Lesson 3 Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs Chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain Psychoactive drugs change the functioning of the central nervous system Some have medical value Lead to addiction, health problems Four main groups Stimulants Depressants Opiates Hallucinogens

Club Drugs Drugs found at concerts, dance clubs, drug parties known as raves Designer drugs Synthetic drugs that are made to imitate the effects of other drugs Several times stronger than the drug they are meant to imitate Disguised in foods or slipped into drinks Club Drugs include: Ecstasy, Rohypnol, GHB, Ketamine, Methamphetamine, LSD

Ecstasy MDMA Both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects Hallucinogens Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense perceptions, including vision, hearing, smell, and touch Gives a short-term euphoria A feeling of intense well-being or elation

Rohypnol Roofies Depressants “date-rape” drug Sedatives that are colorless, odorless, and tasteless Depressants Drugs that tend to slow the central nervous system “date-rape” drug Criminal offense

GHB Gamma hydroxybutyric acid CNS depressent Clear liquid, white powder Tablets or capsules Also a date-rape drug

Ketamine Anesthetic used to treat animals Causes hallucinations and may result in respiratory failure Date-rape drug

Methamphetamine “Meth” Stimulant Drugs that speed up the central nervous system White, odorless powder that easily dissolves in alcohol or water Readily available because it can be made in makeshift labs Short term feeling of euphoria Causes depression, paranoia, delusions

LSD Acid, or lysergic acid diethylamide Causes hallucinations severely distorted perceptions of sound and color Flashbacks States in which the drug user experiences the emotional effects of a drug long after its actual use Emotional experience Ranges from extreme euphoria, to panic, to terror or deep depression

Stimulants Speed up the CNS Nicotine in tobacco Caffeine in coffee, tea, cola, and power drinks “energy” or “power” drinks contain 4 to 10 times the amount of caffeine as a regular sized cola Other dangerous stimulants: Cocaine, crack, amphetamines, methamphetamines

Cocaine Rapidly acting, powerful, highly addictive Stimulant White powder extracted from the leaves of a coca plant High gives s sense of confidence and euphoria Let down can lead to depression, fatigue, paranoia, physiological dependence Malnutrition and cardiac problems

Crack Even more dangerous form of cocaine Also called rock or freebase rock Reaches the brain seconds after being smoked or injected Causes blood pressure and heart rate to soar Death may be the result from cardiac or respiratory failure Mixing with alcohol can be deadly because both substances together can cause liver failure

Amphetamines Highly addictive Stimulant People will use them to stay alert, improve athletic performance, or to lose weight Easy to gain a tolerance for them Regular use can result in an irregular heartbeat, paranoia, aggressive behavior, and heart failure

Depressants Slow the CNS Slow heart rate Lower blood pressure Most commonly used = alcohol Combination of depressants can cause shallow breathing, weak or rapid pulse, coma, and death Barbiturates, Tranquilizers, GHB, Rohypnol

Barbiturates Sedatives Rarely used for medical purposes Using them causes: Mood changes, excessive sleepiness, and coma Similar to intoxication Stronger than a tranquilizer and combing them with alcohol can be fatal People who use them will become dependent on what they do the body

Tranquilizers Relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, sleeplessness, and nervousness When they are overused they can cause physiological and psychological dependence, coma, and death Illegal tranquilizer is Rohypnol

Hallucinogens Overload the brain’s sensory controls Cause serious mental/emotional and physical consequences Alter mood, impair judgment, thoughts, and sense perception Example: the person may believe they are invincible Increase heart rate and respiratory rates, which can lead to heart and respiratory failure The altered mental state can last for several hours or several days Experience flashbacks Examples are: Ecstasy, ketamine, acid (LSD), phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust), Dextromethorphan (DXM), psilocybin (mushrooms), & mescaline (peyote)

PCP Angel dust Effects vary from user to user Creates a distorted sense of time, increased muscle strength, increased feelings of violence, and the inability to feel pain Many deaths have occurred from the use of PCP not necessarily the overuse

DXM Tussin Cough suppressant sold as an over-the-counter medicine The recommended dosage is not dangerous Overuse or misuse can cause hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, nausea, increased heart rate and blood pressure, seizures, and addiction

Mushrooms and Peyote Psilocybin (mushrooms Mescaline (peyote cactus) Hallucinogens found in nature as a fungus and a plant Can also cause nausea and flashbacks Possible death do to dealers harvesting toxic species

Opiates Highly addictive Cause confusion and dull senses Drugs such as those derived from the opium plant that obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain Pain reliever provided by a physician and pharmacists record all sales Abusing them can cause drowsiness, constipation, slow and shallow breathing, convulsions, coma and death Examples are: Morphine, oxycodone, & codeine

Codeine Highly addictive ingredient in some cough medicines Can cause: Dizziness, labored breathing, low blood pressure, seizures, and respiratory arrest CDC has issued a warning against giving medications with codeine to infants and small children because it has been linked to death

Morphine Much stronger than codeine Prescribed for severe pain and is generally only used for a short period of time Side effects include: Fast or slow heartbeat, seizures, hallucinations, blurred vision, rashes, and difficulty swallowing

Heroin Processed form of morphine It can be injected, snorted, or smoked Comes in many forms: A white or brownish powder, and a black sticky tar Dealers might mix heroin with other medicines or household substances to create “cheese” or “cheese heroin” Slows breathing and pulse rate Can cause infection of the heart lining and valves, as well as liver disease Large doses can cause coma and adeath

Oxycodone A prescription drug that helps to relieve moderate to severe chronic pain Contains a strong opiate and is often referred to as the brand name OxyContin Side effect is: Suppression of the respiratory system Cause death from respiratory failure