1. Drugs
An overview

2. Psychoactive Drugs
Chemicals that affect our nervous systems; and, as a result, may alter consciousness and awareness, influence how we sense and perceive things, and modify our moods, feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
Psychoactive Drugs are both licit (legal) and illicit (illegal)

3. Addiction
Means a person has developed a behavioral pattern of drug abuse that is marked by an overwhelming and compulsive desire to obtain and use drugs; even after stopping, the person has a strong tendency to relapse and begin using drugs again.

4. Tolerance
Means that after a person uses a drug repeatedly over a period of time, the original dose of the drug no longer produces the desired effect so that a person must take increasingly larger does of the drug to achieve the same behavioral effect.

5. Dependency
Refers to a change in the nervous system so that a person now needs to take the drug to prevent the occurrence of painful withdrawal symptoms.

6. Withdrawal Symptoms
Are painful physical and psychological symptoms that occur after a drug-dependent person stops using the drug.

7. Drug use in Adults and Teens

8. Stimulants Includes cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, and nicotine.
Increase activity of the central nervous system and result in heightened alertness, arousal, euphoria, and decreased appetite and fatigue.
Cocaine and amphetamines are powerful stimulants and caffeine and nicotine are mild

9. Cocaine (including crack)
Americans spend about 38 billion dollars annually on crack/cocaine
Over 303 tons of pure cocaine is consumed annually in the U.S.A.

10. Amphetamines and Methamphetamine
Amphetamines are usually taken in pill form. Many are prescribed for legitimate illnesses. Cause increase in blood pressure, enhanced mood, alertness, and energy
Methamphetamine (meth) is a synthetic crystal like drug that is smoked through a glass pipe. Causes aggression, disorientation, rapid heart rate. Highly addictive.

12. Caffeine Mild stimulant
Causes alertness, decreased fatigue and drowsiness.
Dependency is not life threatening, but is not healthy. Body can suffer from withdrawal symptoms if cut off from heavy or regular doses.

13. Nicotine Mild Stimulant
Produces arousal of nervous system… then calming.
Low doses improves attention and concentration.
High doses cause addiction
Long term use causes cancer

14. Opiates Opium, Morphine, Heroin
Produce pain reduction, euphoria, and constipation.
Highly addictive
Brain produces less endorphins after continued use which makes user more likely to increase doses… overdose becomes more likely.

15. Hallucinogens
Produce strange and unusual perceptual, sensory, and cognitive experiences.
LSD, Psilocybin, Mescaline, Ecstasy
Some are used to treat illnesses in very low doses.
These drugs are not always addictive, but are very dangerous due to a user’s actions while on the drug.

16. Alcohol
A depressant, which means it depresses the activity of the central nervous system.
Initially, alcohol seems like a stimulant because it reduces inhibitions, but later it depresses many physiological and psychological responses.
Heavy drinking may result in tolerance, addiction, and dependency.

17. Cultural Alcoholism Rates

18. Marijuana
Causes euphoria; high doses may cause hallucinations, and distortions of body image.
No long term affects to brain or nervous system, but long term use increases lung disease and cancer by 20% more than tobacco users.
Often a gateway to more dangerous drugs… especially for teenagers.

19. Drug Prevention and Treatment
Drug prevention is provided through education at early ages.
Drug treatments are provided through specially designed programs through rehabilitation centers and hospitals.
Most rehab programs are individually designed. Many have low success rates.