Chapter Seven Making Decisions About Drug Use This chapter will cover what drugs are, how they are used, and the classification of psychoactive drugs, treatment, and effects when combined together.

Effects of Drugs on the CNS Neuron – brain cell Dendrite – portion of neuron that receives electrical stimuli Axon – portion of neuron that conducts electrical impulse from dendrite Synapse – location of reception site between axon of neuron and dendrite from another How do drugs, especially psychoactive drugs work? Once the drug has been administered via the methods earlier discussed, it disrupts normal neurological processes and pathways. The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron. Stimuli is received and converted into electrical impulses. These impulses are sent along the neural pathway (dendrite), through the cell body, and axons carry these messages away from the cell body. Each neuron has only 2 dendrites and one axon. Once the transmission of the impulse (action potential) has traveled past the axon, the junction between two nerve cells is called the synapse. Neurotransmitters are manufactured at the ends of the synaptic knobs (end of axon) and released, resulting in possible electrochemical communication between one neuron to another. The use of psychoactive drugs heighten or change, creating an excitability of neurons, therefore, giving the user the associated effect of the drug taken.

The Process of Addiction Exposure: introduced to the drug that is considered pleasurable Compulsion: time, energy, and money are spent to pursue the behavior. Normal behavior has already degenerated Loss of Control: addicted people lose the ability to control their behavior; results in addiction to more than one drug or behavior

Drug Terminology Drug: substance other than food that will alter function Psychoactive drug: a drug that alters moods or feelings Dependence: the need to continue to use a drug for psychological or physical reasons The above drug terminologies will help explain drug behavior as well as familiarize the common drug terminologies. Drug: substance other than food that will alter function Psychoactive drug: alters moods or feelings Dependence: physical or psychological need for the drug

Drug Terminology (cont’d) Tolerance: acquired result of diminished effects from prolonged use Withdrawal: response of body to regain normality without drug in the system Drug misuse: unintentional inappropriate use of drugs Drug abuse: intentional inappropriate use of drugs 4) Tolerance: acquired result of diminished effects from prolonged use 5) Withdrawal: response of the body to regain a form of normality without the drug in the body’s system. 6) Drug misuse: is the unintentional and inappropriate use of drugs e.g taking 2 aspirin instead of 1 dose. 7) Drug abuse: is the intentional and inappropriate use of drugs e.g. taking pain killers after the injury has healed.

4 Methods of Drug Administration Ingestion Injection Inhalation Absorption These are the routes of administration of drugs. Ingestion: oral administration Injection: refers to using a needle to insert a drug into the body. Inhalation: is when the drug enters the through the lungs. Absorption: refers to the administration of drugs through the skin or mucous membranes.

Drug Classifications Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens Narcotics Cannabis Inhalants There are 6 classification of psychoactive drugs that will be explained in detail. Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens Narcotics Cannabis Inhalants Drugs are categorized to the nature of their physiological effects.

Stimulants Function: elevate CNS Examples: caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine,crack, ephedra, ritalin, adderall Stimulants excite or increase the activity of the Central Nervous System. Results include increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and faster brain function. Users feel less fatigued. Examples: caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine Most stimulants produce psychological dependence and tolerance relatively quickly but unlikely to produce significant physical dependence when judged by life threatening withdrawal symptoms. The exception is cocaine which is capable of producing psychological dependence and withdrawal so powerful that continued use is inevitable in some users.

Depressants Function: slows down the CNS Examples: barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol Depressants or sedatives slow down the function of the Central Nervous System. Examples: barbiturates, tranquilizers, and alcohol. Depressants produce tolerance in abusers, as well as strong psychological and physical dependence.

Hallucinogens Function: distort reality, produce hallucinations Examples: LSD, PCP Hallucinogens produce hallucinations (perceived distortions of reality). They are also known as psychedelic or phantasticant drugs. Very popular in the 1960’s when many students were encouraged to experiment with these drugs to “discover reality”. Examples: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline (peyote/cactus), psilocybin (magic mushroom). The consumption of hallucinogens seems to produce not physical dependence but mild levels of psychological dependence. The concept of “synesthesia” (hearing colors, smelling music, or touching a taste) is reported in some users. Long term effects are not fully understood. Possibilities of genetic abnormalities in offspring, fertility, sex drive dysfunction, and personality disorders. The concept of a “flashback” has been noted to happen with people taking hallucinogens (return of the psychedelic symptoms) due to the accumulation of the drug within the body cells.

