Transcript Combining Alcohol with OTC/Prescription Drugs

Substance Abuse
OTC/Prescription Drugs
Lesson One
8th Grade
1
Drug Use
In a discussion of
drugs, "good" or
"bad" are not
appropriate
designations.
Drugs may be
helpful or
harmful,
depending on
how they are
used.
Drug Use refers
to taking a drug
correctly for a
legitimate medical
reason.
Examples:
• aspirin for
headaches
• insulin for
diabetes
• morphine for
pain relief
8th Grade
2
Drug Misuse
• Drug Misuse refers to taking a legal drug
inappropriately.
Examples
• using drugs with an expired shelf life
• swapping pills (someone giving a friend or relative
some pain pills left over from his or her recent
surgery)
• accidentally taking the wrong drug (taking a blood
pressure medication instead of a heart medication)
• taking a drug incorrectly (If two Tylenol are good,
maybe five will be better for my headache)
8th Grade
3
Drug Abuse
• Drug Abuse refers to
taking a legal or
illegal drug in a way
that damages some
aspect of the user's
life (mental, physical,
social relationships,
occupational
performance).
8th Grade
Examples:
• taking a drug for a
purpose unrelated
to a medical need;
• taking a drug to
create a state of
euphoria;
• taking a potent pain
reliever like heroin
simply to get high;
• using any drug to
create altered
consciousness
• underage drinking
4
What are Drug Interactions?
It happens when
drugs react with
another drug,
food or dietary
supplement.
Could increase or
decrease the
effect of a drug.
8th Grade
5
Combining Alcohol with
OTC/Prescription Drugs
•Mixing alcohol and medicines can be
harmful.
Legal But
Dangerous
OTC and RX
drugs video
•It can make you sleepy, drowsy, or lightheaded
and you may have trouble concentrating or
performing mechanical skills.
•Mixing alcohol with certain medications can
cause nausea and vomiting, headaches,
drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. It
also can put you at risk for internal bleeding,
heart problems, and difficulties in breathing.
•The combination can lead to falls and serious
injuries, especially among older
people.
8th Grade
6
Combining Alcohol with
OTC/Prescription Drugs
•Mixing alcohol and medicines can be
harmful.
•It is dangerous to drive when you mix alcohol
with certain medicines.
•In addition to these dangers, alcohol can make
a medication less effective or even useless, or it
may make the medication harmful or toxic to
your body.
8th Grade
7
This is the end of The
OTC/Prescription Drugs
Lesson.
STOP
8th Grade
8
Substance Abuse
Designer Drugs
Lesson Two
8th Grade
9
What are Club or
Designer drugs?
They are
drugs made
to resemble
common
illegal drugs
in chemical
structure
and effect.
8th Grade
10
Ecstasy, Ketamine, PCP, and GHB
Ecstasy is the most commonly abused club drug. You experience an
increased awareness of senses, hallucinations, increased energy, and
loss of judgment. Side effects may be muscle tension, teeth clenching,
impaired learning and memory.
Ketamine is used as a horse tranquillizer. After the initial rush, the body
can become numb and paralyzed, there may be sickness and vomiting,
and loss of coordination can make the simplest task impossible to do.
PCP is also known as Angel Dust. It’s effects range from mild euphoria
to distortions of reality, out of body experiences and psychotic behavior.
GHB is a clear liquid or white powder and is also known as the date
rape drug. It causes euphoria, relaxation, dizziness and loss of
inhibitions. High doses could cause vomiting, memory loss, respiratory
problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, coma and death.
8th Grade
11
The Risks of Combining Alcohol
with Designer Drugs
It is impossible to know exactly what chemicals were used to
produce designer drugs and they are often used in
combination with other drugs or alcohol with unpredictable
and dangerous results. The risks are:
• death
• addiction
• criminal charges and prison
terms
• heart and breathing failure
• blood vessel damage and
stroke
• raised or lowered pulse or
blood pressure
• aggressive or suicidal behavior
• jaw clenching and teeth
grinding
• nausea and vomiting
• muscle cramping or seizures
• panic attacks or feeling
paranoid
• overheating and dehydration
• blackouts or passing out
8th Grade
12