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How do drugs work??? Nerve cells in the brain are called neurons. These
neurons "talk" to each other by passing chemicals
back and forth, just like passing notes in class.
The neurons' "notes" are called neurotransmitters,
and they are manufactured in vesicles in the
nerve cell. Neurotransmitters include serotonin,
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine,
histamine and about two dozen others. http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/brain-and-addiction
What are some drugs that people take and what are their affects on
the human body?????
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/abuse/
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How do drugs work???
The nerve cells are separated by a small space
called a "synapse." When a message moves
down the axon of the pre-synaptic neuron,
neurotransmitters are released from the vesicle.
These chemicals (or notes) cross the synapse to
the post-synaptic neuron, where they bind with
receptors specifically designed to receive them,
much as a key is designed to fit into a specific
lock.
http://video.witf.org/video/2365429481/
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How do drugs work???
Many nerve cells have receptors that are
sensitive to various drugs. These drugs
operate on the "lock-and-key" principle,
where the drug can be thought of as the
"key" that either (1) fits into the "lock,"
causing the nerve cell (neuron) to
discharge its chemicals, or (2) "jams" the
lock, preventing the nerve cell from
discharging.
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How do drugs work???
Ex.) -Narcotics mimic endorphins and lock into opiate receptor sites.
- Hallucinogens mimic serotonin
- Cocaine blocks the re-uptake of neurotransmitters → causing severe depression when coming down.
- Methamphetamines cause the release
of neurotransmitters in greater amounts
- THC mimics anandamide and interferes with the cannabinoid receptor sites.
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CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS(Psychoactive)
Stimulants- Drugs that speed up activities of the central
nervous system (CNS)
Depressants (Sedatives)- Psychoactive drugs that slow
brain and body reactions.
Narcotics (Opiates)- natural or synthetic drugs that
relieve pain and cause drowsiness.
Inhalants- Drugs that are inhaled or breathed in through
the nose to produce the desired effect.
Hallucinogens- Psychoactive drugs that alter
perception, thought, and mood.
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CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS cont.
Prescription Medicines – cannot be used
without the written approval of a licensed
physician.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines – you
can buy these without a prescription
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Psychoactive Drugs
Psychoactive drugs – those designed to alter a person’s experiences or consciousness. (nicotine, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, steroids, LSD, marijuana) Psychoactive drugs cause intoxication
Intoxication – a state in which sometimes unpredictable physical and emotional changes occur. A person who is intoxicated may experience a difference
in emotions and judgment.
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What is a Drug?
Drug – any chemical other than food intended to affect the structure
or function of the body.
Many people believe that every problem, no matter how large or
small, has or should have chemical solutions.
Examples:
For fatigue = caffeine
For insomnia = sleeping pillsFor anxiety or boredom (?) = alcohol/drugs
Avoid Problems / Pain
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Health Consequences of Drug Use
Physical Consequences- Once a drug enters
the bloodstream, it can harm a user’s brain, heart
lungs, and other vital organs.
Mental & Emotional Consequences- drugs
cloud reasoning and thinking, and users lose
control of their behavior. (lose sight of values)
Social Consequences- substance abuse can
have negative effect on relationships with friends
and family members. List examples:
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DRUG USE… A HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR!!
Substance abuse is a high risk behavior that
includes misusing legal drugs or using illegal
drugs or other chemicals
People abuse drugs for a number of reasons,
none of them healthful!
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Teenagers - the highest percentage of use is
with people between the ages of 18-25
Why do teenagers abuse drugs???
• A way to be accepted with peers
• Influenced by the media
• Curious
• A way of rebelling
• Escape pressures
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What is the difference between drug use and abuse?
Misuse
1. Using the drug
incorrectly due to
ignorance
2. Taking the drug with
the wrong food
3. Stopping the drug too
soon
Abuse
1. intentionally
misusing the drug
normally for a desired
effect
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Dangers of substance abuse
Side Effects can range from minor to deadly.
Illegal drugs can be especially dangerous
because there are no controls or means of
monitoring these substances for quality,
purity, or strength.
Physical and just as commonly Psychological
effects can last a LIFETIME!
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Dangers of drug abuse
Overdose – A strong or fatal reaction to taking a large amount of drug. Often, overdoses occur when alcohol and other drugs are combined.
