Drugs Chap 23

Definitions Medicines –Are drugs that are used to treat or prevent disease or other conditions. Drugs –Substances other than food that change the structure or function of the body or mind.

Types of drugs Prescription ( Rx) Over the counter (OTC) Illegal Illegal vs. illicit Illicit drugs are drugs that are illegally owned

Medicines can be sorted into four broad categories: Medicines that –Help prevent disease –Fight pathogens –Relieve pain –Help maintain or restore health

Medicines that prevent disease Vaccines –Preparation introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response. –Flu shot

Medicines that promotes health Allergies –Antihistamines, Claritin Body regulation –Insulin used to treat diabetes –Inhalers –Blood pressure meds –antidepressants,---paxil

Effects on the body w/ medicine & drugs Side effects –Adverse reactions Addictive interaction –When medicines work together in a positive way., joint pain Synergistic effect –Interaction of two or more medicines are taken alone, –It increases the strength of the other Tolerance Withdrawal

Types of Drugs Stimulants: Excite CNS Ex.: Amphetamines Methamphetamines (crank, ice, speed) Ex.: Cocaine/Crack Ex.: Tobacco (has 43 Cancer causing chemicals) Depressants: Calm/Slow down CNS Ex.: Alcohol Ex.: Tranquilizers Ex.: Barbiturates* *(mix w/alcohol = DEATH)

More types of drugs Narcotics: Slow CNS Ex.: Morphine (painkiller) Ex.: Codeine (cough suppressant) Ex.: Heroin aka “Smack” (no medicinal purpose) All Highly Addictive! Hallucinogens: Alter Moods and Thoughts Ex.: Phencyclidine (PCP) “Angel Dust” Ex.: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) “Acid” Ex.: Mescaline (Peyote Cactus) Ex.: Psilocybin Mushrooms “Shrooms”

More types of drugs Inhalants: Legal Products that may excite or depress the CNS Inhaling: Intentional breathing in of gas/vapors to get high Problem: Easy Access -Air fresheners –Freon -spray paint –correction fluid -aerosol cans ( and more) “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome” Anabolic Steroids: (from Testosterone) Increase muscle size “Roid Rage” Issues:, Hair Loss, Heart disease,, Extremely bad ACNE, man breast, Designer Drugs: (Imitate) -Imitate narcotics & Hallucinogens Ex.: Ecstasy (MDMA) [Mescaline and Methamphetamines]

Marijuana Main active ingredient –Tetrahydrocannabinol –Contains 421 different chemicals –Can be known as the Gateway drug –Carries same health risk as smoking tobacco

What is the most commonly used drug among teenagers? Alcohol

What is a fatal reaction to the use of a drug? Overdose

Reason for Illicit Drug Use peer pressure Family Role models (athletes) Media

Consequences of Illicit Drug Use Overdose - strong sometimes fatal reaction taking a drug. STI’s 65% of them are caused during drug or alcohol induced sex pregnancy Mental/emotional problems Social problems (crime) –Being sued

Consequences Crime – stealing the drug to pay for addiction Effects on offspring

Getting Help friends, parents, teachers Outpatient facility Individual or group counseling Short term facility Up to 8 weeks staying in a facility like juvenile hall but from a medical perspective Maintenance therapy AA Therapeutic communities –6- 12 months long history of drug abuse, usually last resort