Transcript Unit 5 Notes - The Independent School

Is alcohol a drug?
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Any chemical which causes changes in a
persons body or behavior is considered a
drug. Classification: Depressant
Short Term Effects: Confusion, decreased
alertness, poor coordination, blurred vision,
loss of depth perception, drowsiness, and
inhibited decision making processes. Other
problems include dehydration (hang-over),
synergism, and possibly alcohol poisoning.
Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism
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Increased risk of: oral to esophageal
cancers, cirrhosis of the liver to liver
cancer, heart disease, brain damage, and
obviously chemical dependence.
Why are there so many laws restricting
the use of alcohol?
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STD Transmission
Teen Pregnancy
Sexual Assault—74%
Domestic Violence—87%
Burglary—81%
Assault—91%
Murder—72%
Automobile Accidents—39% non-fatal, 77% Fatal
Laws cont.
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Less productive society: higher
unemployment and government assistance.
Higher amounts of disease and disorders:
cancer, digestive disorders, deformities.
Cost to society: $2.5 billion annually,
150,000 premature deaths/year, ¾ of all
on-the-job injuries, and increased
insurance/taxes.
Alcohol and the Family
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1:8 Americans grow up with an alcoholic.
Financial losses
Broken families
Codependency issues
Must get treatment to detoxify, rehabilitate,
and support.
Reasons not to drink!
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Poor decisions with lifetime consequences.
Possible dependence
Athlete
Poor overall health
Synergism
ABCDE!!!!!
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Assess the possibilities/problems
Brainstorm the alternatives
Consider the consequences (good and
bad)
Decide and act
Evaluate the consequences (good and bad)
Tobacco
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Why do people start using tobacco?
Family, friends, role models, immediate
environment, media, peer pressure, or
maybe you are an idiot…
Effects on the body
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Nicotine is a highly toxic stimulant.
CNS, respiratory system, CDV system, peripheral
nervous system, endocrine system.
Withdrawal: headache, irritability, restlessness,
increased coughing, nausea, vomiting, false
illness, crazy dreams, insomnia, and intense
cravings that last a lifetime.
Smoking anything will cause cancer!
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Tar sticks to your lungs and contains an
incredible amount of dangerous chemicals.
Carbon Monoxide is found in smoke.
Smoker’s Rights
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Can smokers be denied a job?
Can smokers be denied insurance?
Can smoking be banned publicly?
Should tobacco be outlawed?
Legal and Illegal Drugs
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OTC Drugs-medicines sold legally without a
prescription from a MD.
Prescription Drugs-medicines obtained only with a
written order (prescription) from a MD that can be
purchased only at a pharmacy.
Illegal Drugs-A chemical substance that nobody
may possess, manufacture, buy, or sell.
It’s not a big deal!…Really?
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How would your family feel about it?
Why does the US government spend $15
billion per year fighting illegal drugs?
Are you going to be more successful while
using drugs?
List all of the reasons why it’s good to do
illegal drugs…
Misuse vs Abuse
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Drug misuse is characterized by not
correctly following the directions of the
manufacturer or the doctor. Taking more
than directed, not taking with food, etc. It is
often a mistake or a misunderstanding.
Drug Abuse-Intentional misuse of a drug for
its desired side-effects. Using a drug for its
non-medical purpose.
Drug Abuse and the Brain
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Psychoactive Drugs-a chemical that affects
the normal activity of the brain and the
brains chemicals (neurotransmitters).
These drugs can block the release of these
chemicals, increase the release of these
chemicals, or entirely replace the chemicals
so that the brain no longer produces them
normally. All of which can produce
dependence—addiction.
Tolerance and Dependence
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Tolerance-When a drug is repeatedly used,
the body will develop a tolerance to the
drug. If the desired effect is needed, the
drug amount must be increased
incrementally over time.
Dependence-This is a result of tolerance;
the brain cannot function normally without
the drug.
Withdrawal
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Withdrawal occurs with the absence of a
psychoactive drug from a person who has
developed a dependence on the drug.
Symptoms may include: Nausea or
vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fever,
digestive problems, paranoia, panic,
tremors, seizures, or death.
Drug Interactions
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Drug antagonism-each drug’s effect is
canceled out or reduced by the other.
Neither drug has the predicted effect.
Drug synergism-this occurs when two or
more drugs interact to produce greater
effects or completely different effects of the
original drugs-often results in overdose
symptoms.
Manufacture of Illegal Drugs
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These drugs are often created in improper
facilities, by untrained/uneducated individuals,
and the drugs may be “cut” with other substances
to lessen production costs.
These factors can and do create impurities in the
substances which can have fatal effects.
Why would you intentionally put something in your
body with this type of risk?
Depressants
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Barbiturates-sedatives to hypnotics, used
to induce sleep.
CNS Depressants-tranquilizers-treat
anxiety disorders and insomnia.
Opiates-made from poppy seeds;
morphine, codeine, heroin—painkillers.
Alcohol
Stimulants
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Amphetamines-speed
Methamphetamines-crank, meth, crystal
Cocaine
Nicotine
Hallucinogens
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LSD-Lysergic Acid Diethyl-amide-”acid”
Psilocybin
PCP-Phencyclidine-”angel dust”
Marijuana
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Effects: distorted perceptions, difficulty
thinking, loss of coordination, increased
heart rate, anxiety or paranoia.
May act as a depressant, stimulant, or
hallucinogen. Has lasting negative health
effects. Can be deadly if combined with
alcohol or other depressants.
“Gateway Drug”
Club Drugs
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Ecstasy (MDMA)-stimulant/hallucinogen
Rohypnol-depressant
GHB-depressant
Ketamine-Hallucinogen
Inhalants
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Glues, household cleaners, paints, nitrous
oxide…a breathable chemical vapor that
produces mind-altering effects.
The feelings of euphoria are a result of
oxygen being replaced in the brain by a
dangerous chemical. A single occurrence
can result in death.
Anabolic Steroids
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Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED’s)
Similar to the hormone testosterone.
These drugs all have very serious medical
short and long term side effects. Some say
the psychological effects are more
damaging to a persons overall health.
Treating Drug Abuse
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Acknowledge the problem.
Explore different treatment options.
Detoxification—may require the supervision
of a physician.
Rehabilitation
Support
Refusal Skills
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Proper Communication skills are key as well as
being morally strong. The best time to decide
what you are for or against is right now, and you
need to have a reason why.
At times, we are our own worst enemy with the
decisions we make. We make these decisions
without prior thought to the given situations. Don’t
put yourself first in these decisions, think about
your supporting cast.
Losing control of your brain…
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By abusing drugs, you are now controlling
your brain’s chemicals manually, and
depending on the drug, possibly forever.
Once chemical addiction occurs, you have
permanent brain damage. The severity of
the damage has many variables, all of
which are out of your control…similar to
your life and your behavior.
The game of life…
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Choose your team wisely. Surround yourself with success.
There are very real rules to the game with very real penalties
with permanent consequences.
If we constantly fail as a teammate, we won’t be on that team
for long.
If we don’t support our teammates, their support for us will
wane.
Intrinsic rewards weighs infinitely more than extrinsic
rewards.
In order to appreciate the wins, we have to understand the
losses.