Substance Use and Abuse general overview DRUG: Most substances that enter the body that are not nutrients or Oxygen. Key quote: Some drugs can be helpful but all drugs can be harmful

How do drugs enter the body? 1) Mouth = Chew, drink or swallow 2) Needles = Injections, IV’s 3) Smoking = Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc 4) Inhaling = breathing in 5) Skin and mucous membranes = snorting, rubbing, dissolving, nasal sprays, etc

Mis-use, over-use and abuse Mis-use = Using a medicine for a specific medical purpose but using it in-correctly Over use = Using a drug more than it’s intended amount Abuse = see next slide

What Is Drug Abuse? When people use illegal drugs, or when they intentionally misuse legal drugs for non-medical purposes, this is drug abuse. For example, when people drink alcohol with the intention to get drunk, they are abusing alcohol.

Stimulants Stimulants are drugs that speed up the body’s functions. Effects of stimulants include the following: Increase in heart rate Increase breathing rate Increase in blood pressure False sense of energy and power THE MOST USED DRUG in the United States is a stimulant….\ what do you think it is?????.. Most people drink or eat something every day that contains this drug

Depressants Most depressants come in the form of tablets or capsules and are swallowed. Doctors sometimes prescribe depressants called tranquilizers to treat patients who are experiencing anxiety, muscle spasms, or sleeplessness. The most used depressant is alcohol

The Dangers of Drug Use Drugs can cause brain damage, coma, and death. Sharing needles when injecting heroin or other drugs can spread HIV or hepatitis. A person under the influence of a drug cannot think clearly. This increases the possibility of injury, as well as unplanned pregnancy and STDs.

Reviewing Terms and Facts How do stimulants differ from depressants? Stimulants are drugs that speed up the body’s functions; depressants are drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions, including heart and breathing rates. Click to show the correct answer.