Intro to Substance Abuse

Webquest Activity Use the website to fill in the blanks for the following sections: -What are drugs? -Why can drugs be harmful to your health? -What are gateway drugs? Find the same number laptop you had before to log on!!

Warm Up Read “The Brain-Body Connection” article in your packet Answer the 3 questions at the bottom and be prepared to discuss in class!

Types of Drugs Prescription Drugs: need to be prescribed by a doctor Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: can be purchased at any time, at any store (with few exceptions, such as some cold medicines) Recreational Drugs: used to “feel good” or “have fun”; alcohol, tobacco, caffeine Illicit Drugs: illegal, most are psychoactive (change chemistry of brain)

Categories of Drugs Stimulants: accelerate the heart rate and elevate the blood pressure and "speed-up" or over-stimulate the body Depressants: slow down the brain and the body Opiates: cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, feelings of euphoria, respiratory complications and relieve pain Designer Drugs: created by changing properties of existing drugs; alters their effects Inhalants: breathable substances that produce mind-altering results and effects Steroids: taken to improve physical performance; lots of negative side effects Hallucinogens: perceive things differently than they actually are

Methods of Administration Depending on how a drug is taken will determine the brain chemistry changes that occur when using the drug(s)

Methods of Administration Methods of taking drugs include: -Oral Ingestion: taken by mouth -Injection: (intramuscular or intravenous) syringe used to shoot drug directly into muscle or bloodstream -Smoke: like tobacco or marijuana -Inhalation: sniffing or breathing in the chemicals/drug -Absorption: drug is absorbed into bloodstream

Affect of Drugs on the Brain The quicker the drug reaches the brain, the more likely the user is to become addicted. Drugs work in the brain by tapping into its communication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information.

The Brain and Drugs Once a drug reaches the brain, it acts on one or more neurotransmitters, either increasing or decreasing their concentration and actions.

The Brain and Drugs Neurotransmitters include substances such as serotonin and dopamine that are released to make you feel good.

The Brain and Drugs

Warm Up Complete the “How Much Do You Know About Drug Addiction?” questions in your unit packet

Downward Spiral of Addiction Experimentation: Use of a substance just to see what it is like; may be influenced by friends, family, or media   Recreation or Social Use: Use of a substance that makes user feel good; think they are having fun, fitting in with social norms; use becomes more frequent Tolerance: The body needs more of the substance/drug because it requires more to get the same effect Compulsive Craving: Beginning to have an uncontrollable need for the substance/drug Addiction: Habitual (regular) and out of control use of drug or substance; user is dependent on substance/drug Withdrawal: Changes that occur when substance/drug use stops

Rate of Addiction Genetics: connection to addiction via a family member or relative Anxiety/Depression: causes someone to look for “relief”; stress, worry, tension Drug/Substance: type being used; some can cause addiction even after just one use! Addiction can affect someone physically, mentally, and socially.

Lyric CornerThird Eye Blind-Semi Charmed Life What do you think this song was about? What were some lyrics that you saw that made this song relatable to addiction or substance abuse?

Common Withdrawal Symptoms When someone tries to give up tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs/substances, they may suffer through a combination of symptoms: Common Withdrawal Symptoms Restlessness Depression Difficulty concentrating Eating more than usual Loss of Energy Tremors Impatience Stomach/Bowel Problems Heart Palpitations Frustration/Anger Headaches Sweating

Drug Vocabulary Dependence: when a user needs the drug/substance to function normally Tolerance: when the person needs more and more of the drug/substance to get the same effect   Relapse: the tendency to return to addictive behavior after a period of abstinence Euphoria: “high”; “feel good” sensation Synesthesia: an effect where sensory messages are incorrectly assigned (hear a taste, smell a sound) Flashbacks: perceptual distortions and bizarre thoughts that occur after the drug has been eliminated from the body

Social Activities/School Performance Drug User Symptoms Personality Physical Appearance Social Activities/School Performance disrespectful verbal/physical abuse angry confused extreme mood swings depressed less out-going secretive lies about where they are going/who they are with steals “loses” possessions (especially ones they used to value) seems to have a lot of money or is always asking for money poor hygiene not sleeping or sleeping too much loss of appetite weight loss or gain too hyperactive or too little energy drops old friends/activities loss of interest in school work/poor grades sleeps in class loss of concentration trouble remembering things