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Welcome!!
Understanding Drugs and Alcohol
SkyCast
Understanding Drugs and Alcohol
Today’s Aims:
• To understand the different types of drugs, the effects they
have and the different ways that they can be taken.
• To look at how people use drugs and identify when drug use
can become a problem.
• To give information about where to go if you or someone you
know needs help.
1. Firstly, we agree that everything that is said in the session is confidential
and that we won’t discuss it with anyone outside of this session
2. We all agree to listen to each other and give people a supportive space
where they can let their feelings out
3. We will treat each other with respect, take each other’s views seriously
and do our best to try and understand where people are coming from, even
if we disagree with something they are saying
4. We all agree that we are entitled to share as much or as little as we want
– there’s no obligation to say anything during these sessions, but also if you
want some time to talk about your situation, that’s okay…
KEEPING THINGS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Agree or Disagree?
• Its ok to have a joint at home and occasionally with friends
• Its ok to have a beer with friends at the pub
• Its ok for a teacher to have joint at home and in private
• Its ok for a police officer to have a joint at home and in private
Four Groups of Drugs
Depressants
Stimulants
Opiates
Hallucinogenic
Four Groups of Drugs
Depressants
Slow brain function
Slowed pulse and breathing
Lowered blood pressure
Poor concentration
Confusion
Fatigue
Dizziness
Slurred speech
Fever
Sluggishness
Visual disturbances
Dilated pupils
Disorientation, lack of coordination
Depression
Difficulty or inability to urinate
Addiction
Four Groups of Drugs
Stimulants
Stimulates the brain and central nervous system
Speeds up communication between the two
Increases alertness and physical activity
Withdrawal symptoms
Paranoia
Insomnia
Suppresses appetite
Four Groups of Drugs
Hallucinogenic
Affects the brain and 5 senses
Acts on the central nervous system
Produces significant changes to the user’s
state of consciousness
Can distort the user’s sense of
reality, time and emotions
Can lead to mental health problems
Four Groups of Drugs
Opiates
Opiates are used to help individuals cope with pain
Related to sensations of pain relief, pleasure, and reward
When used as prescribed, legal opioids are one of the most
effective forms of pain relief
Opiates can treat severe pain when other attempts to relieve the
pain have proven unsuccessful.
However, since opioids have both pain relieving properties and
positive psychological properties,
they are among the most abused types of substances currently
available.
• Swallowed (eaten): Takes 20 minutes to digest - chemicals are broken down and
absorbed into blood stream.
• Swallowed (drunk): Takes 5 minutes to digest – chemicals are broken down and
absorbed into blood stream.
• Injected: Injected into veins (not artery) – chemicals are absorbed directly into
blood. Usually using needles (risk of blood born viruses). Sharing and disposing
of needles.
• Inhaled/Smoked: Inhaled straight into the lungs and then absorbed into the
blood stream within 2-3 minutes.
• Absorbed: Chemicals are absorbed straight into the body in 5-10 minutes
e.g. Nicotine patch.
Four Types of User
Experimental
Addiction
Recreational
Chaotic/Problematic
Four Types of User
Experimental
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First times using
Often as part of a group
A dangerous way of using drugs (inexperienced)
Experimental use can be some peoples’ only
experience of drug use – maybe they don’t enjoy it
so don’t repeat?
• First experience may not be pleasant
• Likely to be young
Four Types of User
Recreational
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Which drugs to use?
Which amounts?
Times and places
Often in a group
Planned process
Learned to control their drug use
By far the most common recreational drug used in
the UK is Alcohol.
• Not always without problems.
• Recreational drug use can end in dependant use.
• Recreational use is often undertaken with few if any
significant problems resulting from it.
Four Types of User
Addiction
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Driven by a physical or psychological compulsion
Often a solitary activity
The absence of the drug in the body leads to
cravings, physically and psychologically
Likely to lead to physical dependence than others.
Physical dependency can lead to withdrawal
symptoms (such as alcohol and heroin)
The development of dependence has at least as
much to do with the individual as it does the drug.
Dependent drug use is often associated with
problems, but problems are by no means inevitable.
Four Types of User
Chaotic/Problematic
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Crime/Criminal Record
Tolerance Increase
Financial Problems
Relationships Problems
Employability
Travelling Abroad
Driving Disqualifications
Need Help?
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Support in Schools/Colleges
Love your Future – Turnaround Centre (Paulin)
Adult services at Lantern Hall
Websites/Helpines: E.g. Talk to Frank
Off the Record/Jump Start – counselling
services
• Sutton CDSSL - http://www.cdssl.org/