Chapter 12 Avoiding Addictions Elizabeth Lytle MPH BSN

Chapter 12 Avoiding Addictions Elizabeth Lytle, MPH, BSN, RN Los Altos School District

Addiction And The Dimensions Of Health Physical • Increased likelihood of disease, disability and premature death Emotional • Depression and Anxiety • Shame and Guilt Social • Withdrawal from others Intellectual • Logic and reasoning break down • Impulses difficult to control Spiritual and Environmental • Blocks pursuit of meaning and inner fulfillment • Behavior can lead to injury and damage

Characteristics Of College Drug Users Illicit Drug Users Single, White, Male Lower GPA Less likely to report good physical or mental health Sexually active Less religious values Inappropriate Prescription Drug Use White, male or female Lower GPA Less likely to report good physical or mental health Know faculty or administration

Why Students Don’t Use Drugs Spirituality and Religion Academic Engagement Perceived Harmfulness Athletics

Why Students Use Drugs Genetics and family history Sexual Identity Social Influences and Norms Race/ Ethnicity Mental Health Problems Substance Use In Highschool Parental Attitudes and Behavior Positive Expectations

Often Misused Over-the-Counter Medications Nasal Spray Laxatives Eye Drops Sleep Aids Pain Killers Cough Syrup

Avoid Misuse of OTC Medications By: Avoid using for several days in a row Use fiber and exercise instead Practice sleep hygiene Take only when needed Avoid using for several days in a row Many active ingredients are ineffective

Prescription Medications Considerations for taking prescription drugs: Most common problem – Ask how to Nontake medication adherence Take entire course Physical and psychological side effects Side Effects are possible Review information on side effects OTC and prescription drugs interact with each other Drug Interactions Alcohol interferes with drugs Read label to check for interactions

Prescription Drug Abuse Is Increasing Highest nonmedical use of prescription medication is among young adults age 18 to 25 Most widely abused medications are prescription stimulants and pain killers

Prescription Drug Abuse Carries Danger High doses: • Increase addiction risk Stimulants • Panic attacks • Aggressive behavior • Suicidal or homicidal impulses Side Effects: • Increased blood pressure • Headache • Cardio-respiratory problems

Prescription Drug Abuse Carries Danger Addictive Pain Usually requires medical Killers detoxification May require medication and therapy

Types of Drug Abuse is broken down into several categories: Pattern of use resulting in negative Abuse consequences or impairment Pattern of continuing substance Dependence use despite symptoms Taking drug for purpose or person other than the one intended Misuse Not taking recommended dose Transfer of medication from person Diversion it was prescribed to another

Causes of Drug Dependence and Abuse Biology Dopamine release from drugs can change pathways in the brain Difficulty controlling impulses Lack of values Vulnerability Low self-esteem, powerlessness Depression Early Drug abuse during adolescence Influences or parent drug use

Cannabis Is Most Widely Abused Substance Names: Marijuana, pot, hashish, hash Heightened sensations Relaxation Effect Increased confidence • Depression • Impaired fertility Risks • Diminished immune responses • Memory loss, difficulty learning, psychotic symptoms Insomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, Withdrawal irritability

Common Names Of Club Drugs Ecstasy GHB Nitrites GBL Love drug hug Beans Herbal X Georgia home boy Cloud 9 Liquid Ecstasy Herbal bliss XTC G Grievous bodily harm

Club Drug – Ecstasy, E, XTC, X, hug, beans, love drug Effect Risks Mood elevator Relaxed, euphoric state Enhance sensory experience • Psychological difficulties • Death of young, healthy 16 -24 year old • Hyperthermia, severe dehydration • Dangerous increase in blood pressure • Stroke and heart attack • Risk to developing fetus

Club Drug – GHB and GBL GHB, G, Georgia home boy, grievous bodily harm, liquid ecstasy Sedative while producing euphoria Effect Heightened sexuality • Amnesia (‘date rape’ drug) • Pass out and fall into coma or die • Hallucinations Risks • Decreased heart rate • Convulsions • Addictive

Club Drug – Nitrites Amyl, butyl and isobutyl nitrite Effect Risks Feeling of high with slowed sense of time Intensified sexual experience Carefree sense of well-being • Headache • Drop in blood pressure • Changes in heart rate • Increased pressure in eyes • Skin flushing • Chronic use: chemical burn, skin lesion

Club Drug – Herbal Ecstasy Herbal bliss, cloud 9, herbal X Effect Risks Feeling of high with slowed sense of time Intensified sexual experience Carefree sense of well-being • Stroke • Heart attack • Disfiguring skin condition • Large variation in ingredients because sold as herbal alternative

Stimulant Drugs– Cocaine Coke, snow, lady, crack INSERT FIGURE 12. 4 pg 411: Some effects of cocaine on the. Soaring body. Center on page well-being Boundless energy Effect Feel enormous physical and mental ability Risks See next slide Depression and fatigue Vivid and disturbing dreams Withdrawal Anxiety and irritability Increased appetite

Cocaine’s Effect On The Body

Stimulant Drugs– Khat INSERT FIGURE pg 411: tea Some effects of Kat, catha, chat, 12. 4 abyssinian cocaine on the body. Center on page Effect Risks Reduces appetite Alleviates fatigue Compulsive use creates: • Manic behavior • Grandiose illusions • Paranoia • Hallucinations

Depressant Drugs - Benzodiazepines Librium, diazepam, Serax, Ativan, Dalmane, Xanax Tension relief Effect Loosening of sexual or aggressive inhibitions Dependence develops in 2 -4 weeks Cross-tolerance Risks Impaired judgment and aggression

Withdrawal From Benzodiazepines Malaise or weakness Sweating and rapid pulse Tremors Nausea or vomiting Withdrawal Insomnia Temporary hallucinations Anxiety or irritability Grand Mal seizures

Depressant Drugs - Opiods Morphine, codeine, heroin (horse, junk, smack, downtown) Relaxation Effect Pain relief Rapid development of dependence Lethargy and weight loss Loss of sexual drive Anxiety Risks Insomnia Restlessness Craving for drug

Depressant Drugs - Opiods Irritability, nausea, vomiting Muscle aches Runny nose or eyes Dilated pupils Withdrawal Sweating Diarrhea Yawning Fever Insomnia

Hallucinogens – LSD Acid, lysergic acid diethylamide, peyote Effect Vivid and unusual changes in thought, feeling and perceptions Does not create dependence, can Withdrawal be stopped at any time

Dissociative Drugs– Ketamine K, Special-K, vitamin K Hallucinations Effect Distorted perceptions of time and space Date-rape drug Impaired attention and memory Potentially deadly breathing problems Risks Paranoia Single use can produce long-term memory loss and ‘flashbacks’

Dissociative Drugs– PCP Phencyclidine, Sernyl, angel dust, peace pill, lovely, green Utterly unpredictable • hallucinations or euphoria • emptiness or numbness Effect • violent behavior • irreversible psychosis Suicide Permanent psychosis after only one use Risks Stupor that lasts days Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Dissociative Drugs– Salvia Effect Hallucinations Psychotomimetic episodes Greatly altered perception of reality and self Risks DEA lists it as a drug with high potential for abuse

Inhalants – A Risk For Young People Only alcohol is more widely used than inhalants Slightly stimulated Effect Less inhibited Interference with thinking and impulse control Irritation of throat, lungs and nose Nausea and headache Risks Tolerance occurs Suffocation Cardiac arrhythmia