Transcript Drugs of Abuse

Drugs of Abuse
Chapter 12
Drug Use
Taking of a drug as
medicine, correctly for its
proper medical purpose
and in the right amount,
frequency, strength, and
manner.
Taking aspirin for a headache
Drug Abuse
Taking of a drug for a
nonmedical purpose and in a
manner that can damage a
person’s health or ability to
function.
Both legal and non-legal
drugs can be abused.
Snorting cocaine at a party.
Drug Misuse
(medical drugs)
Taking of a drug for its
correct medical use but
not in the right amount,
frequency, strength, or
manner.
Taking sleeping pills
each night.
Classify any use of drugs for
nonmedical reasons as drug
abuse.
Recreational Drug Use
Claim to suffer NO harmful
health effects and NO
problems on the job, in the
family, or in society.
Abusers of drugs are not able
to judge themselves fairly
therefore, their opinions are
slanted.
Society’s View of Drug
Abuse
Seen in its laws.
Disapproves of mindaltering drugs except
alcohol.
Why people take drugs
–The nature of the person.
–Physical or genetic makeup.
–Personality traits.
–Peer pressure.
–Low self esteem.
–Euphoria.
Consequences of Drug
Abuse
The choice is affected by how
the person feels society or
the family punishes people
for drug use.
One who tolerates drug
abuse encourages it.
Education is not enough to
prevent drug abuse
Physicians have a narcotic
addiction 30 times higher
than the general population.
Juvenile facility, and Jail time
High fines
Addiction
–Addiction is also called
dependence.
–Addiction is unexpected
and no one intends to
get hooked.
Drugs and the brain
Drugs produce euphoria by
imitating the brain’s natural
way of producing feelings of
pleasure.
The acts of eating,
exercising, and relaxing
produce pleasure naturally by
way of endorphins.
The lack of these chemicals
produces an unpleasant
feeling called dysphoria.
Nature encourages people to
engage in health-promoting
behaviors.
These natural chemicals are
similar to mind-altering
drugs.
Difference is the natural
chemicals are produced in
response to healthful
activities.
Taking of mind-altering
drugs produces pleasure
directly to the brain with
no healthful activity
associated with it.
The brain of the drug
taker produces fewer and
fewer endorphins and
after the drug wears off
the person is left with
dysphoria.
Most of the drugs that
cause addiction are
euphoria producing drugs
Nicotine and caffeine are
the only two drugs that
produce addiction without
euphoria.
Physical Addiction
Body chemistry actually changes.
The body must have the drug not
for pleasure but for normal
functioning.
When the drugs start to wear off,
the body is unable to function
normally and withdrawal begins.
(sign of physical addiction).
Withdrawal Symptoms
Abnormalities in:
–Vision
–Muscle activity
–Digestion
–Brain function
–Temperature regulation
Withdrawal changes:
Brainwave patterns
Affects mood
Makes a person crave the
drug
Psychological Addiction
Physical addiction always
has a psychological
addiction that is a mental
craving for the drug.
The mental craving can
last for years after the
person quits.
Psychological addiction
can occur with out
physical addiction.
Signs of drug abuse
Paleness and
perspiration.
Dilated pupils.
Runny nose and
nosebleeds.
–Jitters and hyper activity.
–Ability to go without food or
drink for long periods of
time.
–Anxiety, anger, or
unreasonable
suspiciousness.
–Increase in energy and
talkativeness followed by
lethargy and depression.
–Carelessness about
appearance.
–Broken promises, lying.
–Inability to explain loss
of money.
–Tardiness, unexcused
absences, declining
grades.
–Trouble with law, family
or school authorities.
Kicking the Habit:
Face the problem
Getting Help. Rarely do
people recover from drugs on
their own.
Drug therapy. Using a
maintenance drug that is
cheaper has longer effects
and is safe allowing people to
recover socially.
Narcotic antagonists: these
drugs are taken daily and
block the effects of the
problem drug.
Make lifestyle changes