Transcript Substance Abuse and Misuse Drug

Drug: any substance, other than food, intended to
affect body function
• Drugs can be legal or illegal.
Medication: a drug given therapeutically to prevent or
treat a disease it otherwise enhance mental or physical
well-being
Substance Abuse: the deliberate, persistent, and excessive
use of a substance without regard to health concerns or
accepted medical practices
Substance Misuse: the use of a substance for unintended
purposes or for appropriate purposes but in improper
amounts or doses
•
Lives lost (2/3 of all homicides) and money lost (medical care,
insurance, and lost productivity)
Dependency: the desire to continue using a substance
• When people are dependent on a drug, they feel like they
need the drug to function normally.
Addiction: the compulsive need for a substance
• Causes people to suffer mentally, physically or emotionally
without the desired substance
Withdrawal: a condition produced when people stop abusing
drug they were once addicted to
• Causes severe physical and mental distress
• Could be a deliberate decision or because the person couldn’t
obtain the drug
• Causes severe physical and mental distress
Tolerance: when a drug is continually used and its
effects begin to decrease
The abuser needs to increase the amount or frequency
of the drug to receive the same desired effect.
Overdose: when someone uses an excessive amount of
a substance
• Signals: Mania, hysteria, coma or death
• Reactions: change in BP, change in heart rate,
sweating, vomiting, and liver failure
• Can be intentional or unintentional (Forgotten
dosage v. suicide attempt)
Stimulants: speed up physical and mental activity (central
nervous system)
• Examples: amphetamine, dextroamphetamine,
methamphetamine, cocaine, caffeine and nicotine
• Side effects: alertness and suppressed appetite
Hallucinogens: cause change in mood, sensation, thought,
emotion and self- awareness (alter perception)
• Examples: LSD, shrooms, PCP and peyote
• Side effects: depression and anxiety
Depressants: decrease mental and physical activity
• Examples: narcotics, alcohol, tranquilizers, ketamine and
sedatives
• Side effects: altered levels of consciousness, relieved
anxiety, fatigue, relaxed muscles and impaired
coordination/ judgment
Narcotics: relieve pain
• Examples: morphine, codeine, heroine, oxycodone, opium
• Side effects: coma or death
• Highly addictive
Inhalants: alter mood and produce a loss of feeling
• Examples: propane, acetone, fuel, glue, nail polish remover,
laughing gas
• Side effects: slurred speech, lack of coordination, damage to
heart brain and liver
Cannabis Products: produce a feeling of elation
• Examples: marijuana, hashish, THC
• Side effects: increased appetite, distorted perception,
impaired judgment, reddened eyes, rapid pulse and dizziness
Designer Drugs: variations of other substances
• Can be dangerous because when a drug is altered the user can
experience unpredictable side effects
• Motives: there are many simple and inexpensive methods
Anabolic Steroids: enhance performance and increase muscle
mass
• Medical use: stimulate weight gain for people who cannot gain
weight naturally
• Side effects: liver cancer, stunted growth, acne and personality
changes
Over the Counter Substances:
• Examples: aspirin, nasal sprays, laxatives, etc.
• Can be dangerous if misused (Laxatives and Emetics being
misused lead to eating disorders
General signals include:
Unexplained behavioral changes, sudden
mood changes, restlessness, talkativeness,
irritability, changes in consciousness,
moist/flush skin, chills, nausea, vomiting,
dizziness, confusion, abnormal breathing,
hallucinations, fever, headache, high BP, chest
pain, anxiousness, trembling, seizures,
bloodshot eyes, disoriented.
a. Check the scene to be sure it is safe to help the person, do not
approach if he or she is behaving in a threatening manner
b. Call 911 immediately if the person:
I. Is unconscious, confused, or seems to be losing
consciousness
II. Has trouble breathing or is breathing irregularly
III. Has persistent pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
IV. Is vomiting or passing blood
V. Has a seizure, severe headache, or slurred speech
VI. Acts violently
c. If none of the above conditions are present, yet you still suspect
a substance was taken, call the National Poison Control Center
Hotline at (800)222-1222
d. Try to learn from the person or other witnesses
what substances may have been taken
e. Always remember to try and keep the person
calm and reassured
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR0rneaFego
You are at a party to kick off Christmas Break.
Everyone seems to be having fun when one of your
close friends vomits. You ask her if she is okay or
needs any assistance. She tries to respond but her
words are slurred and she cannot produce a proper
sentence. You ask around if anybody knows if she
has taken any substances, but nobody seems to be
sure. You approach your friend again to assist her
when she completely loses consciousness. What
should you do next?
1. What kind of substance alters perception and
causes a change in mood/ sensation?
2. What is the difference between drug use and
drug misuse?
3. Methamphetamine is an example of which type
of substance?
4. What condition do drug users get when they
stop abusing a drug they were addicted to?
5. Can you name five or more general signals of
drug abuse or misuse?