Psychoactive Drugs

1. Psychoactive Drugs

2. Psychoactivity and Dependence

3. Psychoactive Drug • A chemical substance that alters perceptions, mood, or behavior • Three common psychoactive drugs: • Caffeine • Alcohol • Nicotine • Induce an altered state of consciousness

4. Substance Abuse • Recurrent drug use that results in disruption of academic, social, or occupational functioning or in legal or psychological problems

5. Drug Abuse – Do I have a problem?

6. Addiction • Addiction – person craves & uses drug despite its bad consequences on their life • Common Properties of Addiction: • Physical dependence • Tolerance • Withdrawal symptoms • Drug rebound effect

7. Dependence • A physical and/or psychological need to take more of a substance/drug after each continued use. • Physical Dependence – drug is needed in order to function normally • Physical withdrawal symptoms occur when drug not in system. • Happens to habitual users • Psychological Dependence – Taking the drug becomes part of routine or habit that creating a psychological “need” for the drug.

8. Tolerance • Reduced responsiveness to the dose of a drug • Requires the user to increase the dosage to achieve effects previously obtained by lower doses of the drug • Brain chemistry is adapting to offset the drug effect (neuroadaptation)

9. Withdrawal • The discomfort and distress that follow when a person who is dependent on a drug discontinues the use of the drug • Drug Rebound Effect -Withdrawal symptoms are usually the opposite of the drug’s effects • “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”

10. Why do people abuse drugs?Biopsychosocial Theory

11. Drugs and Neurotransmission

12. Psychoactive Drugs and Synapses • Psychoactive drugs affect synapses and neurotransmitters in three ways: • Binding with receptor sites (mimics)* • Blocking receptor site • Blocking neurotransmitters’ reuptake* * Increase the likelihood of the receiving neuron firing

14. Drug Classifications

15. Psychoactive Drug Categories • Four different categories we will study: • Depressants – depress, inhibit brain activity • Opiates – Similar to morphine, produce feelings of euphoria & reduce pain • Stimulants – excite brain activity • Psychedelic/Hallucinogens/Marijuana – distort sensory perceptions.

16. Drug Classifications: Depressants

17. Depressants • Drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functioning • Includes: • Alcohol—CNS depressant • Barbiturates—induce sleep • Tranquilizers—relieve anxiety • Opiates

18. Alcohol • Found in beer, wine, and liquor • Slows thinking, and impairs physical activity • The second most used psychoactive drug (caffeine first)

19. Euphoric Affects of Alcohol • Disinhibitor - Alcohol impairs the parts of the brain responsible for controlling inhibitions and making judgments • Results in less self-awareness, self-control and sometimes more aggressive behavior. • Also depends on environment and expectations (Expectancy Effects).

20. What do we mean by “one drink?”

21. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) • A measure of how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream • BAC of .08 considered legal intoxication in most states

22. Alcohol, Memory, and Sleep • Studies have shown that alcohol impairs memory by suppressing the processing of events into long term memory. • Alcohol impairs REM sleep, further disrupting memory storage. • Also impairs speech and physical functioning. • Death can occur if the brain’s respiratory center is slowed so much it can no longer function.

23. Alcohol’s Affect on the Brain Alcoholism damages the brain

24. Fetal Alcohol SyndromeNever Drink When Pregnant

26. Sedatives • Drugs that reduce anxiety or induce sleep • Also called tranquilizers • Include barbiturates and benzodiazepines

27. Barbiturates • Depress the activity of the central nervous system and thereby reduce anxiety (Phenobarbital) • Can be lethal in overdose and interact with other drugs, especially alcohol • Impair both memory and judgment • Can create tolerance and physical & mental dependence • Withdrawal can cause REM rebound nightmares, hallucinations, disorientation and even life-threatening convulsions.

29. Benzodiazepines/Tranquilizers • Drugs that depress that activity of the central nervous system without most of the side effects associated with barbiturates • Help to reduce anxiety • Include Valium and Xanax • Can create dependency

30. Inhalants • Chemicals that are inhaled to alter consciousness. • Paint, glue, gasoline, nitrous oxide & aerosol sprays. • Low doses may relax and reduce inhibition • High doses can cause hallucinations and loss of consciousness. • Toxic to the liver and other organs.

31. Addiction and Depressants • Play “Depressants and Their Addictive Effect on the Brain” (4:24) • Segment #22 from The Mind DVD • How does withdrawal occur? • What’s happening to the neurons of an addict? • How are these drugs suppressing the nervous system?

