1. Chemical Dependency and Drugs Chapter 23

2. What Might Happen After Just One Use? Suppose a student is considering experimenting with an illegal drug. Suppose a student is considering experimenting with an illegal drug. What might happen if he takes the drug?

3. Using drugs can lead to overdose Using drugs can lead to overdose Long time users, as well as first time userLong time users, as well as first time user Using drugs can cause accidents Using drugs can cause accidents Slow reaction time, impaired coordination and affected judgmentSlow reaction time, impaired coordination and affected judgment Most auto accidents due to alcohol Most auto accidents due to alcohol Using drugs increases the risk of HIV infection, sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy Using drugs increases the risk of HIV infection, sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy Affects ability to make responsible decisionsAffects ability to make responsible decisions

4. Using drugs can harm relationships Using drugs can harm relationships May say or do things under the influence that they later regretMay say or do things under the influence that they later regret MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings Using drugs can prevent people from developing social skills Using drugs can prevent people from developing social skills Some use drugs to “relax” in social situations when uncomfortable or to “get through” situationsSome use drugs to “relax” in social situations when uncomfortable or to “get through” situations They will not develop skills needed for healthy relationshipsThey will not develop skills needed for healthy relationships

5. Using drugs can lead to violence and illegal behaviors Using drugs can lead to violence and illegal behaviors Often become angry and aggressive and may harm othersOften become angry and aggressive and may harm others Most homicides, suicides and abuse episodes are drug relatedMost homicides, suicides and abuse episodes are drug related Behaviors such as damaging property and shoplifting more likelyBehaviors such as damaging property and shoplifting more likely Using drugs can lead to drug dependence Using drugs can lead to drug dependence May stimulate pressure center of brainMay stimulate pressure center of brain Contains specialized nerve cells to release dopamine which triggers feelings of pleasureContains specialized nerve cells to release dopamine which triggers feelings of pleasure

6. What happened to your classmate? He decided to take the drug, cocaine He decided to take the drug, cocaine He is lucky, he does not die from his first useHe is lucky, he does not die from his first use Students from another school see him using cocaine and invite him to hang out with them.Students from another school see him using cocaine and invite him to hang out with them. They think he’s cool for using cokeThey think he’s cool for using coke He is happy and comfortable talking to these new “friends” at a partyHe is happy and comfortable talking to these new “friends” at a party

7. He now craves the drug from using so much (Desired Effect) He now craves the drug from using so much (Desired Effect) He needs more of the drug to get the same desired effectHe needs more of the drug to get the same desired effect He has body tremors, headaches and a sore throat. Even his body aches the morning after using the drug.He has body tremors, headaches and a sore throat. Even his body aches the morning after using the drug. He begins missing work, failing classes and is borrowing money from his family to buy more drugs He begins missing work, failing classes and is borrowing money from his family to buy more drugs He normal group of friends stops hanging out with him He normal group of friends stops hanging out with him

8. He claims he can stop using the drug at any time, doesn’t think he has a problem (Denial) He claims he can stop using the drug at any time, doesn’t think he has a problem (Denial) He starts taking the drug more frequently even though he doesn’t like the way it makes him feel or enjoys it anymore (Drug Dependent) He starts taking the drug more frequently even though he doesn’t like the way it makes him feel or enjoys it anymore (Drug Dependent) Tries to quit, but can’t Tries to quit, but can’t

9. Remember…. Your classmate was deciding whether or not he should try the illegal drug… Your classmate was deciding whether or not he should try the illegal drug… How would his life be different if he just said no???

10. Abuse vs. Addiction what’s the difference? Drug Abuse - can be viewed as a single incident of a problem because of drug use Drug Abuse - can be viewed as a single incident of a problem because of drug use a “snapshot” a “snapshot”

11. Stages of Addiction Tolerance Tolerance Psychological Dependence Psychological Dependence Physical Tolerance Physical Tolerance Addiction Addiction

12. Tolerance The body of the substance abuser needs more and more of the drug. The body of the substance abuser needs more and more of the drug.

13. Psychological dependence A condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally. A condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally. Develops over timeDevelops over time Desired effectDesired effect

14. Physiological dependence A condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug A condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug Feelings of withdrawal from the drug after taking it.Feelings of withdrawal from the drug after taking it. Symptoms include:Symptoms include: Nervousness Nervousness Insomnia Insomnia Severe nausea Severe nausea Headaches Headaches Vomiting Vomiting Chills Chills Cramps Cramps Even, death Even, death

15. Addiction Dependence on the drug Dependence on the drug Causes persistent, compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful Causes persistent, compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful People who are addicted have great difficulty stopping usePeople who are addicted have great difficulty stopping use

16. Precursors to Addiction Family history of Alcoholism/Addiction Family history of Alcoholism/Addiction Hereditary: father-son, mother- daughter inheritance has strongest correlation Hereditary: father-son, mother- daughter inheritance has strongest correlation Environmental Exposure Environmental Exposure Tolerance of Use Tolerance of Use Early Onset of Use/Adolescence Early Onset of Use/Adolescence

17. The Brain The reward center in the brain produces dopamines (even trigger by desire to get high/drug rituals) The reward center in the brain produces dopamines (even trigger by desire to get high/drug rituals) Endorphines block pain (endorphine means “the body’s own morphine”) Endorphines block pain (endorphine means “the body’s own morphine”) Neurotransmitters - chemical messengers released from neurons Neurotransmitters - chemical messengers released from neurons Receptors - recognition mechanisms that respond to specific chemical signals Receptors - recognition mechanisms that respond to specific chemical signals

18. The Brain cont. Drugs either (de)activate receptors or prevent neurotransmitters from sending Drugs either (de)activate receptors or prevent neurotransmitters from sending System overload System overload Brain chemistry adjusts receptors/neurotransmitter s Brain chemistry adjusts receptors/neurotransmitter s The drug is deactivated The drug is deactivated The adjusted receptors/transmitters scream for more The adjusted receptors/transmitters scream for more The brain needs more drug The brain needs more drug Addiction Cycle begins Addiction Cycle begins

20. Health Consequences Physical: once a drug enters the bloodstream it can harm a user’s brain, heart, lungs and other vital organs Physical: once a drug enters the bloodstream it can harm a user’s brain, heart, lungs and other vital organs OverdoseOverdose Mental/emotional Mental/emotional Social Social