Substance abuse

Substance Abuse

Types of Drugs

  • Classified by Psychoactive Effect

    • Stimulants

    • Depressants

    • Hallucinogens

    • Antidepressants

    • Antipsychotics

Stimulants

  • Function: Increase activity by stimulating the central nervous system

  • Effects:

    • Reverse fatigue

    • Elevate mood

  • Common Drugs: Nicotine and caffeine

Depressants

  • Function: Slow down body activity by depressing the central nervous system

  • Effects:

    • Induce sleep

    • Can lead to coma and death

  • Common Drugs:

    • Sleeping pills (e.g., barbiturates)

    • Tranquilizers (e.g., benzodiazepines)

    • Antispasmodics and alcohol

    • Opiates like heroin and morphine

Hallucinogens

  • Function: Cause users to see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there without causing serious disturbances to the CNS

  • Common Drugs:

    • LSD (acid)

    • Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)

    • Mescaline

  • Characteristics: Inhalants and marijuana have both depressant and hallucinogen traits

Antidepressants

  • Function: Prescription medications for patients with depressive disorders

  • Purpose: Alleviate symptoms by correcting chemical imbalances in the brain that affect mood and behavior

Antipsychotics

  • Function: Primarily used to manage psychosis, including delusions or hallucinations

  • Conditions Treated: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Understanding Addiction

  • Definition: A chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use, despite harmful consequences

Key Concepts in Substance Abuse and Addiction

  • Physical Dependence:

    • Adaptation to the presence of a drug leads to withdrawal when reduced or stopped

  • Drug Tolerance:

    • Increased amount of drug needed for the same effect

    • Reduction of drug's effect with continued use

  • Withdrawal Symptoms:

    • Symptoms occur when drug use is reduced or stopped abruptly

    • Generally opposite to the effects of intoxication

  • Psychological Dependence:

    • Characterized by emotional and mental preoccupation with the drug's effects, leading to persistent cravings

  • Types of Harm:

    • Physical, Psychological, Social (impacting family, job, finances, legal issues), Spiritual

Criteria for Substance Abuse and Dependence

  • Indicators:

    • Preoccupation with substance

    • Increased use beyond intended amounts

    • Inability to control use

    • Withdrawal symptoms

    • Signs of tolerance

    • Restricted activities due to use

    • Impaired functions

    • Harmful or hazardous use

Reasons for Drug Use

  • Common Reasons:

    • Fun or enhancement of pleasurable activities

    • Exploration of new experiences

    • Coping with stress

    • Numbing emotional pain

    • Social pressure or ease in socializing

    • Artistic creativity

    • Spiritual or meditative considerations

Signs of Teen Drug Abuse

  • Common Indicators:

    • Bad grades

    • Bloodshot eyes

    • Laughing for no reason

    • Loss of interest in activities

    • Poor hygiene and personal appearance

    • Avoiding eye contact

    • Increased hunger or "munchies"

    • Smell of smoke on breath or clothes

    • Secretive behavior

Factors Influencing Addictive Potential of Drugs

  • Biochemical & Biological Factors:

    • CNS effects

    • Route of transmission

    • Rate of absorption and elimination

    • Side effects

  • Personal Factors:

    • Neurochemistry

    • Developmental history and personality traits

    • Previous experiences with drugs

    • Values and beliefs

  • Environmental Factors:

    • Drug availability

    • Social circles (family, peers)

    • Societal norms towards drug use

Drugs of Concern Among People with Disabilities

  • Primary Drugs:

    • Alcohol

    • Prescription and over-the-counter medications

    • Marijuana

    • Tobacco

Treatment Statistics (2017)

  • Center Data from Ontario:

    • More males than females access treatment

    • 1 in 217 Ontarians were in treatment for substance use

    • Alcohol is the most commonly reported problem substance

    • Over half of individuals in treatment had been treated before

    • 62% male and 38% female treatment ratios

Societal Impact of Addiction

  • Statistics:

    • 1 in 4 Canadians will experience addiction or mental illness in their lifetime

    • 2/3 of those needing care do not access it

    • Costs Canada $32 billion annually, exceeding costs of heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes combined

    • 20% of Ontario children need help, only 4% currently receive it.