When drug abuse involves injecting substances through a needle, hepatitis B or HIV can occur
People who experiment with drugs tend to lose control…can lead to STD’s or pregnancies
Risk to unborn and newborns:
1. Breast milk – can pass
from mother to infant.
2. Can cause miscarriage or
premature birth
3. Can cause birth defect,
mental retardation
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1. STIMULANTS
Drugs which cause the body systems to speed up
Very high doses: irregular heartbeat, tremors, high fever, heart failure
How it enters the body: swallowed, snorted, injected
EFFECTS:
-Increased heart rate and breathing
-Increased blood pressure
-Dilated pupils
-Decreased appetite
-Dry mouth
-Dizziness
-Sweating
-Headache
-Blurred vision
-Sleeplessness
-Anxiety
-Moodiness
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STIMULANTS
Amphetamines
People use them illegally to
stay awake and alert, to
improve athletic performance,
to lose weight, etc.
Can cause heart and blood
vessel damage
Medical use Treats
hyperactive children
Treats narcolepsy
Used for weight control
Examples- Adderall, Ritalin
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Stimulants
Slang names
Speed
Uppers
Crank
Cocaine
Powerful stimulant leads to:
Depression
Edginess
Weight loss
Physiological dependence
Can destroy the nasal septum
Can cause heart attacks due to disturbing electrical impulses of the heart. Can occur on the first use!
Crack - a form of cocaine
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Methamphetamine
Fumes alone can be deadly
“Meth Mouth”
Experts believe that meth
ravages teeth by drying up
saliva and leaving users
with “dry mouths.”
Without saliva, bacteria in
the mouth multiply, leading
to decay.
Dentists report that healthy
teeth can become rotten
from even a few months of
meth use.
StimulantsIngredients
•Drain cleaner
•Brake Cleaner
•Battery Acid
•Gasoline Additives
•Paint Thinner
•Freon
•Camp Stove Fuel
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Long- Term Effects of Meth Use
Hallucinations
Disorganized lifestyle
Violent and aggressive behavior
Permanent psychological problems
Behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia
Poor coping abilities
Disturbance of personality development
Lowered resistance to illnesses
Possible brain damage
Bell Ringer April 23rd
List 3 affects of Stimulants
List 5 long term effects of Meth use. What
are some of the ingredients used to create
Meth?
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Bell Ringer April 24th
List 4 examples of psychoactive drugs.
What is the difference between stimulants
and depressants?
How do drugs become addictive? What is
the best method to avoid addiction?
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2. DEPRESSANTS Depresses or slows down the central
nervous system.
Medical use: to stop convulsions,
relief of tension and anxiety, to
induce sleep
Examples:
barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol,
methaqualone
How it enters the body: swallowed
Slang names:
yellow jackets, ludes, barbs, downers,
Effects
Similar to the effects of
alcohol
*small doses –
calmness, relaxed
muscles
* larger doses –
slurred speech,
impaired judgment,
impaired coordination
*very large doses –
respiratory depression,
coma, death
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3. NARCOTICS (OPIATES)“To Make Numb”
EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE Drug
Comes from the poppy plant or it is synthetic
Ravages the body and becomes the primary focus of the addict’s life
A break of only one day can bring on severe withdrawal symptoms – aches, chills, sweating, muscle spasms and weakness.
After a break, the usual dose may be an overdose
Effects
•Stimulates a burst of euphoria
•Often followed by drowsiness
•Nausea and vomiting.
•Constipation
•Breathing problems
•Depresses the nervous system and
slows breathing and pulse rate
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3. NARCOTICS (OPIATES)
Medical use: pain relief, cough suppressant
Examples: Morphine, Codeine, Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Opium, Heroin
How it enters the body: injected, smoked or inhaled
Bell Ringer April 27th
List the 5 classifications of drugs
What are narcotics? List 2 examples
What are hallucinogens? List 2 examples.
Drug Classifications: Stimulants, Depressants,
Narcotics, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Prescription, Over-
the Counter.
