Downers and Dual Recovery   How do depressant drugs affect mental health?

What comes to mind when you hear “Downers” ?

Downers (depressants) are… Alcohol, Heroin, Benzodiazapine, ? All depress the Central Nervous System (CNS) Reduce heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure Mild doses cause mild euphoria High doses can cause depression, drowsiness, confusion, lack of coordination, irrational behavior

ALCOHOL

Effects of Alcohol Nervous System Alters, kills brain cells; impairs memory, coordination, and judgment Damages nerve connections, causes irreversible damage Causes blackouts - no recollection of what was said and done, but appearing to behave normally

Original “Palm Pilot”

Effects of Alcohol Gastrointestinal System irritates the stomach and digestive system blocks absorption of essential nutrients, contributes to malnutrition causes Gastritis (stomach lining inflammation) causes ulcers in the stomach and first part of intestine contributes to cancer development in lip, esophagus, stomach, and liver causes Alcoholic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, and Pancreatitis

Effects of Alcohol Circulatory System causes high blood pressure causes cardiomyopathy (deterioration of the heart muscle) Skeletal System leeches Calcium from the bones; worsen existing osteoporosis reduces muscle mass

Effects of Alcohol Reproductive System Men - reduces testosterone in men; breast enlargement, shrinking of testicles, impotence Women - causes menstrual irregularities, infertility, loss of sex drive Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or Fetal Alcohol Effects, if drinking while pregnant

Effects of Alcohol Immune System impedes functioning of immune system cells increases susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancer

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol Withdrawal Begins first several days after last use Causes anxiety, nausea, cravings, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, seizures, delirium tremens Detoxification should be medically supervised

HEROIN

Effects of Heroin Euphoric, drowsy, and warm (being "high") feeling within seconds of injection Slowed breathing, arms and legs feeling heavy or weighted, itchy skin, dry mouth, slowed heartbeat, constricted pupils, and feeling sick Desire to sleep after the euphoric effects

Effects of Heroin Changed into morphine-like chemical within the brain, which then binds quickly to opioid receptors Feelings of depression caused when body's normal production of brain chemicals that produce feelings of pleasure, are impaired

Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin Withdrawal Begins 6 - 8 hours after last use, most severe around 48 to 72 hours after, lasts for about one week Symptoms compared to a bad case of the flu depending on use history Elevations in blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and temperature

Heroin Withdrawal Goose bumps, watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, tremors, panic, chills, nausea, muscle crams, and insomnia Depression, so deep and overwhelming, that they are not able to make it through the withdrawal process Methadone or Buprenorphine treatment used for detoxification at some clinics

BENZODIAZEPINES

Effects of Benzodiazepines Versed (3 hrs), Librium (5-25 hrs), Xanax (6-12 hrs), Klonopin (18-50 hrs), Valium (36-200 hrs), Ativan (10-20 hrs) Prescribed for short-term (up to 4 months) relief of Anxiety, Panic Disorders, & Insomnia Long-term use problematic due to development of tolerance and dependency

Effects of Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines and Tranquilizers belong to the same class of drugs; Sedative-Hypnotics There is a great potential for cross addiction with alcohol, if tolerance is already developed for the other

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Lasts 6 weeks High level of psychological problems (anxiety, agitation, insomnia, depression) Serious physical problems; seizures Detoxification should be medically supervised

Common Motives for Use of Depressants

Socializing Feel less anxious around other people when using Feel pressured by others to use Helps to feel “normal” and “accepted” by others; don’t feel they have a mental illness or are different from others when using

Self-medication (Reduce the effects of) unpleasant symptoms Might be temporarily effective Usually unsuccessful in the long run

Most common symptoms people report using substances to self-medicate depression anxiety sleep problems nervousness tension hallucinations medication side effects loss of interest

Pleasure enhancement Substances are one of the few sources of pleasure they experience Use because they believe it enhances other enjoyable activities Very tempting to use because they are easy to get and effects are rapid

Habit or routine Using becomes part of a daily routine if using for a long period of time Substance use is second nature Use substances automatically, without much thought (like brushing teeth)

Relieving cravings or withdrawal symptoms Cravings for substances developed in individuals who use larger quantities May experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using suddenly Use primarily motivated by the desire to avoid cravings or withdrawal symptoms

CONSEQUENCES OF USE

Consequences of Substance Use Behavioral Social relationships Work or role functioning Money problems Legal problems Housing instability Dangerous situations

Consequences of Substance Use Physical Symptom relapse Health problems

Long-Term Consequences (Addiction) Psychological Giving up important activities Spending large amounts of time getting or using substances Using more of a substance than planned Repeated attempts to cut down or quit

Long-Term Consequences (Addiction) Physical Tolerance Cravings Withdrawal symptoms

Principles of Treatment

Principles of Treatment Medication adherence Decreased stress Treatment of both mental illness and substance abuse Individualized treatment Collaboration

Principles of Treatment Dual diagnosis groups Increased structure Rehabilitation Self-help groups Individual therapy

Principles of Treatment Motivational strategies Family support and problem solving Keeping hope alive

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