SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION Drug Concepts and Statistics Substance

SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION

Drug Concepts and Statistics Substance abuse is any unnecessary or improper use of a chemical substance for non-medical purposes. � People abuse drugs for a variety of reasons, none of them healthful. � Substance abuse can harm a person’s physical, mental/ emotional, and social health, even lead to death. � Substance abuse has far-reaching consequences for the abuser, of others in the abuser’s life, and society at large. � Barbiturates overdose is a factor in nearly 1/3 of all reported drug related deaths. �

Drug Concepts and Statistics � Heroin is the strongest narcotic. � Morphine has 12 times the potency of codeine. � Amphetamines were originally used to treat obesity. � Marijuana can be more harmful than smoking cigarettes. � Marijuana can stay in your system up to 30 days. � A single strand of hair can detect every type of drug consumed. � A spinal tap can detect every type of drug consumed in a life-time.

What is a drug? Any substance taken into the human body that impairs physical and mental ability.

How Do Drugs Work? ? � The amount taken determines the effect. � A small amount acts as a stimulant. � A greater amount acts as a depressant. � Larger amounts can kill. � Distorts user’s perception of what is happening. Results in odd, irrational, inappropriate and even destructive behavior. � Blurs memory, causing blank spots � Make a person feel less smart and cause failures in life.

Why Do People Use Drugs? • See friends, parents, older siblings using them. • Feel pressured to use drugs and don’t know how to • • • say no Want to fit in, relax, feel mature See drugs glamorized on TV, in videos, movies, in song lyrics Seek a solution to boredom, looking for something new Trying to escape from their problems To rebel

Costs of Substance/Drug Abuse • Negative performance in school • Negative performance in extra-curricular activities • Negative performance in relationships with peers and • • family Affect teens emotional, social, and physical health Add more pressure and stress to life In trouble with the law Goals in life may be slowed, interrupted and destroyed

Dangers of substance abuse/addiction � Tolerance: Ø Needing more and more of the drug to get the same effects and eventually needing it to function. Ø Physiological Dependence: Ø When a person has developed a tolerance and experiences severe effects when the drug is taken away � Psychological Dependence: Ø A person believes a drug is needed to feel good and/or to function normally. � Withdrawal: Ø This occurs when a person stops using a drug in which he or she is physiologically dependent. Symptoms can include nervousness, insomnia, severe nausea, headaches, vomiting, chills, cramps and in some cases even death.

Addiction Cycle Effects Drug Tolerance Quit Withdrawal symptoms Increased Dose

Types of Drugs �Medicines • Over-the-counter (OTC) • Prescription �Question: How do prescription, overthe-counter, and illegal drugs differ?

Medicines �Legal drugs that help the body fight injury, illness, and diseases. • Over-the-counter: Drugs that can be purchased legally in pharmacies and other stores that sell medicines without a physician’s prescription. • Prescription: Drugs that must be obtained through a written prescription from a physician and can be purchased only at the pharmacy. These are more government controlled because of their potential harm.

What is the difference between legal and illegal drugs? �Legal Drugs • Over-the-counter and prescription drugs. �Illegal Drugs • Chemicals that are unlawful because of their dangerous and often unpredictable effects outweigh any useful purpose that the drugs may have.

What is the difference between drug use, drug misuse, and drug abuse? � Drug Use � The use of any prescription and non-prescription drug. � Drug Misuse � The improper use of any drug, taking more than prescribed, taking it with the wrong foods, wrong time of day, or for the correct period of time. � Drug Abuse � This occurs when people intentionally misuse any kind of drugs for non-medical purposes.

What is the difference between drug action, drug effects, and side effects? �Drug Action � What any drug does to your body �Drug Effect � The physical and mental response to the drugs action…what you feel �Side Effects � The unwanted even dangerous physical and mental effects caused by a drug such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, etc.

What Are Psychoactive Drugs? �Chemicals that affect the central nervous system (CNS), interfere with the normal functioning of the brain, and how they alter consciousness and perceptions.