Narcotics: Derived from poppy plant or made
synthetically- used medically to relieve pain. Examples:
Oxytocin, Codeine, Opium, Heroin
Hallucinogens: Psychoactive drugs that distort senses
and cause hallucinations. Examples: LSD, Mushrooms,
Mescaline 29
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4. HALLUCINOGENS(Psychedelics)
Drugs that distort the senses and cause hallucinations
Examples:
LSD (Acid)
Psilocybin Mushrooms
Mescaline
PCP
*Could appear as liquid, capsules,
powder, blotter paper, thin gelatin
squares, mushrooms
Short Term - Effects
•Panic
•Confusion
•Time distorted
•Senses distorted
•Bizarre unpredictable behavior
•Person may sit for hours in a
quiet dreamlike state
Long Term - Effects
•Flashbacks
•Depression
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4. Hallucinogens
PCP (angel dust)
Considered to be one of the most dangerous of all drugs.
The use of PCP as an approved anesthetic in humans was discontinued in 1965 because patients often became agitated, delusional, and irrational while recovering from its
anesthetic effects.
Mescaline
•Is the psychoactive
ingredient of the
peyote cactus.
•Can be made
synthetically and sold
in “Barrels”.
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4.HallucinogensLSD (Acid)
LSD “Acid” is odorless, colorless. Often added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small decorated squares.
Effects are widely unpredictable…. Some users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death and despair.
Trips are long – 8 hours-multiple days.
Flashbacks
Psilocybin Mushrooms
•Obtained from certain types
of mushrooms that are
indigenous to tropical and
subtropical regions of South
America, Mexico, and the
United States.
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ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Powerful compounds that are
similar to the male sex
hormone, testosterone.
Taken to increase strength,
speed, power.
Can increase risk of damaging
tendons and ligaments
How it enters the body:
swallowed, intramuscular
injection
Article
Effects
May initially increase muscle
mass, body strength, and weight
Purple or red spots on the body
Unpleasant breath odor
Depression
Increased risk of heart attack
stroke, liver cancer, acne
Males
•Sterility, withered testicles,
impotence
Females
• Irreversible masculine traits,
breast reduction, sterility
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Steroids
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INHALANTS
Dangerous fumes are
concentrated in a bag, on a
cloth, etc. and inhaled
How it enters the body:
Vapors are inhaled through
the nose or mouth
A person can go into a coma
from a single use and be in a
vegetable state the rest of
his/her life
Effects
Nausea
Sneezing
Coughing
Nosebleeds
Fatigue
Lack of coordination
Loss of appetite
Decrease in heart rate and breathing
Impaired judgment
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MARIJUANA
The dried flowers, leaves, and
stems of the cannabis sativa
plant.
Main active chemical in marijuana
is THC. Marijuana’s effects on
the user depend on the strength
of the THC
Hashish is the dark brown resin
that is collected from the top of
this plant.
How it enters the body: Smoked
in joints, pipes, bongs, eaten
Cannabis is a hallucinogen
and has the effects of both
a depressant and a
stimulant
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CLUB DRUGS
Are used by young adults at all-night dance
parties such as “raves” or “trances,” dance clubs,
and bars.
Some club drugs are colorless, tasteless, and
odorless. They can be added to beverages by
individuals to intoxicate or sedate others.
There has been an increase in reports of club
drugs used to commit sexual assaults
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Club Drugs
Ecstasy (MDMA) - mind altering drug with
hallucinogenic properties
Health hazards: psychological difficulties,
confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug
craving, severe depression.
Physical problems: muscle tension, nausea,
blurred vision, chills, sweating
Long term problems: damage to the parts of the
brain critical to thought and memory
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CLUB DRUGS
GHB – is odorless and nearly tasteless. Induces a state of
relaxation
Can be slipped into someone’s drink without detection. Has been
reportedly used in cases of date rape.
Physical problems: nausea, vomiting, respiratory problems,
seizures, coma
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CLUB DRUGS
Rohypnol (“roofies”)– people may
unknowingly be given the drug which, when
mixed with alcohol, can incapacitate and
prevent a victim from resisting sexual
assault.
Commonly referred to as the “date rape”
drug
Physical symptoms: sedative-hypnotic
effects including muscle relaxation and
amnesia.
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Club Drugs
Ketamine: “special k” is a powerful hallucinogen
that includes visual distortions and a lost sense of
time, sense and identity.
Profound physical and mental problems including
delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function and
potentially fatal problems
Special K is a powder that is usually snorted but is
sometimes sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana and
smoked.
