Chapter 12 Drugs of Abuse

A physical addiction is more powerful than a psychological addiction. Unlike smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana does not harm health. People usually recover from dependency on their own. What Do You Think

Section 1: Drug Abuse Defined Class activity Create a list of positive and negative consequences that can result from drug use, misuse, and abuse. Are there more positive or negative consequences? Section 1: Drug Abuse Defined

Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs? Partner Activity: Create a list of the reasons you think that people abuse drugs. Make a list of strategies to avoid some of the reasons you just came up with. Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs?

Section 2: Why do people abuse dugs? Why do people abuse drugs? Peer Pressure Family Members Role Models Media Messages Perceptions of Drug behavior Misleading Information Personality Euphoria Section 2: Why do people abuse dugs?

Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs? Peer Pressure A strong factor that motivates people to abuse drugs is peer pressure. A strong desire to fit in socially, risk- takers, drawn to dangerous behavior. Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs?

Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs? Values- teens who lack strong internal values, such as the value of good grades, and high moral standards, often abuse drugs Boredom- some people wrongly believe that taking drugs provides pleasure, excitement or fun. Escape- people don’t feel loved, have no friends may take drugs as a substitute for what is missing. Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs?

Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs? Personality- some people are naturally curious, and may want to try drugs to experience what they are like. It may be because they are shy or uncomfortable in social situations, relieve tension, or because a person has low self-esteem or poor self-image. Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs?

Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs? Homework: Write a 1 page essay (10 Pts) Topic: Entertainers, movies, songs, magazines, and books may portray drug abuse as funny or cool. What can you do to change this image? Write a 1 page essay outlining how we as a society can change the media’s outlook on drugs. Section 2: Why do people abuse drugs?

Drug Addiction- a physical and or psychological need for higher and higher doses of a drug. Do you think anyone starts out using a substance in the hopes of becoming addicted? Section 3: Addiction

Section 3: Addiction Drugs & the Brain Drugs provide a sense of euphoria by imitating the brain’s natural way of producing pleasure. The acts of eating, being physically active, and relaxing all release endorphins. The lack of these chemicals produces an unpleasant feeling known as dysphoria Section 3: Addiction

Section 3: Addiction How does addiction set in? The craving created by withdrawal, and the need to take higher and higher doses, creates a spiral of physical addiction Section 3: Addiction

Section 6: Kicking the Habit Facing the problem The first step in solving a drug problem is to admit that you have one. The next is to seek help Section 6: Kicking the Habit

Section 6: Kicking the Habit Getting Help People rarely recover from drugs on their own Help comes in many forms including hospitalization and drug-quitting groups Narcotics Anonymous is a free, self- help program of addiction recovery 12 step programs-promotes personal growth and lead’s to person’s helping others recover Section 6: Kicking the Habit

Section 6: Kicking the Habit Getting Help NA offers psychological therapy groups, individual psychotherapy, and drug therapy Why might it be important to not talk about someone else’s problem outside the group? Section 6: Kicking the Habit

Section 6: Kicking the Habit Problems Along the Way When a person first becomes drug free he or she has overcome a big obstacle Next step is to develop a new support system The best chance of staying clean is to develop a support system of other people who are drug free Section 6: Kicking the Habit

Section 7: Helping Someone Else Kick the Habit Signs of Drug Abuse The best way to find out for sure if a person is abusing drugs is to express concern and ask questions Another way to show you care is to make the effort to help 3 things you can do to help a person with a drug problem: Make sure the person knows you don’t approve of the drug habit Making available all the information you can gather on the health effects of the drug Section 7: Helping Someone Else Kick the Habit

Section 7: Helping Someone Else Kick the Habit Signs of Drug Abuse (Cont.) Making sure the person knows, on choosing to seek help, where to go for it. Drug addiction does not mean someone is a bad person. Do not blame the person, it can make them feel guilty If you want to help don’t judge or blame the person Section 7: Helping Someone Else Kick the Habit

Section 7: Helping Someone Else Kick the Habit Signs of Drug Abuse Paleness/Perspiration Dilated Pupils Runny nose & Nosebleeds Jitters/Hyperactivity Ability to go long periods of time w/out food or sleep Anxiety, anger, or unreasonable suspiciousness Loss of memory Extreme increases in energy and talk- ativeness, followed by lethargy/ depression Not caring about appearance Broken appointments, promises, lying Bad Grades, missing school, trouble w/law, family, or authorities Section 7: Helping Someone Else Kick the Habit