1
How do drugs work???

Nerve cells in the brain are called neurons. These
neurons "talk" to each other by passing chemicals
back and forth, just like passing notes in class.
The neurons' "notes" are called neurotransmitters,
and they are manufactured in vesicles in the
nerve cell. Neurotransmitters include serotonin,
acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine,
histamine and about two dozen others.
2
How do drugs work???

The nerve cells are separated by a small space
called a "synapse." When a message moves
down the axon of the pre-synaptic neuron,
neurotransmitters are released from the vesicle.
These chemicals (or notes) cross the synapse to
the post-synaptic neuron, where they bind with
receptors specifically designed to receive them,
much as a key is designed to fit into a specific
lock.
3
How do drugs work???

Many nerve cells have receptors that are
sensitive to various drugs. These drugs
operate on the "lock-and-key" principle,
where the drug can be thought of as the
"key" that either (1) fits into the "lock,"
causing the nerve cell (neuron) to
discharge its chemicals, or (2) "jams" the
lock, preventing the nerve cell from
discharging.
4
How do drugs work???

Ex.) -Narcotics mimic endorphins and lock into
opiate receptor sites.
- Hallucinogens mimic serotonin
- Cocaine blocks the re-uptake of
neurotransmitters → causing severe
depression when coming down.
- Methamphetamines cause the release
of neurotransmitters in greater amounts
- THC mimics anandamide and interferes with
the cannabinoid receptor sites.
5
CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS
(Psychoactive)





Stimulants- Drugs that speed up activities of the central
nervous system (CNS)
Depressants (Sedatives)- Psychoactive drugs that slow
brain and body reactions.
Narcotics (Opiates)- natural or synthetic drugs that
relieve pain and cause drowsiness.
Inhalants- Drugs that are inhaled or breathed in through
the nose to produce the desired effect.
Hallucinogens- Psychoactive drugs that alter
perception, thought, and mood.
6
CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS
cont.


Prescription Medicines – cannot be used
without the written approval of a licensed
physician.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines – you
can buy these without a prescription
7
Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs – those designed to alter
a person’s experiences or consciousness.
(nicotine, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, steroids,
LSD, marijuana)


Psychoactive drugs cause intoxication
Intoxication – a state in which sometimes
unpredictable physical and emotional changes
occur.

A person who is intoxicated may experience a difference
in emotions and judgment.
8
What is a Drug?




Drug – any chemical other than food intended to affect the structure
or function of the body.
Many people believe that every problem, no matter how large or
small, has or should have chemical solutions.
Examples:
 For fatigue = caffeine
For insomnia = sleeping pills
 For anxiety or boredom (?) = alcohol/drugs
 Avoid Problems / Pain
9
Health Consequences of Drug Use



Physical Consequences- Once a drug enters
the bloodstream, it can harm a user’s brain, heart
lungs, and other vital organs.
Mental & Emotional Consequences- drugs
cloud reasoning and thinking, and users lose
control of their behavior. (lose sight of values)
Social Consequences- substance abuse can
have negative effect on relationships with friends
and family members. List examples:
10
DRUG USE… A HIGH RISK
BEHAVIOR!!


Substance abuse is a high risk behavior that
includes misusing legal drugs or using illegal
drugs or other chemicals
People abuse drugs for a number of reasons,
none of them healthful!
11
Teenagers - the highest percentage of use is
with people between the ages of 18-25
Why do teenagers abuse drugs???
•
A way to be accepted with peers
•
Influenced by the media
•
Curious
•
A way of rebelling
•
Escape pressures
12
What is the difference between drug
use and abuse?

