Transcript Substance Abuse Education - University of the Sciences

Substance Abuse Education
The Use of Marijuana
Mark Ellow
PharmD candidate
Spring 2006
April 19, 2006
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Purpose of this Presentation…
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To explain how marijuana effects 3 very
important systems of the body.
Explain the results of longer term use of
marijuana.
Learn some other important facts about
marijuana that may help you think
again about smoking marijuana.
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What is Marijuana?
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Marijuana can be green,
brown, or gray in color, or a
mix of all three.
The active ingredient is THC
(delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol). (1)
It is a mind-altering drug
that effects how the brain:
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Sends signals
Interprets stimuli
Basically effects how it
functions
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Popular Street Names for
Marijuana
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Pot
Weed
Herb
Grass
Trees
Green
Reefer
(2)
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Popular Paraphernalia
(devices and associated items for usage)
Bag of Marijuana
Marijuana cigarette
(joint)
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Popular Paraphernalia Cont.
(devices and associated items for usage)
Pipe (bowl)
Bong
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Forms of Marijuana
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The “shredded leaf”
form
Obtained by
breaking up buds
from the hemp
plant.
This from is usually
rolled up and
smoked in cigarette
papers. (joints)
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Forms of Marijuana Cont.
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The “bud” from
Directly off the plant
Form is usually
smoked in a pipe or
“bowl-like” object.
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Routes of Administration
(Smoking)
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Smoking is the most
popular way of using
marijuana.
The leaf form
(ground up buds)
are rolled up in
cigarette papers.
No filters are used.
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Routes of Administration (Cont.)
(Smoking Cont.)
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Pipes and bongs are
also used to smoke
marijuana.
Buds of the plant
are place into the
“bowl-like structure”
Bongs have a
reputation of giving
a more “intense”
high.
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Routes of Administration Cont.
(Ingestion)
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Ingesting marijuana is
possible, usually
through baked goods.
Effects are felt but take
longer to develop.
Effects last longer but
reactions with stomach
can be unpleasant. (3)
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Mild Effects
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Dry mouth
Relaxation
Increase in appetite
“enhanced” senses:
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Touch
Smell
Taste
Perception of humor
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Major Effects
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Increase in pulse and blood pressure
Dilation of blood vessels in cornea
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Causes blood shot eyes
Alters coordination
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Effects how you operate machinery (car)
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Major Effects Cont.
(Respiratory System)
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Lung cancer
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4 marijuana cigarettes =
damage caused by 112
tobacco cigarettes. (4)
Increase chance of
getting:
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Bronchitis
Laryngitis
Asthma-like conditions
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Major Effects Cont.
(Cardiac System)
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Increase chance
of heart attack!
Increase in heart
rate.
Chest pain
Slows oxygen
movement
throughout body.
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Major Effects Cont.
(Central Nervous System)
(Main target)
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Hallucinations
Delusions
Paranoia
Alters:
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Mood
Coordination (DO
NOT DIVE A CAR)
Memory
Self perception
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Withdrawal Symptoms
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Lower appetite
Irritability
Insomnia
(5)
Chills
Physical tension
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Abuse of Marijuana
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Slow reaction time and motor skills
Lowers motivation
Smaller attention span
Decrease in memory and learning ability
The BURN OUT feeling
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What is the Burn Out feeling?
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Feelings felt: (6)
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Tiredness
Dull
Slow moving (sluggish)
Inattentive
Unaware of surroundings
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Other Important Facts
On Marijuana
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Using marijuana lowers production of sperm
in males.
Decrease in male and female sex drive and
sex hormones.
The drug stays in your system for a time
frame of about 1 month.
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Give or take a few days (depends on body
metabolism and amount of marijuana smoked) (7)
Can be traced through a urine sample
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Marijuana Pharmacology
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The concentration of
THC and route of
administration is key.
 Smoking leads to an
almost immediate
high.
In the cerebral cortex is
a family of cannabinoid
receptors.
 Possibly responsible
for marijuana effects.
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Marijuana Pharmacology
(Cont.)
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Effects of marijuana can be lowered
due to different concentrations of
mucus in respiratory passages.
THC is lipophilic therefore accumulates
in fat tissue.
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Takes long to be eliminated from the body
Explains why marijuana stays in the system
for a long period of time.(8)
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Using marijuana for the
physical effects has been
our topic of discussion so far.
But again there are individuals who feel
psychological effects.
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Why Do People Use
Marijuana?
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People use marijuana for medical
purposes:
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Reduction of pain from diseases.
Marijuana is used recreationally:
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It is used as a stress reliever.
Acts as an “escape” from a person’s
problems.
Peer pressure contributes to usage.
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Psycho/Social Effects
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Marijuana use overall effects
psychological development.
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College students loose motivation for their
goals.
Establishing goals becomes hard.
Multitasking does not seem as easy.
Low desire to be socially active.
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Therapy Ideas and Tips For
Recovering
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Identify the problem
first!
Group therapy and talk
sessions
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One on one talk
sessions
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Discuss feelings and
problems
If you feel pressured in
front of a group
Set a simple goal and
strive for it.
Always stay positive!
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Summary
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Using marijuana is a very popular drug
among adolescents and college students. It
effects the most important organ necessary
for college students, the brain in the central
nervous system. Marijuana does not result in
life threatening situations but it still effects
the body physiologically and psychologically.
Even though individuals can get caught up in
the drug, people are always there to listen
and help. Just stay positive!
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References
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(1) “Marijuana: Facts for Teens.” [about 1 screen] National Institute on Drug
Abuse. [home page on the internet] 1 Feb. 2005. [date site was last updated]
National Institutes of Health. [in association with] 16 Apr. 2006 [date accessed]
<http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/teenpg1-2.html>.
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(2) "Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know." [about 1 screen] National Institute
on Drug Abuse. [home page on the internet] 25 Apr. 2005. [date site was last
updated] National Institutes of Health. [in association with] 16 Apr. 2006 [date
accessed]
<http://www.drugabuse.gov/MarijBroch/parentpg5-6N.html>.
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(3) "Drug Abuse: Marijuana." [about 4 screens] Medline Plus Medical
Encyclopedia. [online encyclopedia] c2005. A.D.A.M. Inc. [publisher] 17 Apr.
2006 [date accessed]
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001945.htm>.
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References Cont.
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(4) "The Effects of Marijuana on the Lungs." [about 1 screen] About. [internet
website] c2006. The New York Times Company. [in association with] 17 Apr.
2006 [date accessed]
<http://lungdiseases.about.com/b/a/163846.htm>.
(5) "Marijuana Withdrawal." [about 1 screen] Narconon. [internet website]
c2006. Association for Better Living and Education International. [owned by] 17
Apr. 2006 [date accessed]
<http://www.addictionwithdrawal.com/marijuana.htm>.
(6) "Marijuana." [about 2 screens] Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
[homepage on the internet]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. [actual source of
information] c1984 17 Apr. 2006 [date accessed]
<http://www.well.com/user/woa/fspot.htm>.
(7) “Alcoholism/Substance abuse.” [about 1 screen] About [homepage on the
internet] c2006 The New York Times Company. [in association with] 17 Apr.
2006 [date accessed]
<http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/pot/f/mjp_faq10.htm>.
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References Cont.
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(8) Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. 7th ed. c2002. The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. “Chapter 71 Marijuana” Apr. 10th
2006 [Date accessed]. Available from STAT!Ref
[database on the internet]
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