Substance Abuse

Drug:

any substance that causes a change in a person’s physical or psychological state.

Medicines:

drugs used to cure, prevent, or treat illness or discomfort.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines:

used for common illnesses, injuries, and disorders; typically don’t need a prescription.

Drug abuse

the intentional improper or unsafe use drugs

drugs of abuse;

Drugs used for recreational purposes, includes sharing prescriptions, that

are written for you, with someone else.

psychoactive drug?

substance that chemically affects the mind.

Stimulants

speed up the Nervous System by increasing the amount of dopamine in the body.

Psychological effects: of stimulants

euphoria, high energy, and mental alertness... AND/OR panic, irritability, and aggressive

behavior.

Physical effects: of stimulants

constricted blood vessels; dilation of pupils; increase in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Cocaine

Derived from the coca plant

The 2nd most addictive drug (behind meth)

Can be snorted, injected, or placed on the gums for ingestion

Overdose can be fatal

Methamphetamine

A synthetic stimulant that affects the CNS.

Nicknames: Ice, speed, chalk, crystal, glass, crank, yaba, fire, tina, tweak

Form: white or yellowish crystalline powder, crystals, or a pill

Use: snorted, smoked, injected, or swallowed

Addiction factor: EXTREME – one of the most addictive substances

Depressants

slow down the nervous system. They cause relaxation and sleepiness.Prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy.

Examples of Depressants:

Alcohol

Sedatives (Rohypnol)

GHB

Valium

Xanax

Rohypnol (roofies)-

causes sedation and often amnesia.Besides alcohol, Rohypnol is the most widely used “date rape drug.”

Valium & Xanax

Doctor prescribed drugs used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, muscle spasms, and seizures

Intoxication

includes all the physical and mental changes produced by drinking alcohol.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Mind:

Slows down the nervous system

Loss of inhibitions (feeling that makes one self-conscious)

Cannot focus eyes

May have slurred speech

Loss of coordination (cerebellum) and judgment (cerebral cortex)

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body:

Irritates the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach

Makes the heart work harder

Makes the body lose heat

Causes the liver to work harder

Causes dehydration (& headaches)

Alcohol abuse:

drinking too much alcohol

drinking it too often

drinking it at inappropriate times.

Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP)

A conviction for violating a Texas’ minor in possession law is a Class C misdemeanor, and is punished by a fine of up to $500.

SUPPLYING ALCOHOL TO MINORS

A misdemeanor conviction for supplying alcohol to an underage person can result in a fines up to $5,000.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a percentage. In Texas if your BAC is .08 or more, you are considered legally intoxicated.

Alcohol abuse can:

Damage organs (especially the liver)

Weaken the immune system

Contribute to cancer

what influences whether you develop an alcohol-related disease.

Genes, environment, and diet

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

is a set of physical and mental defects that affect a fetus that has been exposed to alcoholbecause of the mother’s alcohol consumption while pregnant. Smaller brain

Fewer neurons Reduced overall growth Facial abnormalities

Hallucinogens

Causes sensory awareness, erratic emotion, and perception distortion.Users may experience flashbacks.

Examples of Hallucinogens:

LSD- “acid”

Ecstasy (MDMA)

mushrooms

LSD or “Acid”

LSD is liquid and tasteless. It is sold as small tablets, gelatin squares, on

absorbent paper, or on sugar cubes. An LSD “trip” can last 8-12 hours,

Effects of LSD

Delusions & paranoia

Hallucinations

Disconnection from reality

Sweating, sleeplessness, trembling,

increase in heart rate and blood pressure

Possession With Intent to Sell:

3-15 years in jail and a fine of $2000 to $300,000.

Possession for Personal Use

1-3 years in jail and a fine of $1000 to $25,000.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Ecstasy is known as a “designer drug,” because it often contains a mixture of drugs and chemicals such as: LSD Heroin Cocaine Rat Poison Bath Salts

Ecstasy

Popular party drug- causes heightened senses and feelings of euphoria. However, it often causes paranoia, and smothers natural alarm signals from the body, causing users to go beyond physical limitations. Users can experience a spike in body temperature leading to organ failure and death. It can be addictive.

Club drugs

drugs designed to inhibit pain by cutting off or dissociating the brain’s perception of

the pain.

Ketamine

General, short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects. Sometimes used to facilitate sexual assault crimes.

Opiates

come from the poppy plant. They are used to relieve pain, euphoria, and create

mood changes in the user.

Heroin

Originally developed as a remedy for morphine causes body temperature to drop and respiration and heart rate to slow.addiction.

Negative effects of heroin:

Hypothermia

Partial Paralysis

HIV (from needles)

Coma or death

Inhalants

wide variety of breathable substances that produce mind-altering results

and effects.

Anabolic Steroids

synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone that are used to promote muscle development.

Nicotine

the addictive drug found in all tobacco products.

Tar

sticky, black substance in tobacco smoke.

Snuff and chewing tobacco lead to

mouth sores and oral cancer.

Sidestream smoke

smoke that escapes from the tip of a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe. This can be as much as half of the total smoke.

Mainstream smoke

smoke that is inhaled through a tobacco product and exhaled by the user.

Cannabis (Marijuana)

Most commonly used illicit drug, with nearly half of Americans saying they have tried marijuana at least once.

Common short-term effects of marijuana include:

Giddiness

Increased appetite

Distorted sense of time and distance

Loss of balance and coordination

Slowed thinking ability

Loss of short-term memory

Anxiety/Panic attacks

Difficulty paying attention