© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that change conscious awareness or perception. –Depressants slow down the nervous system. –Stimulants speed up the nervous system. –Opiates relieve pain. –Hallucinogens alter sensory perception.

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drug Use and Abuse Addiction the person continues to use a drug despite its adverse effects and repeated attempts to discontinue use Drug dependence can be: –Physical: a process by which the body adjusts to and comes to need the drug for its everyday functioning. –Psychological: a desire to obtain or use a drug even though the physical dependence is not present

Drug Use and Abuse Tolerance: the reduced effectiveness a drug has after a repeated use Withdrawal: a pattern of uncomfortable or painful physical symptoms and cravings experienced by the user when the level of drug is decreased, or the drug is eliminated © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Factors that Lead to Drug Abuse Positive associations: the drug is portrayed in a positive fashion in the media. Biological factors: the drug induces a pleasurable state (usually related to dopamine activity in the brain). Prevention of withdrawal: person continues to take the drug to avoid withdrawal effects. Conditioning of drug craving: cues associated with drug use can elicit craving for the drug.

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Examples of Drug Types Depressants:alcohol, barbiturates Stimulants:caffeine, amphetamine cocaine, nicotine Opiatesheroin, morphine HallucinogensLSD, marijuana

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Depressants Alcohol –abuse can lead to serious losses in cognitive functioning –involved in nearly half of all murders, suicides, spousal abuse and accidental deaths in the united states –is the third leading cause of birth defects

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Stimulants Nicotine is considered the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United Sates. Cocaine causes physical damage, severe addiction and psychological dependence. –Cocaine can interfere with the electrical activity of the heart.

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Opiates Narcotics, such as morphine and heroin, produce their effects by mimicking endorphins. “Purple Drank”: a concoction consisting of cough syrup with codeine and promethazine. Hydrocodone can also be used

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Hallucinogens LSD- associated with “bad trips” Marijuana has some properties of depressants, narcotics and hallucinogens at higher doses.

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E “Club Drugs” MDMA (Ecstasy)- high doses can cause dangerous increases in body temperature and blood pressure leading to seizures, heart attacks and strokes; can produces long lasting damage to the brain.

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs In Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs in Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs In Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs In Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs In Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs In Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E Drugs In Society

© 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Drugs In Society © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E