© 2011 mcgraw-hill higher education. all rights reserved. chapter seven: making decisions about...

© 2011 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter Seven: Making Decisions about Drug Use


Drugs

Drug = any substance, natural or artificial, other than food, that by its chemical or physical nature alters structure or function in the living organism

Psychoactive drug = any substance capable of altering feelings, moods, or perceptions


Process Addictions

Compulsively engaging in behaviors such as gambling, shopping, gaming, sexual activity

Cause serious financial, emotional, social, and health problems


The Process of Addiction

Addictive behavior has three common aspects:•Exposure: Introduced to the drug or behavior

that is considered pleasurable

•Compulsion: Time, energy, and money are spent to pursue the behavior. Normal behavior has already degenerated

• Loss of control: Addicted people lose the ability to control their behavior and results in addiction to more than one drug or behavior


Codependence

Applies to people who are close to an individual who is addicted to something

Characteristics of codependents:•Focused on protecting or coping with the

addict•Lose their sense of identity •Experience stress, often resulting in

chaotic behaviors, addictions, and physical illnesses


Basic Drug Terms and Concepts

Central nervous system Routes of drug administration Drug misuse Drug abuse Drug dependence


Central Nervous System

Neuron: A nerve cell•Axon: The portion of a neuron that conducts

electrical impulses to the dendrites of adjacent neurons

•Dendrite: The portion of a neuron that receive electrical stimuli from adjacent neurons

Synapse: The location at which an electrical impulse from one neuron is transmitted to an adjacent neuron

Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers that transfer electrical impulses across the synapses between nerve cells


Action of Psychoactive Drugs on the Central Nervous System


Drug Administration Routes of administration• Inhalation• Injection•Absorption• Ingestion

Dose-response curve: The size of the effect of a drug is related to the amount of the drug administered

Threshold dose: The smallest amount of a drug that has an observable effect


Drug Misuse and Abuse

Drug misuse: Inappropriate use of legal drugs intended to be medications•Intentional or unintentional

Drug abuse: Any use of a drug in a way that is detrimental to health or well-being


Drug Dependence

Addiction/physical dependence: Compulsive, uncontrollable dependence on a substance, habit, or practice to such a degree that cessation causes severe emotional or physiological reactions• Withdrawal illness: Uncomfortable response of the body as it

attempts to maintain homeostasis in the absence of a drug

• Tolerance: An acquired reaction to a drug in which the continued intake of the same dose has diminished effects

Psychological dependence: Craving a drug for emotional reasons and to maintain a sense of well-being

Intoxication: Dysfunctional and disruptive changes in physiological and psychological functioning, mood, and cognitive processes


Dynamics of Drug Abuse

Individual factors•Genetics •Personality, attitudes,

beliefs • Interpersonal skills,

self-esteem

Environmental factors•Home and family•School•Peers•Community

Societal factors•Youth subculture

•Modeling and advertising

•Self-medication movement


Six Categories of Psychoactive Drugs

1. Stimulants

2. Depressants

3. Hallucinogens

4. Cannabis

5. Narcotics

6. Inhalants


Past Month Use of Selected Psychoactive Drugs among Americans 12 and Older


Stimulants

Key actions: Stimulate the function of the central nervous system• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, brain function

• Feelings of energy, exhilaration

Examples: •Cocaine

•Amphetamine

•Methamphetamine

•Caffeine

•Ritalin

•Adderall


Depressants

Key actions: Slow the function of the central nervous system•Reduced heart and breathing rates, blood pressure

• Lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment

•Sedation, drowsiness, loss of consciousness

Examples:•Barbiturates

•Rohypnol

•Alcohol

• Tranquilizers

•GHB


Hallucinogens

Key actions: Altered states of feeling and perception (hallucinations, distortions of reality)• Increased temperature, heart rate, blood pressure•Weakness, tremors, nervousness, paranoia•Synesthesia (sensation of combining of the senses)

Examples: • LSD•PCP•Mescaline•Ecstasy and designer drugs


Cannabis

Active ingredient: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Key actions: •Euphoria, confusion•Slowed thinking and reaction time•Impaired balance and coordination•Cough, frequent respiratory infections

Examples: •Hashish•Marijuana


Narcotics (Opiates)

Key actions:•Relief of pain, euphoria•Reduced heart rate and blood pressure•Sedation, drowsiness, confusion

Natural and synthetic; derived from the Oriental poppy plant

Examples: •Opium•Morphine•Heroin•Oxycodone


Inhalants

Volatile compounds Key actions: •Unpredictable, drunklike effects; aggression•Euphoria•Damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Examples: •Gasoline•Glues•Paint•Aerosol propellants•Nitrites (“laughing gas”)


Combination Drug Effects

Synergistic effect = heightened or exaggerated effect produced by the concurrent use of two or more drugs

Additive effect = combined (but not exaggerated) effect produced by concurrent use of two or more drugs

Potentiated effect = the use of one drug intensifies the effect of a second drug

Antagonistic effect = effect produced when one drug reduces or offsets the effects of a second drug


Societal Response to Drug Use

Early prevention programs Drug testing Treatment and intervention Nationwide organizations to increase

awareness


Preventing Drug Use

Primary prevention: Measures intended to deter first-time drug use•Education

Secondary prevention: Measures aimed at early detection, intervention, and treatment; targets those who are starting to experiment •Hotlines, counseling•Screening•Employee assistance programs

Tertiary prevention: Treatment and rehabilitation of dependent users


Drug Testing

Increasingly popular prevention tool Federal employees and contractors Many private companies test to screen

job applicants or monitor employee drug use


Treatment and Intervention

Treatment•College or University Settings•Community programs•Hospital facilities•Private facilities

Intervention: An organized process that involves encouraging a chemically addicted individual to enter into drug treatment


Facts about Substance Abuse Treatment


Chapter Seven: Making Decisions about Drug Use

© 2011 mcgraw-hill higher education. all rights reserved. chapter seven: making decisions about...

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