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Chapter 8Alcohol and Other DrugsDrug Use and Abuse Drug: Any substance, other than food or water, that when taken into the body alters its functioningTherapeutic vs. recreational (purpose vs. pleasure)Licit and Illicit (legal vs. illegal) 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.2Drug Use and Abuse (2/2)Drug abuse: Excessive/inappropriate use of a drug; results in a physical, mental, or social impairmentDrug addiction: Psychological or physiological need for a drug to maintain sense of well-being:And avoid withdrawal symptoms 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Subjective vs. Objective View of Drug Abuse Objective component is physical, psychological, or social evidence of harmSubjective component is peoples perceptions about the consequences 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.4Subjective vs. Objective View of Drug Abuse (2/2) Example: Marijuana vs. AlcoholSubjectively our society believes marijuana is harmful and should remain illegal:While alcohol is harmless and should stay legalObjectively no little evidence that marijuana is harmful But much evidence of alcohol and its dangers 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Major Patterns of DrinkingSocial drinkers: Drink primarily on social occasions, from occasionally to frequentlyHeavy drinkers: Consume greater quantities of alcohol and are more likely to become intoxicated 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.6Major Patterns of Drinking n(2/2)Acute alcoholics: Have trouble controlling use of alcohol and plan their schedule around drinkingChronic alcoholics: Have lost control over drinking and hide or sneak drinks 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Alcohol: Class, Gender, Age and RaceThe wealthy have greater resources and privacy than lower-income individuals to: Avoid a drunk or alcoholic labelMore men than women drink, and men are more likely to be labeled alcoholicBefore age 30, Whites consume more alcohol than Blacks 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.8Alcohol-Related Social ProblemsHealth problemsNutritional deficiencies, adult-onset diabetes, alcoholic dementia, cardiovascular problems Alcoholic cirrhosis, and fetal alcohol syndromeAlcohol in the workplaceLost productivity, cost of treatment, injuriesDrinking and driving 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.9Alcohol-Related Social Problems (2/2)70 percent of drivers involved in a fatal drunk-driving crash had a BAC of 0.15 or higherFamily problemsDomestic abuse and violencePatterns of codependency when family:Unwittingly aid the alcoholics excessive drinking and resulting behavior 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Tobacco Use as a Social ProblemHealth Problems:Cancer of the lungs, larynx, mouth, and esophagusBronchitis, emphysema, ulcers, and cardiovascular disordersShorter life expectancy pack a day reduces lifespan by 4 years 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.11Tobacco Use as a Social Problem (2/2)Low birth weight babiesEnvironmental (second hand)tobacco75% of nicotine ends up in the airWhy do people still smoke?Nicotine is highly addictive Good marketing by tobacco companies 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Prescription and Over-the-Counter DrugsIatrogenic addictionLong-term/high use of prescription drugsInitially prescribed by a physician for a medical purposeControversial DrugsRitalin and Prozac over-prescribedTeens and Prescription Drugs 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.13Over the Counter DrugsThese types of drugs are not linked to significant addictionMost popular OTC drugs: sleep aids, aspirin and ibuprofen, cold medicationCaffeine is a dependency-producing psychoactive stimulant Found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.14Marijuana Use and AbuseHeavy use can impair concentration and motivationHigh doses during pregnancy can disrupt fetal developmentInhalation has been linked to lung problems 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.15Stimulant Use and AbuseCocaine and amphetamines are among the major stimulants abused in the U.S.Cocaine comes in two forms: powder and crackMen more likely to use than womenResearch shows that crack use is higher among inner-city, African American & Latino/a 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.16Stimulant Use and Abuse (2/2)Law enforcement policies and practices may target minoritiesAmphetamines come in form of diet pills and pep formulasChronic amphetamine abuse can result in amphetamine psychosis Paranoia, hallucinations, & violent tendencies 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.DepressantsCommon: Barbiturates, Anti-anxiety drugs Low doses produce relaxing feeling, higher does result in sedationUsers may develop both physical addiction and psychological dependencyRophynol: date rape drug used with alcohol very dangerous & can cause death 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.18Narcotics and HallucinogensNarcotics:Natural forms: opium, morphine, codeineOpiate Derivatives: heroin and PercodanHeroin is the most widely used drugHallucinogens:Produce hallucinationsLSD, angel dust, and ecstasy

2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.19Perspectives on Drug Abuse BiologicalAlcohol, heroin, cocaine act on brain mechanisms; reward and punishmentPsychologicalSocial learning and reinforcementPersonality disorders 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.20Sociological Explanations Symbolic InteractionistDrug behavior is learned and influenced by families, peers, and othersTime with members of a drug subculture increases attitudes & behaviors toward drugsOnce labeled an alcoholic or drug addict, he or she will have difficultly discontinuing use 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.21Sociological Explanations (2/4) FunctionalistDrugs serve functions in societyPrescription and over the counter drugs help patients They help doctors treat patients, justify their fees Provide jobs for pharmacists 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.22Sociological Explanations (3/4) Drugs are also dysfunctionalDysfunctional because people can become addictedIllicit drug activities serve important societal functions (create jobs for DEA agents)Dysfunctional because they are linked to crime, addiction, and other social problems 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Sociological Explanations (4/4)ConflictPeople in positions of power determine what is legal and illegalMake drugs used by the powerless illegalCorporate interests perpetuate use and abuse of legal drugsManipulation of nicotine levels to addict users 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.24Prevention and Treatment Programs Primary preventionPrograms that seek to prevent drug problems before they beginSecondary preventionPrograms seek to:Limit extent of drug abuse 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.25Prevention and Treatment Programs (2/2) Prevent spread to other substances beyond those already experiencedTeach strategies for responsible use of illicit drugsTertiary preventionPrograms that seek to limit relapses by individuals in recovery 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.