1.
2.
3.
Misuse
Using the drug
incorrectly due to
ignorance
Taking the drug with
the wrong food
Stopping the drug too
soon
Abuse
1. intentionally
misusing the drug
normally for a desired
effect

13
Dangers of substance abuse



Side Effects can range from minor to deadly.
Illegal drugs can be especially dangerous
because there are no controls or means of
monitoring these substances for quality,
purity, or strength.
Physical and just as commonly Psychological
effects can last a LIFETIME!
14
Dangers of drug abuse


Overdose – A strong or fatal
reaction to taking a large
amount of drug. Often,
overdoses occur when alcohol
and other drugs are combined.
When drug abuse involves
injecting substances through a
needle, hepatitis B or HIV can
occur
People who experiment with
drugs tend to lose control…can
lead to STD’s or pregnancies
Risk to unborn and newborns:
1. Breast milk – can pass
from mother to infant.
2. Can cause miscarriage or
premature birth
3. Can cause birth defect,
mental retardation
15
1. STIMULANTS



Drugs which cause the body
systems to speed up
Very high doses: irregular
heartbeat, tremors, high fever,
heart failure
How it enters the body: swallowed,
snorted, injected
EFFECTS:
-Increased heart rate
and breathing
-Increased blood
pressure
-Dilated pupils
-Decreased appetite
-Dry mouth
-Dizziness
-Sweating
-Headache
-Blurred vision
-Sleeplessness
-Anxiety
-Moodiness
16
STIMULANTS
Amphetamines




People use them illegally to
stay awake and alert, to
improve athletic performance,
to lose weight, etc.
Medical use Treats
hyperactive children
Treats narcolepsy
Used for weight control
Examples- Adderall, Ritalin
17
Stimulants








Cocaine
Powerful stimulant leads to:
Depression
Edginess
Weight loss
Physiological dependence
Can destroy the nasal septum
Can cause heart attacks due to
disturbing electrical impulses of the
heart. Can occur on the first use!
Crack - a form of cocaine
Slang names
 Speed
 Uppers
 Crank
18
Stimulants




Methamphetamine
Fumes alone can be deadly
“Meth Mouth”
Experts believe that meth
ravages teeth by drying up
saliva and leaving users
with “dry mouths.”
Without saliva, bacteria in
the mouth multiply, leading
to decay.
Dentists report that healthy
teeth can become rotten
from even a few months of
meth use.
Ingredients
•Drain cleaner
•Brake Cleaner
•Battery Acid
•Gasoline Additives
•Paint Thinner
•Freon
•Camp Stove Fuel
19
20
Long- Term Effects of Meth Use









Hallucinations
Disorganized lifestyle
Violent and aggressive behavior
Permanent psychological problems
Behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia
Poor coping abilities
Disturbance of personality development
Lowered resistance to illnesses
Possible brain damage
21
22
23
2. DEPRESSANTS


Depresses or slows down the central
nervous system.
Medical use: to stop convulsions,
relief of tension and anxiety, to
induce sleep
Examples:
 barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol,
methaqualone
How it enters the body: swallowed

Slang names:
yellow jackets, ludes, barbs, downers,

Effects
Similar to the effects of
alcohol
*small doses –
calmness, relaxed
muscles
* larger doses –
slurred speech,
impaired judgment,
impaired coordination
*very large doses –
respiratory depression,
coma, death
24
3. NARCOTICS (OPIATES)





EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE Drug
Comes from the poppy plant or it
is synthetic
Ravages the body and becomes
the primary focus of the addict’s
life
A break of only one day can
bring on severe withdrawal
symptoms – aches, chills,
sweating, muscle spasms
and weakness.
After a break, the usual dose
may be an overdose
Effects
•Stimulates a burst of euphoria
•Often followed by drowsiness
•Nausea and vomiting.
•Constipation
•Breathing problems
•Depresses the nervous system and
slows breathing and pulse rate
25
3. NARCOTICS (OPIATES)

Medical use: pain relief,
cough suppressant

Examples: Morphine,
Codeine, Vicodin, Percocet,
Oxycontin, Oxycodone,
Opium, Heroin

How it enters the body:
injected, smoked or inhaled
26
4. HALLUCINOGENS
(Psychedelics)






