1. CHAPTER 3: Major Substances of Abuse and the Body
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice
Fifth Edition
Patricia Stevens
Robert L. Smith
Prepared by:
Dr. Susan Rose, University of the Cumberlands

2. Chapter Overview The Brain Controlled Substance Schedules Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
A Further Look at Club Drugs
Volatile Substances or Inhalants
Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

3. The Structure of the Brain: Hemispheres
Corpus Callossum: communication between the left and right sides of the brain
Left Hemisphere: controls right side of body; concerned with thinking and intellectual functioning
Site of logic and verbal ability, producing and understanding language
Uses Words
Right Hemisphere: Controls left side of body; considered to be creative side involving intuitive and creative processes
Involved with temporal and spatial relationships, analysis of nonverbal information and communicating emotion
Uses pictures

4. The Structure of the Brain: Three Basic Parts
Hindbrain: contains the cerebellum and lower brain stem
Midbrain: houses relay areas from the upper brain stem
Forebrain: includes the cerebral hemisphere and the rind of outer covering called the cortex.
Most higher states of consciousness take place in the cortex
Thought
Perception
Motor Function, sensory data processing
Vision
Houses the mechanisms that most often interact with substances that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

5. The Structure of the Brain
Limbic System: lies just below and connects with the cortical area
Involved in emotional behavior and long-term memory
Diencephalon: Contains the thalamus and hypothalamus
Hypothalumus regulates more basic functions
Thirst
Hunger
Temperature
Sex Drive
Sleep
Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers
Drugs interact with these neurotransmitters thus altering the function of the brain
Table 3.1 (Page 56)

6. Psychoactive Substances and the Brain
Substances are considered psychoactive when they can cross the blood-brain carrier and create changes in the brain and, therefore, in the mind and behavior.
Primary use of psychoactive substances is to change the neurochemistry of the brain and alter one’s consciousness.
Specific sites demonstrate a possible neurochemical basis for the ongoing use of substances:
Medial Forebrain Bundle
Ventral Tegmental Area
Nucleus Accumbens
Hypothalamus
Locus Coeruleus
Plasticity: the ability of brain cells to remember
Long-Term Potential
Excitotoxicity

7. Controlled Substances Schedules
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Control Act (1970)
Established the Drug Enforcement Agency
Established a Schedule of Controlled Substances

8. Depressants Alcohol Incidence Psychoactive Effects Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence
Withdrawal
Toxic and Lethal Effects
Gender Differences
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

9. Depressants
Benzodiazepines: Most widely prescribed group of drugs in the treatment of anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks.
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence
Gender Differences
Withdrawal

10. Depressants
Barbituates: Until recently considered drug of abuse by “street people”
Replaced on the street with benzodiazepines
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Nonbarbiturate Sedative-Hypnotics
Tolerance and Dependence
Withdrawal

11. Depressants GHB (Identified as a Club Drug)
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Effects on the Body
Tolerance, Dependence and Withdrawal
Toxic and Lethal Effects
Opiates (Prescription Drugs Often Abused)
Tolerance and Dependence
Withdrawal
Overdose

12. Stimulants Cocaine Incidence Psychoactive Effects Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence
Effects on the Fetus

13. Stimulants
Amphetamines: Psychomotor stimulants that were first proposed as a treatmetn for asthma; Major Medical use is for treatment of ADHD children, but frequently abused
Incidence
Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence
Withdrawal
Overdose

14. Stimulants Minor Stimulant: Nicotine Minor Stimulant: Caffeine
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence
Withdrawal
Overdose
Minor Stimulant: Caffeine

15. Stimulants
Cannabis: the hemp plant that produces marijuana and hashish
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence
Withdrawal
Medical Use

16. Hallucinogens Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Tolerance and Dependency
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Tolerance and Dependence
Ketamine (Targeted as a Club Drug)
Effects on the Body

17. A Further Look at Club Drugs
Includes most hallucinogens and are grouped by use not by effect
MDMA
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Effects on the Body
Tolerance and Dependence

18. Volatile Substances or Inhalants
This group contains several chemicals that can be “sniffed”, “snorted”, “huffed”, “bagged”, or inhaled.
Incidence
Psychoactive Effects
Toxicity

19. Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids
The abuse of steroids can lead to serious health problems including risk of liver and heart disease, stroke, hepatitis and infections from contaminated needles.
Incidence
Effects on the Body

20. Discussion
As we’ve just discussed, research has shown that drug use affects the brain and that long term abuse of drugs can destroy brain cells. Specifically, how does drug use and abuse affect the brain?
Either from your own experiences, from observing others, or from readings, what trends in drug use and abuse including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, and steroids have you noticed?