Chapter 11: Taking Responsibility for Drug Use A drug is any substance with the potential to alter the structure and function of a living organism People use drugs for many reasons, including medicinal, recreational, religious or spiritual reasons; to produce altered states and special sensations; and due to rebellion and alienation, peer pressure, and curiosity Drugs are used as: 1) medicines to treat, cure, prevent, and relieve pain, 2) antibiotics and in other capacities that have saved the lives of many people, and 3) for recreational purposes which have possibly tragic effects

Drug Classification Drugs can be classified according to the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 (Schedules I–V) Drugs are frequently classified according to their physiological effects Stimulants speed up the nervous system Depressants (sedatives and tranquilizers) slow down the central nervous system

Drug Classification Psychoactives can alter feelings, moods, or perceptions Narcotics are powerful painkillers that also produce pleasurable feelings and induce sleep Inhalants are volatile nondrugs that cause druglike effects if inhaled Designer drugs are analogs of drugs that are manufactured in illegal laboratories Marijuana can be classified as a psychoactive, stimulant, depressant, or narcotic.

Caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant Caffeine is probably the most commonly used drug in the U.S. Most adults can safely consume relatively low doses of caffeine (equal to 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day) Caffeinism is experienced by approximately 10% of adults Caffeine speeds up heart rate, temporarily increases blood pressure, disrupts sleep, relieves drowsiness, helps in the performance of repetitive tasks, improves work ability, and can cause insomnia, anxiety, heart arrhythmias, gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, and headaches. Caffeine should be limited to 400mg per day.

Alcohol Alcohol probably causes more physical, social, and emotional damage than any other drug Ethyl alcohol is the intoxicating agent in all alcoholic drinks The percentage of alcohol in a beverage is measured by proof—a drink that is 40% alcohol is 80 proof

Alcohol Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in the blood BAC is affected by the rate of consumption, the type of alcohol, the body weight of the person drinking, and the drinker’s alcohol tolerance Binge Drinking- defined as consuming 5 or more drinks in a single session and four or more for women Food can inhibit absorption of alcohol into the stomach, but not the small intestine.

Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease in which a person loses control over drinking Alcoholism crosses all social, economic, gender, educational, and racial lines; there is no single reason why a person becomes an alcoholic Alcoholics are alcoholics for the rest of their lives, whether they drink or not Treatment for alcoholism is long term and involves three stages: detoxification, medical care for health related problems, and changing long-term behavior by overcoming long0time patterns and behaviors.

Tobacco Products All tobacco products contain the addictive substance nicotine Tobacco is considered the leading preventable contributor to disease and early death (from heart disease and cancer) in the U.S. Passive smoking is the inhalation of environmental smoke by a nonsmoker Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

Tobacco Products Sidestream smoke is the smoke that comes off the burning end of a tobacco product A nonsmoker working or living with a smoker “smokes” approximately 3 to 5 cigarettes for each pack the smoker smokes Cigar and pipe smokers don’t inhale, but they do hold the tars and nicotine in the smoke in their mouths

Tobacco Products Smokeless tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco) is not a safe alternative to cigarettes Clove cigarettes generate more nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide than regular cigarettes Many of the effects of smoking are reversible when people stop smoking Smokeless tobacco results in periodontal disease (bleeding gums), stained teeth, and tooth decay.

Designer/Club Drugs “Club Drugs” are a group of drugs most commonly used by teens and young adults who are at a bar, rave, or trance scene and include: Ecstasy Rohypnol GHB Ketamine Smokeless tobacco results in periodontal disease (bleeding gums), stained teeth, and tooth decay.

Cocaine Cocaine is a powerful stimulant The most common methods of use are snorting, injecting, and freebasing The cocaine high in any form usually lasts no longer than 30 minutes Cocaine addiction is extremely difficult to overcome Cocaine comes from the leaves of the South American coca shrub. Pregnant women who use crack/cocaine and give birth to babies can cause strokes, respiratory and kidney problems, and developmental delays for the child.

Marijuana Marijuana found on the streets today is much more powerful than 25 years ago Of the 400 known chemicals in marijuana, more than 60 are cannabinoids THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) appears to be the chemical responsible for the effects of marijuana Marijuana appears to be more carcinogenic than tobacco Marijuana comes from dried leaves and flowering tops of cannabis sativa. Hashish is processed from the plant resin and is stronger than marijuana. It is pressed into cakes or sold as a liquid (hash oil). Short-term use of marijuana may cause euphoria, relaxation, hunger, or sleepiness. Long-term use may lead to lack of motivation and interest in other activities.

Other Drugs of Concern Heroin is a narcotic synthesized from morphine Heroin use has increased significantly, especially among well-educated people Methamphetamine is a potent stimulant that can cause uncontrollable manic or paranoid behavior Some of the most common “club drugs” are Ecstasy, Rohtpnol (the date rape drug), GHB, and Ketamine.

Other Drugs of Concern Ice (the current popular form of methamphetamine) is extremely addictive Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has become more popular in recent years Phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust) is often used as an additive to cocaine or marijuana PCP produces unpredictable responses

Other Drugs of Concern Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are assumed to be safe, but have the potential for abuse and for lethal interactions with other drugs Follow these guidelines for taking (OTC) drugs. 1. Know the ingredients of what is being taken 2. Know the effects 3. Read and heed warning and cautions 4. Don’t use any product continuously for longer than two weeks 5. Don’t use a drug if not needed