Commonly Abused Drugs Health 10 Ms. Meade

Drug Categories  Stimulants: increases brain activity  Depressants: slows systems down  Hallucinogens: acts upon the mind  Analgesics: pain killing effects  Most commonly abused Drug: Alcohol  Most commonly abused Illegal Drug: Marijuana

Marijuana  It is a hallucinogen; the chemical THC causes the distortion  Few young people use other drugs without first trying marijuana User will turn to stronger drugs if not getting the high they want  Short Term Effects: increased heart rate, sensory distortion, panic/anxiety, poor coordination, decreased reaction time, problems with memory and learning  Long Term Effects: decreased immunity, mood changes, growth disorders, respiratory problems, decreased ability to learn and maintain focus

Marijuana  Marijuana smoke does contain carcinogens that will irritate the lungs  Contains percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.  Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increases lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke  Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue which could lead to cancer Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institute of Health

More on Marijuana  Medical marijuana may be useful in promoting appetite for people with HIV related anorexia, can manage nausea and help relieve pain  A synthetic form of the active ingredient in marijuana is approved by the FDA for treating HIV-related weight loss and for managing nausea associated with the use of chemotherapy.  GcCy8&feature=player_embedded#! GcCy8&feature=player_embedded#  Offers to the debate; should it be legalized? It is in CO and WA state.

Is Marijuana Addictive?  Most people who smoke marijuana smoke it only occasionally. A small minority of Americans - less than 1 percent - smoke marijuana on a daily basis. An even smaller minority develop a dependence on marijuana. Some people who smoke marijuana heavily and frequently stop without difficulty. Others seek help from drug treatment professionals.  Marijuana does not cause physical dependence. If people experience withdrawal symptoms at all, they are remarkably mild.  It can lead to addictive behaviors, like compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite its known harmful effects.

Alcohol  Depressant; slows vital functions  Alcohol is more harmful to teens because brains are still developing; drinking alcohol during this critical development can lead to lifelong damage in brain function (memory, motor skills, and coordination)  When mixed with other drug use: increased effect on CNS of both drugs because both are competing for enzymes to be metabolized drug is in system longer Increased risk of harmful side effects, unpredictability

Alcohol  Short Term Effects Slurred speech Vomiting Headaches Drowsiness Vision, hearing impaired Balance and coordination Impaired judgment  Long Term Effects Unintentional injuries Increased blood pressure Nerve, brain and liver damage (disease) Increased family problems Addiction

Ecstasy  Synthetic, psychoactive drug, chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and a hallucinogen  Because it is manufactured, ecstasy can contain other drugs, such as LSD or cocaine, user never really knows what he is taking  Classified as a Schedule I drug (a description reserved for a dangerous substance with no recognized medical use)  Can be deadly if mixed with other drugs b/c its so unpure and unknown what’s in it.

Ecstasy  Short Term Effects: increased energy euphoria emotional warmth distortions in time, perception, and tactile experiences False sense of affection, paranoia  Long Term Effects: Cardiovascular collapse Kidney Failure Depression Memory loss Death

Cocaine/Crack Cocaine  Extremely heightened euphoria; once begin taking, its impossible to become free of it grip physically and mentally  Therefore right away, only increased doses and more frequent doses can bring the same effect.  Coming down from a high: depression SO severe; person will do almost anything to get the drug, even commit serious crimes, murder or suicide

Cocaine/Crack Cocaine  Short Term effects: Loss of appetite, Nausea Increased heart rate, edginess Convulsions, paranoia Short-lived intense high, immediately followed by opposite, intense depression & crave more drug  Long Term Effects: Permanent heart and brain damage Malnutrition and weight loss

Crystal Meth and Methamphetamine  Extremely dangerous because it is highly addictive and systematically destroys the body  Can become addicted on first use b/c of the highly concentrated effect  It is a powerful and extremely addictive man-made stimulant. Its use can lead to severe physiological and psychological dependence.

Crystal Meth and Methamphetamine  Short-Term Effects: The drug’s effects are similar to those of cocaine but longer lasting. Can cause erratic, violent behavior among its users. Effects include suppressed appetite, interference with sleeping behavior, mood swings and unpredictability, tremors and convulsions, increased blood pressure, irregular heart rate.  Long Term Effects: brain damage, coma, stroke or death distinct physical symptoms include weight loss, tooth decay and cracked teeth (“Meth Mouth”), psychosis and hallucinations, sores on the body from picking at skin, and formication eth.us/main.htm eth.us/main.htm

Inhalants  Slows down body functions  Can damage heart, kidney, brain, liver and bone marrow  Starves body of oxygen  Forces heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly.

Inhalants  Short Term Effects: Dizziness Dazed appearance Headache Rash around nose  Long Term Effects: Muscle weakness Disorientation, decreased coordination Irreversible physical and mental damage Heart, liver, kidney and lung damage

Heroin  As soon as heroin enters the brain, there is a surge of sensation- a rush, warm feeling of skin (may be itchy or even vomit)  If abuser doesn’t get another fix, withdrawal symptoms are extreme  Other problems from heroin use: Death, AIDS, hepatitis C2, tuberculosis, arthritis

Heroin  Short Term Effects: Rush, slowed breathing Clouded mental function Nausea, drowsiness Decreased body temperature Coma, death  Long Term Effects: Death, coma Infections Bad teeth Decreased immunity Respiratory illness Constipation Mental disturbances

LSD (Acid)  Manufactured from lysergic acid found in fungus that grows on rye  Unpredictable  Effects from LSD, a “trip” could last up to 12 hours; serious disconnection from reality

LSD (Acid)  Short Term Effects: Dilated pupils Increase or decrease body temp; sweat or chills Panic attack, tremors Delusions, hallucinations, distortion  Long Term Effects: Psychosis Severe depression Severe mental damage Amnesia Panic disorder Death, coma

Prescription Drugs  Heroin affects the body in the same way as the painkiller Oxycontin  Depressants Effects: slowed body function, decreased BP & tension, dizziness, confusion, nausea Valium, Xanax  Painkillers Effects: decreased respirations, unconsciousness, numbness, coma, death, increased risk of heart attack Oxycontin, viacatin, opiods

Prescription Drugs  Antidepressants Effects: insomnia, irritability, nervousness, anxiety, violence, suicidal thoughts Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft  Stimulants Effects: increased energy and alertness, increased BP, HR, and breathing, then a crash: exhaustion, depression, apathy Ritalin, aderall, ADHD treatments