Categories of Drugs � Types • Stimulants �Cocaine, Caffeine • Depressants �Alcohol, Prozac • Hallucinogens �LSD, Ecstasy • Narcotics �Codeine, Heroin • Cannabis �Marijuana • Inhalants �Gasoline, paint fumes that cause mind altering effects.

Stimulants �Drugs that speed up the Central nervous system (CNS). Examples: Amphetamines, methamphetamine (crank, speed, ice), cocaine/crack. Increased HR, BP, and respiratory rate Ø Usually injected or inhaled Ø Causes Paranoia-irrational suspiciousness or distrust of others. Ø Causes Euphoria-a feeling of intense well-being or elation that may be followed by a complete “crash” or letdown. Ø

Stimulants Methamphetamine Cocaine

Depressants �Drugs that tend to slow down the CNS. Examples: alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, methaqualone, rohypnol. Most commonly used psychoactive drug Ø Overall used to relax muscles, relieve feelings of tension, and worry. Ø Decreases HR, BP, and respiratory rate. Ø

Narcotics �Drugs derived from the opium plant that has a sedative effect. Most commonly abused narcotics are morphine, heroin, opium, and codeine. Mainly used to relieve pain Ø Largely causes sleep so deep that they depress the respiratory system so much a person quits breathing and dies if not used correctly. Ø Heroin has absolutely NO medical use, it is considered illegal. Ø

Hallucinogens �Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense of perception, including vision, hearing, smell and touch. Most commonly abused hallucinogens are PCP (angel dust), LSD (acid), and mescaline. Ø PCP is considered one of the most dangerous of all drugs. Ø Most deaths related to hallucinogens are caused by strange, destructive behavior that the drug produces in the users. Ø

Signs of Substance/Drug Abuse � Major changes in behavior � Lying, cheating � Sudden changes in mood � Forgetfulness, withdrawn attitude � New friends who are suspected of � Loss of memory � Poor school performance � Poor coordination � Changes in appearance � Slurred speech � Irresponsible decision making � Attention-getting behavior � Aggressiveness � Denial of any problems abusing drugs

Physical Symptoms � Loss of appetite, increase in appetite, any changes in eating habits, unexplained weight loss or gain. � Slowed or staggering walk, poor physical coordination � Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness � Red, watery eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual, blank stare.

Physical Symptoms � Cold, sweaty palms, shaking hands. � Puffy face, blushing or paleness. � Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes. � Extreme hyperactivity, excessive talkativeness. � Runny nose, hacking cough. � Needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet. � Nausea, vomiting, or excessive sweating. � Tremors or shakes of hands, feet, or head. � Irregular heartbeat.

Addicts: Before and After

Addicts: Before and After

Behavioral/ Psychological Symptoms � � � Attitude/personality change. Paranoia. Irritability or nervousness. Secretive or suspicious behavior. Loss of motivation. Change in habits. Change in activities Sudden oversensitivity or resentful behavior Loss of interest in hobbies, family, and friends. Appearance has changed Excessive need for privacy

Performance � � � � � Frequent mistakes Missed deadlines Minimal work effort Accidents Abnormal behavior Time management problems Poor judgment Inconsistent productivity Confusion Wide swings in morale

Getting Help �Abuser must recognize their problem and want help first. �Find ask someone they trust…parents, teachers, friends, brothers, sisters, school counselors, school nurse, members of the church clergy, national hotlines, etc.

Ways to get help � Support groups & Self-help programs: Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. � Inpatient & Outpatient Programs: specialized treatment centers. � Treatment Facilities: these provide medical supervision while going through detoxification (quitting all at once or reducing the drug dosage), and will include counseling programs as well.

Alternatives to Substance Abuse � Find healthful ways to have fun and enjoy life � Hang out with people who know how to have fun without chemicals to make you feel good � Think about your true purpose and how you can put your life and talents to good use. � Be creative � Learn healthful ways to relax and manage stress. � Learn new skills and hobbies. � � �