1. Drugs
Chapter 5

2. What is a Drug? What makes a chemical a “drug”? Are drugs natural?
Are they organic?
What do we mean when we say “don’t do drugs”?
What makes a drug dangerous?
What makes a drug beneficial?

3. Types of Dependence Physical and psychological What is the difference?
Can it be both?
Is alcohol a drug?
What type of dependence does it cause?
Does its legality / social acceptance mean that it is “safe”?

4. Psychological Dependence
Individuals have their reasons / excuses for use
Common result is repeated use
DEPENDENCE
Is there a difference between a user and an addict?

5. Physical Dependence Addiction Abstinence syndrome or withdraw sickness
Changes occur in your body / brain
Abstinence syndrome or withdraw sickness
Uncomfortable with not doing the drug
Can have withdraw symptoms continuously
Heroin must be taken every 6 – 8 hours to avoid symptoms of withdraw

6. Narcotics Narcotic relieves pain and induces sleep
Analgesic – relieves pain
Popular meaning is any drug with that is socially unacceptable
Legally the definition is not consistent

7. Narcotics Opiates Synthetic opiates From “poppy”
Morphine, heroin, codeine,
Synthetic opiates
Methadone
Fentanyl (microgram active)
OxyContin
similar to heroin
time release formula
Abused pharmaceutical

8. Commonly Used Drugs Narcotics Psychological Physical Morphine High Yes
Heroin High Yes
Methadone High Yes
Codeine Low Yes

9. Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are drugs that cause marked changes in normal thought processes, perceptions and moods.

10. Marijuana Cannabis Sativa THC – tetrahydocannabinol
Heavy use associated with psychological dependence
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Analogs created in labs.
Analogs are slightly modified structures creating new names and slight changes to properties and functions.
Many untested and unknown effects.

11. Other Hallucinogens LSD – lysergic acid diethylamide
Derived from fungus –ergot
Very potent, emotions affected
Mescaline and psilocybins
Mushrooms and peyote (cactus)
PCP – phencyclidine – angel dust
Can have schizophrenic behavior days after use
Tryptamines – natural and synthetic

12. Commonly Used Drugs Hallucinogens Psychological Physical
Marijuana Low No
LSD Low No
PCP High No

13. Depressants
Suppress brain’s control of thoughts and muscle coordination

14. Alcohol (ethyl alcohol)
Low dose – inhibit mental process of judgment, memory and concentration.
Moderate dose – reduces coordination substantially, inhibits orderly thought processes and speech patterns, and slows reaction time
Higher Doses – highly irritable and emotional, displays of anger / crying not uncommon
Extremely High Dose – lapse into unconsciousness, can lead to a fatal depression of circulatory and respiratory functions.

15. Barbiturates “Downers”
Suppress the vital functions of central nervous system
long acting – Phenobarbital (seizure or daytime sedative)
Fast acting – Secobarbital (anesthesia)

16. Antianxiety (Benzodiazapine)
Relax without affecting higher thinking capacity
Valium (Diazapam)
Xanax (Alprazolam)
Klonipin (Clonazapam)

17. Huffing
Solvents such as toluene, naphtha, methyl ethyl ketone, gasoline, trichoroehtylene
Psychological issues
Overdose can cause brain damage or death

18. Commonly Used Drugs Depressants Psychological Physical
Barbiturates (short) High Yes
Barbiturates (Long) Low Yes
Alcohol High Yes
Benzodiazapines Moderate Yes

19. Stimulants Speed up the central nervous system. Synthetic Cathinones
Natural in Middle Eastern “Khat” plants. (chewed)
Synthesized analogs – some scheduled
Advertised as “Bath Salts” or “Plant Food”
Many untested and unknown effects.

20. Amphetamines Speed or uppers Methamphetamine
Provide a feeling of well being and alertness, followed by fatigue and loss of appetite. After use depression is a common side effect
Methamphetamine
High purity – “ice”
Chronic users exhibit violent destructive behavior and acute psychosis.
Strong physical dependence (sometimes after one use!)

21. Cocaine Source of “exhilaration and lasting euphoria” – Sigmund Freud
Central nervous system stimulant
Stimulates pleasure pathways far more than they can be normally
Smokable form = crack
Small percent of addicts are cured
Strongest psychological addiction of street drugs
Euphoria fades – depression, anxious and pleasure less

22. Caffeine Stimulant and diuretic Found in 60 plants an ergogenic
Natural insecticide
an ergogenic
increases capacity for mental or physical labor.

23. Commonly Used Drugs Stimulants Psychological Physical
Amphetamines High Yes
Cocaine High No
Caffeine Low No
Nicotine High Yes

24. Club Drugs Ecstacy – MDMA - stimulant GHB – gamma hydroxybutyrate
Brain damage to hypothalmus
GHB – gamma hydroxybutyrate
Rohypnol – depressant (potent Benzo)
Date rape drug
Ketamine – depressant (anesthetic)

25. Anabolic Steroids
Synthetic steroids (hormones) that resemble testosterone
Androgenic effects – secondary male characteristics – hair, aggressive behavior
Anabolic effects – accelerates muscle growth
Liver cancer and liver abnormalities
Masculinizing females, infertility
Reduced sex drive for males
Teenagers premature halting of bone growth, mood effects including anger / depression / destructive behavior

26. Why does one person become an addict when another can be casual user?
Personal predispositions
Genetic
Psychological