Transcript The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs

Chapter 13
 Habits that have gotten out of control, with a
resulting negative effect on a person’s health.
 Addiction is the habitual use of a drug produced
chemical changes in the user’s body.
 Drug Addiction (four important characteristics)
Compulsive desire
2. Need to increase the dosage
3. Harmful effects to the individual
4. Harm to society
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 Often starts to bring pleasure or to avoid pain.
 Harmless or even beneficial if done in moderation
 Examples of addictive behaviors:
 Gambling
 Compulsive Exercising
 Work Addiction
 Sex and love addiction
 Compulsive buying or shopping
 Internet addiction
 Characteristics of people with addition (e.g., risk takers or
genetic disposition)
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 Drugs are chemicals other than food that are intended
to affect the structure or function of the body
 Prescription medicines
 Over-the-counter substances
 Caffeine
 Tobacco
 Alcohol
 Illegal substances
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 The APA’s Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders – authoritative reference
 Abuse
 APA definition
 Failure to fulfill major responsibilities
 Drug use in situations that are hazardous
 Drug related legal problems
 Drug use despite persistent social or interpersonal problems
 Physically dependent may or may not present
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 Substance dependence
1. Developing tolerance to the substance
2. Experiencing withdrawal
3. Taking in larger amounts
4. Expressing a persistent desire to cut down
5. Spending great deal of time obtaining
6. Giving up or reducing important activities
7. Continual usage even with recognition of a
problem
 Diagnosed with at least 3 or more symptoms
during a 12-month period
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All income and education levels
All ethnic groups
All ages
Young people are at a higher risk
Males (Twice as likely)
Troubled adolescent
Thrill-seeker
Dysfunctional families
Peer group or family that accepts
Low Socio-economical status
Dating young
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 Experiment
 Escape
 Reliance
 Magnification of residence (i.e. the need for escape
from poverty becomes more compelling)
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 Psychological risks
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Difficulty in controlling impulses
Strong need for excitement
Feelings of rejection
Hostility
Aggression
Anxiety
Mental illness
Dual (co-occurring disorders)
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 Social Factors
 Growing up in a family with drug abuse
 Peer group
 Poverty
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 Intoxication
 Side effects
 Unknown drug constituents
 Risks associated with injection drug use
 Legal consequences
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Changes in Brain chemistry
Drug factors:
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Pharmacological properties
Dose-Response function
Time-action function
Drug use history
Method of use (e.g., inhalation,
injection, ingest)
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 Opioids (narcotics)
 Natural or synthetic (laboratory-made)
 Opium, morphine, heroin, methadone, codeine,
hydrocodone, oxycodone, meperidine, and fentanly
 Effects on the body: induced euphoria
 Methods of administration
 Injection, snorting, sniffing or smoking
 Symptoms of overdose: respiratory depression, coma,
constriction of the pupils, or death.
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 Slow down the overall activity of the CNS
 Sedative-hypnotics
 Types: barbiturates, valium, methaqualone, GHB
 Effects on the body: reduce anxiety, impair muscle
coordination, induce drowsiness
 Medical uses: Treat insomnia and anxiety disorders;
control seizures
 From use to abuse (“Club Drugs”)
 Overdosing may result in respiratory
complications
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 Speed up the activity of the nervous or muscular
system
 Cocaine
 Methods of use (snort or injection)
 Effects (euphoria sensation for ~5 to 20 minutes)
 Use during pregnancy (consequences include:
miscarriage, premature labor, stillbirth, and low-birth-weight
baby)
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 Amphetamines
 Effects (increase in alertness)
 Dependence (may lead to the development of a temporary
state of paranoid psychosis or delusion)
 Ritalin (used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder, ADHD)
 Ephedrine (a less potent form of amphetamines)
 Caffeine
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 Cannabis Sativa
 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
 Short term effects and uses: euphoria, increases in
sensation, relaxed attitude
 Long-term effects and uses: respiratory damage such
as impaired lung function and chronic bronchial
irritation
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 Altered state of consciousness, perceptions, feelings and
thoughts
 LSD, Mascaline, DMT, MDMA, Ketamine, PCP (angel
dust), and certain mushrooms
 Altered states of consciousness
 Flashbacks are perceptual distortions and bizarre
thoughts that occur after the drug has been entirely
eliminated from the body.
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 Nearly all inhalants produce effects similar to those of
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anesthetics, slow down the bodies functions
Volatile solvents
Nitrates
Anesthetics
Methods of use
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Sniffing
Snorting
“Bagging”
“Huffing”
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 Medication-assisted treatment
 Drug substitution
 Treatment centers
 Self-help groups and peer counseling
 Harm reduction strategies
 Codependency
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