Substance Use & Abuse

DRUGS

FACTS & MYTHS

Key Terms

Drug Use - the use of any biologically active substance that is foreign to the body and is deliberately introduced to affect its functioning

Drug Misuse - a drug that is used in a way that is not intended

Drug Abuse - involves use to the extend that produces measurable impairments of social. physiological or psychological functioning of the taker

Habituation - the user has reached a state where they are compelled to continue drug use in order to maintain a state of well-being as produced by it

Withdrawal - temporary physical illness that occurs when a physically dependent user stops taking a drug or, has a sharp reduction in the amount of which the body has been accustomed to

Overdose - a strong or even fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug

Psychoactive Drugs - affect the central nervous system (brain & spinal cord); they are used to alter mood

Synergism - two or more drugs that when combined produce effects much greater than if each were taken alone

Gateway Drugs - drugs that often lead the way to using other stronger, more serious and dangerous drugs.

DRUGS

Inhalants

Anabolic SteroidsMarijuana (Cannabis)

Stimulants

Depressants

Narcotics

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens

DESCRIPTION:drugs that distort the senses and cause hallucinations. Could appear as liquid, capsules, powder, blotter, paper, thin gelatin, or mushrooms

DRUGS: phencyclidine, mescaline, peyote, MDA, psilocybin, LSD

SLANG NAMES: PCP, acid, loveboat, shrooms, super grass, cubes, ecstasy

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:swallowed, injected, smoked, licked off paper, chewed

EFFECTS:- time distorted- senses distorted- may produce bizarre, unpredictable behavior - person may sit for hours in a quiet dreamlike state

MEDICAL USE: none

Depressants

DESCRIPTION:drugs that depress or slow down the central nervous system and all the body systems

DRUGS: barbiturates, methaquaione, tranquilizers, alcohol, heroin

SLANG NAMES: booze, blues, rainbow, downers, red birds, tooeys

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:swallowed

EFFECTS:- calmness - relaxed muscles - slurred speech - staggering - impaired judgment - impaired coordination - coma - death

MEDICAL USE:- stop convulsions - relief of tension, anxiety- induces sleep- to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Stimulants

DESCRIPTION: drugs which cause the body to speed up, stimulates the CNS

DRUGS: amphetamines, Ritalin, Voranil, Tepeanil, Cylert, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine,

SLANG NAMES:speed, uppers, ups, crank, pep pills, bumble bees, hearts, footballs, dexies, meth, coke, crack,

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:swallowed, snorted, injected

EFFECTS:- increased heart rate and breathing - dry mouth- increase blood pressure - decreased appetite - dilated pupils

MEDICAL USE: - to treat hyperactive children- to treat narcolepsy- weight control

Anabolic Steroids

DESCRIPTION: powerful compounds that are similar to the male sex hormone, testosterone. These drugs are taken to increase muscle mass and strength

DRUGS: synthetic HIGH

SLANG NAMES:HIGH, roids

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:swallowed, intramuscular injection

EFFECTS:- initially increase muscle mass, body strength, and weight - unpleasant breath odor - jaundice

- acne- swelling of feet and legs

- increased risk of heart attack - depression

MEDICAL USE:

- severe burns- some types of breast cancer- seldom prescribed except for certain types of anemia

Inhalants

DESCRIPTION: dangerous fumes are concentrated in a bag or cloth and inhaled

DRUGS: glue, nail polish remover, gasoline, aerosol sprays, lacquer

SLANG NAMES:laughing gas, bullet, rush, ames, climax, poppers, whippets

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:vapors are inhaled through the nose or mouth

EFFECTS:- nausea - sneezing - nosebleeds - decrease in heart rate and breathing- impaired judgment - fatigue- lack of coordination - loss of appetite - headaches - loss of bowel and bladder control

MEDICAL USE: none

Narcotics

DESCRIPTION: powders ranging from white to dark brown; tablets, capsules, or liquid. Comes from the opium poppy or is synthetic

DRUGS: heroin, methadone, percocet, codeine, morphine, opium

SLANG NAMES:smack, horse, brown sugar, junk, black tar, perkies, morph, scag

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:injected, snorted/sniffed, smoked, swallowed

EFFECTS:- euphoria followed by drowsiness, nausea, vomiting - watery eyes- constricted pupils

- itching eyes - watery eyes

- convulsions

MEDICAL USE: - pain relief - morphine- codeine: cough suppressant, pain relief- paregoric: stops diarrhea, relief from tooth pain

Cannabis

DESCRIPTION:acts as a combination of all the different types of drugs (hallucinogen, depressant, stimulant, etc.)

DRUGS: marijuana, hashish, hash oil

SLANG NAMES: weed, mary-j, hash, hemp

HOW IT ENTERS THE BODY:inhaled through the mouth/nose, swallowed

EFFECTS:- red eyes - dry mouth - short term memory loss - enhanced sensory perception - paranoia - lack of coordination- increased heart rate - anxiety - concentration problems - cancer- respiratory problems - mental health problems

MEDICAL USE: - controversial to treat many illnesses