Drugs that distort the senses and
cause hallucinations
Examples:
LSD (Acid)
Psilocybin Mushrooms
Mescaline
PCP
*Could appear as liquid, capsules,
powder, blotter paper, thin gelatin
squares, mushrooms
Short Term - Effects
•Panic
•Confusion
•Time distorted
•Senses distorted
•Bizarre unpredictable behavior
•Person may sit for hours in a
quiet dreamlike state
Long Term - Effects

•Flashbacks
•Depression
27
4. Hallucinogens


PCP (angel dust)
Considered to be one of the most
dangerous of all drugs.
The use of PCP as an approved
anesthetic in humans was
discontinued in 1965 because patients
often became agitated, delusional,
and irrational while recovering from its
anesthetic effects.
Mescaline
•Is the psychoactive
ingredient of the
peyote cactus.
•Can be made
synthetically and sold
in “Barrels”.
28
4.Hallucinogens




LSD (Acid)
LSD “Acid” is odorless, colorless.
Often added to absorbent paper,
such as blotter paper, and divided
into small decorated squares.
Effects are widely
unpredictable…. Some users
experience severe, terrifying
thoughts and feelings, fear of
losing control, fear of insanity and
death and despair.
Trips are long – 8 hours-multiple
days.
Flashbacks
Psilocybin Mushrooms
•Obtained from certain types
of mushrooms that are
indigenous to tropical and
subtropical regions of South
America, Mexico, and the
United States.
29
ANABOLIC STEROIDS




Powerful compounds that are
similar to the male sex
hormone, testosterone.
Taken to increase strength,
speed, power.
How it enters the body:
swallowed, intramuscular
injection
Article
Effects
May initially increase muscle
mass, body strength, and weight
Purple or red spots on the body
 Unpleasant breath odor
Depression
Increased risk of heart attack
stroke, liver cancer, acne
Males
•Sterility, withered testicles,
impotence
Females
• Irreversible masculine traits,
breast reduction, sterility
30
Steroids
31
32
INHALANTS



Dangerous fumes are
concentrated in a bag, on a
cloth, etc. and inhaled
How it enters the body:
Vapors are inhaled through
the nose or mouth
A person can go into a coma
from a single use and be in a
vegetable state the rest of
his/her life
Effects
Nausea
Sneezing
Coughing
Nosebleeds
Fatigue
Lack of coordination
Loss of appetite
Decrease in heart
rate and breathing
Impaired judgment
33
34
MARIJUANA




The dried flowers, leaves, and
stems of the cannabis sativa
plant.
Main active chemical in marijuana
is THC. Marijuana’s effects on
the user depend on the strength
of the THC
Hashish is the dark brown resin
that is collected from the top of
this plant.
How it enters the body: Smoked
in joints, pipes, bongs, eaten
Cannabis is a hallucinogen
and has the effects of both
a depressant and a
stimulant
35
Marijuana Effects








Effects
Increased heart rate
Bloodshot eyes
Dry mouth and throat
Increased appetite
Short-term memory loss
Altered sense of time
Damage to lungs and
circulatory system
Alters your senses,
coordination, reaction time,
and can interrupt your ability to
make rational and healthful
decisions
Short term effects
•Problems with memory and learning
•Distorted perception
•Difficulty in thinking and problem
solving
•Loss of coordination
•Increased heart rate, anxiety, and
panic attacks.
Effects on the lungs
Same respiratory problems that
tobacco users have. (cancer, etc,)
36
CLUB DRUGS



Are used by young adults at all-night dance
parties such as “raves” or “trances,” dance clubs,
and bars.
Some club drugs are colorless, tasteless, and
odorless. They can be added to beverages by
individuals to intoxicate or sedate others.
There has been an increase in reports of club
drugs used to commit sexual assaults
37
Club Drugs




