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Download Legal and Illegal (426 – 433)
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Legal and Illegal (426 – 433) Drug • Drug: Chemical substance that causes changes in the body. – Prescription drug – Over-the-Counter – Illicit Drug Drugs • Over-the-counter Drug: Medicine sold legally in pharmacies and other stores without a doctor’s prescription. – Pain relievers (aspirin) – Cold and cough remedies – Sleep aids Illegal Drug • Chemical substance that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy or sell. – Depressants – Stimulants – Hallucinogens Types of Drug Use • Drug Misuse: Improper use of medicines; either prescription or over-the-counter. – Taking more of the prescribed amount of a drug – Taking drugs with the wrong foods or at wrong time • Drug Abuse: When a drug is intentionally used improperly or unsafely. – Abusing prescription pain killers – Any use of illegal drugs – Intentionally use of drugs for nonmedical purposes. Drug Effects on the Brain • Psychoactive Drug: Is a chemical that affects brain activity. • Many psychoactive drugs trigger activity along a “reward pathway” – Under normal conditions dopamine travels among brain cells causing pleasurable sensations – On drugs, cells release extra dopamine causing a stronger signal – After repeated drug use, brain cells lose receptors for dopamine. Pleasure signal weakens, causing need for more of drung Dangers of Drug Misuse and Abuse • Side effects: Unwanted physical or mental effect caused by the drug. – Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness • Tolerance – Dependence: Repeated use develops tolerance which will lead to wanted more for same effect. That leads to dependence on a drug. Withdrawal • Withdrawal Symptoms: Body’s reaction to someone who stops taking a drug who is dependant on. – Nausea or vomiting – Headaches or dizziness – Fever – Digestion problems – Paranoia or panic – Tremors, seizures or death Legal Risks and Other Costs • Legal penalties • Damaged relationships with family & friends • Criminal record, prison time, heavy fines Drug Interactions • Antagonism: A drug antagonism occurs when each drug’s effect is canceled out or reduced by the other. – EXAMPLE: Nicotine that raises blood pressure and someone taking blood pressure medicine. • Synergism: A drug synergism occurs when drugs interact to produce effects greater than those that each drug would produce alone. – EXAMPLE: Combination of certain sleep aids with alcohol Other Health Risks • Impurities: Illegal drugs at are “cut” or “laced” with other chemicals such as rat poison, cleaning powders. • Hepatitis & HIV • Risks to fetus and newborn
