CONT……………… EFFECTS ON BODY:  Users feel relaxed & less anxious  Users become more talkative & uninhibited  Tolerance develops quickly WITHDRAWAL CAUSES:  CONFUSION  NERVOUSNESS  HALLUCINATIONS  DEATH

NARCOTICS Drugs that act on the CNS to relieve pain. Use leads to tolerance, strong physical dependence & are very addicting. Legal Narcotics:  Morphine & codeine – prescribed by a doctor  Used to control pain Illegal: Heroin: A white, off-white or brown powder  Inhaled, injected or smoked by user  Highly addictive (psychologically & physically)  No medical use

HEROIN CONT…… Effects on body:  Immediate & long lasting (3-6 hours)  Produces a change in pain perception  User has a feeling of euphoria & drowsiness  Increase risk of AIDS is extremely high – Why? Withdrawal: Addicts need injections 2 to 6 times a day to avoid symptoms….very intense up to 4 days  Nervousness  Irritability  Aches & pains  Tremors As user becomes more dependent – initial high is reduced & they need the drug in larger amounts to avoid withdrawal symptoms

CANNABIS Name given to the drug naturally found in the hemp plant. Marijuana – mood altering that is usually smoked Main ingredient is THC (mild hallucinogen) but may have a sedative or stimulant effect  4 times more tar than cigarettes  Psychologically addictive  Consider a gateway drug (why?)  Is there a medical use? Immediate effects:  Inability to think, concentrate or speak clearly  Loss of short term memory  lack of coordination & slowed reaction time  Increased heart rate & appetite Long-Term effects:  Problems with normal body development in when use starts in adolescence  Damage to lung tissue & cancer fighting immune cells  Feelings of anxiety & panic  Infertility

HALLUCINOGENS Drugs that distort moods, thoughts & senses. Drugs alter brain chemistry that causes hallucinations. Examples:  LSD (Acid) –Made from a fungus – most powerful  PCP (Angel Dust) – Made as a liquid or crystal  Mushrooms – A toxin Psychological Dependence is common There are usually no withdrawal symptoms Some users may have flashbacks Effects:  The user experiences imaginary images, sounds or distortions of real objects  Users may become violent or behave strangely

INHALANTS Substances that produce fumes that are sniffed to induce intoxication. Inhalants are absorbed through the lungs & into the bloodstream Once in the blood, inhalants reach brain quickly Examples: Glues, spray paints, cleaning fluid, gasoline Once inhaled, chemicals produced a very short-lived high Prolong use may cause psychological dependence Some chemicals cause withdrawal symptoms (usually not serious) No medical use Effects: (some effects are permanent & even deadly) Nausea & vomiting Dizziness & loss of motor skills Mental confusion Permanent brain damage, come & death