Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs - Health Science Grade 12 MUIDS
Teenagers need to know:
The correct information about drugs, and that adults simply saying “DON’T DO DRUGS THEY ARE BAD” probably will not work.
The different types of drugs and how they will affect the body short term and long term
Which drugs are legal / illegal, and the legal consequences that come from it
How to safely participate in recreational alcohol / tobacco / drug use, and the risks associated with it
How to create a safety plan when smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol so they are safe and prevent unwanted / unsafe situations
The peer pressure that can happen with drugs, and the refusal skills needed to say no
Drugs are not all bad and some are crucial for people’s well being
The power that addiction can hold over people and how to avoid it in their lives.
Categories of Substances:
Stimulants
Depressants
Opioids
Hallucinogens
Cannabis / Marijuana
Tobacco (cigarettes)
Stimulants:
Speed up the central nervous system.
Feeling of your body speeding up and getting a boost of energy.
Examples: Cocaine, caffeine, meth
Depressants:
Process of slowing down the central nervous system.
Feeling of relaxing or your body slowing down and having slow reaction time.
Usually come in the form of pills.
Example: Alcohol, Xanax (sleeping pill)
Opioids:
Powerful painkillers that come from the opium plant.
They target the brain to help with pain relief (lowers your pain receptors).
Often comes in pill form.
Examples: Heroin, morphine, opium
Hallucinogens:
A psychoactive drug that disrupts brain activity and alters states of consciousness (heightens senses and causes hallucinations).
Come in pills, or sheets of paper, or mushrooms.
Examples: Mushrooms (magic), LSD (acid), MDMA (ecstasy)
Marijuana / Cannabis:
Acts as a depressant, hallucinogen (to a lesser degree) and even stimulant as it affects people differently.
Best known for relaxing people and making them calm.
Known to help people with extreme social anxiety.
Can come in a joint or edible foods.
Examples: Joint (smoked), food (ingested), oil (put on skin), etc.
Tobacco (cigarettes):
Acts as a stimulant, and contains nicotine which makes it addictive.
Contains many different chemicals and a lot are harmful to the body.
Reduces the level of oxygen in the bloodstream.
Examples: Cigarettes, cigars, or e-cigarettes.
Legal:
Legal (with age)
Illegal
Examples: Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, LSD (acid), MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, vape, magic mushrooms (in discussion), crystal meth
Effects on Physical Social and Mental Health:
Physical:
Overdose (can happen during the first time of trying), short term and long term effects
Social:
May lose relationships with loved ones who do not value drug use and who are drug free.
May lose jobs because of drug dependence / addiction.
Mental:
Alter the way you think and reason.
For example, alcohol lowers your nervous system speed making it harder to make good decisions.
Fentanyl:
Powerful opioid that is much more powerful than heroin or morphine.
20 to 40 times more powerful than heroin.
100 times more powerful than morphine.
Marijuana and MDMA (ecstasy) can often be laced (combined) with fentanyl, and that can lead to accidental overdose.
4 Phases of Addiction:
Tolerance - the body becomes accustomed to the drug, so the person needs to take more of the drug to feel the effects.
Psychological Dependence - After time, the user feels they need to use this in order to feel good and / or function normally.
Physiological Dependence - the user develops a chemical need for the drug. If they do not have it, they will suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction - A psychological or physiological dependence on a drug. An addict will continue to use the drug compulsively and regularly even if they know it will cause them harm.
Individual and Family Consequences:
Individual:
Lowers inhibitions which can lead to unhealthy situations like unprotected sex or violence.
Increase in violence, crime, and possibility of death.
Family:
Medical costs, legal costs, may completely disassociate with the family.
May not pursue goals you and your family have decided on before the drug use.
Reasons why people drink:
To celebrate
To be social
To let loose
Have a good time
Lower inhibitions
Feel less nervous and less anxious
Relax / unwind
Like the taste
Like the way getting buzzed makes them feel
Feeling of being invincible
Types of Alcohol:
Beer (5%)
Wine (10-15%)
Spirits (30-40%)
1 drink is equal to 1 beer, 1 glass (100 ml) of wine, or 1 shot of a spirit.
BAC Levels and behavior associated with it:
.05 - impaired judgement / lower inhibitions
.10 - .12 - Slurred speech, impaired balance and coordination, unstable emotions, possible nausea and vomiting
.40 - Cannot control your bladder, cannot walk without assistance, possible coma or even death
Words associated with alcohol:
Buzz
Tipsy
Binge drinking
Drunk
Intoxicated
Blacked Out
Drunk driving
Designated driver
Getting "Roofied" - Rohypnol:
Rohypnol, or a "roofie" is a depressant that can severely slow down the nervous system, often causing people to pass out quickly.
It is normally snuck into people’s drinks at parties, so people can be taken advantage of.
Alcohol - Short Term Consequences:
Someone can put something into your drink. "Spike" your drink. These drugs can sedate you, and put you in a state where you can pass out.
You can get taken advantage of. People can steal from you, you can forget things easily, etc.
Behavior - You will not be able to control your own behavior, meaning there is a high chance of doing something you normally wouldn’t.
