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CJ 411 Unit 2 seminar Effects of Depressants and Stimulants What role do endorphins play in drug abuse and addiction? What are the various types of depressants and what are their effects on the human body? Should caffeine and alcohol, currently legal stimulants, be deemed illegal? Why, or why not? What are other types of stimulants and what are their effects on the human body? Be prepared to discuss these issues based on what you have learned from the course material and any personal experiences or observations.

ENDORPHINS Endorphin Any of a group of peptide substances secreted by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that inhibit the perception of painful stimuli. Endorphins act as neurotransmitters in the pain pathways of the brain and spinal cord. Narcotic drugs may stimulate the secretion of endorphins. American Psychological Association (APA): endorphins. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/endorphins

ENDORPHINS Endorphins enable the organism (including many animals) to deal with psychological stress by curbing an autonomic overreaction and producing calm: They slow breathing, reduce blood pressure, and lower the level of motor activity A “deficiency in an endorphin system that ordinarily would support feelings of pleasure and reinforcement might lead to feelings of inadequacy and sadness” (Levinthal 1988: 149), a phenomenon that would make the use of depressants essentially a form of self- medication. Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part.

Depressants Depressants are a category of drugs that includes alcohol, barbiturates, sedatives/tranquilizers, and the narcotics. Depressants are typically addicting, and studies have indicated a relationship between certain chemical deficiencies and the propensity for addiction to depressants.

Depressants Depressants such as heroin inhibit stress hormones (such as cortisol and adrenalin) and stress-related neurotransmitters. A person who is having difficulties dealing with stress and is exposed to opiates is likely to find them rewarding and thus become addicted.

Depressants Depressants such as heroin inhibit stress hormones (such as cortisol and adrenalin) and stress-related neurotransmitters. A person who is having difficulties dealing with stress and is exposed to opiates is likely to find them rewarding and thus become addicted.

Tolerance to drugs What is this referring too?????

Tolerance Requires an increase over the previous amount just to get to the same state or high.

HEROIN: USES AND EFFECTS Classification: Narcotic CSA Schedule: Schedule I Trade or Other Names: Diacetylmorphine, horse, smack Medical Uses: None in United States, analgesic, antitussive Physical Dependence: High Psychological Dependence: High Tolerance: Yes

HEROIN: USES AND EFFECTS Duration (hours): 3–6 Usual Method: Injected, sniffed, smoked Possible Effects: Euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea Effects of Overdose: Slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, possible death Withdrawal Syndrome: Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, tremors, panic, cramps, nausea, chills, and sweating

MORPHINE: USES AND EFFECTS Classification: Narcotic CSA Schedule: Schedule II Trade or Other Names: Duramorph, MS-Contin, Roxanol, Oramorph SR Medical Uses: Analgesic Physical Dependence: High for nonmedical use, low for medical patients in pain Psychological Dependence: High Tolerance: Yes

MORPHINE: USES AND EFFECTS Duration (hours): 3–6 Usual Method: Oral, smoked, injected Possible Effects: Euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea Effects of Overdose: Slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, possible death Withdrawal Syndrome: Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, tremors, panic, cramps, nausea, chills, and sweating

Withdrawl 1. Several hours after last use: anxiety, restlessness, irritability, drug craving 2. Eight to fifteen hours since last use: yawning, perspiration 3. Sixteen to twenty-four hours since last use: sneezing, sniffles, anorexia (severe appetite loss), vomiting, abdominal cramps, bone pains, tremors, weakness, insomnia, goose flesh, convulsions (very rarely), cardiovascular collapse

!!!!Stimulants!!!! Substances in this category stimulate the central nervous system (CNS).

Cocaine COCAINE: USES AND EFFECTS Classification: Stimulant CSA Schedule: Schedule II Trade or Other Names: Coke, flake, snow, crack Medical Uses: Local anesthetic Physical Dependence: Possible Psychological Dependence: High Tolerance: Yes

Cocaine Duration (hours): 1–2 Usual Method: Sniffed, smoked, injected Possible Effects: Increased alertness, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite Effects of Overdose: Agitation, increased body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death Withdrawal Syndrome: Apathy, long periods of sleep, irritability, depression, disorientation

Neurological Effects “Smoked, snorted, or injected, cocaine rapidly enters the bloodstream and penetrates the brain. The drug achieves its main immediate psychological effect— the high—by causing a buildup of the neuro-chemical dopamine”

Crack Use

Crack Cocaine Because crack is inhaled directly into the lungs, bypassing much of the circulatory system en route to the brain, it takes about five seconds to take effect— even faster than intravenous ingestion.

Legality Should Caffeine, Nicotine and Alcohol, which are currently legal, be deemed illegal? Why or why not?

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