Ecstasy (MDMA) - mind altering drug with
hallucinogenic properties
Health hazards: psychological difficulties,
confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug
craving, severe depression.
Physical problems: muscle tension, nausea,
blurred vision, chills, sweating
Long term problems: damage to the parts of the
brain critical to thought and memory
38
CLUB DRUGS



GHB – is odorless and nearly tasteless.
Induces a state of relaxation
Can be slipped into someone’s drink
without detection. Has been reportedly
used in cases of date rape.
Physical problems: nausea, vomiting,
respiratory problems, seizures, coma
39
CLUB DRUGS


Rohypnol – people may unknowingly be
given the drug which, when mixed with
alcohol, can incapacitate and prevent a
victim from resisting sexual assault.
Physical symptoms: sedative-hypnotic
effects including muscle relaxation and
amnesia.
40
Club Drugs



Ketamine: “special k” is a powerful hallucinogen
that includes visual distortions and a lost sense of
time, sense and identity.
Profound physical and mental problems including
delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function and
potentially fatal problems
Special K is a powder that is usually snorted but is
sometimes sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana and
smoked.
41
Signs and Symptoms
of Substance Abuse




Emotionally/ Personality
Behaviorally
Physically/ Physical Appearance
Social Activity/ School Performance
42
Emotional / Personality
Effects of Substance Abuse







Aggression
Burnout
Anxiety
Depression
Paranoia
Denial
Withdraws from
family/ Friends
•Extreme Mood Swings
•Is secretive / Lying
43
Behavioral Effects of
Substance Abuse









Slow reaction time
Impaired coordination
Slowed Speech
Irritability
Excessive Talking
Inability to sit still
Limited attention span
Poor motivation
Lack of energy
44
Physical Effects of Substance Abuse






Weight Loss
Sweating
Chills
Poor Hygiene
Interrupted sleep patterns < or >
Loss of appetite
45
Social Activity Effect







Drops old friends and activities
Skipping School
Loses interest in school work
Low Grades
Sleeping in class
Loses concentration
Having trouble remembering things
46
Addiction – what friends or family
members can do





Many families, after recognizing that the problem exists,
will have an intervention.
Intervention - the interruption of the addiction
continuum before the addict hits bottom.
Meetings take place without the addicted person’s
knowledge.
Second step in this process is a surprise meeting with
the addict that forces the addict to face the seriousness
of the problem.
If addict refuses to recognize the problem, the addict will
be given an ultimatum - Wife will move out, etc.
47
Recovery





A process that happens over time -. A recovered
person never says “I am cured, but “I am
recovering.”
The first step in the recovery process is
detoxification – the removal of the drug from the
body, usually under medical supervision
This step also includes restoring one’s mental
health
Most experts recommend total abstinence
Relapse – slips from recovery, or periodic returns
to use can happen
48
Treatment options



Support group such as AA, narcotics
Anonymous, cocaine anonymous
Detoxification Units – a person is under a
Drs. care and may be given some
medication to ease the symptoms of
withdrawal
Inpatient treatment centers – involves detox
and counseling, both individual and group
49
Treatment options


Outpatient treatment centers –
involves follow up sessions, counseling
Halfway housespeople are admitted to this program generally
after they have completed at least a 28 day
recovery program where they stay for 6 months to
a year where they learn coping and living skills
they will need when they return to society.
50
Choosing to be Drug Free!
Learn to say “no!”
*Give a reason (lie or truth)
*Provide alternatives
*Use eye contact to say no
*Take a definite action
 Realize that no drug will solve your problem
 Talk to trusted friend/counselor, etc.
 Learn to handle the stress in you life and get help
when you need it.

51
Refusal Skills




Developing good self-esteem
Have good eye contact
Respond with a clear and firm "no" that does
not leave the door open to future offers
How you say no is as important as what you
say.
52
Refusal Skills





Identify the consequences ("We'll get in trouble.")
Suggest an alternative
Delaying
Use humor
Just say no
53