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Chapter Nine The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs The Process of Addiction • Addictive behavior has some common aspects – Reinforcement: physical and psychological with regards to pleasure or reduction of negative ones – Compulsion: time, energy, and money are spent to pursue the behavior. Normal behavior has already degenerated – Loss of Control: addicted people lose the ability to control their behavior and results in addiction to more than one drug or behavior – Escalation: more of the substance is required over time to produce the desired effects – Negative Consequences: the behaviors continues, regardless of the outcomes Development of Addiction • There is no single cause of addiction, however, the following factors can play a role with this development • • • • Characteristics of the person Environment of where the person lives Heredity Nature of the substance or behavior in question What is a Drug? • Substance, other than food, that alters structure or function in a living organism – psychoactive drug – alters the mind (feelings, behaviors, mood) What is Drug Abuse? • Substance Abuse involves one or more of the following: • Recurrent drug use, resulting in a failure to fulfill major responsibilities • Recurrent drug use in situations in which it is physically hazardous • Recurrent drug-related legal problems • Continued drug use despite persistent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the drug Drug Dependence 7 specific criteria the APA uses to diagnose substance dependence • Developing tolerance to the • Spending a great deal of time substance obtaining the substance, • Experiencing withdrawal using the substance, or recovering from its effects • Taking the substance in larger amounts or over a • Giving up or reducing longer period than was important social, school, originally intended work, or recreational activities because of abuse • Expressing a persistent desire to cut down or regulate • Continuing to use the substance use substance in spite of recognizing that it is a problem Who Uses Drugs? • The use and abuse of drugs occur at all income and educational levels, among ethnic groups, and at all ages • There are no clear prediction methods for potential drug users, however, the following characteristics do place people in higher risk for trying illicit drugs: • • • • • Being male Poor self image Risk taking personality Peer or family group that partakes in this behavior Dysfunctional or chaotic lifestyle at home Why Do People Use Drugs? • Curiosity • Imitation of adults (modeling) • Spiritual experience • Alter moods • Remove emotional pain (coping mechanism) • Provide a temporary escape • Peer pressure How Drugs Affect the Body • • • • • Stimuli converted into electrical impulses Signals are converted into neurotransmitters Messages are sent between neurons Synapses are the result of message sent Psychoactive drug can change or enhance reactions of the cell site Drug Factors Which Influence Different Effects • • • • • The pharmacological properties of a drug The dose-response function The time-action function The person’s drug use history The method of use User Factors Which Influence Different Effects From Drugs • The physical and psychological characteristics of the drug user • • • • • Size/weight Pregnancy General health Genetics User expectations (placebo effect) Effects can also be manipulated by particular social settings Six Classifications of Psychoactive Drugs • Stimulant • Depressant • Hallucinogen • Cannabis • Narcotic • Inhalant Narcotics (Opioids) • Effects: relieves pain, euphoria • Examples: opium, morphine, heroin Depressants (Sedatives/Hypnotics) • Effects: slows down the CNS and possibly causes drowsiness • Examples: barbiturates, rohypnol, alcohol, tranquilizers Stimulants • Effects: elevates sensory function of the CNS • Examples: cocaine, amphetamine, caffeine, ritalin Cannabis • Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States • Active ingredient: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) • Effects: variety of psychoactive results • Examples: hashish, marijuana Hallucinogens • Effects: alters perception of the CNS • Examples: LSD, PCP, peyote, MDMA Inhalants • Tends to be the highest among younger adolescents • Effects: volatile chemicals producing drunk-like effects or aggression • Examples: gasoline, paint, aerosol cans Drugs, Society, and Families • Americans spend over 50 billion annually on illegal drugs • The criminal justice system is inundated with drug related crimes • Healthcare issues are involved with drug use with regards to hospital visits, treatment programs, and deaths • Drug abuse takes a toll on families, creating long term health problems, unemployment, and neglect Drug Testing • It is estimated that 10% of the workforce use psychoactive drugs • Dangers are great in specific job assignments that all workers should be tested regularly • Most drug tests involve a urine test • Due to the accuracy of tests improving over the years, there are fewer opportunities to cheat or to yield false results • The FDA now has approved home kits for parents to check their children for drug use Treatment For Drug Dependence • • • • Community programs Hospital facilities Private facilities Self-help groups/Peer counseling • Medication assisted treatment Preventing Drug Usage • Developing persuasive anti-drug educational programs offer the best hope for solving the drug problem in the future • Direct approaches targets non-users (education) • Peer counselors promote that the majority of people do not use drugs Societal Response to Drug Use • • • • Increased incarceration time Early prevention programs Drug testing Nationwide organizations to increase awareness Other Drug Terminology • Dependence: refers to the need to continue using a drug for psychological or physical reasons • Withdrawal illness: toxic response of the body as it attempts to regain control (abstinence syndrome) • Tolerance: acquired reaction to a drug in which the continued intake has diminished effect Codependence • Applies to those who are close to the individual who is addicted to something • Focused upon protecting or coping with the addict • Lose their sense of identity due to becoming unaware of their own feelings Chapter Nine The Use and Abuse of Psychoactive Drugs