1. The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs
Chapter Seven
The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs

2. The Process of Addiction
Addictive behavior has some common aspects
Reinforcement: physical and psychological with regards to pleasure or reduction of negative ones
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 and results in addiction to more than one drug or behavior
Escalation: more of the substance is required over time to produce the desired effects
Negative Consequences: the behaviors continues, regardless of the outcomes
See Table 9-1 to demonstrate medical and social purposes of drug use in our society

3. Development of Addiction
There is no single cause of addiction, however, the following factors can play a role with this development
Characteristics of the person
Environment of where the person lives
Heredity
Nature of the substance or behavior in question

4. What is a Drug?
Substance, other than food, that alters structure or function in a living organism
psychoactive drug – alters the mind (feelings, behaviors, mood)
See Figure 9-1 on how drugs were produced

5. What is Drug Abuse?
Substance Abuse involves one or more of the following:
Recurrent drug use, resulting in a failure to fulfill major responsibilities
Recurrent drug use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
Recurrent drug-related legal problems
Continued drug use despite persistent social or inter-personal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the drug

6. Drug Dependence
7 specific criteria the APA uses to diagnose substance dependence
Developing tolerance to the substance
Experiencing withdrawal
Taking the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than was originally intended
Expressing a persistent desire to cut down or regulate substance use
Spending a great deal of time obtaining the substance, using the substance, or recovering from its effects
Giving up or reducing important social, school, work, or recreational activities because of abuse
Continuing to use the substance in spite of recognizing that it is a problem

7. Who Uses Drugs?
The use and abuse of drugs occur at all income and educational levels, among ethnic groups, and at all ages
There are no clear prediction methods for potential drug users, however, the following characteristics do place people in higher risk for trying illicit drugs:
Being male
Poor self image
Risk taking personality
Peer or family group that partakes in this behavior
Dysfunctional or chaotic lifestyle at home
See Table 9-2 on drug dependence on certain types of psychoactive drugs
See Box: “Gender Differences in Drug Use and Abuse”
See Box: “Spirituality and Drug Abuse”

8. Why Do People Use Drugs? Curiosity Imitation of adults (modeling)
Spiritual experience
Alter moods
Remove emotional pain (coping mechanism)
Provide a temporary escape
Peer pressure
Assess Yourself: “Do You Have a Problem With Drugs?”

9. How Drugs Affect the Body
Stimuli converted into electrical impulses
Signals are converted into neurotransmitters
Messages are sent between neurons
Synapses are the result of message sent
Psychoactive drug can change or enhance reactions of the cell site
See Figure 9-2 on how drugs interact within the brain

10. Drug Factors Which Influence Different Effects
The pharmacological properties of a drug
The dose-response function
The time-action function
The person’s drug use history
The method of use

11. User Factors Which Influence Different Effects From Drugs
The physical and psychological characteristics of the drug user
Size/weight
Pregnancy
General health
Genetics
User expectations (placebo effect)
Effects can also be manipulated by particular social settings

12. Six Classifications of Psychoactive Drugs
Stimulant
Depressant
Hallucinogen
Cannabis
Narcotic
Inhalant
See Figure 9-3 on classifications of psychoactive drugs

13. Narcotics (Opioids) Effects: relieves pain, euphoria
Examples: opium, morphine, heroin

14. Depressants (Sedatives/Hypnotics)
Effects: slows down the CNS and possibly causes drowsiness
Examples: barbiturates, rohypnol, alcohol, tranquilizers
See Box: “Club Drugs”

15. Stimulants Effects: elevates sensory function of the CNS
Examples: cocaine, amphetamine, caffeine, ritalin
See Figure 9-4 on the use of caffeine

16. Cannabis
Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States
Active ingredient: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Effects: variety of psychoactive results
Examples: hashish, marijuana
See In The News Box: “Medical Marijuana”

17. Hallucinogens Effects: alters perception of the CNS
Examples: LSD, PCP, peyote, MDMA
See Box: “Club Drugs”

18. Inhalants Tends to be the highest among younger adolescents
Effects: volatile chemicals producing drunk-like effects or aggression
Examples: gasoline, paint, aerosol cans

19. Drugs, Society, and Families
Americans spend over 50 billion annually on illegal drugs
The criminal justice system is inundated with drug related crimes
Healthcare issues are involved with drug use with regards to hospital visits, treatment programs, and deaths
Drug abuse takes a toll on families, creating long term health problems, unemployment, and neglect

20. Drug Testing
It is estimated that 10% of the workforce use psychoactive drugs
Dangers are great in specific job assignments that all workers should be tested regularly
Most drug tests involve a urine test
Due to the accuracy of tests improving over the years, there are fewer opportunities to cheat or to yield false results
The FDA now has approved home kits for parents to check their children for drug use

21. Treatment For Drug Dependence
Community programs
Hospital facilities
Private facilities
Self-help groups/Peer counseling
Medication assisted treatment

22. Preventing Drug Usage
Developing persuasive anti-drug educational programs offer the best hope for solving the drug problem in the future
Direct approaches targets non-users (education)
Peer counselors promote that the majority of people do not use drugs

23. Societal Response to Drug Use
Increased incarceration time
Early prevention programs
Drug testing
Nationwide organizations to increase awareness

24. Other Drug Terminology
Dependence: refers to the need to continue using a drug for psychological or physical reasons
Withdrawal illness: toxic response of the body as it attempts to regain control (abstinence syndrome)
Tolerance: acquired reaction to a drug in which the continued intake has diminished effect

25. Codependence
Applies to those who are close to the individual who is addicted to something
Focused upon protecting or coping with the addict
Lose their sense of identity due to becoming unaware of their own feelings

26. The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs
Chapter Seven
The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs