Substance Use & Abuse

DRUGS

FACTS & MYTHS

Key Terms Drug Use - the use of any biologically active substance that is foreign to the body and is deliberately introduced to affect its functioning Drug Misuse - a drug that is used in a way that is not intended Drug Abuse - involves use to the extend that produces measurable impairments of social. physiological or psychological functioning of the taker Habituation - the user has reached a state where they are compelled to continue drug use in order to maintain a state of well-being as produced by it Withdrawal - temporary physical illness that occurs when a physically dependent user stops taking a drug or, has a sharp reduction in the amount of which the body has been accustomed to Overdose - a strong or even fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug Psychoactive Drugs - affect the central nervous system (brain & spinal cord); they are used to alter mood Synergism - two or more drugs that when combined produce effects much greater than if each were taken alone Gateway Drugs - drugs that often lead the way to using other stronger, more serious and dangerous drugs.

DRUGS Inhalants Anabolic Steroids Marijuana (Cannabis) Stimulants Depressants Narcotics Hallucinogens

DESCRIPTION: drugs that distort the senses and cause hallucinations. Could appear as liquid, capsules, powder, blotter, paper, thin gelatin, or mushrooms DRUGS: phencyclidine, mescaline, peyote, MDA, psilocybin, LSD SLANG NAMES: PCP, acid, loveboat, shrooms, super grass, cubes, ecstasy HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: swallowed, injected, smoked, licked off paper, chewed EFFECTS: - time distorted - senses distorted - may produce bizarre, unpredictable behavior - person may sit for hours in a quiet dreamlike state MEDICAL USE: none

Depressants DESCRIPTION: drugs that depress or slow down the central nervous system and all the body systems DRUGS: barbiturates, methaquaione, tranquilizers, alcohol, heroin SLANG NAMES: booze, blues, rainbow, downers, red birds, tooeys HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: swallowed EFFECTS: - calmness- relaxed muscles - slurred speech - staggering - impaired judgment - impaired coordination - coma- death MEDICAL USE: - stop convulsions - relief of tension, anxiety - induces sleep - to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Stimulants DESCRIPTION: drugs which cause the body to speed up, stimulates the CNS DRUGS: amphetamines, Ritalin, Voranil, Tepeanil, Cylert, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, SLANG NAMES: speed, uppers, ups, crank, pep pills, bumble bees, hearts, footballs, dexies, meth, coke, crack, HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: swallowed, snorted, injected EFFECTS: - increased heart rate and breathing- dry mouth - increase blood pressure- decreased appetite - dilated pupils MEDICAL USE: - to treat hyperactive children - to treat narcolepsy - weight control

Anabolic Steroids DESCRIPTION: powerful compounds that are similar to the male sex hormone, testosterone. These drugs are taken to increase muscle mass and strength DRUGS: synthetic HIGH SLANG NAMES: HIGH, roids HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: swallowed, intramuscular injection EFFECTS: - initially increase muscle mass, body strength, and weight - unpleasant breath odor - jaundice - acne - swelling of feet and legs - increased risk of heart attack - depression ME DICAL USE: - severe burns - some types of breast cancer - seldom prescribed except for certain types of anemia

Inhalants DESCRIPTION: dangerous fumes are concentrated in a bag or cloth and inhaled DRUGS: glue, nail polish remover, gasoline, aerosol sprays, lacquer SLANG NAMES: laughing gas, bullet, rush, ames, climax, poppers, whippets HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: vapors are inhaled through the nose or mouth EFFECTS: - nausea- sneezing - nosebleeds- decrease in heart rate and breathing - impaired judgment - fatigue - lack of coordination- loss of appetite - headaches- loss of bowel and bladder control MEDICAL USE: none

Narcotics DESCRIPTION: powders ranging from white to dark brown; tablets, capsules, or liquid. Comes from the opium poppy or is synthetic DRUGS: heroin, methadone, percocet, codeine, morphine, opium SLANG NAMES: smack, horse, brown sugar, junk, black tar, perkies, morph, scag HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: injected, snorted/sniffed, smoked, swallowed EFFECTS: - euphoria followed by drowsiness, nausea, vomiting - watery eyes - constricted pupils - itching eyes - watery eyes - convulsions MEDICAL USE: - pain relief - morphine - codeine: cough suppressant, pain relief - paregoric: stops diarrhea, relief from tooth pain

Cannabis DESCRIPTION: acts as a combination of all the different types of drugs (hallucinogen, depressant, stimulant, etc.) DRUGS: marijuana, hashish, hash oil SLANG NAMES: weed, mary-j, hash, hemp HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY: inhaled through the mouth/nose, swallowed EFFECTS: - red eyes - dry mouth - short term memory loss- enhanced sensory perception - paranoia - lack of coordination - increased heart rate - anxiety - concentration problems- cancer - respiratory problems - mental health problems MEDICAL USE: - controversial to treat many illnesses