32. Drugs that depress neural activity, temporarily lessen pain and anxiety and produce feelings of euphoria • Mimic Endorphins to produce numbing of pain and good feeling • This causes brain to produce less in response so withdrawal is extremely difficult. • Include: opium, morphine, heroin, methadone, Percodan, Demerol Opiates/Narcotics

33. Drug Classifications: Stimulants

34. Stimulants • Drugs that excite neural activity and speed up body functions • Include: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine • All are at least mildly addictive. • Used to feel alert, lose weight, boost mood or improve athletic performance

35. Caffeine • Stimulant found in coffee, chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks • Provides user with a sense of increased energy, mental alertness, and forced wakefulness • Blocks neurological receptor sites that if activated, sedate the central nervous system • Withdrawal symptoms are sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, increased heart rate.

36. Nicotine • Stimulant found in tobacco • Effects similar to those of caffeine – reduces fatigue & drowsiness and increases mental alertness (epinephrine & norepinephrine) • Affects various areas in the brain affecting mood, decreasing anxiety & reducing pain (Dopamine & Opioids) • Very addictive and does not stay in the body very long • Only takes 7 seconds for nicotine to act on the brain after inhaling • See video clip on nicotine addiction.

37. Stimulant derived from leaves of the coca plant • Crack – cocaine crystals • Blocks the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters • Dopamine, Serotonin & Norepinephrine • Dependency is quick and severe; places extreme strain on cardiovascular system • See the story of Len Bias (4 min) • Can cause cocaine psychosis – schizophrenia-like symptoms including auditory hallucinations & paranoia, “cocaine bugs” or tactile hallucinations

38. How Cocaine Works

39. Amphetamines/Meth • Drugs that stimulate neural activity, speeding up body functions, with associated energy and mood changes • Includes: speed, uppers, and methamphetamines • Mimic adrenaline & dopamine • Can cause irreversible changes in mood & function by reducing dopamine receptors & transporters. • Withdrawal causes fatigue, deep sleep, intense depression, increase in appetite.

40. The Faces Of Meth http://www.anti-meth.org/photos2.html

41. Drug Classifications: Hallucinogens

42. Hallucinogens/Psychedelic Drugs • Drugs that distort perceptions and create sensory images even when there is no sensory input • Include: LSD, Mescaline and Marijuana

43. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) • Powerful hallucinogenic drug • Also known as “acid” • The effects vary from person to person • Users can be dangerous to themselves and others. • Mimics & blocks the reuptake of serotonin. • Flashbacks, psychotic reactions can occur.

44. “Club” Drugs/Ecstasy • Hallucinogenic/Stimulant drug that produces lower inhibitions, pleasant feelings, and greater acceptance of others • Also called MDMA • Blocks serotonin reuptake prolonging its “good” feeling • Even moderate users may experience permanent brain damage to serotonin nerve endings & even memory and verbal reasoning problems up to a year later. • Dehydration, rapid heartbeat, tremors, muscle tension, teeth clenching & high body temp can result.

45. Hallucinogen Affect Hallucination - like patterns Geometric forms, similar to those experienced by drug users during drug - induced hallucinations, can be seen in the embroidery of the Huichol. These Mexican Indians used peyote, from which the hallucinogen mescaline derives.

46. Marijuana • Leaves, stems, resin, and flowers form the hemp plant • When smoked, lower inhibitions and produce feelings of relaxation and mild euphoria • Increases sensitivity to colors, sounds, tastes & smells • THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient. • Causes animals to misjudge events (rats forget how to run maze) • Stays in the body for a week or more • Disrupts memory; lung damage from smoke, heavy use for many years can shrink brain areas associated with memory and emotion • Withdrawal may cause insomnia, tremors and decreased appetite. • Is helpful in decreasing nausea and reducing effects of glaucoma.

48. Drug Use Illicit Drug Use in the U.S. Drug use for teens on the decline – NY Times article

50. Treatment • Play “Treating Drug Addiction: A Behavioral Approach” (19:40) • Segment #30 from The Mind: DVD • Watch if time allows. • What become “triggers” for addicts? • How do addicts’ bodies react to “triggers?” • Describe how this treatment works. • Describe what withdrawal/addiction is like? • What do brain scans show about addicts’ brains?