Transcript Responding to Emergencies PowerPoint

Chapter 18: Substance Misuse
and Abuse
Define:
 Substance misuse
 Substance abuse
 Drug
 Medication
 Dependency
 Addiction
 Tolerance
 Overdose
 Withdrawal
 Synergistic effect
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Misused and Abused Substances
 Substances are categorized according to their effects on the body.
 Commonly misused and abused substances are—
 Stimulants.
 Depressants.
 Hallucinogens.
 Narcotics.
 Inhalants.
 Cannabis products.
 Designer drugs.
 Steroids.
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General Signs of Substance Misuse and Abuse
 Signs of substance misuse and abuse are similar to those of other
medical emergencies.
 General signs of abuse or misuse include—
 Moist or flushed skin.
 Sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting.
 Fever.
 Headache.
 Dizziness..
 Rapid pulse, rapid breathing.
 High blood pressure.
 Chest pain.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION
Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
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Specific Signs of Substance Misuse and Abuse
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
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Signs of stimulant abuse—
• Respiratory distress, disruption of normal heart rhythm and even death can result from
using a stimulant.
 Very excited.
 Restless.
 Talkative.
 Irritable.
 Unconscious.
Signs of hallucinogen abuse—
 Sudden mood changes.
 Flushed face.
 Seeing or hearing something that is not present.
 Anxiousness or being frightened.
Signs of depressant abuse—
 Drowsiness.
 Confusion.
 Slurred speech.
 Slow heart and breathing rates.
 Poor coordination.
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Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
All rights reserved.
Care for Substance Misuse and Abuse
 Follow care for poisoning:
 Check the scene to make sure it is safe to help the person.
 Call 9–1–1 or the Poison Control Center.
 Care for any life-threatening conditions.
 Care for any other conditions you find.
 Withdraw from the scene if it becomes unsafe.
 Look for product or medicine containers, drug paraphernalia
and signals of other medical conditions.
 If you suspect that someone has taken a designer drug, tell
EMS personnel.
 After a substance abuse emergency, the victim may need
additional support to overcome addiction.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION
Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
All rights reserved.
Preventing Substance Misuse and Abuse
 The following guidelines may help prevent unintentional
misuse or overdose:
 Read the product information and use only as directed.
 Ask your physician or pharmacist about the intended use
and side effects of prescriptions and over-the-counter
medications. If you are taking more than one medication,
check for possible interaction effects.
 Never use another person’s prescribed medications.
 Always keep medications in their appropriate, marked
containers.
 Destroy all out-of-date medications.
 Always keep medications out of the reach of children.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION
Copyright © 2005 by The American National Red Cross
All rights reserved.