1. Drugs and consciousness

2. Addiction A compulsive need for and use of a habit forming substance
After a while the body craves it just to feel normal
Alcohol, nicotine, and many other drugs are addictive
People can become psychologically dependent on drugs. The body doesn’t crave it, but the person depends on it to feel normal

3. Depressants
Drugs that slow the activity of the nervous system. Give people a sense of relaxation.

4. Alcohol and Narcotics Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the US
Alcohol intoxicates, aka makes you drunk, which slurs speech, blurs vision, makes it difficult to concentrate, effects judgement
When drunk, people pay less attention to the consequences of behavior
Narcotics are addictive depressants that have been used to relieve pain and induce sleep
Include morphine, heroin, and codeine and are from the opium poppy plant
Morphine was given to soldiers from the Civil War for wounds; Soldiers’ disease
Heroin was introduced as a cure for morphine addiction (old medicine is wild)

5. Stimulants
Increase the activity of the nervous system. Speed up the heart and breathing rate.

6. Nicotine Is the drug found in tobacco leaves
Releases adrenaline, which causes the heart rate to increase and make people feel more alert, but research shows it doesn’t actually do so
Cigarettes have a warning on packaging, but still 400,000 people die from smoking related diseases.
This is more than the number who die from car accidents, all other drug abuse, suicide, homicide, and AIDS combined
Smokers are more times to develop cancer than non smokers and even secondhand smoke can lead to lung cancer

7. Amphetamines
A type of stimulant often used to stay awake or to reduce appetite
First used by soldiers during WWII to help them remain awake and alert
Can be pills or injected
Large doses = a big high, but the come down can be a very hard crash (depression)
Can lead to hallucinations (bugs crawling all over them)
Latest problem amphetamine is more commonly known as meth
Amphetamines are extremely addictive

8. Cocaine A stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca plant
Produces feelings of pleasure, deadens pain, and boosts confidence
Been used as a painkiller since the 1800s
Sigmund Freud was a user
A very harmful form of cocaine is known as crack

9. Hallucinogens
Is a drug that produces hallucinations. Cause relaxation or feelings of pleasure

10. Marijuana Produced from the leaves of the cannabis sativa plant
Produces feelings of relaxation and mild hallucinations
Impairs perception, coordination, memory, and learning
Increases heart rate and raises blood pressure
Effects consciousness; time moves slower, visual hallucinations can be common, and even anxiety

11. Other Hallucinogens
LSD (acid)
Mushrooms
Peyote
Ecstasy

12. Treatments Treatments vary depending on the drug
Detoxification- the removal of the harmful substance from the body, weans addicts to restore health; used for alcohol and narcotics
Maintenance Programs- controlled amount of drugs given to participants
Counseling- group or individual sessions
Support Groups- people with similar problems share common experiences

13. Questions What are the symptoms of intoxication?
What are some of the effects of cocaine?
What are some of the effects of nicotine?
Do you think people use drugs to heighten consciousness or to escape from it?
Describe some of the effects of depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens on consciousness.
Why and how do you think the use of morphine became widespread?