Contemporary Adolescence Chapter 15 Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Dependency

Sequence of substance use Drinking beer and wine Smoking cigarettes and drinking hard liquor Smoking marijuana Using “hard” drugs

Patterns and intensity of drug use Experimental Social-recreational Circumstantial-situational Intensified drug use Compulsive drug use

Types of drugs Narcotics ▫Morphine, heroin, codeine  Most physically addictive  Withdrawal symptoms:  Running eyes/nose, yawning, sweating, pupils dilated, goose bumps; cramps, muscle spasms, vomiting, diarrhea  Methadone

Types of drugs Stimulants ▫Increase amount of norepinephrine and/or dopamine ▫Cocaine  Crack is made from cocaine and is one of the most addictive drugs ▫Amphetamines—ritalin ▫Meth  Increases dopamine and damages the production of dopamine and serotonin

Types of drugs Depressants ▫Barbiturates  Users become sluggish, emotionally erratic  Withdrawal is severe in 24 hours ▫Inhalants: solvents, gasses, nitrites ▫Date-rape drugs

Types of drugs Hallucinogens ▫Marijuana  Most widely used illegal substance  Affects hippocampus and thus effects memory and learning  May impair reproductive functioning; reduces testosterone ▫LSD  Long lasting, slow acting  Flashbacks  Most addicting of hallucinogens

Reasons for first drug use Curiosity Rebellion Fun/recreation Social pressure Relieve stress Self-awareness

Factors contributing to drug use Family Peer influence

Prevention Enhance protective factors Decrease risk factors Address all forms of substance abuse Focus on local community Targeted to needs of audience Positive effect on parenting issues Begin early Social skills Increase academic success Long-term Teacher training component Use interactive techniques

Treatment 12-step program Behavioral therapy Counseling, medical care, psychiatric treatment Family therapy Community Treatment

Smoking: reasons for continuing Relief of tension Development of a habit Sociability and pleasure Social coping Physical addiction