Transcript Drugs, Medicines, Alcohol, Tobacco

Drugs, Medicines, Alcohol, Tobacco
Allegany County
• Alcohol use is more than the state and
national average among adults.
• 16% - county
• 15% - state
• 8% - national
• 8% - target
Excessive Drinking
• Drinking is higher in Allegany County than in
Garrett Co, Mineral Co. and Hampshire Co.
Tobacco Use
• Allegany County uses more than the state and
national consumption
• Allegany Co. – 26%
• MD – 18%
• US – 15%
• Target – 12%
Why?
•Times are Tough
• High Poverty Rates
• High Suicide Rates
• High Mental Illness Rates
Drugs
• Any substance that causes a change in a
person’s physical or psychological state.
• Some drugs are Drugs of Abuse: such as
cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana because they
change the way the brain works in ways that
are not healthy.
Drugs
• All contain chemicals
– Some are from plants and others are
manufactured in laboratories
Some are OTC
Some are prescribed by Doctors
Drugs
• Can be taken orally
• Inhaled
• Applied topically
• Injected
• Implanted pumps
Prescription Medicines
• Amounts are limited
• Directions to be followed are
given on the bottle
–Should include: dose, when
taken, how often, the duration
Misuse of Prescriptions
•Taking when not
needed
•Taking too much
•Mixing medicines
Using Drugs Wisely
• Make yourself part of your own healthcare
team
• Be prepared to ask questions
• Learn the facts about any medicine you are to
take
• Listen to your body
• Speak up if something is wrong
• Don’t discontinue taking on your own
Drugs and the Brain
• Drugs can change how messages are sent to
the brain
– They can change our moods
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects our
actions and reactions and emotions
People who are depressed have a reduced
amount of serotonin to activate neurons.
Drugs and Emotions
• Marijuana, cocaine, and nicotine, interrupt
the balance between neurotransmitters
needed for normal brain functioning.
• Alter judgment in ways that affect our
ability to understand and deal with reality.
• May lead to addiction
• Most drug addictions start with casual or
social use of a drug.
Marijuana
• Marijuana and hashish
It's possible to develop a psychological
addiction to cannabis compounds including
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in
marijuana and hashish. People who have a
marijuana addiction generally use the drug on
a daily basis.
Signs of use and dependence can include:
• A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste
perception
• Poor memory
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Red eyes
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased appetite
• Slowed reaction time
• Paranoid thinking
Drug Addiction
•Drug use
•Tolerance
•Dependence
•Addiction
Drug Addiction
• Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include:
• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily
or even several times a day
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug even though you can't afford it
• Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such
as stealing
• Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the
influence of the drug
• Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the
drug
Drug Addiction in Teens
• Problems at school. Frequently missing
classes or missing school, a sudden disinterest
in school or school activities, and a drop in
grades may be indicators of drug use.
• Physical health issues. Lack of energy and
motivation may indicate that you are using
certain drugs.
Drug Addiction in Teens
• Neglected appearance. Adolescents are generally
concerned about how they look. A lack of interest
in clothing, grooming or looks may be a warning
sign of drug use.
• Changes in behavior. Teenagers enjoy privacy, but
exaggerated efforts to bar family members from
entering their rooms or knowing where they go
with their friends might indicate drug use. Also,
drastic changes in behavior and in relationships
with family and friends may be linked to drug use.
Drug Addiction in Teens
• Spending money. Sudden requests for money
without a reasonable explanation for its use
may be a sign of drug use. You may also
discover money stolen from previously safe
places at home. Items may disappear from
your home because they're being sold to
support a drug habit.
Withdrawal
• Neurons can keep the working balance
established during dependence as long as they
keep taking the drug but if it is removed, the
neurons work abnormally.
• The uncomfortable physical and psychological
symptoms produced when a dependent drug
user stops using the drug.
Addiction
• Is treatable but it is not easy.
• When to see a doctor
If you think your drug use is out of control
or is causing problems, get help. The sooner
you seek help, the greater your chances are
for a long-term recovery. Your family doctor
may be a good place to start, or you may
see a mental health provider such as a
psychologist or psychiatrist.
Remember
Just say No