Introduction to Psychoactive Drugs

Icebreaker: If I were the President If you were the President (King, Prime Minister, etc.) of your country, what 3 things would you change related to drug policies, treatment or prevention? ?

What are psychoactive drugs? “…Any chemical substance which, when taken into the body, alters its function physically and/or psychologically....” (World Health Organization, 1989) “…any substance people consider to be a drug, with the understanding that this will change from culture to culture and from time to time.” (Krivanek, 1982)

What are psychoactive drugs? Psychoactive drugs interact with the central nervous system (CNS) affecting: mental processes and behaviour perceptions of reality level of alertness level of response time level of perception of the world

Why do people initiate drug use? Much, if not most, drug use is motivated (at least initially) by the pursuit of pleasure. Key Motivators & Conditioning Factors Forget (stress / pain amelioration) Functional (purposeful) Fun (pleasure) Psychiatric disorders Social / educational disadvantages Also, initiation starts through: Experimental use Peer pressure After repeated drug use, “deciding” to use drugs is no longer voluntary because DRUGS CHANGE THE BRAIN!

What is drug addiction? Drug addiction is a complex illness characterised by compulsive, and at times, uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences.

Characteristics of drug addiction Compulsive behaviour Behaviour is reinforcing (rewarding or pleasurable) Loss of control in limiting intake Important terminology Psychological craving Tolerance Withdrawal symptoms

Psychological craving- It is a strong desire or urge to use drugs Psychological craving- It is a strong desire or urge to use drugs. Cravings are most apparent during drug withdrawal. Tolerance- It is a state in which a person no longer responds to a drug as they did before, and a higher dose is required to achieve the same effect. Withdrawal- The following symptoms may occur when drug use is reduced or discontinued: Tremors, chills Cramps Emotional problems Cognitive and attention deficits Hallucinations Convulsions Death

Classifying psychoactive drugs Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens Alcohol Amphetamines LSD, DMT Benzodiazepines Methamphetamine Mescaline Opioids Cocaine PCP Solvents Nicotine Ketamine Barbiturates Khat Cannabis (high doses) Cannabis (low doses) Caffeine Magic mushrooms MDMA

Alcohol: Basic facts (1) Alcohol: Basic facts (2) Description: Alcohol or ethylalcohol (ethanol) is present in varying amounts in beer, wine, and liquors Route of administration: Oral Acute Effects: Sedation, euphoria, lower heart rate and respiration, slowed reaction time, impaired coordination, coma, death Withdrawal Symptoms: Tremors, chills Cramps Hallucinations Convulsions Delirium tremens Death

Long-term effects of alcohol use Decrease in blood cells leading to anemia, slow-healing wounds and other diseases Brain damage, loss of memory, blackouts, poor vision, slurred speech, and decreased motor control Increased risk of high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, and heart disease Liver cirrhosis, jaundice, and diabetes Immune system dysfunction Stomach ulcers, hemorrhaging, and gastritis Thiamine (and other) deficiencies Testicular and ovarian atrophy Harm to a fetus during pregnancy Instructions Read the long-term effects of alcohol use to your audience. Point to the areas of the body that are affected by the use of alcohol when reading the content to participants.

Tobacco: Basic facts (1) Tobacco: Basic facts (2) Description: Tobacco products contain nicotine plus more than 4,000 chemicals and a dozen gases (mainly carbon monoxide) Route of administration: Smoking, chewing Acute Effects: Pleasure; relaxation; increased concentration; release of glucose; increased blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate Withdrawal Symptoms: Cognitive / attention deficits Sleep disturbance Increased appetite Hostility Irritability Low energy Headaches

Long-term effects of tobacco use Aneurysm Cataracts Cancer (lung and other types) Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Asthma symptoms Obstructive pulmonary diseases Heart disease (stroke, heart attack) Vascular disease Harm to a fetus during pregnancy, low weight at birth Death

cannabis: Basic facts (1) cannabis: Basic facts (2) Cannabinoids cannabis: Basic facts (1) cannabis: Basic facts (2) Acute Effects: Relaxation Increased appetite Dry mouth Altered time sense Mood changes Bloodshot eyes Impaired memory Reduced nausea Increased blood pressure Reduced cognitive capacity Paranoid ideation Description: The active ingredient in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Marijuana: tops and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa Hashish: more concentrated resinous form of the plant Route of administration: Smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe Oral, brewed as a tea or mixed with food

Long-term effects of cannabis use Increase in activation of stress-response system Amotivational syndrome Changes in neurotransmitter levels Psychosis in vulnerable individuals Increased risk for cancer, especially lung, head, and neck Respiratory illnesses (cough, phlegm) and lung infections Immune system dysfunction Harm to a fetus during pregnancy Cannabis: Basic facts (3) Withdrawal Symptoms: Insomnia Restlessness Loss of appetite Irritability Sweating Tremors Nausea Diarrhea

solvents: Basic facts (1) solvents : Basic facts (2) Acute Effects: lack of coordination Dizziness euphoria difficulty speaking brain damage organ damage death caused by choking high only lasts a few minutes, abusers inhale repeatedly and can lose consciousness or die Description: Solvent abuse also known as volatile substance abuse, solvent abuse, sniffing, huffing and bagging – is the deliberate inhalation of a volatile substance to achieve an altered mental state. Route of administration: "sniffing" or "snorting" fumes from containers spraying aerosols directly into the nose or mouth inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide

