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Lesson 3
Narcotics, Stimulants, and Depressants
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
 narcotics opium
Specific drugs that are obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain
Liquid from the poppy plant containing substances that numb the body
 euphoria A feeling of well-being or elation
 withdrawal symptoms
Symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced or stopped

 stimulants
Drugs that speed up activity in the human brain and spinal cord
 amphetamine A drug that stimulates the central nervous system
 binge
When a drug is taken repeatedly and at increasingly high doses
 CNS depressants
Substances that slow down normal brain function

In this lesson, you will learn to
 name the most commonly abused narcotics.
 describe the effects that narcotics can have on a user’s health.
 identify specific stimulants and CNS depressants.
 name the health risks linked to stimulants and CNS depressant abuse.

Identifying Cause-and-Effect
Make a two-column chart. In the first column, write the names of drugs presented in this lesson. In the second, list the effects of these drugs.

What Are Narcotics?
Historically, narcotics were made from opium .
narcotics Specific drugs that are obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain opium A liquid from the poppy plant containing substances that numb the body

Narcotics and Addiction
Narcotics produce euphoria because they affect the areas of the brain that perceive pleasure.
euphoria A feeling of well-being or elation

Narcotics and Addiction
Withdrawal symptoms can be unbearable.
withdrawal symptoms Symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced or stopped
Pain in muscles
Withdrawal Symptoms
Pain in bones Sleeplessness
Diarrhea Agitation Vomiting

Heroin
Characteristics of Heroin
Made of morphine, a narcotic
Most often inhaled or injected intravenously
Users develop a psychological and physical dependence
Tolerance leads to a need for ever-increasing doses
Quitting is very difficult
Quitting results in painful withdrawal symptoms

OxyContin
Characteristics of OxyContin
Available through a doctor’s prescription
Controls severe pain in patients with cancer, back pain, or arthritis
Abuse leads to tolerance, which leads to physical addiction
Withdrawal symptoms are similar to other narcotics

What Are Stimulants?
Stimulants cause the heart to beat faster and cause blood pressure and metabolism to rise.
stimulants Drugs that speed up activity in the human brain and spinal cord
Some stimulants are so mild that people may not realize they are ingesting a drug.

Amphetamines
Amphetamines are highly addictive.
amphetamine A drug that stimulates the central nervous system
Using large amounts of amphetamines can result in aggressive behavior, extreme weight loss, and loss of physical strength.

Cocaine
Characteristics of Cocaine
Illegal stimulant derived from the coca plant
Sold as a fine white powder
Often mixed with water and injected into the body intravenously
Can also be smoked or snorted up the nose
One of the most addictive drugs on the street today

Cocaine
During a cocaine binge , the possible consequences are very dangerous.
binge When a drug is taken repeatedly and at increasingly high doses

Crack
Crack is created when cocaine is heated and processed with baking soda and water.
Crack is extremely addictive and dangerous.

Methamphetamine
Characteristics of Methamphetamine
Highly addictive stimulant drug, affects the central nervous system
Becoming an epidemic in the United States
Produced in illegal laboratories
Effects are similar to cocaine
Also known as “meth”

Methamphetamine
Effects of Methamphetamine
Initial feelings of confidence and energy
Tendency on the part of users to binge
Users may go days without food or sleep
Users find it impossible to feel any pleasure without the drug
Unpredictable behavior

Effects of Stimulants
Substance
Amphetamine
Methamphetamine
Cocaine
Crack
Harmful Effects
Uneven heartbeat, rise in blood pressure, physical collapse, stroke, heart attack, and death
Memory loss, damage to heart and nervous system, seizures, and death
Damage to nose lining and liver; heart attack, seizures, stroke, and death
Damage to lungs if smoked, seizures, heart attack, and death

What Are Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants?
CNS depressants are sometimes called sedatives or tranquilizers.
CNS depressants Substances that slow down normal brain function
Physicians can prescribe some CNS depressants for relief of sleeplessness, anxiety, or tension.

What Are Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants?
Two Commonly Prescribed CNS Depressants
Barbiturates
Prescribed for the treatment of anxiety or tension, or for people with sleep disorders.
Benzodiazepines
Prescribed for patients with more serious anxiety and panic attacks.

Effects of Depressants
Substance
Tranquilizer
Barbiturate
Hypnotic
Harmful Effects
Anxiety; reduced coordination and attention span.
Withdrawal can cause tremors and lead to coma or death.
Causes mood changes and excessive sleep.
Can lead to coma.
Impaired coordination and judgment. High doses may cause internal bleeding, coma, or death.

What I Learned
Vocabulary Define narcotics .
Lesson 3 Review

Lesson 3 Review
What I Learned
List Name two commonly abused narcotics.

Lesson 3 Review
What I Learned
Give Examples Give three examples of harmful effects that can result from abusing stimulants.

Lesson 3 Review
Thinking Critically
Evaluate Explain the physical and psychological effects that can cause a person to become addicted to heroin.

Lesson 3 Review
Thinking Critically
Analyze What are some of the high-risk behavior that could result from the abuse of narcotics?

End of
Lesson 3
Narcotics, Stimulants, and Depressants
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