Chapter 23 Lesson 4

Did You Know? Psychoactive drugs are chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain.

Classification of Psychoactive Drugs Stimulants Depressants Narcotics Hallucinogens

Health Risks of Stimulants Caffeine and nicotine speed up the central nervous system. Using cocaine can lead to depression, paranoia, and physiological dependence as well as cause malnutrition and cardiac problems. Crack is a very pure form of cocaine. 1. It drastically increases the heart rate and blood pressure 2. Mixing cocaine and alcohol can lead to death from liver failure.

Health Risks of Stimulants D. Amphetamines given through prescriptions reduce fatigue, drowsiness, and appetite, yet many people take them illegally to stay alert and run the risk of irregular heartbeats, paranoia, and other damage to the body. E. Methamphetamine is used to treat obesity and other diseases, yet when taken illegally can cause depression, paranoia, and even death.

Stimulants Nicotine Cocaine Amphetamine

Health Risks of Depressants A. Depressants are sedatives that tend to slow down the central nervous system. 1. They slow heart rate. 2. They can lower blood pressure. 3. They can also affect breathing B. Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs. 1. They induce sleepiness. 2. They can cause mood changes. 3. They can result in a coma.

Health Risks of Depressants C. Tranquilizers reduce muscular activity, coordination, and attention span. 1. When overused, users can become physiologically and psychologically dependent on them. 2. Users can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as severe shaking and even a coma or death.

Health Risks of Depressants D. Rohypnol is ten times as strong as tranquilizers. 1. It is a drug used in date-rape crimes. 2. It is used in crimes of dating violence. E. Gammahydroxy butyric acid (GHB) is used in date-rape crimes.

Depressants Tranquilizers Barbiturates Rohypnol

Discussion Question How can you take precautions against being drugged without your knowledge and thus avoid getting involved in dating violence?

Narcotics These are specific drugs made from the opium plant. They are given only by prescription and used to relieve pain. They are addictive.

Health Risks of Depressants D. Heroin is highly addictive narcotic. It depresses the central nervous system. It slows breathing and pulse rate. It can cause infection of the heart lining and valves. Withdrawal from heroin is very painful.

Narcotics Heroin Narcotics

Hallucinogens PCP distorts time and space, increases muscle strength, and causes the inability to feel pain. LSD causes severe distortions of sound and color as well as causes the risk of convulsions, coma, and heart and lung function. Ketamine causes dreamlike states and may result in respiratory failure.

Hallucinogens LSD PCP Ketamine

Ecstasy and Other Dangerous Drugs Designer drugs are synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of dangerous drugs. Ecstasy is a designer drug that gives a short-term euphoric feeling, yet often causes confusion, depression, paranoia, and other harmful effects.

Ecstasy and Other Dangerous Drugs C. There are consequences of drug use, such as leading to unsafe situations, violence, and accidents.

Ecstasy