drug-free workplace training - alcohol and drugs - 2014
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TRANSCRIPT
Alcohol Myths & Misinformation
Training supports your company’s Drug-Free Workplace Program
Programs help companies and workers Safer, healthier, more productive Employees learn facts about alcohol
Welcome!
Course deals with alcohol and drug abuse Most harmful drug in workplace and in our
communities Course provides facts and dispels myths Help you make smarter decisions
Why This Course Matters to You
When you complete this course, you’ll be able to discuss with co-workers, friends, and family:
How alcohol misuse affects all of us Common misconceptions about alcohol Important facts about drinking
Course Objectives
Alcoholic drinks basically contain:
◦ Ethanol, a form of alcohol◦ Flavorings of different kinds◦ Water
What is Alcohol?
Alcohol, or ethanol, is a drug Misuse damages the body and brain Alcohol is also addictive Seems like a stimulant
◦ But really a sedative
Impairs reasoning, judgment, memory Alcohol poisoning can kill
Alcohol is a Drug
Drinking is legal and common for adults Don’t always recognize problems Alcohol is nation’s top drug problem
Affects everyone – even non-drinkers◦ About 43% if US adults have (or had) a family
member with a drinking problem
Our Number One Drug Problem
Costs Americans about $185B annually Medical care and treatment
◦ Accidents, deaths Ultimately, we all pay the price
◦ Higher taxes, insurance premiums◦ Public safety risks◦ Stress in workplaces and families
The Cost of Misusing Alcohol
Alcohol is third leading cause of preventable death in the US◦ Over 100,000 each year
Of people admitted to hospitals, ¼ have alcohol problems or are being treated for consequences of undiagnosed alcohol dependence
Alcohol and the Community
Traffic accidents leading cause of accidental deaths in the US
41% of traffic deaths involve alcohol
People with alcohol dependence are FIVE times more likely to die in a traffic accident
On the Road
In a national survey, more than 60% of adults knew people who had gone to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol
47% of work injuries and up to 40% of workplace fatalities involve alcohol
Injuries at Work
How the Body Processes Alcohol
The body doesn’t process alcohol like food
Food is broken down by digestion
But alcohol is not food◦ Enters bloodstream unchanged like a sponge
soaking up water
Processing Alcohol
Alcohol absorption starts immediately◦ Mouth, throat, stomach
The small intestine absorbs most of the alcohol◦ Alcohol passes into bloodstream
Eating slows down absorption, but it won’t keep you sober
It’s how much, how fast you drink
The Effect of Food
Liver turns alcohol into waste◦ Only ½ ounce per hour
First hour doesn’t count◦ Time for alcohol to reach liver
When you get drunk◦ More alcohol than liver can remove
Reason drinking fast is risky
Metabolism
There are no shortcuts to getting sober◦ Not coffee, exercise, cold shower
Time is the only remedy
Liver removes alcohol from blood
Time
You’ve seen how alcohol misuse affects all
Dispelled common misconceptions
Learned important facts
Can keep workplace, community safer
Could save a life
Congratulations!
Drug Education
Illegal drug use risks your health and safety
Against your company's policy ◦ Lose your job and benefits ◦ Land in court or jail
You feel the impact, even if you don't use ◦ Higher taxes◦ more crime
Someone you know likely has a problem ◦ Whether you realize it or not
Why This Course Matters to You
When you finish you'll be able to identify the major drugs of abuse and explain why they are misused.
Major types of drugs of abuse◦ Stimulants, or “uppers” ◦ Depressants, or “downers” ◦ Mixed effects (“all-arounders”)
Course Objectives
You see it everywhere ◦ News reports, articles about drugs ◦ Ads on radio and TV
Maybe you don't pay much attention ◦ Happens to someone else
Drug problem affects all of us ◦ Even if you don't use drugs
The Drug Problem
Drugs raise education costs 10 percent or $40 billion each year◦ Class disruption ◦ Violence ◦ Special education◦ Tutoring ◦ Property damage◦ Injury ◦ Counseling
The Drug Problem - Education
Drugs make roads less safe◦ Almost 11 million report driving Under influence of
illegal drug within past year
Roads
Drugs fuel crime◦ Over half adult male arrestees in 36 U.S. cities
tested positive for drugs
Crime
Many kids use illegal drugs
Among high school graduates◦ 48 percent used marijuana ◦ 30 percent used another illegal drug
Kids
What are these drugs of abuse?
Why are they so attractive?