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Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse
Emotionally/ Personality
Behaviorally
Physically/ Physical Appearance
Social Activity/ School Performance
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Emotional / PersonalityEffects of Substance Abuse
Aggression
Burnout
Anxiety
Depression
Paranoia
Denial
Withdraws from
family/ Friends
•Extreme Mood Swings
•Is secretive / Lying
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Behavioral Effects of Substance Abuse
Slow reaction time
Impaired coordination
Slowed Speech
Irritability
Excessive Talking
Inability to sit still
Limited attention span
Poor motivation
Lack of energy
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Physical Effects of Substance Abuse
Weight Loss
Sweating
Chills
Poor Hygiene
Interrupted sleep patterns < or >
Loss of appetite
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Social Activity Effect
Drops old friends and activities
Skipping School
Loses interest in school work
Low Grades
Sleeping in class
Loses concentration
Having trouble remembering things
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Addiction – what friends or family members can do
Many families, after recognizing that the problem exists, will have an intervention.
Intervention - the interruption of the addiction continuum before the addict hits bottom.
Meetings take place without the addicted person’s knowledge.
Second step in this process is a surprise meeting with the addict that forces the addict to face the seriousness of the problem.
If addict refuses to recognize the problem, the addict will be given an ultimatum - Wife will move out, etc.
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Recovery
A process that happens over time -. A recovered person never says “I am cured, but “I am recovering.”
The first step in the recovery process is detoxification – the removal of the drug from the body, usually under medical supervision
This step also includes restoring one’s mental health
Most experts recommend total abstinence
Relapse – slips from recovery, or periodic returns to use can happen
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Treatment options
Support group such as AA, narcotics Anonymous, cocaine anonymous
Detoxification Units – a person is under a Drs. care and may be given some medication to ease the symptoms of withdrawal
Inpatient treatment centers – involves detox and counseling, both individual and group
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Treatment options
Outpatient treatment centers –
involves follow up sessions, counseling
Halfway houses-
people are admitted to this program generally
after they have completed at least a 28 day
recovery program where they stay for 6 months to
a year where they learn coping and living skills
they will need when they return to society.
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Choosing to be Drug Free!
Learn to say “no!”
*Give a reason (lie or truth)
*Provide alternatives
*Use eye contact to say no
*Take a definite action
Realize that no drug will solve your problem
Talk to trusted friend/counselor, etc.
Learn to handle the stress in you life and get help when you need it.
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Refusal Skills
Developing good self-esteem
Have good eye contact
Respond with a clear and firm "no" that does
not leave the door open to future offers
How you say no is as important as what you
say.
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Refusal Skills
Identify the consequences ("We'll get in trouble.")
Suggest an alternative
Delaying
Use humor
Just say no
Drugs of Abuse Research Project You will pick a drug of interest to research from the list below.
*You may work with a partner on this project.
COCAINE, ECSTASY, GHB, HALLUCINOGENS, HEROIN, INHALANTS, KETAMINE, LSD, MARIJUANA, METH,
PSYLOCIBIN MUSHROOMS, ROHYPNOL, SALVIA, STEROIDS,
Once you have your topic, you will use the designated web sources, along with materials provided from your teacher, and
or library books to obtain the required information about your topic. You will create a 5-6 slide PowerPoint.
PowerPoint Directions/Slide Breakdown
Slide One(4pts.): Name of the Drug (proper and slang) / your name / class period / References-Sources Cited
correctly
Slide Two(4pts.): Classification of the drug and general information about the drug
Slide Three (4pts.): What are the long term/short term effects of the drug on the body? What are the withdrawal
symptoms?
Slide Four(4pts.): Additional pertinent information-(HINT: Statistics , Treatment, Local Resources)
Last Slide (4pts.): “Why Not Use?” How do you define yourself? Include personal slogan, pictures, video,
personal goals and highlights
Use appropriated contrast between background color and font color and easily read from any point in the
classroom
You must have at least two appropriate pictures(you can have more) that are directly related to the topic
PowerPoint Saving Directions: Must be created in Google Docs and shared with me (with me as the owner) when
it is complete. ClassPeriod.Last.First.Topic EXAMPLE: 3.Fitchwell.Emily.MarijuanaPresentation
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