drugs, tobacco and alcohol

Drugs, alcohol and tobacco

By Nursing StudentsValérie ValiquetteKim FennerStéphanie McKeown

Drugs

What drugs do you know ?

Marijuana (pot, weed, grass, cannabis, hash) Over 400 chemicals in smoke, some causing cancer. Can make you psychologically and physically

addicted. It can affect motor skills, limit inhibitions and

interfere with concentration and learning. Short-term use: Drowsiness, paranoia, anxiety or

panic. Increase appetite, short term memory problems and hallucinations.

Long-term use: Reduce motivation and concentration. Problems at school. Respiratory problems.

Cocaine (Coke, Freeze, Stardust, Powder)

This drug is not regulated, so you never know what you’re snorting.

May cause permanent damage to heart, lungs and brain and sinuses.

Increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, breathing difficulties and hallucinations.

Injecting cocaine can exposed the user to HIV, hepatitis C and many infections.

There is NO antidote that can reverse cocaine’s effects – An overdose can be fatal.

Cocaine’s effects on brain

How to say no

It is not always easy to tell your friends you don’t want to drink or use drugs. You know you have the

right not to feel like it, but you also don’t want to feel rejected or be left out.

ROLE PLAYS

Situation #1

Your friends have gotten together for your birthday. They raise a glass in your honor and pass around a joint. But that is not really how you wanted to celebrate your birthday.

What would you say in this situation ?

Strategies

Suggest something else:- Watch a movie- Go outside- Play a game- Listen to some music

Alcohol1. In what kind of occasions does a person drinks alcohol ?

2. Do you know some effects of alcohol ?

3. Did you ever drink alcohol ?

Excessive Drinking(At a party with your friends)

Consequences Physical : Nausea, vomiting and fainting. Risky sexual behavior:- Unprotected sex- Unplanned pregnancy- Increased risk of Sexually Transmitted Disease Violence:- Alcohol facilitates the expression of violence- Could be assailants or victims

Excessive Drinking(Long-term use)

When adolescents gets drunk, even just once, they are at risk for serious physical dysfunction.

Gastrointestinal bleeding Cardiac arrhythmia Stroke (Cerebrovascular accident)Your brain is still developing so you’re more at risk for brain damage. Respiratory depression that can lead to coma

and death

Organs affected by excessive drinking:

-Brain-Eyes-Throat-Lungs-Heart-Stomach-Liver-Muscles-Intestin-Male genitals-Women genitals-Bones

Situation #2

It's party time! Everyone is gathered to celebrate the school basketball team's big victory. Lots of students are “getting wasted” and insist that you join them. But that’s not how you want to celebrate.

What would you do ?

Strategies Refuse to drink or take drugs, and show that you can have fun without them.

"Don't worry about me. I'm having a blast!"

Alcohol during pregnancy Fetal alcohol syndrome- Abnormal facial features- Brain damage (intellectual impairment)- Growth retardation More at risk for:- Miscarriage- Premature birth- Stillbirth (death of the baby before he’s born) Pregnant woman should NOT drink alcohol

** The effects of alcohol exposure on the fetus last a lifetime **

Tobacco

What do you think a cigarette contains ?

How to make a cigarette?

Consequences of smoking Addiction Lung cancer Mouth & Throat cancer Heart attack High blood pressure More at risk of respiratory infections Trouble sleepingWomen: more at risk for miscarriage Men: more at risk for erectile dysfunction

Tips to help you quit smoking Quitting is a process and may take many tries. You should start by decreasing the amount of

cigarette you smoke per day. Give yourself realistic goals every week. Chew gum when you crave for cigarette. Do exercise, walk outside, everything that can

change your mind instead of smoking. Change your lifestyle. Go to the clinic, they can help you in your

process.

QuizDrugs:

- Name two consequences of taking marijuana.

- What drug has no antidote to reverse its effects and can be fatal?

QuizAlcohol:- True or False:1- When I drink alcohol, I’m more at risk for having STD.2- A pregnant women can take alcohol and it’s not dangerous for the baby.3- Alcohol can cause brain damage, especially to teenagers.

QuizTobacco:

- Name 2 things that are in a cigarette.

- Name 2 tips to help you quit smoking.

Have a great day !