More than Statistics
Three classes of frequently abused drugs◦ Stimulants, or “uppers” ◦ Depressants, or “downers” ◦ Mixed effects (“all-arounders”)
Each has different effects on mind, body
Types of Drug Abuse
Stimulants are called "uppers" Energize body's central nervous system
◦ Make people feel alert, awake◦ Speed up heart rate and breathing ◦ Raise body temperature
Stimulants
Depressants called "downers" Depress body's central nervous system
◦ Feel sluggish◦ Reduce coordination◦ Slow down
Heart rate Breathing Other vital signs
Depressants
Some drugs have mixed central nervous system effects
Also called “all-arounders” Have different effects
◦ Some cause hallucinations◦ Others raise your heart rate
While slowing down thinking Reducing coordination
Mixed Effects
Some from plants Some are "synthetic" Different intoxicating effects and health
risks
Differences among drugs of abuse
Effects vary with dosage and route of administration
In general, the more you take the more intoxicated you get
Some ways of taking drugs produce more rapid, intense effects ◦ Smoking or injection vs. swallowing pills
Common Characteristics
Many drugs of abuse are highly addictive Effects are not predictable
◦ Same drug can affect different people in different ways
◦ Same drug can affect one person differently at different times
Effects different when combined◦ Combinations can be more risky◦ Unintended, unexpected consequences
Common Characteristics
Common Uses◦ Reduce fatigue◦ Speed up metabolism
Reasons for abuse ◦ To stay awake ◦ Lose weight ◦ Exhilarating "high"
Despite unpleasant "crash" Some stimulants relatively mild Stronger stimulants used illegally Serious short- and long-term health risks
Stimulants
Most widely used stimulant Found in coffee beans and other plants Usually mild feelings of alertness
◦ A lot can cause nervousness, insomnia, dependence
Average U.S. coffee drinker has 1,000 cups/year
Also found in◦ Other beverages ◦ Chocolates ◦ Non-prescription medications
Caffeine
Found in tobacco products Second most widely used stimulant
◦ 30% of Americans 12 and older Largest cause of preventable U.S. deaths
◦ 400,000 each year ◦ One in every five deaths
More than combined deaths from:◦ Alcohol and all other drugs◦ Car crashes, murders, suicides, fires, etc.
Nicotine
Very addictive 35 million Americans each year seriously try
to quit◦ Fewer than 7 percent who try on their own stop
for more than a year◦ Most relapse within a few days
Nicotine
Smoking increases risks of:◦ Strokes◦ Heart attacks ◦ Other heart diseases
Nicotine replacements do not increase risk Nicotine doses are:
◦ Slower and lower ◦ Without toxins found in tobacco smoke
Effects of Smoking
Powerful, highly addictive stimulants Usually taken orally
◦ Injected by "speed freaks" ◦ Potent form, "ice," is smoked
60's abuse led to tighter controls
Psychosis-like symptoms can occur with chronic use
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are used in medicine ◦ Treat obesity, narcolepsy
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ◦ Treatment of ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder)
Increased abuse potential among kids
Uses of amphetamines
"Street" meth diverted from legal use ◦ Or made in secret labs
Meth labs” spring up quickly ◦ Homes, hotel rooms ◦ Shacks in the woods
Nightmare for law enforcement
Labs can explode, burn ◦ Extensive environmental damage
Methamphetamines
Made from leaves of coca tree ◦ Columbia, other S. American countries
Most powerful stimulant found in nature
Second most used illicit drug in U.S. ◦ 14 percent over age 12 have tried
Usually a white powder, sniffed
Crack is very potent, smokeable ◦ Looks like off-white slivers of soap
Cocaine
Crack considered relatively cheap high ◦ Dose typically $10 to $20
One reason dealers target kids
Large percentage of high-schoolers ◦ Say it's easy to get
Cocaine
Cocaine, crack both highly addictive Research shows crack may be more so
◦ Since it is smoked Almost immediate, very intense “high”
Cocaine high only lasts for minutes ◦ Not hours like amphetamines
Overdose can lead to ◦ Seizures, breathing/heart failure, stroke, death
No antidote
Cocaine
"Downers" slow down body's central nervous system
Some, like alcohol, are legal◦ Medicines for sleep, anxiety, pain
Others (heroin) have no medical uses
All have short/long-term health risks ◦ Many highly addictive◦ Overdosing on some can kill
Depressants
Sedatives, tranquilizers◦ Prescribed for stress, anxiety, convulsions ◦ Hypnotics treat insomnia
Made legally in laboratories ◦ Diverted for illegal sale
Many are addictive ◦ Withdrawal can be life threatening
Overdosing on some can be fatal
Depressants
Widely prescribed in early 1900's ◦ Until addiction risk became clear◦ Only handful still prescribed
Abused for "high", like alcohol ◦ Reduce coordination, alertness ◦ Driving hazardous, even next day
Seconal, Nembutal, Tuinal Mixing with alcohol dangerous Overdose can be fatal
Barbiturates
Developed in 60's to replace barbiturates◦ One of most widely prescribed meds
