1. PPL101 SUBSTANCE USE & ABUSE

2. Psychoactive drugs
Chemicals that affect the central nervous system and interfere with the normal functioning of the brain.

3. Some Definitions
Drug use: Using a drug for the purpose intended, in the dosage recommended.
Drug misuse: Using a drug for a purpose other than for what it was intended, or in a dosage higher than recommended.
Drug abuse: Any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for non-medicinal purposes.
Euphoria: Feeling ‘high’.

4. Definitions (cont.)
Tolerance: Needing more and more of a drug to get the same effects.
Psychological dependence: Feeling like you need to take a drug to function.
Physical dependence: When your body develops a chemical need for a drug.
Withdrawl symptoms: What happens when a person stops using a drug that they have developed a physical dependence to.

5. Classification of Drugs
Examples
Effects
Risks
I-Stimulants
II-Depressants
III- Narcotics
IV- Hallucinogens
V-Steroids
VI- Inhalants
VII- Cannibinoids

6. I- Stimulants
Examples: Nicotine, caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine, crack, ‘speed’, ‘uppers’, appetite suppressants, crystal ‘meth’.
Effects: Stimulants speed up the central nervous system. (wake you up, decrease appetite, increase heart rate & blood pressure)
Risks: paranoia, stroke, heart failure, trembling, insomnia

7. II- Depressants
Examples: ‘downers’, alcohol, valium, barbituates, tranquilizers, sleeping pills
Effects: Drugs that slow down the CNS. (relax muscles, relieve tension & anxiety, bring on sleep, slow down heart rate.
Risks: Highly addictive, can be fatal when combined with alcohol

8. III- Narcotics
Examples: heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, Tylenol 3’s.
Effects: Drugs that have a sedative or pain relieving effect. (dream induction, euphoria, appetite suppression)
Risks: Highly addictive, coma, constipation, birth defects, painful withdrawl symptoms.

9. IV- Hallucinogens
Examples: LSD (acid), peyote, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, PCP (angel dust).
Effects: Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and perceptions (sight, sound, touch, taste)
Risks: Can trigger mental illness (psychosis), panic, anxiety, vomiting.

10. V- Anabolic Steroids
Examples: Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Stanazolol, Cortisone, etc.
Effects: Drugs that mimick the effects of testosterone on the body (decrease healing time, help build muscle).
Risks: Decreased testosterone production, mood swings, violent behaviour, testicular shrinkage, masculinizing effects, acne.

11. VI- Inhalants
Examples: Glue, gasoline, spray paints, aerosols, lighter fluid.
Effects: Depress the CNS to produce effects similar to those of alcohol.
Risks: Nausea, sneezing, coughing, nosebleeds, fatigue, lack of coordination, kidney and liver damage, permanent brain damage.

12. VII- Cannibinoids Examples: Marijuana, hashish, hash oil.
Effects: euphoria, increased appetite, effects vary from person to person.
Risks: Decreased sperm count, lung damage, psychological dependence, anxiety.

13. How Drugs are Taken 1. Injection 2. Smoking 3. Snorting
4. Eating & drinking
5. Huffing
6. Through the skin