Cannabis Function: produces a variety of effects Examples: marijuana, hashish, active ingredient tetra hydro cannabinol (THC) Cannabis has been labeled a mild hallucinogen but many drug expert tend to classify this drug as a category of its own due to the amount of effects it has the ability to possess. The potential of Cannabis effects is due to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient. THC can remain in the body for up to a month (drug testing proof). Once consumed, many report heightened awareness to food cravings, and relaxation. Short term effects: short term memory impairment, overestimation of time concept, lack of attention to a task Long term effects: amotivational syndrome (lack of motivation) Medical uses: relieves nausea, improves appetite, reduces eye pressure (note: there are other non-psychoactive drugs that will perform the same medical functions as marijuana). Chronic abuse may lead to an amotivational syndrome

Narcotics Function: relieve pain Examples: opium, heroin, morphine, demerol, oxycontin Narcotics are the most dependence-producing drug of the 6 classifications. Narcotics relieve pain (physical and emotional) as well as induce sleep. Examples: opium, heroin, morphine, as well as quasi synthetic, and synthetic forms of narcotics. Production of a “dream-like” state euphoria and very strong dependence physically and psychologically.

Inhalants Function: unpredictable, drunk-like effects Examples: household products and solvents These include a variety of volatile chemicals (household products) that produce an unpredictable, drunk-like effect. Some users may become aggressive as well as experience delusions and hallucinations. Examples besides household products include: anesthetic gas, vasodilators, petroleum solvents, and spray products. The danger of inhalants lies in the damaging fatal effects of the respiratory system.

Combination Drug Effects Synergistic: exaggerates each drug effects Additive: totals just the sum of each drug Potentiated: intensifies second drug Antagonistic: reduces effect of another drug Drugs taken in various combinations and dosages can alter and cause the following: Synergistic effect: heightened exaggerated effect produced by the concurrent use of 2 or more drugs e.g. alcohol and tranquilizers. Additive: The combined effect produced by the concurrent use of two or more drugs but is not exaggerated. E.g. one plus one = two Potentiated effect: phenomenon where one drug intensifies the effect of a second drug. E.g. Quaaludes and beer will cause the higher effect of the sedative. Antagonistic effect: is the opposite effect one drug has on another. E.g tranquilizers relieving the effects of LSD or other hallucinogens.

Society’s Response to Drug Use Development of anti-drug organizations Famous personalities are used discourage use of drugs Starting drug education earlier in grade school (pre-school levels) Decrease of gateway drug exposure Our society has responded to the increasing usage of drugs by a variety of developments. Development of community, school, state, and national organizations directed towards the reduction of illegal drug use such as Parents Against Drugs, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Narcotics Anonymous, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Functions include education, enforcement, development of new laws and policies. The use of famous people that are impressionable have created a difference may they be sports heroes or movie stars that either young or older generations can relate to have provided information and guest speaking in a variety of avenues. Early childhood education by having drug education curriculum in the preschool years to upper elementary grades compared to junior high may have a more profound effect upon children. Reducing the exposure to gateway drugs such as easily obtainable legal or illegal drugs that represent a user’s first experience with a mind altering concept.

Drug Treatment Treatment programs via direct confrontation Trained drug counselors Private clinics or hospital setting Comprehensive drug treatment programs are available in very few college/university health centers. Therefore, medical treatment programs could be obtained through the services of a community treatment facility administered by the local health department, community mental health center, private health clinic, or local hospital. Treatment can be in or out patient. Check the telephone book for listings of drug treatment facilities or go on-line. Depending upon the agencies, costs can be free to extremely expensive. Insurance policies are providing more coverage for these programs as well as employers through the Human Resources Department.

Chapter Seven Making Decisions About Drug Use end