PATHO PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG

ADDICTION

BY: JOHN ARBIE T. TATTAO, RN

is a chemical substance used as medicine or in making medicines which affects the body and mind and have a potential for abuse.

Drugs are chemicals that have a profound impact on the neurochemical balance in the brain which directly affects how you feel and act.

DRUG

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) – is the deliberate use of medically useful drugs which have the capacity to alter mood and behavior without the benefit of a prescription.

Means the use of any drug, medically speaking, to the point where it seriously interferes with the health, economic status, or social functioning of the drug user or others affected by the drug user’s behavior.

DRUG ABUSE

as defined by DDB is a state of psychological or physical reliance or dependence on a dangerous drug following the administration or use of the drug on a periodic or continuous basis

WHO: refers to it as a condition or state arising from repeated administration of a drug periodically or continuously

DRUG DEPENDENCY

TOLERANCE

WITHDRAWAL/ABSTINENCE SYNDROME

DRUG DEPENDENCY: SIGNS

1. DRUG HABITUATION/PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE:

A condition resulting from the repeated consumption of drug

Characteristics:a. A desire (but not compulsion) to continue

taking the drug for the sense of improved well-being.

b. Little or no tendency to increase the dose.c. The drug user is more deleteriously affected

with the drug than is society or another person.

2 TYPES OF DEPENDENCE

2. DRUG ADDICTION/PHYSICAL DEPENDENCY: Is a state of period or chronic intoxication

produced by the repeated consumption of a drug.Characteristics:a. Overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to

continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means

b. A tendency to increase the dosec. Detrimental effects on the individual and societyd. When the drug is stopped, physical disturbance

results

2 TYPES OF DEPENDENCE

a person who uses or administers to himself or allows other to administer dangerous drugs to himself without medical approval.

3 Categories:1. EXPERIMENTER – out of curiosity ,

uses or administers to himself dangerous drugs one or a few times.

2. CASUAL USERS – who from time to time uses or administers drug to himself in an attempt to refresh his mind and body and as a form of play, amusement or relaxation.

3. DRUG DEPENDENT – who regularly consumes or administers dangerous drugs to himself and has acquired psychological or physical dependence on the drugs which has gone beyond a state of voluntary control.

DRUG ABUSER

1. DEPRESSANTS (DOWNERS) – these are drugs which suppress vital body functions especially those of the brain or central nervous system with the resulting impairment of judgment, hearing, speech and muscular coordination. They dull the minds, slow down body reactions to such an extent that accidental deaths and or suicides, usually happen.

Example: Opiates (CHOM) Sedative-Hypnotics

(Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines (Valium), Tranquilizer)

Inhalants Alcohol

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS THAT ARE ABUSED

Heroin and Morphine

BENZODIAZEPINES

2. STIMULANTS (Uppers) – instead of bringing about relaxation and sleep, they produce increased mental alertness, wakefulness, reduce hunger, and provide a feeling of well-being.

Examples: (CANS)

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS THAT ARE ABUSED

3. HALLUCINOGENS (Psychedelic) – consists of drugs which affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness and emotion. The user experiences delusions and hallucinations.

Examples: Marijuana LSD (Lysergic Acid

Diethlylamide) PCP (Phencyclidine)

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS THAT ARE ABUSED

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.

What is Drug Addiction?

To feel good.

To feel better.

To do better.

Curiosity and "because others are doing it.”

Reason Why People Takes Drugs

Risk Factors For Drug Addiction

Brain areas affected by drug abuse - The brain stem controls basic functions

critical to life, such as heart rate, breathing, and sleeping.

The limbic system contains the brain's reward circuit - it links together a number of brain structures that control and regulate our ability to feel pleasure

The cerebral cortex is divided into areas that control specific functions. Different areas process information from our senses, enabling us to see, feel, hear, and taste. The front part of the cortex, the frontal cortex or forebrain, is the thinking center of the brain;

Pathophysiology: Drugs and the Brain

Pathophysiology

EUPHORIA

DRUG TOLERANCE

Pathophysiological Effects of Drug Abuse

All drugs of abuse directly or indirectly target the brain's reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine.

