Drug Abuse 8 th Grade Health Hillcrest Middle School Mr. De Oliveira

Substance Abuse Substance Abuse – Substance Abuse – using an illegal substance. using an illegal substance. using a legal substance in the wrong way. using a legal substance in the wrong way. You can abuse a drug without having an addiction. You can abuse a drug without having an addiction. For example: Just because Sarah smoked marijuana on a few occasions it does not mean that she has an addiction, but it does mean that she's abusing a drug that could lead to an addiction or trouble with the law. For example: Just because Sarah smoked marijuana on a few occasions it does not mean that she has an addiction, but it does mean that she's abusing a drug that could lead to an addiction or trouble with the law.

Addiction Addiction – occurs when a person has no control over whether he or she uses a drug or drinks. Someone who is addicted to a drug has become so use to that drug that he or she must have it. Addictions can be physical, psychological or both. Addiction – occurs when a person has no control over whether he or she uses a drug or drinks. Someone who is addicted to a drug has become so use to that drug that he or she must have it. Addictions can be physical, psychological or both. Addiction begins as abuse, or using a substance like marijuana or cocaine. Addiction begins as abuse, or using a substance like marijuana or cocaine. People can get addicted to many different substances. People can get addicted to many different substances.

Signs of Early Addiction Relying on the substance to have fun, forget problems, or to relax Relying on the substance to have fun, forget problems, or to relax Blackouts Blackouts Using substances alone Using substances alone Withdrawing or keeping secrets from friends or family Withdrawing or keeping secrets from friends or family Losing interest in activities that used to be important Losing interest in activities that used to be important Performing poorly in school (such as grades dropping and frequent absences) Performing poorly in school (such as grades dropping and frequent absences)

Addiction Continued Eventually the person builds an increased tolerance to alcohol or drugs — gradually needing more and more of the substance to get the same feeling. Eventually the person builds an increased tolerance to alcohol or drugs — gradually needing more and more of the substance to get the same feeling. The individual may start lying, stealing, or selling to get money for drugs or alcohol The individual may start lying, stealing, or selling to get money for drugs or alcohol

Physical Addiction A physical addiction occurs when – A physical addiction occurs when – a person's body actually becomes dependent and cannot function without the substance (even smoking is physically addictive). a person's body actually becomes dependent and cannot function without the substance (even smoking is physically addictive). It also means building tolerance to that substance, so that a person needs a larger dose than ever before to get the same effects. It also means building tolerance to that substance, so that a person needs a larger dose than ever before to get the same effects. Someone who is physically addicted and stops using substances like drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes may experience withdrawal symptoms. Someone who is physically addicted and stops using substances like drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes may experience withdrawal symptoms. Common symptoms of withdrawal are diarrhea, shaking, and generally feeling awful. Common symptoms of withdrawal are diarrhea, shaking, and generally feeling awful.

Psychological Addiction Psychological Addiction occurs when Psychological Addiction occurs when when the cravings for a drug are psychological or emotional (feel good affect). People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it. when the cravings for a drug are psychological or emotional (feel good affect). People who are psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire to have a drug. They may lie or steal to get it. A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when he or she is no longer trying the drug to have fun or get high, but has come to depend on it. A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when he or she is no longer trying the drug to have fun or get high, but has come to depend on it. His or her whole life centers around the need for the drug. His or her whole life centers around the need for the drug. An addicted person whether no longer feels like there is a choice in taking a substance they must have it. An addicted person whether no longer feels like there is a choice in taking a substance they must have it.

Signs of Addiction The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or substance. The most obvious sign of an addiction is the need to have a particular drug or substance. Physical Signs – Physical Signs – changes in sleeping habits changes in sleeping habits feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain

Psychological signs Using the substance to forget problems Using the substance to forget problems Withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends Withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends Loss of interest in activities that used to be important Loss of interest in activities that used to be important Problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences Problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or absences Changes in friendships. Changes in friendships. Spending a lot of time figuring out how to obtain drugs Spending a lot of time figuring out how to obtain drugs Stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs Stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs Anxiety, anger, or depression Anxiety, anger, or depression Mood swings Mood swings

