1. The Science of Addiction

2. Agenda What is Addiction?? Drug Classifications Principles of Addiction Biology Neurotransmitters Cocaine Example

3. What is a Psychoactive Drug? Chemical substance that acts on the CNS Affects a person’s neurochemistry Alters brain function  Changes in perception, mood, cognition, consciousness, and behaviour

4. What is Addiction? Abuse Tolerance Withdrawal Dependence

5. The Three “C’s” of Addiction Continued use of the drug in the face of adverse consequences Compulsion to use the drug with cravings that the drug is necessary for functioning A feeling/perception of being “out of Control”

7. Psychoactive Drug Classifications CNS Depressants CNS Stimulants Opiates/Narcotics Hallucinogens Cannabis Mixed Action Performance Enhancers

8. DEPRESSANTS ALCOHOL, SLEEPING PILLS, MINOR TRANQUILIZERS (e.g.., Valium) Used medically to induce sleep, relaxation, and to relieve anxiety, decrease inhibitions, slows down body functions Some forms can be used as a “date-rape” drug

9. ALCOHOL THE LIVER CAN ONLY PROCESS ONE STANDARD DRINK OF ALCOHOL PER HOUR ONE STANDARD DRINK CONTAINS THE SAME AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL =  1 341 ml/12 oz. can or bottle of beer (5% alcohol)  1 142 ml/5 oz. glass of wine (13% alcohol)  1 43 ml/1.5 oz. shot of hard liquor (40% alcohol)

10. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE HOW A PERSON REACTS INCLUDE :  Body weight – small person with lower body weight will become more intoxicated than larger person drinking same amount  Age – young people are still maturing and are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol

11. Factors Continued…  Rate of drinking – the body can only metabolize one standard drink per hour  Food – a full stomach slows the rate of absorption into the bloodstream but a person can still become intoxicated on a full stomach  Gender – women are more susceptible because they have less of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol before it enters the bloodstream

12. STIMULANTS COCAINE, CRACK, AMPHETAMINES, NICOTINE, METHAMPHETAMINES, CAFFEINE, DIET PILLS Increases in heart rate, energy, alertness, decreases in appetite, speeds up body functions Reduced need for sleep

13. Nicotine Nicotine is one of more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke from tobacco products Nicotine is the primary component in tobacco that acts on the brain, the component that causes addiction. The addictive potential of nicotine is similar to cocaine or heroin and greater than alcohol.

14. NARCOTIC/OPIATES MORPHINE, CODEINE, HEROIN, PRESCRIPTION PAIN KILLERS (e.g., demerol, oxy contin) Drowsiness, intoxication followed by euphoria, relief from pain, slowed breathing Route of use affects how quickly the user feels the effects High potential for abuse and dependency

15. HALLUCINOGENS LSD (ACID), PSILOCYBIN (MAGIC MUSHROOMS), MESCALINE Mind altering, intensification of senses, hallucinations (see, hear, feel), distortions in time and distance, rapid mood swings, confusion

16. MIXED ACTION ECSTACY, PCP, INHALANTS May act as a stimulant, hallucinogen, depressant, or any combo-depends on the amount taken Hallucinations, increases in heart rate, blood pressure, distorted body image, feelings of euphoria Effects of high doses can be serious and unpredictable

17. PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS STERIODS Physiological and psychological effects Enlargement of muscles, mood changes, weight gain, growth pattern changes, decrease in impulse control, increase in aggression

18. CANNABIS MARIJUANA, HASHISH, HASH OIL Most widely used illegal drug Mood-altering, feelings of euphoria, enhanced senses, increases in heart rate, distortions in perception of time and space, difficulty with coordination and reaction time

19. CANNABIS All forms of cannabis contain TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC) THC is the active ingredient in CANNABIS Traces of THC can stay in the system for 30 days after last use Short-term memory loss and impairment of learning Amotivational syndrome – loss of interest and motivation for school, sports, etc.

20. Addiction Biology Drugs activate the pleasure-producing chemistry of the brain Overstimulation of pleasure pathways cause them to neuroadapt Once adaptation occurs  Cessation of the drug leads to withdrawal  Difficulty deriving pleasure from previously enjoyed activities

23. What neurotransmitters are involved in drug use??

24. Neurotransmitters involved in Drug Use Dopamine Serotonin Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Norepinephrine

25. Neurotransmitters & Drugs Dopamine  Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, Marijuana, Heroin Serotonin  Alcohol, LSD, Ecstasy, Stimulants GABA  Depressants, Marijuana Norepinephrine  Stimulants, Marijuana

27. QUESTIONS?

28. Current Trends in Substance Use Nova Scotia Student Drug Survey (2007) Surveyed 4,486 students Surveyed 4,486 students Grades 7-12 (15.1 yrs) Grades 7-12 (15.1 yrs) Self-report questionnaire Self-report questionnaire Confidential and anonymous Confidential and anonymous Random sample Random sample

29. Substance 1991 (%) 1996 (%) 1998 (%) 2002 (%) 2007 (%) Alcohol50.654.156.751.7 Cannabis17.232.137.736.532.4 Cigarettes26.034.936.123.216.2* Psilocybin4.08.310.712.27.7* LSD7.112.410.15.53.7 Inhalants9.67.27.04.94.4 Ecstasyn/a 4.46.9* Cocaine or Crack2.53.64.73.94.3