Substance Abuse: Effects, Risks & Factors

1. UNIT 20 Substance Abuse

2. Key Terms ADHD Dependency Euphoria Obesity Tolerance Withdrawal

3. Substance Abuse Negative effects Increase in insurance costs Absenteeism from work or school Waste of human potential Decline in worker productivity Increase in crime Increase in personal and property damage Increased taxation

4. Contributing Factors Poverty Family problems Peer pressure Curiosity

5. Contributing Factors Did you know? Not everyone who drinks becomes an alcoholic, and not everyone who abuses substances becomes an addict.

6. Alcohol and the Elderly Interacts with approximately 50% of most common prescription medications Signs are more subtle and nonspecific in elderly

7. Alcohol and Children Number one drug problem among American children First drink usually around age 12 3.3 million problem drinkers in 14–17-year-old age group Children who use alcohol before age 15 have a higher risk of having drug problems later in life

8. Alcohol during Pregnancy Most commonly abused substance in females of childbearing age May cause spontaneous abortion or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) NO safe limits of alcohol in pregnancy As little as three drinks per day increases risk of complications in pregnancy

9. Symptoms of FAS Prenatal growth retardation Postnatal growth retardation Mental retardation Facial abnormalities Cranial abnormalities Developmental delay

10. Nicotine 60 million U.S. smokers age 12 and older Found in cigarettes and chewing tobacco Highly addictive Cigarette smoke has carbon monoxide and tar Ways to quit smoking Cold turkey Gradual decrease Patches or gum Medications (Zyban)

11. Club Drugs MDMA (Ecstasy) GHB Rohypnol Ketamine Methamphetamine LSD

12. Inhalants Most common in young children, middle school students, and teens Sometimes used with club drugs May cause brain damage, hearing loss, or death

13. Amphetamines Legal uses Obesity Narcolepsy ADD Names Pep pills Bennies Speed Crystal (continues)

14. Amphetamines Intended effects Increased alertness Elevation of mood Appetite reduction Decrease in fatigue (continues)

15. Amphetamines Signs of abuse Dilated pupils Talkativeness Agitation Dizziness Change in BP and heart rate Pallor or flushing Chills and fever Abdominal pain

16. Amphetamine Withdrawal Long, disturbed sleep Intense hunger Deep depression Possible suicide attempts Fatigue Irritability

17. Methamphetamine Symptoms similar to amphetamines, but more pronounced Effects last 6 to 8 hours May cause violent behavior (continues)

18. Methamphetamine Smoked: almost immediate reaction Injected: almost immediate reaction Snorted: high within 3 to 5 minutes Oral ingestion: high within 15–20 minutes (continues)

19. Methamphetamine Did you know? Pseudoephedrine, a commonly used decongestant, is frequently used in “meth labs.” Many states now have restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine.

20. Cocaine Names Snow Blow Coke Nose candy White girl Crack Rock Signs of use Dilated pupils Increased vital signs Excitement Perforated nasal septum Chills and fever Runny nose (continues)

21. Cocaine Did you know? Cocaine has a legal use as a surface anesthetic. • Effects begin in as little as few minutes • Usually taken by snorting • High peaks within 15–20 minutes • High subsides within 1 hour

22. Crack Cocaine Converting cocaine to purified form that is smoked Appears in brown or beige clumps High begins in as little as 10 seconds High lasts 5–25 minutes, followed by deep depression (continues)

23. Crack Cocaine Did you know? Crack can cause addiction in as little as 2 weeks.

24. Barbiturates Legal for use as Anticonvulsants Sedatives Hypnotics Antianxiety Names Barbs Blue devils Downers Goofballs Yellow jackets Red devils Blues

25. Signs of Barbiturate Use Slurred speech Confusion Poor coordination Drowsiness In high doses, coma, respiratory arrest, circulatory collapse, death Warning! Barbiturates should never be discontinued abruptly. Abrupt discontinuation can be fatal!

26. Legally used as pain relievers Derived from poppy plants High potential for abuse Prescription meds include morphine, codeine, Demerol, and Dilaudid Opiates

27. Heroin Names: junk, smack Schedule I drug High risk of AIDS Very expensive May resort to crime to support habit (continues)

28. Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms begin within 4 to 6 hours from last dose Symptoms peak at 24–72 hours Symptoms may last for 7–10 days Drug cravings last for months

29. Marijuana Names: grass, pot, weed, Mary Jane, reefer, roach, tea Marijuana and hashish derived from hemp plant Psychic effect comes from THC (continues)

30. Marijuana Effects Euphoria Lower inhibition Talking, laughing Poor coordination Altered perception Increased pulse Decreased lung function Increased appetite

31. Marijuana Risks Aggravation of heart disease or hypertension Psychological dependence in approximately 5% of users (continues)

32. Marijuana Risks Did you know? Marijuana: Doesn’t normally cause physical dependence or withdrawal Helps relieve nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy Reported to be beneficial in treatment of glaucoma

33. Names: angel dust, whack, wet, mist Legal for use in veterinary medicine Found as powder, tablet, or capsule Often added to marijuana cigarettes PCP (continues)

34. PCP Effects Causes hallucinations: some pleasant, some not “Fantasy-like” effect Users may injure themselves or die accidentally

35. LSD Acid Schedule I drug Can cause bad “trips” Alters perceptions: “hear” colors, “taste” sounds Suicide attempts are common

36. Prescription Drug Abuse Estimated 9 million abusers over age 12 Growing problem for teens and young adults Health care workers at high risk Health care workers must help prevent and stop Three classes are commonly abused Opioids CNS depressants Stimulants

37. Signs of Substance Abuse in the Workplace Deteriorating performance Poor attendance or absenteeism Change in attitude or physical appearance Increasing health and safety hazards Emerging domestic problems

38. Resources AA, MA, CA, NA Al-Anon/Alateen American Council for Drug Education MADD NCA NIDA