Transcript Substance use and Abuse

Substance use and Abuse
What is a drug?



In your groups come up with your own
definition of a drug.
Substances other than food which are
taken in order to change the way the
body or mind works. Drugs can be licit
or illicit
Can you name some examples of Licit
and illicit drugs?
Drug Use vs. Abuse

Drug use refers to the use of a drug in order
to change the way the body works without
interfering with one’s daily activities. While
Drug Abuse refers to when a drug begins to
affect other aspects of life-for example:
School, work, friends, driving. In some
cases people abuse drugs because of
wanting to perform better in other areas of
life e.g. school work etc. (steroids, caffeine
pills) or also to get away from these things…
Types of Drugs

Stimulants – drugs that speed up or
excite the Central Nervous System.
These drugs make you feel more
alert/awake/energetic and often
decrease appetite. E.g. Cocaine,
amphetamines, tobacco, caffeine
Types of Drugs

Depressants – Drugs that slow down
the functions of the Central Nervous
System. Often make you feel
tired/less aware or less sensitive to
what in your environment or with pain.
E.g. Alcohol, opiates (morphine,
heroin, codeine) rohypnol.
Types of Drugs

Hallucinogens – Drugs that distort the
senses and one’s awareness or
perception of events. Often cause
people to see or hear things that don’t
exist. Can lead people to very
dangerous situations! E.g. LSD, PCP,
Magic Mushrooms.
Drug Use and Abuse

What are the various ways drugs can be
taken into the body?





Mouth – ingestion leads to the drug being taken into
bloodstream through the walls of the stomach
Inhaled – drug is taken into the bloodstream via the
lungs and also the rich supply of capillaries in the
nasal passages (absorption).
Smoked – drug is taken into the bloodstream through
the alveoli at the lungs.
Absorbed – Drug is taken into the blood through the
skin
Injected – Drug is taken in directly to the bloodstream.
Skin popping (under skin), Intramuscular (into muscle),
mainlining (into a vein)