The Truth about Drugs

What are they? 1.Drugs = any chemical other than food intended to affect the structure and function of the body. What are the most serious consequences? a. Abuse b. Addiction

Types of Drug Use In the past, people would say that legal drugs were good, illegal drugs were bad, and prescription drugs were helpfulIn the past, people would say that legal drugs were good, illegal drugs were bad, and prescription drugs were helpful People often take OTCs for their main effectsPeople often take OTCs for their main effects –Aspirin is used for: Pain relief  Fever reductionPain relief  Fever reduction Control of swelling  Reduce inflammationControl of swelling  Reduce inflammation Reduce risk of heart attack and strokeReduce risk of heart attack and stroke However, there are SIDE effects to any drugHowever, there are SIDE effects to any drug –Aspirin = ulcers in stomach

Drug Use Categories UseUse –Taking a drug correctly for a legitimate medical reason MisuseMisuse –Taking a legal drug inappropriately AbuseAbuse –Taking a legal or illegal drug in a way that damages some aspect of the user’s life (mental, physical, social, occupational, etc)

Drug Abuse = Recurrent drug use in the following situations Resulting in failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school, or home. You become physically hazardous, such as driving a car. Drug related legal problems Continued use despite persistent social or interpersonal problems caused or increased by the use of the drug.

Drug Addiction Addictive behavior = habits that have gotten out of control, resulting in a negative impact on a person’s health. Characteristics of addiction: Reinforcement Compulsion or craving Loss of control Escalation Negative consequences

Marijuana

What is marijuana? Aren't there different kinds? Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Stronger Forms of Marijuana –Sinsemilla (sin-seh-me-yah; it’s a Spanish word), –hashish (“hash” for short), and –hash oil

How is marijuana used? Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (called a joint or a nail) or in a pipe or a bong. In cigar wrappers called blunts, –In this form it is often combined with another drug, such as crack cocaine.

Blunt Bowl Joint

How long does marijuana stay in the user's body? THC in marijuana is rapidly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. –However, in chronic heavy users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

What happens if you smoke marijuana? The way the drug affects each person depends on many factors, including: –user's previous experience with the drug;; –how strong the marijuana is (how much THC it has); –what the user expects to happen; –where the drug is used; –how it is taken; and –whether the user is drinking alcohol or using other drugs.

What happens if you smoke marijuana? (cont) Some people feel nothing at all when they smoke marijuana. Others may feel relaxed or high. Sometimes marijuana makes users feel thirsty and very hungry—an effect called "the munchies.“ Some users can undergo bad effects from marijuana. They may suffer sudden feelings of anxiety and have paranoid thoughts. This is more likely to happen when a more potent variety of marijuana is used.

Short Term Effects of Marijuana problems with memory and learning distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch) trouble with thinking and problem solving loss of motor coordination increased heart rate.

Long Term Effects Findings so far show that regular use of marijuana or THC may play a role in some kinds of cancer and decreased respiratory function and decreased immune systems. It is known that marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more, of the cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. 1 joint = 4 cigarettes

…and your Body Ecstasy is a stimulant that increases your heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to heart or kidney failure. Ecstasy can kill you. Higher doses of ecstasy can cause severe breathing problems, coma, or even death.

Signs of X Use Problems remembering things they recently said or did Loss of coordination, dizziness, fainting Depression Confusion Sleep problems Anxiety Paranoia These effects have been reported to occur even weeks after the drug is taken.

The Facts Know the law. It is illegal to buy or sell ecstasy. It is also a federal crime to use any controlled substance to aid in a sexual assault. Get the facts. Despite what you may have heard, ecstasy can be addictive.

The Risks Know the risks. –Mixing ecstasy with other drugs or with alcohol is extremely dangerous. The effects of one drug can magnify the effects and risks of another. In fact, mixing substances can be lethal. –You never know what actually is in Ecstasy, so therefore you are playing Russian Roulette each time you take it.

I heard that you can die from Hyper-Hydration. Is that true? Often times, when taking E, people are in hot clubs and get dehydrated. –Therefore they start drinking lots of water So much in fact that the body doesn’t have enough salt to balance it out –Cells collapse »Organs die

Prescription Drug Abuse

Why Do Some People Abuse Prescription Drugs? –they think they will help them: have more fun, - lose weight, fit in - study more effectively. –Some people think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than street drugs. After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use –They tend be easier to get than street drugs: Family members Friends Sold on the street like other illegal drugs

Prescription Drug Abuse But prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them. Through their physician they: –know that they won't have a bad reaction to the drugs. –told exactly how the medication should be taken –told things to avoid while taking the drug — such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking other medications. –aware of potentially dangerous side effects and can monitor patients closely for these.

DRUG ADDICTION IS A COMPLEX ILLNESS

control on cocaine