Download Drugs Alcohol Stress

Survey
• write down all forms of alcohol and drugs
that you can think of
• now write down all forms of stress
relievers beside alcohol and drugs
• which list is longer?
• this should make everyone aware of the
need to be educated about alcohol &
drugs and stress & anxiety
How stress influences unhealthy
behaviors
• Research and population surveys show that
persons under stress, particularly chronic stress,
tend to exhibit unhealthy behaviors
• People under stress drink more alcohol, smoke
more, and eat less nutritious food
• The amount of substance abuse in response to
stress is directly related to the severity of the life
stressors and the lack of social support
Common Scenarios of the misuse of
alcohol & drugs that increase stress
• Drinking before a test day
– neg. effects: hangover, lack of concentration, oversleeping
• Escalated arguments with friends, significant others, family, and
random bystanders
– neg. effects: over-exaggeration, irrationality, physical
confrontations
• Impaired decision making skills
– neg. effects: unwanted sexual encounters, drunk driving, binge
eating
• Skipping class / work, missing obligations
– neg. effects: being fired, falling behind, disappointing others
Masking stress with alcohol &
drugs is NOT the answer
• Do not sabotage yourself
– Downward spiral: leads to further depression
• one may engage in behaviors that they will regret the next
day
• Feelings after a night of substance abuse
– fatigue, lack of patience, hangover, health issues (ex.
dehydration)
• FACT: Approximately 14 million Americans meet
the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or
alcoholism
Prescription drugs and stress
• Who it effects
• Effects of abuse
– impairments in thinking
– feeling
– actions
• Drugs most likely abused
– sedative-hypnotic
– opiod
– pain killers
cont.
• Withdrawals
– sedative-hypnotic
– opiods
– pain killers
• Treatment
Related responses to specific
drugs
• Alcohol
– has depressive properties
– acute alcohol withdrawal may induce an anxiety
disorder
• various degrees of anxiety ranging from panic to
generalized anxiety can last for 3-12 months after
cessation of drinking
• Cocaine and psychostimulants
– may produce manifestations of anxiety
– more commonly used drugs such as caffeine and
nicotine also produce anxiety symptoms
cont.
Cannibis
anxiety usually occurs at high doses
effects include anxiety, the fear of losing control or going crazy,
depersonalization, and derealization
symptoms can be experienced by individuals with no preexisting
psychopathology as well as those that have a history of erratic or
maladaptive behavior
episodes usually occur in individuals with preexisting anxiety
about drug use, especially novice users or in experienced users
who have taken more than there usual dose.
• PCP and Other Hallucinogens
– may acutely produce anxiety and panic depending on individual
– in some patients, low level symptoms such as depersonalization
and derealization may persist beyond the acute intoxication
Psychoactive
Drugs
Alcohol
- Beer
- Wine
- Hard Liquor
Opiates
- Opium
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Codeine
- Dilaudids
- Percodan
- Darvon
- Methadone
Stimulants
Amphetamines
- Dexedrine
- Methamphetamines
- Speed
- Diet Pills
Other Stimulants
- Ritalin
- Cocaine
- Caffeine
Psychedelics
- LSD
- Mescaline
- Psilocybin
- PCP
THC
- Marijuana
- Hashish
Range of Effects
From
To
Depressant
Relaxation, lowered inhibitions, reduced
intensity of physical sensations, digestive
upsets, body heat loss, reduced muscular
coordination.
Loss of body control, passing out
(also causing physical injuries),
susceptibility to pneumonia,
cessation of breathing.
Depressant
Suppression of pain, lowered blood
pressure and respiratory rate,
constipation, disruption of menstrual
cycle, hallucinations, sleep.
Clammy skin, convulsions, coma,
respiratory depression, possible
death.
Stimulation of Central Nervous System
Increased blood pressure and pulse rate,
appetite loss, increased alertness, dilated
and dried out bronchi, restlessness,
insomnia.
Development of Prolonged Use of Large Withdrawal Symptoms After
Tolerance
Amounts
Prolonged Use
Moderate
Liver damage, ulcers, chronic
diarrhea, amnesia, vomiting, brain Convulsions, shakes, hallucinations,
damage, internal bleeding,
loss of memory, uncontrolled muscular
debilitation.
spasms, psychosis.
High
Depressed sexual drive, lethargy,
general physical debilitation,
infections, hepatitis
Water eyes, running nose, severe back
pains, stomach cramps, sleeplessness,
nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle
spasms.
Paranoid reaction, temporary
psychosis, irritability, convulsions,
palpitations. (Not generally true for
caffeine.)
High
Psychosis, insomnia, paranoia,
nervous system damage. (Not
generally true for caffeine.)
Severe depression, both physical and
mental. (Not true for caffeine.)
Alteration of Mental Process
Distorted perceptions, hallucinations,
confusion, vomiting.
Psychosis, hallucinations, vomiting,
anxiety, panic, stupor.
With PCP: Aggressive behavior,
catatonia, convulsions, coma, high
blood pressure.
High
Psychosis, continued
hallucinations, mental disruption.
Occasional flashback phenomena,
depression.
Sedation, euphoria, increased appetite,
altered mental process.
Distorted perception, anxiety, panic.
Amotivation (loss of drive).
No true withdrawal symptoms except
possible depression
Moderate
Healthy Alternatives to drugs &
alcohol
• Sports
– ex. yoga, pilates, going to the gym, exercising
outdoors
•
•
•
•
•
Meditation
Getting a massage, pampering yourself
Laughing, socializing
Aromatherapy
and?