WHAT ARE DRUGS? Drugs-are chemicals or substances that change the way the body works. Drugs-are chemicals or substances that change the way the body works. Drugs can be in 3 ways swallowed, inhaled or injected. Drugs can be in 3 ways swallowed, inhaled or injected. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, taking illegal drugs, and sniffing inhalants can severely impair a person's ability to make healthy choices and decisions. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, taking illegal drugs, and sniffing inhalants can severely impair a person's ability to make healthy choices and decisions. “Teens who drink are more likely to get involved in dangerous situations, such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex” “Teens who drink are more likely to get involved in dangerous situations, such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex”

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect. Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant (increases activity). A small amount acts as a stimulant (increases activity). A greater amount acts as a sedative (suppresses activity). A greater amount acts as a sedative (suppresses activity). An even larger amount poisons and can kill. An even larger amount poisons and can kill. This is true of any drug. Only the amount needed to achieve the effect differs. HOW DO DRUGS WORK?

DRUGS A drug may be helpful or harmful. A drug may be helpful or harmful. The effects of drugs can vary depending upon: The effects of drugs can vary depending upon: the kind of drug taken the kind of drug taken how much is taken how much is taken how often it is used how often it is used how quickly it gets to the brain how quickly it gets to the brain what other drugs, food, or substances are taken at the same time. what other drugs, food, or substances are taken at the same time. Effects can also vary based on the differences in body size, shape, and chemistry. Effects can also vary based on the differences in body size, shape, and chemistry.

To fit in To fit in To escape or relax To escape or relax Because they are bored Because they are bored It makes them seem grown up It makes them seem grown up To rebel To rebel To experiment & Curiosity To experiment & Curiosity They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem. They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem. WHY DO TEENS TRY DRUGS?

“My goal in life wasn’t living…. It was getting high. I was falling in a downward spiral towards a point of no return. Over the years, I turned to cocain, marijuana and alcohol under a false belief it would allow me to escape my problems. It made things worse. I had everything, a good job, money a loving family, yet I felt so empty inside. As if I had nothing. Over 20 years of using, I kept saying to myself, I’m going to stop permanently after using this last time. It never happened. There were even moments I had thought of giving up on life.” –John “My goal in life wasn’t living…. It was getting high. I was falling in a downward spiral towards a point of no return. Over the years, I turned to cocain, marijuana and alcohol under a false belief it would allow me to escape my problems. It made things worse. I had everything, a good job, money a loving family, yet I felt so empty inside. As if I had nothing. Over 20 years of using, I kept saying to myself, I’m going to stop permanently after using this last time. It never happened. There were even moments I had thought of giving up on life.” –John JOHN’S STORY

The truth is, drugs DON’T solve problems. The truth is, drugs DON’T solve problems. Drugs simply HIDE feelings and problems. When a drug wears off, the feelings and problems remain - or become worse. Drugs simply HIDE feelings and problems. When a drug wears off, the feelings and problems remain - or become worse. Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life. Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life. THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUGS

Drug Addiction Video clip!!!!!! ealth/addiction/ ealth/addiction/ ealth/addiction/ ealth/addiction/

Getting Help It's usually hard for people to recognize they have a problem, which is why friends or family often step in. It's usually hard for people to recognize they have a problem, which is why friends or family often step in. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may promise over and over that they'll stop. But quitting is hard to do, and many people find they can't do it without help. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may promise over and over that they'll stop. But quitting is hard to do, and many people find they can't do it without help. The best thing you can do is to talk to someone you trust — preferably an adult who can support you — so you don't have to deal with your problem alone. The best thing you can do is to talk to someone you trust — preferably an adult who can support you — so you don't have to deal with your problem alone.

Getting Help Continued If you think you're addicted to drugs or alcohol, recognizing that you have a problem is the first step in getting help. If you think you're addicted to drugs or alcohol, recognizing that you have a problem is the first step in getting help. A lot of people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that doesn't work for most people. A lot of people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that doesn't work for most people. If you can't talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor, relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader. If you can't talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor, relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader. Substance abuse is a difficult habit to kick, help is often needed. Substance abuse is a difficult habit to kick, help is often needed.