Long-term effects of solvents use Muscle weakness Disorientation Lack of coordination Irritability Depression Serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain Memory impairment, diminished intelligence Hearing loss Bone marrow damage Deaths from heart failure or asphyxiation (loss of oxygen)

MDMA Acute Effects: MDMA : Basic facts (1) MDMA: Basic facts (2) Intense feelings of affection and warmth. Increased energy. Increased libido. Anxiety, paranoia and anger. Confusion. Loss of consciousness. Insomnia and disturbing dreams. Muscle pain. Description: MDMA, better known as ecstasy because of its ability to produce powerful feelings of warmth and affection, is a synthetic club drug with both stimulant and mild hallucinogenic properties. Route of administration: Often taken in pill or tablet form

Long-term effects of MDMA use

Benzodiazepine : Basic facts (1) Benzodiazepine : Basic facts (2)   Acute Effects: Drowsiness. Dizziness. Double vision. Slurred speech. Muscle weakness. Slowed reaction time. Incoordination. Poor concentration and memory. Confusion. Stupor. Description: Benzodiazepines act primarily on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and, through this molecular interaction, increase levels of inhibitory brain signaling—depressing the central nervous system and resulting in sedation and feelings of relaxation. Route of administration: Often taken in pill or tablet form

Long-term effects of Benzodiazepine use

GHB Acute Effects: GHB : Basic facts (1) GHB : Basic facts (2)   Description: GHB is available as an odorless, colorless drug that may be combined with alcohol and given to unsuspecting victims prior to sexual assaults. It may have a soapy or salty taste. Use for sexual assault has resulted in GHB being known as a “date rape” drug. Route of administration: GHB, typically with alcohol use Acute Effects: Amnesia Euphoria Lack of inhibitions Nausea Dizziness Drowsiness Agitation Blurred vision Unconsciousness Slowed breathing

Long-term effects of Ghb use

Ketamine : Basic facts (1) Ketamine : Basic facts (2)   Acute Effects: Disorientation. Feelings of detachment/ dissociation. Hallucinations. Slowed or difficult breathing. Mood changes. Depression. Impaired ability to think or learn. Nausea and vomiting. Memory impairment. Description: Ketamine (often called "K," "Special K" or "Vitamin K") is a potent dissociative anesthetic, meaning it provides feelings of detachment from one's body. Route of administration: The drug is either snorted in powder form or ingested orally.

Long-term effects of ketamine use

Heroin Acute Effects: Heroin : Basic facts (1)   Acute Effects: Some users report immediate negative symptoms from the drug like: Nausea. Vomiting. Itching. Dry mouth. Feeling drowsy and sleepy for several hours. Having a foggy mental state. Slowed breathing. Slowed heart rate. "Nodding," where the user will alternate between periods of being awake and asleep. Description: Heroin is a substance that is both illegal and extremely addictive. The substance derives from opium from the poppy plant before it is refined to morphine, then further chemically modified to become heroin. Route of administration: These different forms of heroin can be smoked, snorted, or injected under the skin, into muscle, or directly into the veins.

Long-term effects of Heroin use

Cocaine+Crack : Basic facts (1) Conaine+crack : Basic facts (2)   Acute Effects: Irritability. Anxiety. Headache. Depression. Aggressive, paranoid behavior. Abdominal pain. Sudden death due to heart attack or stroke. Description:Cocaine is a stimulant drug-more alert and energetic Cocaine is a white powder comes from the leaves of coca plant Can be one of the hardest drugs to quit Route of administration: These different forms of heroin can be smoked, snorted, or injected under the skin, into muscle, or directly into the veins.

Long-term effects of Cocaine+crack use

Crystal Meth: Basic facts (1) Crystal Meth: Basic facts (2)   Acute Effects: Anxiety. Depression. Fatigue. Violent behavior. Seizures. Respiratory or airway abnormalities. Persistently elevated heart rate, placing users at risk for heart attack. Description: Methamphetamine is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs. It has many nicknames—meth, crank, chalk or speed being the most common. Route of administration: These different forms of heroin can be smoked, snorted, or injected under the skin, into muscle, or directly into the veins.

Long-term effects of Crystal meth use

Substance abuse and society What are the effects of substance abuse on society? Spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C through sharing needles, or having unprotected sex EFFECTS OF DRUG USE ON CHILD Miscarriages Premature birth Low birth weight Birth defects Developmental problems A baby’s health problems, if caused by a drug will continue to grow as the child grows.

Substance abuse and society CRIME drug possession drug use drug trafficking drug manufacturing theft break and enter robbery motor vehicle theft HOMELESSNESS

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