Common Drugs

Quiz

1. What is the difference between substance abuse and illicit drug use?

2. What is the answer to question 2 in the section review?

3. What is a tolerance?

4. What are the two types of dependence?

5. List 3 consequences of drug abuse.

Marijuana

• Cannabis plant leaves, buds, flowers are smoked for their intoxicating effects

• Mind altering effects– Releases dopamine in the brain causing a

pleasure sensation– “Crash” when the drug wears off– Leads to development of dependence

Health Risks of Marijuana

• Hallucinations and paranoia• Impaired short term memory• Distorted sense of sight, touch, sound,

time• Heart and lung damage• Weakened immunity• Increased appetite• Lowers male sperm count

Inhalants• Substances whose fumes are sniffed and

inhaled to achieve mind altering effects

• Kill brain cells that will never be replaced

• Include glues, spray paints, gasoline and varnishes

• Permanent nervous system

and brain damage

Steroids

• Synthetic substances that are similar to the male sex hormone

• Build up muscles but not tendons and ligaments– Injuries can occur

• Other side effects:– Mood swings– Impaired judgment– Legal consequences

Psychoactive Drugs – change the functioning of the central

nervous system

Four Main Groups of Psychoactive Drugs

Stimulants Depressants

Opiates Hallucinogens

Stimulants – speed up central nervous system

• Cocaine– Euphoric high followed by an emotional let down

• Regular use can lead to depression, fatigue and paranoia

– Cardiac and respiratory problems

• Crack– Concentrated form of cocaine

• Extreme addiction

– Causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase

• Amphetamines– Stimulants used in prescription medicines to

reduce fatigue, drowsiness and to suppress appetite

– Irregular heart beat, paranoia, heart and blood vessel damage

• Methamphetamine– Made in makeshift labs, so it is uncertain what

is in individual drugs• Made of poisons

– Short term feeling of euphoria, then depression

Meth

Depressants – slow down nervous system

• Barbiturates– Drugs that induce sleepiness– Reduce respiratory function– Used to counteract the effects of stimulants

• Tranquilizers– Reduce muscle activity– Withdrawal results in shaking, coma or death

• Rohypnol– Date rape drug– Victim wakes up with no recollection of

what happened

Narcotics – drugs from opium plant

• Morphine– Blocks pain messages

to the brain– Highly addictive

• Heroin– Processed from morphine– Users easily develop a tolerance– Depresses the central nervous system, slows

breathing and pulse rate

Hallucinogens – alter moods, thoughts and senses

• PCP– Effects vary greatly from user to user– Destructive behavior

• LSD– Delusions, illusions, flashbacks– Convulsions, coma or death

• Ecstasy– Confusion and depression– Muscle breakdown

Stimulants

Depressants

Hallucinogens

Narcotics/ Opiates

Drug Testing: Yes or No?• Drug abuse is shown to cause a variety of problems

in society. Substance abuse costs employers $60 billion a year in decreased productivity, absenteeism and unintentional injuries. Athletes have unfairly used drugs to increase their performances. Students who use drugs are unfocused and have difficulty performing in school.

• In a paragraph discuss your opinions about drug testing in athletics, schools and the workplace. Give reasons for why you feel the way you do.