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Basics of Drugs - Part 1. At the end of the session, the trainee will have learnt: - Definition of drugs - Three classifications of drugs - Mode of drug use/intake - Complications of drug use. Objectives. Any substance that when taken by a person modifies:
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At the end of the session, the trainee will have learnt: - Definition of drugs - Three classifications of drugs - Mode of drug use/intake - Complications of drug use Objectives
Any substance that when taken by a person modifies: the way a person perceives the world around him (hears, sees, smells, etc.); mood; cognition (thought process); behaviour (the way the person behaves with others) or motor functions (the way the person walks, talks, etc.) These substances (legal or illegal) can lead to dependence Drug/Psychoactive Substance
Part 1: Classification (Type) of Drugs
Classification (1) Alcohol
Alcohol is a brain depressant: Relieves anxiety when taken in small amounts; May also give a sense of strength and results in boisterous (overactive, unruly) behaviour; Heightens the mood prior to intake: be it sadness or happiness; Impairs judgment (e.g. person thinks that he can drive, when he is clearly not in a position to do so); Impairs performance (ability to walk, talk, etc.) Alcohol: Effects
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids
Opioids: Effects The effects differ widely between new and dependent users • New users • Who is not in pain an unpleasant reaction • Who has pain or anxiety some relief • Dependent users • Short-lived intense experience:– “rush”. • A state of profound euphoria • A dreamlike state lasting longer
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids Cannabis
Cannabis Products & Intake Bhang (from leaves) Ganja (from dried flowering stem of the plant) Charas / Hashish (extracted from the resin covering the plant) Hashish Oil (extracting THC using chemical methods) Oral Smoked Smoked Smoked
Cannabis: Effects A dreamy state with increased tendency to fantasise: State of excitement, well being & enjoyment Generally followed by a period of drowsiness; Can impair coordination; Sounds and colours may become more intense; Restlessness, fear and even panic may spoil the experience (“bad trip”); There may be driven activity (subject knows that one’s activities are meaningless, yet is unable to control them)
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids Cannabis Sedative – Hypnotics
Sedative – Hypnotics & other Pharmaceuticals Medications for: Sleep (Diazepam) Allergy (Promethazine, Pheniramine) Pain (Pentazocine, Propoxyphene) Cough (Codiene) Diarrhea (Diphenoxalate) Anesthesia (Ketamine) General brain depressants Opioid like actions Hallucinogen
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids Cannabis Sedative – Hypnotics Cocaine and other stimulants
Stimulants: Effects After use: Immediately – extremely pleasurable ‘rush’ or ‘flash’ Enhanced mood and body movement, excitement Increased respiration Increased heart rate, blood pressure Insomnia Reduced appetite
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids Cannabis Sedative – Hypnotics Cocaine and other stimulants Hallucinogens
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids Cannabis Sedative – Hypnotics Cocaine and other stimulants Hallucinogens Tobacco
Classification (1) Alcohol Opioids Cannabis Sedative – Hypnotics Cocaine and other stimulants Hallucinogens Tobacco Volatile substances
Classification of Drugs (2) • a. Depressant • Alcohol • Opioids • Sedative – hypnotics • Volatile solvents • Cannabis • b. Stimulant • Cocaine • ATS • Tobacco • Cannabis • c. Hallucinogen • LSD • Cannabis
Classification of Drugs (3) i. Legal (Licit): Medicine Tobacco Alcohol Caffeine/Tea ii. Illegal (Illicit): • Opium • Heroin • Cocaine • ATS • Marijuana
Chasing Injecting
Why is ‘Injecting’ (mode) preferred? Faster action (high/rush) More economical When availability of the oral / smoked form of the drug is poor – to make maximum use of the available “stuff”
Part 2: Concept of Abuse
Terminology Use Misuse/harmful use Abuse Dependence Addiction - older term, still used
Terminology Useis defined as: The ingestion of drugs (alcohol etc) without the experience of any negative consequences ‘If a student drank a beer at a party and his parents could not find out, we could say he USED alcohol’
Terminology Misuseis defined as: When a person experiences negative consequence from the use of drugs (alcohol etc) it is ‘misuse’ ‘A 40-year old man uses alcohol occasionally; his boss throws a party and the man drinks more than usual and on the way home he is arrested by police’
Abuse/harmful useis defined as: Maladaptive pattern of use resulting in physical, social and legal harm Continued use in spite of negative consequences The same 40-year old man continues drinking alcohol after the incident Terminology
Dependenceis defined as: Drug taken in large amounts or over a long period Persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut down A great deal of time is spent on: Obtaining the drug Using the drug Recovering from its effects Terminology
Dependencecont’d… Important social, recreational, occupational activities given up or reduced Continued use despite harm Terminology
Addiction Older term – still used Tolerance Withdrawal Terminology