1. Altering Consciousness through Drugs

2. Substance Abuse and Dependence
substance abuse: repeated use of a substance even though it is causing or compounding problems
substance dependence: loss of control over use of a substance
behavioral and biological aspects
associated with tolerance, withdrawal, or both
tolerance: the body’s habituation to a drug; in order to feel the effect, increasingly higher doses must be used
withdrawal: symptoms that result from sudden decrease in an addictive drug’s level of usage

3. Substance Abuse and Dependence
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
anxiety
tremors
restlessness
rapid pulse
high blood pressure
Symptoms of psychological dependence on drugs:
shakiness
sweating
Symptoms of physiological dependence:
delirium tremens (DTs) - heavy sweating, restlessness, disorientation, frightening hallucinations (often crawling animals)

4. Causes of Substance Abuse and Dependence
Substance abuse and dependence usually begins with experimental use in adolescence. (curiosity, peer pressure, parental use, rebelliousness, escape, excitement)
Certain people have a genetic predisposition toward physiological dependence on certain substances like alcohol, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine.
An inherited tendency toward alcoholism may involve greater sensitivity to alcohol and greater tolerance.

5. Depressants
Depressants slow the activity of the central nervous system.

6. Alcohol
Alcohol is the most used drug.
Excessive drinking has been linked to lower productivity, loss of employment, decline in social status.
Effects of alcohol vary with the amount and duration of use.
Low doses may be stimulating because it dilates blood vessels and thus sugar travels more easily through the body.
Higher doses have a sedative effect.
It impairs cognitive functioning, slurs speech, and impairs coordination.
It lowers inhibitions.

7. Opiates
Opiates are a group of narcotics. They are derived from the poppy plant.
Opiates include morphine, heroin, codeine, Demerol
The major effect of opiates is pain relief.
Heroin can cause a euphoric “rush”. High doses cause drowsiness and stupor, alter time perception, and impair judgement. Regular use of opiates will cause the brain to stop producing naturally occurring neurotransmitters that relieve pain.
Withdrawal symptoms may begin with flu-like symptoms and then tremors, cramps, chills, sweating, rapid pulse, high bp, insomnia, vomiting, and diarrhea

8. Barbiturates Barbiturates are depressants.
May be used for medical reasons to treat anxiety, tension, pain, epilepsy, high bp, and insomnia
There is a rapid psychological and physiological dependence.
Effects:
relaxation
mild euphoria
In high doses: drowsiness, motor impairment, slurred speech, irritability, and poor judgement
Someone who is physiologically dependent and is withdrawn abruptly, may experience convulsions and die.

9. Stimulants
Stimulants increase the activity of the central nervous system.
Some help cognitive activity and help people control impulses.

10. Amphetamines People often use amphetamines to stay awake.
In high doses, an euphoric rush is produced.
People who have been on a prolonged high will crash, often falling into depression and sometimes committing suicide.
Dependence develops quickly.
High doses can cause restlessness, insomnia, loss of appetite, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and irritability.

11. Cocaine Effects of cocaine: Dangers: Overdose symptoms: euphoria
reduces hunger
lessons pain
boosts self-confidence
Dangers:
sudden rise in bp (coronary arteries are restricted and heart rate elevates)
may lead to death
Overdose symptoms:
restlessness, insomnia, tremors, headaches, nausea, convulsions, hallucinations, delusions

12. Nicotine
Nicotine causes hormones to be released: adrenaline, dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and endorphins.
Adrenaline accelerates the heart rate and causes sugar to enter the blood.
Acetylcholine enhances memory and attention.
GABA and endorphins create a relaxing effect.
It depresses the appetite and raises the metabolic rate.
It creates physiological dependence.

13. Nicotine cont.
Withdrawal symptoms include nervousness, drowsiness, loss of energy, headaches, irregular bowel movements, lightheadness, insomnia, dizziness, cramps, palpitations, tremors, and sweating.
Dangers:
impairs blood’s ability to carry oxygen
causes shortness of breath
cancer
stiffens arteries
reduced bone density (women)

14. Hallucinogens
Hallucination: a sensation and/or perception in the absence of external stimuli

15. Marijuana Effects: Health risks: relaxation enhanced mood
mild hallucinations
Health risks:
impaired perceptual-motor coordination
impaired short-term memory

16. LSD and Other Hallucinogens
LSD (synthetic)
Users say it opens “new worlds.”
It causes flashbacks that mimic the “trip”
PCP was developed as an animal tranquilizer.
High doses may impair coordination, cloud judgment, change one’s mood, and cause frightening hallucinations and delusions.

17. Prescription Drugs