How do drugs work in the brain to produce pleasure?

Our brains are wired to ensure that we will repeat life-sustaining activities by associating those activities with pleasure or reward. Whenever this reward circuit is activated, the brain notes that something important is happening that needs to be remembered, and teaches us to do it again and again, without thinking about it. Because drugs of abuse stimulate the same circuit, we learn to abuse drugs in the same way.

How does stimulation of the brain's pleasure circuit teach us to keep taking drugs?

When some drugs of abuse are taken, they can release 2 to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do. In some cases, this occurs almost immediately (as when drugs are smoked or injected), and the effects can last much longer than those produced by natural rewards.

Why are drugs more addictive than natural rewards?

DOWNERS (Suppress vitalBody functions)

SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

Signs and symptoms of use and dependence on these drugs include:

• Drowsiness • Slurred speech • Seems drunk as if from alcohol but without the associated odor of alcohol• Lack of coordination• Clumsiness • Memory impairment • Confusion • Slowed breathing and decreased blood pressure • Dizziness • Depression• Contracted pupils

UPPERS(ElevationOf body functions)

SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE Signs and symptoms of use

and dependence on these drugs include:

• Euphoria • Decreased appetite • May go long periods of time without eating or sleeping• Rapid speech • Dilated pupils• Irritability • Restlessness • Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose in users who snort drugs (Perforated Nasal Septum) • Insomnia • Weight loss • Increased heart rate, blood pressure and temperature • Paranoia

PSYCHEDELICS(Impairs Thought Process)

S/SX:Marijuana: Serious mental changes

(psychoses) like insanity, suicidal, and or homicidal tendencies

Bloodshot eyes Altered sense of

time/disorientation Forgetfulness/inability to think Impaired concentrationLong Term Effects: “Marijuana

Burn out” – dull, slow moving, inattentive, unaware of surroundings

SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

HALLUCINOGENS

ALLUCINATION

Signs and symptoms of LSD use include:

Hallucinations Greatly impaired perception

of reality Permanent mental changes

in perception Rapid heart rate High blood pressure Tremors Flashbacks, a re-experience

of the hallucinations — even years later

Signs and symptoms of PCP use include:

Hallucinations Euphoria Delusions Panic Loss of appetite Depression Aggressive, possibly

violent behavior

SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

SYMPTOMS OF DRUG DEPENDENCECravings and relapse

• Strong and overwhelming desire to use your drug of choice at a specific time of day or several times a day• Drug seeking behaviors • Trying to stop using the drug but failing more than once • Feeling that you must have the drug to deal with your problems

Tolerance • In order to feel the same effect, using more of the drug than intended and using the drug more frequently

Effects on memory and motivation

• Impairments in learning, memory and cognitive functioning • Losing interest in activities and hobbies that were once pleasurable

Risky behavior • Sharing needles • Having unsafe sex

DepressantsHow They're Used: Depressants are swallowed (Oral tablets).

Effects & Dangers: When used as prescribed by a doctor and taken at the correct

dosage, depressants can help people feel calm and reduce angry feelings.

Larger doses can cause confusion, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and tremors.

Very large doses can cause a person to stop breathing and result in death.

Depressants and alcohol should never be mixed — this combination greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.

Addictiveness: Depressants can cause both psychological and physical dependence.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

AlcoholHow It's Used: Alcohol is a liquid that is drunk.Effects & Dangers: Alcohol first acts as a stimulant, and then it makes people feel relaxed and a bit

sleepy.

High doses of alcohol seriously affect judgment and coordination. Drinkers may have slurred speech, confusion, depression, short-term memory loss, and slow reaction times.

Large volumes of alcohol drunk in a short period of time may cause alcohol poisoning.

Addictiveness: Teens who use alcohol can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning. Some teens are also at risk of becoming physically addicted to alcohol. Withdrawal from alcohol can be painful and even life threatening. Symptoms range from shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and depression to hallucinations, fever, and convulsions.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Inhalants Inhalants are substances that are sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an

immediate rush or high.

