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Introduction to Drug Abuse

Introduction to Drug Abuse . Terminology . What is a drug? A drug is any substance that when ingested into the body changes the way the organism functions. Tolerance :

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Introduction to Drug Abuse

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  1. Introduction to Drug Abuse

  2. Terminology • What is a drug? • A drug is any substance that when ingested into the body changes the way the organism functions. • Tolerance: • A stage of drug abuse in which the brain and body get used to a drug, causing a person to have to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect

  3. Dependence: A stage of drug abuse in which a person needs a drug just to feel okay (normal).

  4. Addiction: • A style of living characterized by compulsive use and overwhelming involvement with a drug. A stage of drug abuse in which the user cannot stop taking the drug despite serious negative consequences; the drug takes control of the brain and overpowers the body’s natural signals

  5. Withdrawal: • A stage of drug abuse when the user stops taking the drug. The user is often in physical pain and may suffer from depression, hallucinations or delusions.

  6. Substance abuse • Substance abuse is the use of a drug or other substance for a non-medical use, with the aim of producing some type of 'mind-altering' effect in the user. • This includes both the use of illegally produced substances, and the abuse of legal drugs, in a use for which the substance was not intended. • Often this involves use of the substance in excessive quantities

  7. Who is at risk for trying drugs? • Risk factor = personality, environment, genetic • Peer pressure is huge, both for teenagers and adults alike • Young men • Low self-esteem • Low academic achievement • Friends/family use • disorganized life • a.Marital Problem or geographical separations • b. Stress at work • c. Family Problems • d. Previous drug usage

  8. Warning signs of teenage drug or alcohol abuse may include • a drop in school performance • a change in groups of friends • antisocial behavior • a worsening in family relationships. • change in eating and sleeping habits

  9. Types of Drug Addiction • Stimulants: Amphetamines, but a more common stimulant is nicotine. • Hallucinogens: LSD was a popular drug in the 1960’s • Cannabis Compounds: The most common drug in this category is marijuana • Depressants: Alcohol is the most common depressant

  10. Opiates: Heroin and cocaine lead the list here • Designer Drugs: e.g. Ecstasy • Inhalants: e.g. Glue sniffing

  11. Special type of Drugs of Abuse Many different types of drugs can be abused: not only illegal drugs such as heroin, cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy, but also prescription drugs such as tranquillizers, analgesics (painkillers), and sleeping pills. Prescription drugs.Using a prescription drug in a manner other than the intended prescription constitutes drug abuse.

  12. Some of the more commonly abused prescription drugs are: • Pain-relieving narcotics (Percodan, Codeine, Vicodin, Percocet ) • Tranquilizers and sedatives (Halcion, Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Phenobarbital) • Muscle relaxants • Prescription amphetamines (Ritalin, Cylert, Adderall)

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