Unsafe situations - When you are not thinking straight, you may put yourself in an unsafe environment, which can have very negative effects.
Addiction to alcohol is a real thing
Weight gain is a consequence of regular drinking
Drinking can get in the way of your goals or ambitions
Drinking and driving is dangerous and can lead to accidents
Alcohol consumption can cause brain and liver damage
Always keep your drink with you and don't accept drinks from strangers
Stay with your friends to avoid being taken advantage of
Go and leave with the same group of people to avoid being left alone while intoxicated
Know your limits to avoid doing something you regret or losing control of your behavior
Make sure someone trusted knows where you are going in case something goes wrong
When you see your friend showing signs of alcohol poisoning, call 1669 and the friend's parents
It doesn't matter if your friend says not to tell their parents, it's important to seek help
There are no safe smoking options
Damage done to lungs from smoke is reversible and lungs can recover quickly after quitting
Vaping is less harmful than cigarettes but still harmful to the body
Vaping has fewer harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes
Cigarettes contain 70 carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer)
Nicotine addiction leads to changes in brain chemistry and withdrawal symptoms
Sense of taste is dulled and appetite decreases
Respiration and heart rate increase, making breathing during physical activity difficult
Second-hand smoke can cause lung damage in people regularly exposed to it
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, with a low survival rate
COPD is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and requires constant oxygen use
Smoking increases the risk of stroke by causing blockages in blood flow
The tower activity simulates addiction, showing how hard it is to quit when addicted
Addiction changes the brain and draws people back to the substance they are addicted to
Smoking weed can make people feel relaxed, help with sleep, ease stress and anxiety
It can be a social activity and provide new perspectives, allowing people to zone out
Marijuana can help with mental disabilities like anxiety and depression
It can also provide relief for physical problems such as chronic pain, cancer, muscle spasms, epilepsy, and arthritis
Marijuana can lead to addiction and heavy users experience withdrawal symptoms
While some people may feel relaxed, research shows a link between violent behavior and frequent marijuana use
Chronic marijuana use can have long-term effects on memory and neuron loss in the hippocampus
Marijuana affects people differently, so the response is unpredictable
It has both positive and negative side effects that should be considered before use
Marijuana is particularly dangerous for a teenager's brain as it is still developing
Although not as addictive as tobacco and other drugs, it can still lead to addiction
Marijuana can cause short and long-term memory loss
Endorphins can be released by doing things you enjoy, meditation, eating chocolate, sunlight, laughter, and random acts of kindness
Dopamine can be increased through good sleep, eating favorite foods, being in the sun, exercising, meditation, and listening to music
Teenagers need to know:
The correct information about drugs, and that adults simply saying “DON’T DO DRUGS THEY ARE BAD” probably will not work.
The different types of drugs and how they will affect the body short term and long term
Which drugs are legal / illegal, and the legal consequences that come from it
How to safely participate in recreational alcohol / tobacco / drug use, and the risks associated with it
How to create a safety plan when smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol so they are safe and prevent unwanted / unsafe situations
The peer pressure that can happen with drugs, and the refusal skills needed to say no
Drugs are not all bad and some are crucial for people’s well being
The power that addiction can hold over people and how to avoid it in their lives.
Categories of Substances:
Stimulants
Depressants
Opioids
Hallucinogens
Cannabis / Marijuana
Tobacco (cigarettes)
Stimulants:
Speed up the central nervous system.
Feeling of your body speeding up and getting a boost of energy.
Examples: Cocaine, caffeine, meth
Depressants:
Process of slowing down the central nervous system.
Feeling of relaxing or your body slowing down and having slow reaction time.
Usually come in the form of pills.
Example: Alcohol, Xanax (sleeping pill)
Opioids:
Powerful painkillers that come from the opium plant.
They target the brain to help with pain relief (lowers your pain receptors).
Often comes in pill form.
Examples: Heroin, morphine, opium
Hallucinogens:
A psychoactive drug that disrupts brain activity and alters states of consciousness (heightens senses and causes hallucinations).
Come in pills, or sheets of paper, or mushrooms.
Examples: Mushrooms (magic), LSD (acid), MDMA (ecstasy)
Marijuana / Cannabis:
Acts as a depressant, hallucinogen (to a lesser degree) and even stimulant as it affects people differently.
Best known for relaxing people and making them calm.
Known to help people with extreme social anxiety.
Can come in a joint or edible foods.
Examples: Joint (smoked), food (ingested), oil (put on skin), etc.
Tobacco (cigarettes):
Acts as a stimulant, and contains nicotine which makes it addictive.
Contains many different chemicals and a lot are harmful to the body.
Reduces the level of oxygen in the bloodstream.
Examples: Cigarettes, cigars, or e-cigarettes.
Legal:
Legal (with age)
Illegal
Examples: Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, LSD (acid), MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, vape, magic mushrooms (in discussion), crystal meth
Effects on Physical Social and Mental Health:
Physical:
Overdose (can happen during the first time of trying), short term and long term effects
Social:
May lose relationships with loved ones who do not value drug use and who are drug free.
May lose jobs because of drug dependence / addiction.
Mental:
Alter the way you think and reason.
