Understanding drugs & medicines

Chapter 9.1 Key Terms Drug- any substance that causes a change in a person’s physical or psychological state Medicine- any drug used to cure, prevent, or treat illness or discomfort Side effect- an effect that is caused by a drug & that is different from the drug’s intended effect Prescription- written order from a doctor for a specific medicine Over the counter medicine- any medicine that can be bought without a prescription

3 qualities of a medicine Effectiveness Safety- when used as directed Minor side effects

Drugs of Abuse Drugs that people take for mind-altering effects that have no medical purpose Ex. – Cocaine, alcohol, marijuana

Types of medicines Antibiotic- kills bacteria to help cure infections Stimulant- increases alertness; helps people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to focus their attention Anti-anxiety- helps people who are excessively nervous or panicked to calm down Vaccine- Prevents infections in people exposed to the infectious agent Sedative- causes sleepiness

6 ways drugs enter the body Implanted pumps- surgically implanted pumps that inject drugs into specific part of the body Inhalation- inhaled into the lungs Injection- needle Transdermal patches- patches placed on skin Ingestion- swallowed Topical application- lotions absorbed through the skin

Chapter 9.2 Key Terms Psychoactive- a drug or medicine that affects the brain & changes how a person perceives, thinks, or feels Generic medicine- medicine made by a company other that the company that developed the original medicine Active ingredient- chemical component that gives a medicine its action Drug interaction- when a drug reacts with another drug, food, or dietary supplement such that the effect of one of the substances is greater or smaller

Testing a drug Laboratory tests- chemical tests or tests on cell cultures Tests on animals Human volunteers Clinical trials (FDA) Food & Drug Administration- approval or rejection

Information on a prescription Dose (how much of the medicine should be taken) When you should take the medicine How often you should take the medicine Length of time you should take the medicine

Misuse v/s Abuse of Prescription Medicines Misuse- using a prescription medication that does not have your name on it May not have the same illness Strength of medicine may be more or less than you need Abuse- taking medicine when it is not needed, taking too much medicine, or mixing more than one kind of medicine

Choosing an Over the counter (OTC) medicine Decide what kind of OTC will work for you Decide whether you want generic or a brand-name medicine Read the label

Possible problems with medicines Allergic reactions Anaphylactic shock Side effects Aspirin, ibuprofen- damage to the lining of the stomach (ulcers) Drug Interactions

Anaphylactic Shock symptoms Itching all over the body Swelling, especially in the mouth or throat Wheezing or difficulty in breathing A pounding heart Fainting & unconsciousness

Chapter 9.3 Key Terms Addiction- condition in which a person can no longer control his or her drug use Drug Tolerance- condition in which a user needs more of a drug to feel the same effect felt when first using the drug Physical Dependence- state in which the body relies on a given drug in order to function Psychological Dependence- state of emotionally or mentally needing a drug in order to function Withdrawal- uncomfortable physical & psychological symptoms produced when a physically dependent drug user stops using drugs

Drugs & the brain Neurons- brain is made up of billions of nerve cells Synapses- connections between neurons Drugs can change the way neurons communicate with each other

Brain Reward System Reinforces healthy behaviors Releases the neurotransmitter dopamine that lets us feel pleasure

Behavioral warning signs of addiction Loss of interest at school Change of appearance Change of friends Unexplained mood swings Absences from school Dramatic change in eating habits Excessive lying Unexplained need for money

Stages of Drug Addiction Drug use- drug use activates the brain reward system (pleasure system) Tolerance- needs more of the drug to produce the same effect Dependence- experiences uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if he or she tries to stop using the drug Addiction- lost control of his or her drug taking habit

Illegal drugs

Chapter 12.1 Key Terms Drug Abuse- intentional improper or unsafe use of a drug Overdose- the taking of too much of a drug which causes sickness, loss of consciousness, permanent damage, or even death

Reasons illegal drug use is very dangerous Permanent effects on the brain & body Become addicted Factor in many suicides, motor vehicle accidents, & crimes Sharing needles- risk of catching Hepatitis B & HIV Overdose Risky sexual behavior (STDs)

