1. Drugs and Consciousness
Psychoactive Drug
a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (change consciousness)
Physical Dependence
physiological need for a drug
marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
Psychological Dependence
a psychological need to use a drug
for example, to relieve negative emotions
Addiction – compulsive drug craving and use

2. Addiction Odds of getting hooked after trying various drugs:
Marijuana – 9%
Alcohol – 15%
Cocaine – 17%
Heroin – 23%
Tobacco – 32%
Source: National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine (Brody, 2003)

3. Dependence and Addiction
Small
Large
Drug dose
Little
effect
Big
Drug
Response to
first exposure
After repeated
exposure, more
drug is needed
to produce
same effect
Tolerance
diminishing effect with regular use
Withdrawal
discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use

4. How do they work? Drugs change the way our neurotransmitters work.
Agonists: bind to receptor sites and mimic neurotransmitters
Antagonists: bind to receptor sites and prevent neurotransmitters from binding
Others work by increasing or decreasing release of specific neurotransmitters

5. Psychoactive Drugs Depressants Stimulants
drugs that reduce neural activity
slow body functions
Includes alcohol, barbiturates, opiates
Stimulants
drugs that excite neural activity
speed up body functions
caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine

6. Psychoactive Drugs Hallucinogens (Psychedelics)
psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input
LSD, Psilocybin, Marijuana

7. Depressants Barbiturates (tranquilizers)
drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment
Nembutal
Seconal
Amytal
Valium

8. Barbiturates (tranquilizers)
Prescribed as sleeping pills - reduce anxiety, reduce respiration, reduce blood pressure, reduce heart rate and reduce rapid eye movement (REM)sleep.
Overdose is lethal
High potential for physical and psychological addiction.

9. Depressants
Opiates
opium and its derivatives (such as morphine and heroin)
opiates depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety
Analgesic – painkiller / drug that relieves pain.

11. Depressants
Alcohol
Most widely used and abused recreational drug in America.
Loss of inhibition, Memory problems, poor coordination, suppress breathing, reduces self-awareness, permanent brain and liver damage
High potential for physical and psychological addiction.

13. Average annual deaths per 100,000 population from causes with explicit mention of alcohol by county, United States,
Source: Stinson, F.S., and Proudfit, A.H., County Alcohol Problem Indicators. U.S. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data Reference Manual. Volume 3, Fourth Edition. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, July p.

14. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

15. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

16. Stimulants Cocaine Causes self-confidence, euphoria, optimism
Short high increases short term tolerance
Crack (cocaine, ammonia, water, baking soda) is fast-acting, potent, solid
High potential for physical and psychological dependence

17. Cocaine Euphoria and Crash

18. Stimulants Ecstasy (MDMA) Hallucinogenic amphetamine
Visual hallucinations, hyperactivity, fatigue, poor concentration
Long term effects include permanent brain damage and panic disorder
Low potential for physical and psychological dependence

20. Stimulants Amphetamines
drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes
Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine
Prescribed for ADHD, weight loss, narcolepsy, congestion

21. Stimulants Methamphetamines
Crystal-like powered substance, usually rock-like solid chucks
Amateur production – Acetone, chloroform, ammonia, chloric acid, ether used to break down ephedrine
Short rush/flash usually creates long binges

22. Stimulants Methamphetamines Before Meth – 1998 After - 2002
“Faces of Meth”

23. Stimulants
Nicotine
Elevated moods, improved memory, increase in attention
Major risk for cancer and heart disease
Strong psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms

26. Stimulants
Caffeine
Reduces drowsiness, improves problem-solving ability, induces anxiety, causes tremors
A moderate potential exists for physical and psychological dependence

28. Hallucinogens LSD (acid) lysergic acid diethylamide
most powerful hallucinogenic drug
Short term memory loss, paranoia, flashbacks, panic attacks
Low potential for physical or psychological dependence

30. Hallucinogens PCP (Angel Dust)
Euphoria, hallucinations, violent tendencies, masking of pain
High potential for physical and psychological dependence

31. Hallucinogens Psilocybin Mushrooms
Nausea first, then distorted perceptions, paranoia, nervousness
Depends on user’s mood, expectations, surroundings, frame of mind, etc
Flashbacks, HPPD
HPPD – Hallucination Persisting Perception Disorder

32. Hallucinogens Mescaline (isolated from Peyote) DXM
Euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, vomiting, headaches, rapid temp fluctuations
Low potential for physical dependence
DXM
Cough suppressing ingredient in Robotussin

33. Hallucinogens THC the major active ingredient in marijuana
triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations, euphoria, relaxation, time distortion, short term memory loss
Originates from hemp plant
Low potential for physical or psychological dependence
DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ

34. Psychoactive Drugs

35. Trends in Drug Use Year 80% 70 60 50 High school seniors 40 reporting
‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99
Year
80% 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
High school
seniors
reporting
drug use
Alcohol
Marijuana/
hashish
Cocaine

36. Bio-Psycho-Social Context

37. Perceived Marijuana Risk
‘75 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99
Year
100% 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
Percent of
twelfth
graders
Perceived “great risk of
harm” in marijuana use
Used marijuana

38. Near-Death Experiences
an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death
often similar to drug-induced hallucinations

39. Near-Death Experiences
Dualism
the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact
Monism
the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing