Chapter 21 Preventing Drug Abuse

Drug abuse when people intentionally misuse any kind of drug

for non-medical purposes
Psychoactive Drugs chemicals that affect the activity of the
brain cells to alter perception, thought & mood
Categories: Stimulants-Depressants-Narcotics
Hallucinogens-Inhalants-Cannabis
PED (performance enhancing drugs)
Drugs action what the drug does to the body
Drugs effect physical & mental response to the drugs action
Side effects unwanted or dangerous physical & mental effects
Addiction & Withdrawal An addicted persons body becomes
adjusted to the drug (tolerance) and requires that drug to
function normally. If the person stops taking that drug the body
will react by going through withdrawal.

Drug Interactions
Taking more than one drug of any category can be
dangerous.
Certain drugs can cancel the effect of another drug,
causing them to stop working. Others may enhance
the action of the drug, leading to an overdose.
Antagonistic interaction the action of the drug is
reduced by the other drug
Synergistic interaction life threatening causes
drastic & often enhanced reactions to the drugs

Negative outcomes of drug abuse:

Infectious diseases such as AIDS &
Hepatitis through shared needle use
Legal Risks: fines, jail time, probation
Costs to Society
Family & Social Factors: everyone close
to a user can be impacted
Personal Health: increased risk for
illnesses such as heart disease, cancer,
stroke and depression

Commonly Abused Drugs

Depressants
1. Sedatives, Barbiturates and Tranquilizers used to
relax the body, induce sleep, relieve pain and calm anxiety;
these drugs are the most commonly abused prescription drugs

2.Narcotics any drug made from opium (from seed of a

poppy plant); dulls the senses & relieves pain
Morphine & Codeine: natural compounds found in opium,
used for medical purposes
Heroin: highly addictive with severe withdrawal
symptoms; poses a high risk of overdose, especially when
mixed with other drugs
Methadone: used to wean off heroin users

3. Alcohol
4. Rohypnol
5. GHB

Stimulants
Stimulants create an opposite reaction by the body as
depressant drugs.
They increase heart rate and blood pressure, increase
metabolism, increase energy and some can cause
erratic, violent behavior.
With the use of some
stimulants, cardiac arrest can occur instantly. Long
term use can lead to coma, stroke or death.
1. Caffeine
2. Nicotine- found in tobacco products
3. Amphetamines produces feelings of high energy &
well being; effects wear off leaving the user depressed
4. Cocaine highly addictive; tolerance develops rapidly;
an overdose can be caused by a small amount

5. Crack- a form of cocaine that is usually smoked

6. Crystal Meth- the effects are similar to cocaine but
the effects last longer, can be smoked or injected; side
effects include heart attack, stroke and organ failure
due to extreme rises in body temp
http://www.methproject.org/answers/will-using-meth-change-how-ilook.html#Mug-Shot-Match-Up

7. Ecstasy- taken in the form of a pill, side effects

include a loss of inhibitions, severe dehydration,
hallucinations, seizures, stroke, kidney failure, and
depression

8. Molly- pure Ecstasy

9. Bath Salts

Cannabis
1. Marijuana in its own class because of the
different actions and effects it has on the body
THC changes the way sensory information reaches
the brain. Can act as a depressant, stimulant &
hallucinogenic
Depresses and stimulates the users body functions
Causes confusion, sudden mood changes, memory
problems & loss of coordination
Contains more cancer-causing agents than tobacco
smoke

Hallucinogens
Illegal drugs that have no medical use; can
produce unpredictable mood swings; abusers
may experience permanent memory loss
LSD: the strongest of the hallucinogen drugs
can either depress or stimulate the central nervous
system (very unpredictable)
users will experience hallucinations or trips
flashbacks of bad trips can occur without warning
2. Mescaline: the psychoactive component of the peyote
cactus
users will see imaginary shapes and colors
dangerous side effects include vomiting and
stomach cramps
3. Psilocybin: psychedelic mushroom
1.

Anabolic Steroids
Synthetic drug used to build muscular
strength and ability: resembles testosterone
in the body
Can be used medically to treat anemia,
cancer patients, and growth disorders
Harmful side effects of steroid abuse:
liver and heart damage, cancer, increased
BP, blood clots and swelling in the lower
extremities, and infertility

Prescription Drugs
Prescribed drugs can be just as addictive and
dangerous as illegal drugs, especially when
used with other drugs.
OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, hydrocodone
are among the most commonly abused (by
prescribed users and by those who do not
have a legal prescription).
It is illegal to distribute prescription drugs to
others. They are only legal for the person
they are prescribed for.
As of August of 2013, doctors in NYS are
required by law to check a patients
prescription history before issuing or refilling
a prescription.

Important Resources
www.drugfreeworld.org
http://abovetheinfluence.com/drugs/alcohol/

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/