Teen addiction Teens have a higher risk of addiction to drugs than adults do Risk of addiction is higher because young brains are still developing- can alter brain development

Teen Substance Abuse

Chapter 12.2 Key Terms Marijuana- dried flowers and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa that are smoked or mixed in food & eaten for intoxicating effects Inhalant- drug inhaled as a vapor Club (Designer) drug- drug made to closely resemble a common illegal drug in chemical structure & effect Anabolic Steroid- synthetic version of the male hormone testosterone that is used to promote muscle development

3 things illegal drugs have in common Affect the function of the brain Dangerous to your health Can result in drug dependence & addiction

4 commonly abused illegal drugs Marijuana Inhalants Club drugs Anabolic steroids

Marijuana Intoxicating effects Relaxation Loss of short-term memory Loss of balance & coordination Increased appetite Possible health consequences Respiratory infection Impaired learning & memory Panic attacks Cancer © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Marijuana Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug THC- active chemical in marijuana Contains many of the same carcinogens found in cigarette smoke After effects wear off users feel: -Tired, unmotivated, depressed © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Inhalants Effects Glue, paint thinner, propane, nitrous oxide Dizziness Nausea & vomiting Headache Health consequences Heart attack Liver, kidney damage Brain damage Coma Death Glue, paint thinner, propane, nitrous oxide © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Club (Designer) drugs Ecstacy GHB PCP (Angel Dust)

Ecstacy Most commonly abused club drug Intoxication Effects Increased awareness of senses Mild hallucinations Increased energy Loss of judgment Health Consequences Impaired learning & memory Hyperthermia (overheating) High blood pressure Heart attack Death

Look alike drugs Abused substances that are only slightly different from other, better-known drugs

Date Rape Drugs GHB, Rohypnol Intoxication effects Relaxation Nausea Loss of inhibitions Euphoria Health consequences Dangerously slowed breathing Seizures Coma

Anabolic Steroids Male side effects Stunted Growth Aggression Severe acne Shrinking of testes Heart disease Female side effects Increased facial hair Deeper voice Rapid weight gain

12.3 Key Terms Stimulant- drug that temporarily increases a person’s energy & alertness Depressant- drug that causes relaxation & sleepiness Opiates- group of highly addictive drugs derived from the poppy plant that are used as pain relievers, anesthetics, & sedatives Hallucinogens- drug that distorts perceptions, causing the user to see or hear things that are not real

Stimulants Types Cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Stimulants Intoxication effects Produce increased heart rate/ breathing rate/ energy/ alertness, elevated blood pressure, loss of appetite, and increased mental activity, euphoria, hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Depressants Used illegally to produce intoxication, to counter the effects of other drugs,... © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Depressants 1) Rohypnol, 2) DXM 1) Date rape drug 2) Ingredient in cough medicines © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Depressants Intoxicating effects Euphoria Reduced anxiety Loss of inhibitions Drowsiness

Opiates Narcotics Street use of these drugs is intended to induce pleasure… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Types of Opiates Narcotics types Opium, heroin, morphine, codeine © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Opiates Intoxicating effects Narcotics …euphoria, relaxation, drowsiness, pain relief, general feelings of well-being © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Hallucinogens Street use is intended to produce “mind expansion,” hallucinations, and psychedelic experiences

Hallucinogens LSD Mushrooms © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Hallucinogens Intoxication Effects Sensory illusions Distortions of reality Dizziness Weakness Enhanced emotions Feelings of being outside of the body

Flashback Person may feel the effects of a hallucinogen long after the drug has worn off Days, weeks, or even months after use

Gateway drugs Drugs that often lead to abuse of other drugs Common gateway drugs: - Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants

Chapter 12.4 Key Terms Neonatal abstinence syndrome- drug withdrawal that occurs in newborn infants whose mothers were frequent drug users during pregnancy Recovering- process of learning to live without drugs Intervention- confronting a drug user about his or her drug abuse problem to stop him or her from using drugs Relapse- return to using drugs while trying to recover from drug addiction