Transcript UNIT 5- Drugs - fernandezappsych

CHAPTER 7
Drugs and Altered States of
Consciousness
Types of Psychoactive Drugs
Activity – From the given cases, try to
predict what drug is being described.
 1. Marijuana
5. Aspirin
 2. Alcohol
6. Nicotine
 3. Cocaine
7. LSD (acid)
 4. Heroine
8. Caffeine
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Psychoactive Drugs
Psychoactive Drugs – chemical
substances that alter perceptions and
mood
 Tolerance – physiological change that
produces a need for more of the same
drug in order to achieve the same effect
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– Ex. It will take several alcoholic
beverages for an alcoholic to experience
the effects.
Physiological vs. Psychological
Dependence
Withdrawal – discomfort and distress that
follow discontinuing drug use
 Physiological – physical need for a drug,
without the drug one may have withdrawal
symptoms (Ex. pain)
 Psychological – intense desire for the drug
because they are convinced they need it in order
to perform or feel a certain way.
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Types of Psychoactive Drugs
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Depressants – slows down central
nervous system / calm neural activity
– Examples
 Alcohol
 Barbiturates (tranquilizers/ pain killers)
 Opiates (morphine, heroin)
– Effects of drug use: slows down reaction time
and judgment, slurs speech,
Depressants - Alcohol
– Effects of Alcohol Use
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Disrupts the processing of memories
Reduces self awareness
Could shrink the brain (pg. 299)
Girls can become addicted quicker than
boys
– A user’s expectations can affect
their behavior
 Many who believe they have consumed
alcohol will act accordingly
Depressants - Barbiturates
Barbiturates – aka tranquilizers
 May be prescribed to reduce anxiety or to
help you sleep
 Very dangerous if taken with alcohol
 In large doses, barbiturates are lethal.
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Depressants - Opiates
Examples – opium, morphine,
heroin
 Very addictive, Quickly develop a
tolerance and thus have the need
for a larger dose.
 Withdrawal is painful (when
taking opiates brain stops
producing its natural opiate
(endorphins) and then when one
stops taking the drug pain is a
result)
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Types of Psychoactive Drugs
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Stimulants – speed up central nervous system
/ excite neural activity
– Examples
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Caffeine
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Nicotine
Ecstasy
– Effects of drug use: disturbed sleep, reduced
appetite, anxiety, heart problems, irritability,
depression
Stimulants – Cocaine
5% of US High School Seniors
report having tried cocaine during
the past year. (CMS drug survey
and 28105, upper class drugs,
upper vs. lower classes, drugs and
race.
 “Crack” – a potent form a cocaine
that is smoked
 A rush of euphoria lasts for 15-30
minutes and the rush depletes the
brain’s neurotransmitters
 When the drugs effects wear off,
the user is agitated and depressed.
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Stimulants – Ecstasy
Both a stimulant and a mild hallucinogen
 Triggers the release of dopamine and
serotonin
 Effects – dehydration, increased blood
pressure, could lead to long term
depression, could cause death
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Types of Psychoactive Drugs
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Hallucinogens – drugs that change the
perception of reality and evoke images in
the absence of sensory input.
– Examples
 LSD
 Marijuana (active ingredient is THC)
 Mushrooms
– Stays in the body for a month or more
– Effects of drug use: affects memory, emotions
vary
Hallucinogens – Marijuana
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Leaves and flowers from the hemp
plant
THC is the active ingredient
User experiences an increase
sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes,
smells
The more marijuana is used, the user
is at a higher risk for anxiety,
depression, and even schizophrenia
THC lingers in the body for a month or
more after use