How It's Used: Inhalants are breathed in directly from the original container (sniffing or snorting), from a plastic bag (bagging), or by holding an inhalant-soaked rag in the mouth (huffing).

Effects & Dangers: Inhalants make you feel giddy and confused, as if you were drunk. Long-

time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and may suffer loss of hearing and sense of smell.

Inhalants are the most likely of abused substances to cause severe toxic reaction and death. Using inhalants, even one time, can kill you.

Addictiveness: Inhalants can be very addictive. Teens who use inhalants can become psychologically dependent upon them to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Heroin

How It's Used: Heroin is injected, smoked, or inhaled (if it is pure).

Effects & Dangers: Heroin gives you a burst of euphoric (high) feelings, especially if it's

injected. This high is often followed by drowsiness, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.

Users feel the need to take more heroin as soon as possible just to feel good again.

With long-term use, heroin ravages the body. It is associated with chronic constipation, dry skin, scarred veins, and breathing problems.

Users who inject heroin often have collapsed veins and put themselves at risk of getting deadly infections such as HIV, hepatitis B or C, and bacterial endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart) if they share needles with other users.

Addictiveness: Heroin is extremely addictive and easy to overdose on (which can cause death). Withdrawal is intense and symptoms include insomnia, vomiting, and muscle pain.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Cocaine

How They're Used: Cocaine is inhaled through the nose or injected.

Effects & Dangers: Cocaine is a stimulant that rocks the central nervous system,

giving users a quick, intense feeling of power and energy. Snorting highs last between 15 and 30 minutes; smoking highs last between 5 and 10 minutes.

Injecting cocaine can give you hepatitis or AIDS if you share needles with other users. Snorting can also put a hole inside the lining of your nose.

First-time users — even teens — can stop breathing or have fatal heart attacks. Using either of these drugs even one time can kill you.

Addictiveness: These drugs are highly addictive. Even after one use, cocaine can create both physical and psychological cravings that make it very, very difficult for users to stop.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Amphetamines

How They're Used: Amphetamines are swallowed, inhaled, or injected.

Effects & Dangers: Swallowed or snorted, these drugs hit users with a fast high,

making them feel powerful, alert, and energized. Uppers pump up heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure,

and they can also cause sweating, shaking, headaches, sleeplessness, and blurred vision.

Prolonged use may cause hallucinations and intense paranoia.

Addictiveness: Amphetamines are psychologically addictive. Users who stop report that they experience various mood problems such as aggression, anxiety, and intense cravings for the drugs.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Nicotine

How It's Used: Nicotine is typically smoked in cigarettes or cigars. Some people put a pinch of tobacco (called chewing or smokeless tobacco) into their mouths and absorb nicotine through the lining of their mouths.

Effects & Dangers: Physical effects include rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure,

shortness of breath, and a greater likelihood of colds and flu. Nicotine users have an increased risk for lung and heart disease and

stroke. Smokers also have bad breath and yellowed teeth. Chewing tobacco users may suffer from cancers of the mouth and neck.

Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, anger, restlessness, and insomnia.

Addictiveness: Nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine, which makes it extremely difficult to quit. Those who start smoking before the age of 21 have the hardest time breaking the habit.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Methamphetamine

How It's Used: It can be swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked.

Effects & Dangers: Users feel a euphoric rush from methamphetamine, particularly

if it is smoked or shot up. But they can develop tolerance quickly — and will use more meth for longer periods of time, resulting in sleeplessness, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Users sometimes have intense delusions such as believing that there are insects crawling under their skin.

Prolonged use may result in violent, aggressive behavior, psychosis, and brain damage.

Addictiveness: Methamphetamine is highly addictive.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Marijuana Marijuana is often called a gateway drug because frequent use can lead to

the use of stronger drugs.

How It's Used: Marijuana is usually smoked — rolled in papers like a cigarette (joints). Some people mix it into foods or brew it as a tea.

Effects & Dangers: Marijuana can affect mood and coordination. Users may experience mood

swings that range from stimulated or happy to drowsy or depressed. Marijuana also elevates heart rate and blood pressure. Some people get red

eyes and feel very sleepy or hungry. The drug can also make some people paranoid or cause them to hallucinate.

