Substance Use and Abuse

By: Courtney Noel12/6/05

Objectives: Healthful Living 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.04, 6.05, 6.06, 6.07Back to Standards

Substances that are Abused…

Generic Drugs- Over-the-counter, or prescription drugs.

Illegal Drugs- Examples: Marijuana, Stimulants, Depressants, Inhalants, Club Drugs, and Hallucinogens.

ALCOHOL

Key Terms to Know… Drug misuse- the taking of

a drug for a purpose or by a person other than that for which it was medically intended.

Drug abuse- an excessive drug use that’s inconsistent with accepted medical practice.

Addiction- the habitual use of substances, such as alcohol and psychoactive drugs.

Intoxication- the maladaptive behavioral, psychological, and physiological changes that occur as a result of substance use.

Withdrawal- the development of symptoms that cause significant psychological and physical distress when an individual reduces or stops drug use.

Types of Illegal Drugs and Effects…

Marijuana~ Marijuana~ most widely used and is derived from the cannabis plant.

THC-THC- is the major psychoactive ingredient and can trigger a series of reactions in the brain that leads to the high experienced.

Marijuana Risks and Effects…

Effects…Effects…

Marijuana creates a mild sense of euphoria, heightened sensations of color and sound.

Acute anxiety, or panicky fear of losing control.

Physical effects are increased pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, slowed reaction times, impaired motor skills, and reduced short-term memory.

Risks…Risks…

Central Nervous System-Central Nervous System- Alters motor coordination, Dulls sensory and cognitive skills, and affects short-term memory.

Respiratory System-Respiratory System- Lung damage, damage to the throat from inhalation, may cause lung cancer.

Cardiovascular System-Cardiovascular System- Increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Reproductive System-Reproductive System- In women, may cause fetal abnormalities during pregnancy. In men, may suppress sexual functioning (including sperm abnormalities)

Cocaine…

Cocaine- Cocaine- “Coke,” or “Snow” in slang, is a white crystalline powder extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant.

This drug can be sniffed, snorted, or injected intravenously.

Cocaine Risks and Effects…Effects…Effects…

Users feel a brief sense of euphoria where they feel to have an enormous physical and mental ability then slump into depression.

After one high people tend to become addicted and need more right away.

The more continuous the use the more unpleasant the effects are, where they MUST have more because of a hunger for it.

Risks…Risks… CNS-CNS- Can cause strokes,

seizures, and neurological damage.

Cardiovascular System-Cardiovascular System- Causes irregular heartbeat, damages heart tissue, and constricts blood vessels which raises BP.

Respiratory System-Respiratory System- Lung damage, overdose can lead to respiratory arrest.

Reproductive System-Reproductive System- In men, causes sperm abnormalities. In women, may affect ability to carry pregnancy to term.

Ecstasy…

Ecstasy-Ecstasy- a street name for MDMA, a synthetic compound with both stimulant and mildly hallucinogenic properties.

Becoming one of the most commonly used drugs among teens today, commonly known as the “Club Drug.”

Ecstasy and its Effects…

Inhalants…

Inhalants-Inhalants- chemicals that produce vapors with psychoactive effects.

The most commonly abused are solvents, aerosols, model-airplane glue, and petroleum products.

Inhalants Effects and Risks…

Effects…Effects… Intoxication occurs within

five minutes and can last more than an hour.

Inhalants interfere with thinking and impulse control, so users may act in dangerous or destructive ways.

Risks…Risks… Regular use of inhalants

leads to tolerance, so that the sniffer needs more and more to attain the desired effects.

Even a single episode could trigger asphyxiation or cardiac arrhythmia leading to disability or death.

ALCOHOL…

Ethyl alcohol- is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages.

One bottle/can (12oz) of beer

One glass (4oz)

One shot (1 oz) ~ all of these contain the same amount of alcohol.

Key Terms to Know with Alcohol… Proof- Proof- determines alcohol

content, the proof is a number twice the percentage of alcohol.

Blood-alcohol-concentration Blood-alcohol-concentration (BAC)-(BAC)- expressed in terms of the percentage of alcohol in the blood.

Binge drinking-Binge drinking- defined as consumption of five or more alcoholic drinks by men or four or more alcoholic drinks by women in a row at least once in a two week period.

Alcohol abuse-Alcohol abuse- involves continued use of alcohol despite awareness of social, occupational, psychological, or physical problems related to drinking.

Alcohol dependence-Alcohol dependence- a separate disorder in which individuals develop a strong craving for alcohol because it produces pleasurable feelings or relieves stress.

Alcoholism-Alcoholism- is a primary, chronic disease in which genetic, psychological, and environmental factors influence its development.

Factors affecting a person’s BAC…

How much and how quickly you drink

What you’re drinking Your size Your gender Your age Your race

Other drugs Family history of

alcoholism Eating Expectations Physical tolerance

Binge Drinking…

Binge Drinking- consists of having five or more drinks at a single sitting for a man or four drinks for a woman.

Binge drinking has been linked to a substantially increased risk of serious injury-especially from automobile accidents-as well as higher rates of unsafe sex, assault, and aggressive behavior.

Damaging Physical Effects of Alcohol… Immune system- Lowers

resistance to disease. Liver- Damages and

eventually destroys liver cells.

Reproductive System- In women, increased risk of birth defectsIn men, hormone levels may be altered; impotence may occur

Brain- Damages and eventually destroys brain cells. Dulls senses, impairs physical coordination, and impairs memory.

Heart- Weakens heart muscle, may raise blood pressure, and causes irregular heartbeat.

Stomach and intestines- Causes bleeding and inflammation, may trigger cancer.

Medical Complications of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence…

Liver disease Cardiovascular system Cancer Brain damage Vitamin deficiencies Digestive problems

Reproductive and sexual dysfunction

Fetal alcohol syndrome Accidents and injuries Higher mortality Withdrawal dangers

Drunk Driving…

Drunk driving is the most frequently committed crime in the United States.

An estimated 513,000 people are injured in alcohol related crashes each year, an average of 59 people per hour or approximately one person per minute.