For example, alcohol lowers your nervous system speed making it harder to make good decisions.
Fentanyl:
Powerful opioid that is much more powerful than heroin or morphine.
20 to 40 times more powerful than heroin.
100 times more powerful than morphine.
Marijuana and MDMA (ecstasy) can often be laced (combined) with fentanyl, and that can lead to accidental overdose.
4 Phases of Addiction:
Tolerance - the body becomes accustomed to the drug, so the person needs to take more of the drug to feel the effects.
Psychological Dependence - After time, the user feels they need to use this in order to feel good and / or function normally.
Physiological Dependence - the user develops a chemical need for the drug. If they do not have it, they will suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction - A psychological or physiological dependence on a drug. An addict will continue to use the drug compulsively and regularly even if they know it will cause them harm.
Individual and Family Consequences:
Individual:
Lowers inhibitions which can lead to unhealthy situations like unprotected sex or violence.
Increase in violence, crime, and possibility of death.
Family:
Medical costs, legal costs, may completely disassociate with the family.
May not pursue goals you and your family have decided on before the drug use.
Reasons why people drink:
To celebrate
To be social
To let loose
Have a good time
Lower inhibitions
Feel less nervous and less anxious
Relax / unwind
Like the taste
Like the way getting buzzed makes them feel
Feeling of being invincible
Types of Alcohol:
Beer (5%)
Wine (10-15%)
Spirits (30-40%)
1 drink is equal to 1 beer, 1 glass (100 ml) of wine, or 1 shot of a spirit.
BAC Levels and behavior associated with it:
.05 - impaired judgement / lower inhibitions
.10 - .12 - Slurred speech, impaired balance and coordination, unstable emotions, possible nausea and vomiting
.40 - Cannot control your bladder, cannot walk without assistance, possible coma or even death
Words associated with alcohol:
Buzz
Tipsy
Binge drinking
Drunk
Intoxicated
Blacked Out
Drunk driving
Designated driver
Getting "Roofied" - Rohypnol:
Rohypnol, or a "roofie" is a depressant that can severely slow down the nervous system, often causing people to pass out quickly.
It is normally snuck into people’s drinks at parties, so people can be taken advantage of.
Alcohol - Short Term Consequences:
Someone can put something into your drink. "Spike" your drink. These drugs can sedate you, and put you in a state where you can pass out.
You can get taken advantage of. People can steal from you, you can forget things easily, etc.
Behavior - You will not be able to control your own behavior, meaning there is a high chance of doing something you normally wouldn’t.
Unsafe situations - When you are not thinking straight, you may put yourself in an unsafe environment, which can have very negative effects.
Addiction to alcohol is a real thing
Weight gain is a consequence of regular drinking
Drinking can get in the way of your goals or ambitions
Drinking and driving is dangerous and can lead to accidents
Alcohol consumption can cause brain and liver damage
Always keep your drink with you and don't accept drinks from strangers
Stay with your friends to avoid being taken advantage of
Go and leave with the same group of people to avoid being left alone while intoxicated
Know your limits to avoid doing something you regret or losing control of your behavior
Make sure someone trusted knows where you are going in case something goes wrong
When you see your friend showing signs of alcohol poisoning, call 1669 and the friend's parents
It doesn't matter if your friend says not to tell their parents, it's important to seek help
There are no safe smoking options
Damage done to lungs from smoke is reversible and lungs can recover quickly after quitting
Vaping is less harmful than cigarettes but still harmful to the body
Vaping has fewer harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes
Cigarettes contain 70 carcinogens (chemicals that cause cancer)
Nicotine addiction leads to changes in brain chemistry and withdrawal symptoms
Sense of taste is dulled and appetite decreases
Respiration and heart rate increase, making breathing during physical activity difficult
Second-hand smoke can cause lung damage in people regularly exposed to it
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, with a low survival rate
COPD is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and requires constant oxygen use
Smoking increases the risk of stroke by causing blockages in blood flow
The tower activity simulates addiction, showing how hard it is to quit when addicted
Addiction changes the brain and draws people back to the substance they are addicted to
Smoking weed can make people feel relaxed, help with sleep, ease stress and anxiety
It can be a social activity and provide new perspectives, allowing people to zone out
Marijuana can help with mental disabilities like anxiety and depression
It can also provide relief for physical problems such as chronic pain, cancer, muscle spasms, epilepsy, and arthritis
Marijuana can lead to addiction and heavy users experience withdrawal symptoms
While some people may feel relaxed, research shows a link between violent behavior and frequent marijuana use
Chronic marijuana use can have long-term effects on memory and neuron loss in the hippocampus
Marijuana affects people differently, so the response is unpredictable
It has both positive and negative side effects that should be considered before use
Marijuana is particularly dangerous for a teenager's brain as it is still developing
Although not as addictive as tobacco and other drugs, it can still lead to addiction
Marijuana can cause short and long-term memory loss
Endorphins can be released by doing things you enjoy, meditation, eating chocolate, sunlight, laughter, and random acts of kindness
Dopamine can be increased through good sleep, eating favorite foods, being in the sun, exercising, meditation, and listening to music
