DRUGS A drug is any substance other than food that causes physiological changes in the body

Some facts  We've already spent over $600 million to eradicate drugs at their source in Colombia and what's happened?  A recent study of U.S. antidrug policy indicates that cocaine and heroin production in Colombia have more than doubled  80% of the cocaine  75 % of the heroin

 The $400 million cost of the helicopters alone would provide treatment for 200,00 Americans addicted to drugs.  Over the last 10 years, the federal government has spent $150 billion to combat the supply of illegal drugs, yet the cocaine market is as glutted as ever.

Contradictions  Amphetamines are given to military pilots but are illegal for truck drivers  Tobacco kills 430,000 people a year, alcohol between 100,000 and 150,000  all other drugs combined kill  Cancer patients and people with terminal illnesses are denied strong pain medications because the doctor does not want to be sued if they become addicted

Addiction or addictive behavior  is a habit that has gotten out of control that results in a negative effect upon one’s health.  reinforcement- reinforces pleasurable feelings or alleviates pain or unpleasant ones  compulsion or craving- compelling need to engage in behavior  loss of control- cannot block the impulse to engage in behavior  escalation- often more and more of the substance is needed to produce required effects  negative consequences- behavior has serious negative consequences job, relationships health, legal and financial

Drug definitions  Psychoactive – alters user’s moods, feelings, perceptions or behavior  Medicines – restore function, prevent illness, diagnosis  Other – legal substances such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and OTC drugs like aspirin

Fig. 14.1: Routes of administration of drugs ©2003 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license.

Drug Dependence- defined as a blend of three or more symptoms over a 12-month period  Developing tolerance to the substance  Withdrawal symptoms result when concentrations drop in the body  Symptoms can be physical and/or cognitive.  Different drugs have different symptoms  Taking the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than was originally intended often with prescription drugs

Drug abuse  recurrent drug use that results in  a failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school or home  situations in which are physically hazardous  legal problems  personal and social problems caused or increased due to the use of the drug

Why do people use drugs?  Experimentation  Physical risk factors  Psychological risk factors  Social risk factors

Classes of drugs

CNS Stimulants  cocaine, amphetamine, nicotine, ephedrine, and caffeine  speed up the activity of the nervous system:  heart rate accelerates,  blood pressure rises,  gastric and adrenal secretions increase,  muscular tension and motor activity increase.  wakefulness is common.

CAFFEINE  Caffeine per 12 oz cans (mgs):  Mountain Dew/55.0  Diet Mountain Dew/55.0  Coca-Cola/45.6  Diet-Cola/45.6  7 Up/0  Chocolate  28 gram Cadbury chocolate bar contains about 15 mgs of caffeine  Caffeine amounts per 7 oz cups of coffee and tea:  Espresso/100  Brewed coffee/  Instant/  Decaf, brewed/3 - 4  Decaf, instant /2 - 3  Tea iced/70  Tea brewed/  Tea instant/30

Amphetamines  synthetic chemicals that are potent stimulants and mood elevators.  Methamphetamine, amphetamine, dextrophetamine  Medical use is for the treatment of ADHD and obesity, narcolepsy  Popular names for these drugs include “speed,” “crank,” “crystal,” and “meth.” and “Ice”

©2003 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license. Cocaine

CNS Depressants  reduce anxiety and cause mood changes  impaired muscular coordination  Cause drowsiness.  Mental functioning is also affected.  sedatives, include barbituates, alcohol, tranquilizers and club drugs like GHB, ( liquid X) roofies (Rohypnol), ketamine- Special K.  CNS depressants are used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders and to control seizures.

Hallucinogens  are drugs that alter the user’s perception, feelings, and thoughts.  LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline, psilocybin, STP (dimethoxymethyl amphetamine), DMT (dimethyltryptamine), MDMA (3, 4- methylene-dioxymethamphetamine), ketamine, and PCP (phenylcyclidine).

©2003 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license. Marijuana  THC- tetrahydracannibinol

Narcotics  natural or synthetic drugs designed to relieve pain, cause drowsiness, and induce euphoria.  opium, morphine, heroin, methadone, codeine, meperidine, and fentanyl.

Inhalants  Inhaling certain chemicals can produce effects ranging from heightened pleasure to delirium.  The three major groups of inhalants are volatile solvents, nitrites, and anesthetics.

Getting help  Alcoholics Anonymous  Cocaine Anonymous  Narcotics Anonymous  Drug treatment  Inpatient  Outpatient