Health Risks of Drug Use Coach Childress Health and Physical Education Fall 2017

Substance Abuse Substance abuse includes the use of illegal substances as well as the misuse of legal substances. Substance Abuse – any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for non-medical purposes. Some abused substances are illegal drugs – chemical substances that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sale. Using illegal drugs is a crime called illicit drug use – the use or sale of any substance that is illegal or otherwise not permitted. This includes the sale of prescription drugs to those for whom the drugs are not intended.

Abuse of prescription Drugs The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 6.4 million people ages 12 or older had used prescription medicines for nonmedical purposes. These medicines include pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. 60% reported that they got the drug from a friend or relative. Oxycontin was the only prescription drug whose use increased among 8th through 12th graders combined. Vicodin was the 2nd most prevalent illicit drug reported by 12th graders.

Factors That Influence Teens 1. Peer Pressure – Friends or peers can influence you to do or not to do illegal drugs. Surround yourself with the right kind of people. 2. Family Members – Can help teens avoid drug use. Parents and other family members can encourage teens to abstain from drug use. 3. Role Models – Coaches, athletes, actors, etc. who speak about the benefits of being drug-free. 4. Media Messages – TV, radio, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and music can influence how you feel about drug use. 5. Perceptions of drug behavior – May lead teens to think that drug use is higher than it actually is. 70% of 9th graders have never used marijuana. 6. Misleading Information – Can lead teens to think that some drugs may be beneficial (some teens believe that steroid use boosts sports performance)

How Drug Use Affects Your Health Physical Health – A serious danger of drug abuse is overdose – a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug. Illegal drugs that are taken by needles can be shared and increase the risk of hepatitis and HIV. MEH – Drugs may impair your ability to think or reason. The influence that they may have may cause you to go against your values or beliefs. Social Health – Teens may lose friendships and relationships with family members may suffer. Substance abuse is also a leading cause of crime, suicide, and unintentional injuries. Unlike medicines, illegal drugs are not monitored for quality, purity, or strength. They don’t come with warning labels that list safety guidelines or suggested doses.

Other Effects of Drug Use Tolerance – A condition in where the body becomes accustomed to the drug and it causes the user to need more of the drug to feel the same effects. Psychological Dependence – a condition that develops over time and causes the person to think that the drug is needed in order to feel good or function normally. Physiological Dependence – a chemical need for the drug. Withdrawal symptoms occur when the drug wears off. Addiction – a physiological or psychological dependence on a drug.

Drug Use and The Brain Neocortex – Responsible for thinking Hypothalamus – Responsible for emotion Hippocampus – Responsible for memory Amygdala – Responsible for emotion and memory Basal Ganglia – Responsible for Movement

Consequences for the Individual Teens who use illegal drugs may stop pursuing their goals and dreams Taking illegal drugs lowers inhibitions, which may lead to engaging in behaviors that can harm their physical health Drug use is the leading factor in teen depression and suicide Teens who are involved in drug use are more likely to be arrested

Consequences for Friends and Family When a teen uses drugs it affects everyone in his or her life. Teens who use illegal drugs may lose interest in healthy activities. Family members who feel responsible for their loved ones feel the burden of the emotional and financial costs of drug abuse.

Consequences to Society Illegal drug use can result in an increase in drug-related crime and violence DWI and DUI can result in collisions that cause injury or death Drug abuse also effects the nations economy: The Office of National Drug Control Policy shows that drug abuse costs the United States $180 billion per year.