Legal and Illegal Drugs

While you’re a teen (and even into your early 20′s While you’re a teen (and even into your early 20′s!), you’re still growing and developing, and drug abuse during these years in particular can have a lasting impact. The brain is much more vulnerable to addiction as it continues to develop as well. 90% of Americans with a substance abuse problem starting smoking, drinking or using other drugs before age 18.

Medicine Are legal drugs that help the body fight injury, illness, or disease. They can be categorized in two different ways Over the Counter Prescription

Over the Counter Drugs A medicine that is sold legally in pharmacies and other stores without a doctor’s prescription There is an incorrect but widespread belief that because you don’t need a prescription, these drugs must be less dangerous than those found behind the pharmacy counter. The fact is, it’s risky to abuse either.

Prescription A drug that can be obtained only with a written order from a doctor and can be purchased only at a pharmacy Prescription drugs are medications legitimately prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of health problems. Some people assume that since they’re legal when prescribed by a doctor, they must be safer than illegal drugs. The truth is, these drugs require a prescription for a reason. When abused, they can be just as dangerous, and even deadly. In fact, in recent years, the abuse of prescription painkillers has resulted in more deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.

Illegal Drugs Commonly called “street drugs” A chemical substance that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell.

Types of Use Proper Use: Using a prescription drug properly according to the directions of a physician who is fully aware of your medical history. That would include taking the correct dosage at the right times, in the proper manner, and for the right medical reason. The same principles apply to over-the-counter products: Use them only when you have a legitimate need, and carefully follow the instructions on the label.

Guidelines for Proper Use 1. Follow directions carefully. 2. Don’t change doses without consulting your doctor. 3. Don’t stop taking prescribed medication on your own. 4. Don’t crush or break pills unless specifically instructed to do so. 5. Be aware of the effect the drug may have on your driving and other activities. 6. Find out how the drug may interact with alcohol and with other medications—prescribed or over the counter. 7. If you have a history of substance abuse, tell your doctor. 8. Do not use drugs prescribed for someone else, and do not share yours.

Types of Use Misuse The use of a substance for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines (Improper use) It has a negative impact on health and/or functioning and may lead to drug dependence or be part of a wider spectrum of problematic or harmful behavior. Examples include things like: taking more than the prescribed amount of a drug taking drugs with the wrong foods or at the wrong time of day not taking a drug for the correct period of time

Types of Use Abuse When a drug is intentionally used improperly or unsafely. When a drug is used intentionally for any kind of nonmedical purposes. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control and hamper with their ability to resist impulses to take drugs. Estimates of the total overall costs of drug abuse in the United States, including productivity and health- and crime-related costs, exceed $600 billion annually.

Types of Use

The Reward Pathway Many psychoactive drugs trigger activity along a pathway of cells in the brain called the “reward pathway.” Brain cells along the activated reward pathway release a chemical called dopamine.

The Reward Pathway The extra dopamine released during drug use can cause the user to ignore the harmful effects of the drug and want to continue using it. Flooding the reward pathway with dopamine may lead to intense cravings for the drug. After a time, drug abuse can dull the brain’s reactions to natural levels of dopamine.

How Drugs Affect The Brain Area of the brain’s “reward pathway”

How Drugs Affect The Brain Area of the brain’s “reward pathway”

How Drugs Affect The Brain Area of the brain’s “reward pathway”

Addiction The compulsive use of a drug, despite any cost to health, family, or social standing. Addiction is a disease that changes the structure and chemistry of the brain. No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology social environment age or stage of development The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Stop Day 1 Notes