Large doses not usually fatal ◦ Unless mixed: alcohol, cocaine, heroin
Prolonged use can cause dependence Abused by adolescents, young adults
◦ Reduces inhibitions, impairs judgment
Benzodiazephines
Three other widely abused depressants◦ GHB (gamma hydroxy butyric acid) ◦ Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) ◦ Quaalude (methaqualone)
Other depressants
Also called narcotics Family of powerful, addictive drugs "Natural opiates" from poppy plants
◦ "Synthetic opiates" made in labs Morphine, codeine have medical uses
◦ Control diarrhea, suppress coughing ◦ Most effective painkillers
Heroine, others have no medical uses ◦ Highly addictive, frequently abused
Opiates
Morphine is a natural opiate
Highly effective for pain relief ◦ Especially during surgery
Abusers commonly inject it
Tolerance, dependence develop rapidly
Morphine
Heroin produced from morphine
Most widely abused, rapidly acting opiate
Highly addictive
No medical use
Heroin
Codeine is a natural opiate
Opiate most widely used in medicine
Relieves moderate pain ◦ Mixed with aspirin, Tylenol ◦ Used in prescription cough syrups
Codeine
Oxycodone similar to codeine◦ But more potent
Mixed with acetaminophen for Percocet ◦ With aspirin for Percodan
Rapid recent increase in abuse
Oxycodone
Products with breathable chemical vapors
1,000s of common home, workplace products
Intoxicating effects similar to alcohol ◦ Short but intense "high" ◦ Distorts perceptions of time, space ◦ Loss of inhibition ◦ Slurred speech, loss of coordination
Inhalants
Common industrial, household products ◦ Art and office products
Examples ◦ Correction/felt-tip-marker fluid ◦ Nail polish remover ◦ Lighter fluid, gasoline ◦ Paint and paint thinner ◦ Rubber glue, waxes, varnishes ◦ Degreasers and cleaning fluids
Inhalants - Solvents
Products with gases used as inhalants◦ Butane lighters, propane tanks ◦ Whipping cream dispensers ◦ Refrigerant gases ◦ Spray paints ◦ Hair and deodorant sprays ◦ Fabric protector sprays
Other Inhalants
Simple to get ◦ Cheap, legal ◦ Easy to hide
Often first substance kids abuse
Hard for parents, supervisors to detect
Inhalants
Inhalants are sniffed, huffed, bagged Huffing soak rags, hold to face Bagging concentrate vapors in paper bag
Some people put on hands, fingernails ◦ Shirtsleeves, wristbands ◦ For repeated use
How are inhalants taken?
Among junior, senior high students ◦ 15-20 percent have tried
Highest use among 10-12 year-olds
Few people abuse for long periods
How prevalent is abuse?
Lower breathing and blood pressure
Users can lose consciousness and die◦ Heart failure or suffocation
Long term use can cause◦ Kidney abnormalities◦ Impaired memory◦ Attention deficits◦ Hearing loss◦ Brain, liver, bone marrow damage
What harms do inhalants cause?
Uppers stimulate central nervous system
Downers depress central nervous system
"All-arounders" ◦ Have diverse, mixed effects
Three types: Cannabinoids, including marijuana Hallucinogens, or psychedelics Steroids
All-Arounders
Includes marijuana, hashish, hash oil From Cannabis sativa plant Smoked or eaten in foods Pot, grass, reefer, weed, sensimilla
Marijuana is controversial ◦ There is lots of misinformation
Cannabinoids
Marijuana now 2-3 times stronger than in the 1960’s and 70’s
Marijuana users can become dependent Long-term use causes:
◦ Respiratory diseases ◦ Possibly thinking impairments
Some states have medical marijuana laws◦ U.S. FDA hasn't approved medical uses
U.S. law supersedes state law
Marijuana
Found in many plants and fungi ◦ Such as mushrooms
More powerful ones created in labs ◦ Like LSD
Alters perceptions, thoughts, moods Abusers sometimes die from overdose Greatest risk is impaired judgment
◦ Leading to accidents, injuries
Hallucinogens
Don't always produce hallucinations Increase heart rate, blood pressure
◦ Dilate pupils
Distort perceptions of time, space ◦ Time may seem to stand still
Forms, colors change Seem to take on new meanings
Effects are unpredictable ◦ Pleasurable or terrifying ◦ Users can experience flashbacks
Hallucinogenic Drugs
LSD is the strongest hallucinogen Dose the size of a few grains of salt
◦ Produces intense effects
Sold in several forms ◦ Soaked paper (blotter acid) ◦ Tablets (microdots) ◦ Thin gelatin squares (window pane)
A “trip” lasts 10-12 hours
LSD
PCP (Phencyclidine) Ketamine (Special or Super K) Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) Mescaline (Peyote Buttons) Ectasy
Other Hallucinogens
Chemically like male hormone testosterone Effects more physical, less psychological Illegal use for muscle growth, endurance
◦ Increasingly younger male athletes ◦ Weight-lifting, cycling, track and field ◦ Jobs requiring physical strength
Disturbing side effects Raised blood pressure, cholesterol Severe acne, premature balding Reduced sexual function Long-term damage to heart, liver
Steroids
You should now be familiar with major drugs of abuse
Harmful short-/long-term effects Drug abuse affects all of us
Congratulations!