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Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven. Using Other Psychoactive Drugs. Drugs in Our Society. Medicinal products, such as herbs have been in existence for thousands of years, prior to the research and manufacturing of drugs During the 19 th century, the U.S. Patent Office oversaw the drug trade (Patent Medicines)

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Chapter Eleven

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  1. Chapter Eleven Using Other Psychoactive Drugs

  2. Drugs in Our Society • Medicinal products, such as herbs have been in existence for thousands of years, prior to the research and manufacturing of drugs • During the 19th century, the U.S. Patent Office oversaw the drug trade (Patent Medicines) • The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed in 1906, assuring “truth in labeling” • The 1914 Harrison Narcotic Act authorized physicians to prescribe drugs that cured specific diseases vs. drugs that claimed to “cure all”

  3. Drugs in Our Society (cont.) • The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938 increased consumer protection against drug misrepresentation • In 1962, the Kefauver-Harris Amendment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prevented drugs from being sold without first providing evidence to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) • The FDA regulates the manufacturing and distribution of food, drugs, and cosmetics in the U.S.

  4. Addiction • Addiction to drugs is a compulsive and uncontrollable dependence on the substance which leads to severe emotional, mental or physiological reactions • Components of addiction include: • Tolerance • Physical dependence • Psychological dependence • Withdrawal

  5. Dependency: What Is It? • Drug dependency can result from use of prescription, OTC, recreational, and illegal drugs • The pharmacological makeup of the drug dictates the type and degree of dependency • Physical dependency means the body cells have become dependent on a chemical, developing tolerance, resulting in higher amounts needed to maintain homeostasis • Psychological dependency is a learned process that affects the woman’s behavior, desiring or craving the mind-altering feelings

  6. Prescription Drugs • The FDA regulates and has approved over 2,500 prescription drugs for: • Form • Strength • Safety • Purity • Effectiveness • Method of administration • Prescription drugs have three names: • Generic name • Chemical name • Brand name

  7. Commonly Prescribed Drugs for Weight Control • Substances that assist in weight management are the most commonly prescribed drugs for women • Research shows that diet drugs are only slightly effective, working only 10% better than programs not including diet drugs • Diet drugs include: • Phentermine (phen of the combination fen-phen) • Xenical (dietary fat blocker) • Meridia (CNS chemical booster) • Fastin (appetite suppressant) • Tenuate (appetite suppressant)

  8. Antidepressants • Depression affects 15% of the population • Women are twice as likely as men to be clinically depressed • One-fourth of women will suffer from serious depression in their lifetime • Antidepressants alleviate serious depression and are used in combination with counseling • 4 main classifications of antidepressants are: • Heterocyclics (alters brain chemistry) • Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (increase levels of seratonin) • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (increase levels of neurotransmitters) • Lithium (bipolar disorder medication)

  9. Sedative Hypnotics • Anxiety is a feeling of unrest and may be caused by a chemical or hormonal imbalance or emotional trauma • A group of drugs called benzodiazepines have proven to be effective and safe for anxiety disorders • Common anxiety drugs are: • Valium • Xanax • Ativan

  10. Hormone Therapy • Hormone therapy is the process by which a woman increases the level of estrogen in her body • Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) raises estrogen levels but produces side effects • An alternative is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), providing estrogen and progestin, which can reduce side effects • Various studies show both benefits and health risks when prescribed these drugs • Hormone replacement drugs are most beneficial for many feminine concerns, however, the woman and her physician must weigh the benefits against the risks to determine the right course of action

  11. Over the Counter Drugs • There are over 250,000 to 300,000 OTC drug products available without a prescription today • Active ingredients of OTC drugs are assigned to one of three categories (FDA, 1972) • GRAS (generally recognized as safe) • GRAE (generally recognized as effective) • GRAHL (generally recognized as honestly labeled) • OTC drugs have the following characteristics: • Benefits outweigh the risks • Potential for abuse is low • Consumers can use them for self-diagnosed conditions • They are properly labeled • Health practitioners are not needed

  12. OTC Drugs Used by Women • Rising medical costs are a major concern for women who have little money available for professional health care • Self-diagnosis is on the increase, leading to the purchase of more OTC drugs • Some of the major categories of OTC drugs purchased by women are: • Weight Management Products (diet pills, creams, supplements) • Laxatives (medicinal aid to help the body eliminate waste products) • Sleep Aids (antihistamines such as diphen-hydramine and doxylamine succinate) It is strongly recommended that women avoid all medication during pregnancy

  13. Illicit Drugs • Abuse of drugs by women can generate more health problems that may progress differently from men • Almost one-half of all women between the ages of 15-44 have used illicit drugs • As child bearers, abuse of illicit drugs among women is of special concern • Women should be responsible for their own well-being as well as the well-being of future generations

  14. Drug Use and Pregnancy • Consequences to the fetus due to a woman’s abuse of illegal drugs during pregnancy is a grave concern • Research reveals that most drugs pass easily from the mother’s blood through the placenta • Overall, drug use results in lower levels of oxygen and nutrients reaching the growing cells of the fetus • If screening tests reveal a positive drug result, immediate medical and anti-drug treatment needs to begin

  15. Cocaine and Crack • Cocaine comes from a plant, Erythroxylon coca which produces an exhilarating effect • Crack is a rock-like substance, resulting from mixing cocaine with baking soda or ammonia. • Psychological and physical dependency develop with short and long-term use • Research has found the following the following consequences of this drug during pregnancy: • Intrauterine growth retardation • Premature labor and spontaneous abortion • Other complications such as premature separation of the placenta • Severe consequences upon the fetus and newborn can be profound

  16. Marijuana • The Cannibis plant’s active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for a variety of psychoactive effects • Chronic long-term use can effect the following body systems: • Central Nervous System • Respiratory System • Cardiovascular System • Reproductive System • THC easily can cross the placenta of the mother to the fetus, however, research is still lacking in this area

  17. Heroin and Methadone • Heroin is a very addictive, semisynthetic narcotic produced from chemically changed morphine • Produces a dream-like state and creates a strong physical and psychological dependency • Can cause women to resort to life-threatening activities in order to fulfill their addiction • Methadone is a synthetic narcotic , intended to be a legal replacement for heroin or morphine • High risk births are associated with the use this drug as well as new borns.

  18. Amphetamines and Methamphetamines • Stimulants, produced synthetically, increases the activity of the CNS • Abuse of these drugs can produce strong psychological dependence • Women who abuse these drugs reduce their quality of life and the lives of their children and family • Damage upon major organs of the fetus is profound during pregnancy

  19. Women, Drugs, and HIV Infection • The number of women who contract HIV is increasing at a rate almost 4 times faster than men • HIV can be passed on to their unborn children • The association between women drug users and contracting HIV or other STI’s is a serious concern • Awareness, prevention, and support services are needed to help diminish the connection between women, drugs, and HIV

  20. Women, Drugs, and Homelessness • Use of drugs, including alcohol, is a major risk for women and children as it relates to homelessness • Being involved with drugs will interfere with a woman’s ability to locate employment, purchase essential resources, and medical services for her and the family • Even though less women are homeless compared to men, women usually have the responsibility for children, placing them as risk • Treatment programs are needed for homeless women that would address the issues of childcare, healthcare, and drug addiction

  21. Chapter Eleven Using Other Psychoactive Drugs

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