Downers and Dual Recovery
How do depressant drugs affect
mental health?
What comes to mind when you
hear “Downers” ?
Downers (depressants) are…
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Alcohol, Heroin, Benzodiazapine, ?
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All depress the Central
Nervous System (CNS)
Reduce heart rate, breathing
rate, blood pressure
Mild doses cause mild
euphoria
High doses can cause
depression, drowsiness,
confusion, lack of
coordination, irrational behavior
ALCOHOL
Effects of Alcohol
Nervous System

Alters, kills brain cells; impairs
memory, coordination, and
judgment
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Damages nerve connections,
causes irreversible damage

Causes blackouts - no
recollection of what was said
and done, but appearing to
behave normally
Original “Palm Pilot”
Effects of Alcohol
Gastrointestinal System

irritates the stomach and digestive system
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blocks absorption of essential nutrients,
contributes to malnutrition
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causes Gastritis (stomach lining
inflammation)
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causes ulcers in the stomach and first part
of intestine
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contributes to cancer development in lip,
esophagus, stomach, and liver
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causes Alcoholic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, and
Pancreatitis
Effects of Alcohol
Circulatory System

causes high blood pressure
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causes cardiomyopathy
(deterioration of the heart muscle)
Skeletal System
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leeches Calcium from the bones;
worsen existing osteoporosis
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reduces muscle mass
Effects of Alcohol
Reproductive System
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Men - reduces testosterone in men;
breast enlargement, shrinking of
testicles, impotence
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Women - causes menstrual
irregularities, infertility, loss of sex drive
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Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or
Fetal Alcohol Effects, if drinking while
pregnant
Effects of Alcohol
Immune System

impedes functioning of
immune system cells
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increases susceptibility to
infectious diseases and
cancer
Alcohol Withdrawal
Alcohol Withdrawal
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Begins first several days after last use
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Causes anxiety, nausea, cravings, sleep
disturbances, difficulty concentrating,
hallucinations, seizures, delirium tremens
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Detoxification should be medically supervised
HEROIN
Effects of Heroin
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Euphoric, drowsy, and warm
(being "high") feeling within
seconds of injection
Slowed breathing, arms and
legs feeling heavy or weighted,
itchy skin, dry mouth, slowed
heartbeat, constricted pupils,
and feeling sick
Desire to sleep after the
euphoric effects
Effects of Heroin

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Changed into morphine-like
chemical within the brain,
which then binds quickly to
opioid receptors
Feelings of depression
caused when body's normal
production of brain chemicals
that produce feelings of
pleasure, are impaired
Heroin Withdrawal
Heroin Withdrawal
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Begins 6 - 8 hours after
last use, most severe
around 48 to 72 hours
after, lasts for about one
week
Symptoms compared to a
bad case of the flu
depending on use history
Elevations in blood
pressure, pulse, respiratory
rate and temperature
Heroin Withdrawal
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Goose bumps, watery eyes,
runny nose, yawning, loss of
appetite, tremors, panic, chills,
nausea, muscle crams, and
insomnia
Depression, so deep and
overwhelming, that they are not
able to make it through the
withdrawal process
Methadone or Buprenorphine
treatment used for detoxification
at some clinics
BENZODIAZEPINES
Effects of Benzodiazepines
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Versed (3 hrs), Librium (5-25 hrs),
Xanax (6-12 hrs), Klonopin (18-50 hrs),
Valium (36-200 hrs), Ativan (10-20 hrs)

Prescribed for short-term (up to 4
months) relief of Anxiety, Panic
Disorders, & Insomnia
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Long-term use problematic due to
development of tolerance and
dependency
Effects of Benzodiazepines
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Benzodiazepines and
Tranquilizers belong to
the same class of
drugs; SedativeHypnotics
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There is a great
potential for cross
addiction with alcohol, if
tolerance is already
developed for the other
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
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Lasts 6 weeks
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High level of psychological
problems (anxiety, agitation,
insomnia, depression)
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Serious physical problems;
seizures
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Detoxification should be
medically supervised
Common Motives
for Use of
Depressants
1. Socializing
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Feel less anxious around other people
when using
Feel pressured by others to use
Helps to feel “normal” and “accepted”
by others; don’t feel they have a
mental illness or are different from
others when using
2. Self-medication
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(Reduce the effects of) unpleasant
symptoms
Might be temporarily effective
Usually unsuccessful in the long run
Most common symptoms people report
using substances to self-medicate
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depression
anxiety
sleep problems
nervousness
tension
hallucinations
medication side effects
loss of interest
3. Pleasure enhancement
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Substances are one of the few sources
of pleasure they experience
Use because they believe it enhances
other enjoyable activities
Very tempting to use because they are
easy to get and effects are rapid
4. Habit or routine
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Using becomes part of a daily routine if
using for a long period of time
Substance use is second nature
Use substances automatically, without
much thought (like brushing teeth)
5. Relieving cravings or withdrawal
symptoms
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Cravings for substances developed in
individuals who use larger quantities
May experience withdrawal symptoms if
they stop using suddenly
Use primarily motivated by the desire to
avoid cravings or withdrawal symptoms
CONSEQUENCES OF USE
Consequences of Substance Use
Behavioral
 Social relationships
 Work or role functioning
 Money problems
 Legal problems
 Housing instability
 Dangerous situations
Consequences of Substance Use
Physical
 Symptom relapse
 Health problems
Long-Term Consequences (Addiction)
Psychological
 Giving up important activities
 Spending large amounts of time
getting or using substances
 Using more of a substance than
planned
 Repeated attempts to cut down or
quit
Long-Term Consequences (Addiction)
Physical
 Tolerance
 Cravings
 Withdrawal symptoms
Principles of Treatment
Principles of Treatment
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Medication
adherence
Decreased stress
Treatment of both
mental illness and
substance abuse
Individualized
treatment
Collaboration
Principles of Treatment
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Dual diagnosis
groups
Increased structure
Rehabilitation
Self-help groups
Individual therapy
Principles of Treatment
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Motivational
strategies
Family support and
problem solving
Keeping hope alive
Thank you for coming!