Download Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive Drugs
 Psychoactive Drug – a chemical substance that changes or alters the mind, body or behaviors.
 Over-the-counter (OTC) Drugs – drugs, usually medicine that can be bought in a store or
pharmacy.
 Prescription Drugs – drugs that are received from a doctors visit. Need a script from the
doctor to fill the prescription.
 Illicit or Illegal Drugs – have a high potential for abuse and addiction. There are no
accepted medical uses.
Drug Use – Misuse - Abuse
 Drug Use – acceptable use of OTC or prescription drugs. Following directions carefully.
 Drug Misuse – taking or using OTC or prescription drugs in a way that is not intended. Ex.
Taking more than is recommended, mixing w/ other drugs, taking a drug in way other than it
was intended (snorted, smoked, injected).
 Drug Abuse – intentionally using OTC or prescription drugs in a harmful way or using illegal and
illicit substances.
 Results of Drug Abuse
 Addiction, Tolerance, Withdrawal, Illness, Emotional Distress, Accidents,
Overdose…….DEATH!
Dangers of Drug Abuse
 A young adult begins using drugs to fit in and feel accepted or to relax and relieve stress or out
of pure boredom. The user begins with the gateway drugs and has a beer or wine. Then
smokes a cigarette and moves to hard liquor. Then tries marijuana and that leads to
experimenting with other drugs. Experimentation leads to regular use and that leads addiction.
Addiction leads to tolerance or needing more of a drug to feel the same effects. Tolerance leads
to physical and psychological dependence. The user tries to quit, but experiences withdrawal
symptoms and goes back to using. The vicious cycles continues and addiction begins to take
over their life. The user thinks irrationally and they’re life spirals out of control. They cannot
help them self and they overdose.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
 They wake up…..
 Because they died and are in the afterlife or because they hit rock bottom and were given a 2nd
chance in life.
Administration of Drugs – how drugs are taken
 Oral – through the mouth, swallowed.
 Topical – through the skin, ointments.
 Inhalation – breathed in through lungs and bloodstream.
 Intravenous (IV) – into the veins.
 Intramuscular (IM) – into the muscles.
 Mucous Membranes – into the nose/mouth/ anus mucous membranes. Rapid absorption into
the blood stream. (Snorting, butt chug, vodka tampon)
Stimulants
 Drugs that stimulate or speed up nerve activity.
 Amphetamines (speed, Ritalin and Adderall)
 Methamphetamine (crystal meth)
 Cocaine (coke, crack – smokable form of cocaine)
 Nicotine
 Caffeine
Physical / Psychological dependence: Strong
Addiction Rate: High
Effects: inc. HR, BP, breathing rate, inc. energy, restlessness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping.
Long-term use- damage to brain, lungs, liver kidneys and mucous membranes.
Depressants
 Drugs that depress or slow down nerve activity.
 Barbituates (sleeping pills)
 Tranquilizers (anesthetics)
 Alcohol
 Valium
Physical / Psychological dependence: Strong
Addiction Rate: High
Effects: dec. HR, BP, breathing rate, sleepiness, poor coordination, slowed reactions, confusion and
impaired judgment.
Long-term use - damage to brain, liver and kidneys.
Narcotics
 Drugs that are strong painkillers. Also know as Opiates, because they are derived from the
opium plant.
 Codeine
 Opium
 Morphine
 Heroine
 Vicodin, hydrocodone, oxycodone
Physical / Psychological dependence: Strong
Addiction Rate: High
Effects: pain relief, dec. HR, BP, breathing rate, poor coordination, dulled senses, inability to
concentrate.
Long-term use - damage to brain, liver and kidneys.
Hallucinogens
 Drugs that distort the users perceptions of theirs surrounds and their body. May see, hear or
sense things that do not exist.
 LSD (acid)
 PCP (dust)
 Mescaline/ Peyote
 Psilocybin (mushrooms)
 DXM (cough medicine, robitussin)
Physical / Psychological dependence: Moderate
Addiction Rate: Moderate
Effects: hallucinations, panic, paranoia, inc. or dec. of HR and BP. Poor coordination, impaired
judgment, confusion.
Long-term effects- damage to brain, liver and kidneys.
Marijuana
 Drug that comes from the Cannabis plant. The main ingredient in marijuana is THC.
 Pot, grass, dope, weed
 Hash
Physical / Psychological dependence: Moderate
Addiction Rate: Moderate
Effects: inc HR, inc. appetite, red eyes, dry mouth, relaxed inhibitions, difficulty concentrating, impaired
memory.
Long-term effects: damage to lungs, reproductive system effected, lowered immune system, memory
impairment.
Inhalants
 Drugs and gases that are breathed in, inhaled or huffed.
 Nitrous Oxide
 Aerosol Sprays
 Glue
 Gasoline
 Cleaning Products
 Paint Thinners
 Other household products
Physical / Psychological dependence: Moderate
Addiction Rate: Moderate
Effects: dizziness, headache, confusion, slowed reaction time, confusion, poor coordination.
Long-term effects: damage to lungs, brain, kidneys, liver and mucous membranes.
Designer Drugs
 Drugs that are made in a lab and are created to imitate the effects of stimulants, narcotics and
hallucinogens. Also called club drugs.
 Ecstasy (MDMA, XTC, E)
 GHB
 Rohypnol( Ruffies)
Physical / Psychological dependence: Moderate to high
Addiction Rate: Moderate to high
Effects: similar to stimulants, narcotics and hallucinogens.
Long-term effects: similar to stimulants, narcotics and hallucinogens.
Anabolic Steroids
 Drugs made in a lab that function like the male hormone testosterone. Used to increase muscle
mass. Also used to treat growing deficiencies, anemia, cancers and other illnesses.
 Testosterone
 HGH
Physical / Psychological dependence: unknown
Addiction Rate: unknown
Effects: inc. muscle mass, inc. energy, inc. aggressiveness, depression.
Long-term effects: liver damage, infertility, high BP, heart disease, acne, small testes, dec. sperm
production.
Women: menstrual irregularity, development of male characteristics- facial hair, deeper
voice.