Chapter 23Medicines and

Drugs

Lesson TwoDrug Use-A High Risk Behavior

Pgs 592-597

Substance Abuse Substance abuse is any unnecessary or

improper use of chemical substances for nonmedical purposes

Illegal drugs or street drugs are chemical substances that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell

Illicit drug use is the use or sale of any substance that is illegal or otherwise not permitted

Factors that Influence Decisions about Drugs

Peer Pressure Family Members Role Models Media Messages Perceptions

Health Consequences of Drug Use

Physical Consequences: can harm brain, heart, lungs, and other vital organs. An overdose is a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug

Mental/Emotional Consequences: drugs cloud reasoning and thinking and users lose control of their behavior and lose sight of their values

Social Consequences: substance abuse can have a negative effect on relationships with friends and family members. Teens can be expelled from school. And there are legal consequences

The Addiction Cycle Tolerance: the body begins to need more

to get the same effect Psychological dependence: a condition in

which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally

Physiological dependences: a condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug

Addiction: a physiological or psychological dependence on a drug

Consequences for the Individual

Mental and physical health suffer because of tolerance, dependence, and addiction

Emotional health affected because of loss of control (commit crimes, suicide, etc.)

Higher risk for unsafe sex

Legal Consequences Using, possessing,

manufacturing, or selling drugs are crimes of illicit drug use

Being arrested leads to court fines and legal fees

Driving privileges suspended

Suspension from school, jail time, and probation

Consequences for Family and Friends

Drug users lose interest in activities with friends and family

Friends and family must recognize warning signs

Friends and family convince users to get help

Consequences for Babies and Children

Drugs harm developing fetuses, infants, and kids

Babies born to druggies can have birth defects, behavioral problems, and drug addiction

Some babies show withdrawal symptoms at birth

Children often neglected and abused by addicted parents

Children may have a lifetime of physical and emotional problems

Costs to Society

Drug related crime and violence Driving under the influence Drug control costs the U.S. $160 billion per

year (lost work hours; lost productivity from jail time, accidents, and death; health costs and legal fees; law enforcement costs and insurance costs