Health Drug Test Year 8

Health

Overall physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.

Dimensions of health

The five areas of wellbeing: physical, social, mental, spiritual and emotional.

Mental health

Being able to control your thoughts and be positive 

Emotional health

understand your and others' emotions 

Licit

A legal drug, although restrictions may apply.

Illicit

An illegal drug

BAC

Blood Alcohol Concentration; the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Sobering up

The body removing alcohol and recovering from its effects.

Hangover

Unpleasant effects after drinking, such as headache, tiredness or vomiting.

Stimulant

A drug that speeds up activity in the central nervous system.

Depressant

A drug that slows down activity in the central nervous system.

Hallucinogen

A drug that changes perception or creates an altered state of consciousness.

Stimulant effects

Increased alertness and heart rate.

Depressant effects

Slower brain activity, coordination and reaction time.

Hallucinogen effects

Changes to perception, thoughts or sensory experiences.

Stimulant examples

Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines.

Depressant examples

Alcohol, cannabis (sometimes) and heroin.

Hallucinogen examples

Magic mushrooms, LSD, ketamine, mescaline and DMT.

Cannabis classification

Can have depressant effects and alter perception.

Caffeine

A stimulant.

Nicotine

A stimulant.

Alcohol

A depressant.

Heroin

A depressant.

LSD

A hallucinogen.

Mescaline

A hallucinogen.

Cocaine

A stimulant.

DMT

A hallucinogen.

Amphetamines

Stimulants.

Illicit drug examples

Amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.

Licit drug examples

Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and panadol (over the counter)

BAC measurement

Measured using a breathalyser or blood sample.

Effect of alcohol on BAC

BAC increases

Learner and probationary driver BAC and BAC before drinking

0.00

Most full licence drivers' BAC limit in Victoria

Below 0.05 some drivers must have 0.00.

Standard drink

A drink containing 10 grams or 12.5 mL of pure alcohol

Volume of one standard drink

Varies with the beverage's alcohol concentration.

Advertising influence

Advertisements can make drug use seem appealing or normal.

Advertising techniques

Images, music, humour, emotions, celebrities and messages about fitting in.

Advertising risks

Advertisements may not show all the possible harms of drug use.

Truth about sobering up

The body needs time to break down alcohol

Alcohol short term effects

Slower reactions, poor balance, bad decisions, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, memory loss

Alcohol long term effects

Liver damage, higher risk of disease, memory and brain problems, addiction, mental health problems, relationship problems

Cigarette short term effects

Higher heart rate and blood pressure, less oxygen in the body, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, dizziness, nicotine cravings

Cigarette long term effects

Nicotine addiction, lung cancer, other cancers, lung damage, heart disease, stroke, weakened immune system, early death

Cannabis short term effects

Poor memory and concentration, slower reactions, poor coordination, changed sense of time, faster heart rate, red eyes and dry mouth, relaxation, anxiety or paranoia

Cannabis long term effects

Addiction, memory and learning problems, low motivation, school or work difficulties, lung problems from smoking, anxiety and depression, higher risk of psychosis in vulnerable people, effects on teenage brain development

BAC factors

Amount of alcohol, alcohol strength, how quickly alcohol is consumed, body size, empty or full stomach, body fat, biological sex and body fluid levels

Sobering up myths

Coffee, cold showers, vomiting, fatty foods and exercise