Marijuana is as tough on the lungs as cigarettes — steady smokers suffer coughs, wheezing, and frequent colds.

Addictiveness: Teens who use marijuana can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more marijuana to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

LSD

How It's Used: LSD is licked or sucked off small squares of blotting paper. Capsules and liquid forms are swallowed. Paper squares containing acid may be decorated with cute cartoon characters or colorful designs.

Effects & Dangers: Hallucinations occur within 30 to 90 minutes of dropping acid. People say

their senses are intensified and distorted — they see colors or hear sounds with other delusions such as melting walls and a loss of any sense of time. But effects are unpredictable, depending on how much LSD is taken and the user.

May cause panic attacks, confusion, depression, and frightening delusions. Physical risks include sleeplessness, mangled speech, convulsions,

increased heart rate, and coma. Users often have flashbacks in which they feel some of the effects of LSD at

a later time without having used the drug again.

Addictiveness: Teens who use it can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Deterioration of personality with impaired emotional maturation

Impairment of adequate mental function

Loss of drive and ambition

Development of psychosis and depression

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Loss of interest to study

Laziness and Lethargy

Boredom and Restlessness

Irritability, Rebellious Attitude

Withdrawn, forgetfulness

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Adverse effects on the CNS. Regular use or injection of large doses reduces the activity of the brain and depresses the CNS. The drug dependent then manifests changes in his mind and behavior that are undesirable by people in his environment.

Deterioration of the mind. In other instances, the drug dependent abruptly loses interest and motivation in the pursuit of achievement and constructive goals.

MENTAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Some are thrill-seekers, some just curious; some try drugs because their friends use, or they want to be perceived as cool.

Many people use drugs in order to cope with unpleasant emotions and the difficulties of life.

People who are suffering emotionally use drugs not so much for the rush but to escape from their problems. They’re trying to self-medicate themselves out of loneliness, low self-esteem, unhappy relationships, stress, and many other types of problems.

FAQ’S: What causes people to abused drugs?

In the adolescent brain, the centers for judgment and self-control are still developing, resulting in many teens being less than careful about the decisions they make and more open to risk-taking

Kids think they’re immortal and nothing can kill them

Teens are notorious conformists, so many are going to want to do what the other kids are doing, or do things that they think will make them look cool

Contemporary adolescence is filled with stress and problems, some of which is exaggerated, but unfortunately some of the stress is experienced fully.

FAQ’s: Why are teenagers especially vulnerable to drug abuse

School performance, declining grades, increased absences, reported truancy

Withdrawal from hobbies, teams, family life

Marked change in behavior ranging from hostility to violence

Changes in energy level, having unusual amounts of energy or increased fatigue

FAQ’s: What are some common warnings of teen drug use?

Increased secrecy about possessions or activities

Use of incense, room freshener, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors

Wearing new clothes that highlight drug use, or suggest inappropriate conduct, or lack of concern for appearance and grooming

Evidence of drug paraphernalia

FAQ’s: What are some common warnings of teen drug use?

Evidence of eye drops used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.

Unusual requests for money without reasonable explanations for why they need it, discovering money has been stolen from your home or wallet, or finding objects missing which may have been sold to support a drug habit.

FAQ’s: What are some common warnings of teen drug use?

The Phil. Government considers drug abuse as a multi-faceted problem that threatens the health and well-being of Filipinos across all levels of society.

R.A. 6425 – Dangerous Drug Act which defined the role of gov’t in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the country

> Created the DDB, the national drug policy making and coordinating

body.

FAQ’s: What is the Phil. Government doing about drug abuse?

KILL Droga (Kilos Laya Laban sa Droga) It is an apolitical and non-profit organization. The sole reason

of its creation is to fight illegal drugs for a drug-free Philippines.

VISSION: KILL DROGA is committed to the attainment of a drug-free

Philippines by the year 2010.

MISSION: To actively participate in and support the drug law

enforcement and prevention efforts

GOAL:> To reduce both the demand and supply of dangerous drugs

to zero by the year 2010.

FAQ’s: What is K.l.L.L. Droga?

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