drugs chapter 5. what is a drug? what makes a chemical a “drug”? are drugs natural? are they...
TRANSCRIPT
Drugs
Chapter 5
What is a Drug?
• What makes a chemical a “drug”?
• Are drugs natural?
• Are they organic?
• What do we mean when we say “don’t do drugs”?
• What makes a drug dangerous?
• What makes a drug beneficial?
Types of Dependence
• Physical and psychological
• What is the difference?
• Can it be both?
• Is alcohol a drug?
• What type of dependence does it cause?
• Does its legality / social acceptance mean that it is “safe”?
Psychological Dependence
• Individuals have their reasons / excuses for use
• Common result is repeated use– DEPENDENCE– Is there a difference between a user and an
addict?
Physical Dependence
• Addiction– Changes occur in your body / brain
• Abstinence syndrome or withdraw sickness– Uncomfortable with not doing the drug– Can have withdraw symptoms continuously
• Heroin must be taken every 6 – 8 hours to avoid symptoms of withdraw
Narcotics
• Narcotic relieves pain and induces sleep– Analgesic – relieves pain
• Popular meaning is any drug with that is socially unacceptable
• Legally the definition is not consistent
Narcotics• Opiates
– From “poppy”– Morphine, heroin, codeine,
• Synthetic opiates– Methadone– Fentanyl (microgram active)– OxyContin
• similar to heroin• time release formula • Abused pharmaceutical
Commonly Used Drugs
Narcotics Psychological PhysicalMorphine High Yes
Heroin High Yes
Methadone High Yes
Codeine Low Yes
Hallucinogens
• Hallucinogens are drugs that cause marked changes in normal thought processes, perceptions and moods.
Marijuana• Cannabis Sativa
• THC – tetrahydocannabinol
• Heavy use associated with psychological dependence
• Synthetic Cannabinoids– Analogs created in labs.– Analogs are slightly modified structures
creating new names and slight changes to properties and functions.
– Many untested and unknown effects.
Other Hallucinogens• LSD – lysergic acid diethylamide
– Derived from fungus –ergot– Very potent, emotions affected
• Mescaline and psilocybins– Mushrooms and peyote (cactus)
• PCP – phencyclidine – angel dust– Can have schizophrenic behavior days after use
• Tryptamines – natural and synthetic
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol)
• Low dose – inhibit mental process of judgment, memory and concentration.
• Moderate dose – reduces coordination substantially, inhibits orderly thought processes and speech patterns, and slows reaction time
• Higher Doses – highly irritable and emotional, displays of anger / crying not uncommon
• Extremely High Dose – lapse into unconsciousness, can lead to a fatal depression of circulatory and respiratory functions.
Barbiturates
• “Downers”
• Suppress the vital functions of central nervous system
• long acting – Phenobarbital (seizure or daytime sedative)
• Fast acting – Secobarbital (anesthesia)
Antianxiety (Benzodiazapine)
• Relax without affecting higher thinking capacity
• Valium (Diazapam)
• Xanax (Alprazolam)
• Klonipin (Clonazapam)
Huffing
• Solvents such as toluene, naphtha, methyl ethyl ketone, gasoline, trichoroehtylene
• Psychological issues
• Overdose can cause brain damage or death
Commonly Used Drugs
Depressants Psychological PhysicalBarbiturates (short) High Yes
Barbiturates (Long) Low Yes
Alcohol High Yes
Benzodiazapines Moderate Yes
Stimulants
• Speed up the central nervous system.
• Synthetic Cathinones – Natural in Middle Eastern “Khat” plants.
(chewed)– Synthesized analogs – some scheduled– Advertised as “Bath Salts” or “Plant Food”– Many untested and unknown effects.
Amphetamines
• Speed or uppers– Provide a feeling of well being and alertness,
followed by fatigue and loss of appetite. After use depression is a common side effect
• Methamphetamine – High purity – “ice”– Chronic users exhibit violent destructive
behavior and acute psychosis.– Strong physical dependence (sometimes after
one use!)
Cocaine
• Source of “exhilaration and lasting euphoria” – Sigmund Freud
• Central nervous system stimulant• Stimulates pleasure pathways far more than
they can be normally• Smokable form = crack
– Small percent of addicts are cured– Strongest psychological addiction of street drugs
• Euphoria fades – depression, anxious and pleasure less
Caffeine
• Stimulant and diuretic
• Found in 60 plants– Natural insecticide
• an ergogenic– increases capacity for
mental or physical labor.
Commonly Used Drugs
Stimulants Psychological Physical
AmphetaminesHigh Yes
Cocaine High No
Caffeine Low No
Nicotine HighYes
Club Drugs
• Ecstacy – MDMA - stimulant– Brain damage to hypothalmus
• GHB – gamma hydroxybutyrate
• Rohypnol – depressant (potent Benzo)– Date rape drug
• Ketamine – depressant (anesthetic)– Date rape drug
Anabolic Steroids
• Synthetic steroids (hormones) that resemble testosterone
• Androgenic effects – secondary male characteristics – hair, aggressive behavior
• Anabolic effects – accelerates muscle growth• Liver cancer and liver abnormalities• Masculinizing females, infertility• Reduced sex drive for males• Teenagers premature halting of bone growth,
mood effects including anger / depression / destructive behavior