© 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

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

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

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Process Addictions

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

Cause serious financial, emotional, social, and health problems

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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

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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

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Basic Drug Terms and Concepts

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

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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

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Action of Psychoactive Drugs on the Central Nervous System

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Six Categories of Psychoactive Drugs

1. Stimulants

2. Depressants

3. Hallucinogens

4. Cannabis

5. Narcotics

6. Inhalants

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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”)

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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

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Societal Response to Drug Use

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

awareness

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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

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Drug Testing

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

job applicants or monitor employee drug use

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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

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Facts about Substance Abuse Treatment

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Chapter Seven: Making Decisions about Drug Use