Drug Use & Abuse

Essential Question What are the potential short term and long term effects of drug use? And are you able to categorize them into physical, social, mental, and emotional effects?

What is a Drug? (DO Not write down) Drug – a substance other than food that changes the structure or function of the body or mind. Some are medicines; while others are illegal & dangerous. All medicines are drugs, but not all drugs are medicines.

What is a drug? (Don’t Write Down) Medicines prevent & cure illnesses or treat their symptoms. Over the counter (OTC) - can find them at the grocery store and don’t need a doctor’s prescription. Any adult can purchase OTC medicines Other medicines can only legally be obtained with a prescription from a doctor. Always Read the label!

Misuse and Abuse (Do not Write Down) Drug misuse: taking or using medicine in a way that is not intended. Using w/out following directions Using a drug that isn’t prescribed for you Allowing someone else to use YOUr prescribed medicine Taking more than prescribed Using longer than advised

Drug Misuse & Abuse Drug Abuse: intentionally using drugs in a way that is unhealthy or illegal. Using an illegal drug When using for non-medical purposes Can damage body: Allergic reactions Illnesses Death

Physical Consequences Sleeplessness Memory loss Irritability Nausea Heart failure Seizures STROKE REDUCE MOTOR SKILLS WRITING, SPEAKING, OR WALKING CAN BE AFFECTED TEENS – CAN EFFECT GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT THESE EFFECTS CAN BE PERMANENT

Addiction Tolerance: develops when a person uses a drug regularly Needs more to get same effects Craving: A person will feel a strong need, desire or urge to use drugs. Will feel anxious if he/she cannot use them Loss of Control: causes a person to take more than they are able. Physical Dependence: Very difficult to stop. Body develops a need for the drug in order to function

Mental & Emotional Consequences CONFUSION LOWERED INHIBITIONS CHANGE IN PERSONALITY MOOD SWINGS LOWERED SELF ESTEEM Weakens ability to think and learn Drugs kill brain cells Difficult to handle emotions Depression Anxiety

Social Consequences Violence Difficulty dealing with others Only care about need for the drug Lose friends Miss school/work Lose out on opportunities

Drugs & the Law (don’t write down) Most drug use is illegal & dangerous Teens can be arrested & spend time in a detention center or centered to probation. Get a criminal record Parents have to pay fines Very strong connection between drug use & crime Steal drugs or money to pay for them

Types of Drugs & Their effects Marijuana: dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, called cannabis sativa. Pot or weed Affects the brain – how a person processes how they feel, see, hear & perceives.

Marijuana –short Term Reduces reaction time Lowered Coordination makes it harder to make healthful decisions Increases Heart rate and appetite Anxiety attacks Panic attacks

Marijuana – long term effects Lung cancer Depression Anxiety Personality changes Trouble with school or work Effects relationships with friends & family

Stimulants Stimulant: a drug that speeds up the body’s functions. Raise Heart rate, blood pressure & Metabolism. Move & speak more quickly Feel excited & ANXIOUS Types: Cocaine, crack, methamphetamines (meth).

Stimulants Substance Other names Forms Methods of Use Harmful Effects Amphetamine Crystal, ice, glass, crank, speed, uppers Pills, powder, chunky crystals Swallowed, snorted up the nose, smoked, injected Uneven heartbeat, rise in blood pressure, physical collapse, stroke heart attack, & death Methamphetamine Meth, crank, speed, ice Pills, powder, crystals Memory loss, damage to heart & nervous system, seizures, & death Cocaine Coke, dust, snow, flake, blow, girl White powder Snorted up the nose, injected Damage to nose lining & liver; heart attack, seizures, stroke & death. Crack Crack, freebase, rocks rock Off-white rocks or chunks Smoked, injected Damage to lungs if smoked, seizures, heart attack & death.

Depressants Depressant: a drug that slows down the body’s functions u reactions, including heart & breathing rates. Gives a false sense of well-being When wears off  extreme mood swings or depression Tablet or capsule form Legal – if prescribed by a doctor Tranquilizers or barbiturates  for anxiety or sleep disorders

Club drugs (Do Not Write Down) Club drugs – used to make people feel more relaxed in a social setting Ecstasy: increases heart rate & body temperatures. Tingly skin, clenched jaws, anxious, paranoid. Rohypnol: drop in blood pressure, dizziness, sleepy. Blackouts, memory loss, User cannot tell if has been given Usually used to commit date rape. Ketamine: anesthetic used in medical procedures. Hallucinations, memory loss. Overdose can  stop breathing, even death

hallucinogens Hallucinogens: drugs that distort moods, thoughts & senses. Interfere with thought processes Ability to communicate Disoriented & confused Strange behavior Types: LSD (acid), PCP (angel dust), mushrooms

hallucinogens Substance Other Names Forms Methods of Use Harmful Effects PCP Angel dust, supergrass, killer weed, rocket fuel White powder, liquid Applied to leafy materials & smoked Loss of coordination; increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature; convulsions; heart & lung failure; broken blood vessels; bizarre or violent behavior; temporary psychosis; false feeling of having superpowers. LSD Acid, blotter, microdot, white lightning Tablets; squares soaked on paper Eaten or licked Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature; chills, nausea, tremors, and sleeplessness; unpredictable behavior; flashbacks; false feeling of having superpowers

Narcotics Inhaled, injected, smoked HEROIN  Narcotics: drugs that get rid of pain & dull the senses. Highly addictive. Legal when prescribed – codeine, morphine or oxycodone, Vicodin, Percocet, etc. Heroin: illegal Inhaled, injected, smoked Effects quickly wear off  immediate sense of withdrawal. Nausea, cramps & vomiting High risk of spread of disease  needle sharing

Inhalants Inhalants: The vapors of chemicals that are sniffed or inhaled to get a “high”. Sends poisons straight to brain Causing permanent damage, ability to walk, talk or think. Even on the first use  can kill user instantly Can cause death from choking, suffocation or heart attack. Hairspray, lighter fluid, air freshener, cleaning products, markers or pens & paint Causes: nausea, dizziness, confusion, loss of motor skills.

Steroids Steroids: Substances that cause muscle tissue to develop at an abnormally high rate. Side effects: uncontrolled anger, shrunken testicles, severe acne, high blood pressure & infertility. Damage to body systems Is illegal if used for non-medical purposes (athletes)

Staying drug free Why teens use? Media (TV, Radio, Social Media, Celebrities) See adults in their lives using Peer pressure To cope with emotions

Staying drug free Greater chance of reaching your goals Teens have Better: Physical health Control over your actions Obeying the law Protecting your future Healthier relationships Self-respect

= Say “No” in a firm voice = Tell why not = Offer another idea Saying NO = Say “No” in a firm voice = Tell why not = Offer another idea = Promptly Leave

Alternatives to drug use Gives you the chance to be a positive influence on your peers. Attend drug/alcohol free events Improve your talents or skills Be part of a group Start your own business (babysitting, yard work, etc.)

Help for drug use Admit they have a problem Seek help to recover May need rehabilitation  may require treatment facility Support groups Counseling Nar-Anon Group: helps family members learn how to deal with the problems caused by drug addiction.

Homework Write at least one question on each page. If you can do one question for each section, please do so.