Chapter 5 (C): Drugs and Consciousness Ms. Saint-Paul A.P. Psychology

Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive Drug: A chemical substance that alters perceptions and moods

Dependence and Addiction Tolerance: The diminishing effect with regular use of the same dose of a drug Requires the user to take larger and larger doses before experiencing the drug’s effect

Dependence and Addiction Withdrawal: The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing the use of an addictive drug Dependence: The need for a drug to relieve physical pain or discomfort (physical dependence) or negative thoughts and emotions (psychological dependence)

Dependence and Addiction Compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences

How Likely is Addiction? The likelihood of becoming addicted varies among different drugs: Marijuana: 9% Alcohol: 15% Heroin: 23% Tobacco: 32%

Psychoactive Drugs Psychoactive drugs are divided into three main groups: Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens

Depressants Depressants: Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions Types of depressants: Alcohol Barbiturates Opiates

What are some factors that influence people to abuse alcohol? Depressants: Alcohol What are some factors that influence people to abuse alcohol?

Stimulants Stimulants: Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions Types of stimulants: Caffeine Nicotine Cocaine Ecstasy (MDMA) Amphetamines Methamphetamines

What are some factors that influence people to smoke cigarettes? Stimulants: Nicotine What are some factors that influence people to smoke cigarettes?

Why Do People Smoke? People smoke because it is socially rewarding. Smoking is also a result of genetic factors.

Why Do People Smoke? Nicotine takes away unpleasant cravings (negative reinforcement) by triggering epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and endorphins. Nicotine itself is rewarding (positive reinforcement).

Stimulants: The Effects of Methamphetamines

Hallucinogens Hallucinogens: Psychedelic (“mind-manifesting”) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input Types of hallucinogens: LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Near-Death Experiences Hallucinogens often produce a bright light in the center of the field of vision People who have near-death experiences often report similar perceptions

Types of Psychoactive Drugs

Influences on Drug Use The graph below shows the percentage of US high- school seniors reporting their use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine from the 70s to the late 90s.

Influences on Drug Use The use of drugs is based on biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences.

Experience with Addiction Do you know of anyone who was able to overcome an addiction? What steps did they take to overcome this?

Key Principles of Change 1. The belief that one can change 2. Type of treatment is not as important as one’s commitment to change 3. Duration of treatment is not as important as one’s focus and continued efforts to change 4. Life skills can be instrumental in overcoming addiction 5. Repeated efforts to change 6. Improvement without abstinence counts; all movement in the “right direction” should be accepted and rewarded

Do Now What is a psychoactive drug? What does it mean to develop tolerance to a drug? Differentiate between physical dependence and psychological dependence of a drug. Discuss the characteristics of the following types of drugs: Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens