Health Education: Drugs

and Addiction

Mr. MH Mashinini

Created: 08 March 2014

University of Johannesburg

Drugs and addiction

Their chemicals or substances that change the hamper normal body function. They can either be swallowed, inhaled, or injected into the immune system through to the central nervous system(CNS).

Sometimes leading to addiction, commonly defined as the habitual and uncontrollable use of a drug. It is often used interchangeably with other terms such as drug abuse and drug dependence.

Drugs

They can either be helpful or harmful.

Their effects depend on the drug taken, amount taken, and how often it is used,

Effects can vary depending on the body size, shape, and brain chemistry.

Drugs cont.…..

Although substances can feel good at first, they can ultimately do a lot of harm to the body and brain.

Consumption of liquor, smoking of tobacco, taking illicit drugs, and snuffling glue can all cause serious damage to the immune system.

Some drugs severely impair a person's ability to make healthy choices and decisions

Types of Drugs

Depressants

antidepressant

Stimulants

Hallucinogens

Depressants

Depressants are drugs that inhibit the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and are among the most widely used drugs in the world. These drugs operate by affecting neurons in the CNS, which leads to symptoms such as drowsiness, relaxation, decreased inhibition, anesthesia, sleep, coma, and even death. All have the potential to be addictive.

Examples include; Tobacco , Barbiturates, Inhalants, Marijuana(Cannabis), Opiates (Heroin) and steroids.

Tobacco

comes in the form of cigarettes.

contains highly addictive substance called nicotine.

Can cause cancer and other diseases.

Barbiturates

While used to treat problems, they can also be ill-treated.

After taking the dose for long it ends up with effect, which in turn leads to an increase in dosage to achieve the same effect.

• Many different types• work by depressing the

central nervous system• can cause sedation and

anesthesia

Cannabisalso known as marijuana

has psychoactive effects

taken into the body in the form of smoke or vapor

can even be consumed and mixed into food or steeped in a tea.

Stimulants

Stimulants act on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from the brain. They can make the user feel more awake, alert or confident. Stimulants increase heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Other effects include reduced appetite, dilated pupils, talkativeness, agitation and sleep disturbance. stimulants include:

Caffeine

Nicotine

Amphetamines

Cocaine

Ecstasy

Crack

Named for its crackle when heated, is made from cocaine. It looks like white tan pellets.

Street Names is freebase or rock

Effects and dangers: Cocaine also elevates heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and body Temperature.

Antidepressants

It used under the guidance of a mental health professional

Used to treat depression, mood swings, dysthymia, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, chronic pain, neuropathic pain.

Antidepressant cont.

Hallucinogens They are highly addictive and mind altering. They alter the emotions, thought processes and perceptions of the drug user; also Known as psychedelic drug, they can produce illusions and hallucinations.

Examples include

• LSD

• PCP

• Mescaline

The

Facts

Lots of people are tempted by the excitement or escape that drugs seem to offer.

Many teens use drugs because they're depressed or think drugs will help them escape their problems.

Drugs don't solve problems — they simply hide feelings and problems. When a drug wears off, the feelings and problems remain, or become worse.

Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life.

Addiction

is the disruptive behaviour or activity associated with obtaining and using a drug that a person is dependent on. An addiction falls into two categories: physical and psychological, and it doesn't have to be a severe problem to be classed as an addiction - there is such as thing as a mild addiction...

Types of addiction.Psychological addiction

• This occurs as a result of excessive use or reliance to a particular drug which leads to the psychological dependence on that drug.

• The mind is a powerful tool, which when it is addicted the brain can produce physical manifestations of withdrawal, including cravings, irritability, insomnia, and depression.

Types cont.

Physical addiction

Occurs after you blitz a substance so much it actually alters your body's chemistry.

This means your body develops a hunger for this drug that you have to keep feeding. If you don't, your body goes into withdrawal and you get all sort of nasty symptoms until you feed it again...

How addiction develops

Getting and using the drug becomes more important

The ability to stop is compromised

• People find solace and comfort in drugs• It takes 21 for addiction to develop

Understanding drug addiction

feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need

face negative consequences

repeated drug use alters the brain

• complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use

Effects of drug dependence • They can destroy relationships with family, friends

and people close to you.

• Have the ability to deplete mental and Physical health.

• Overdose can be fatal, leading to death in some instances and you can die

• Instant death from misusing drugs that you can be bought over the counter. This includes things like glues, paint cleaner, petrol and other solvents...

Reasons why people start using drugs

To escape problems they may be having in other parts of their life

Peer pressure and fitting in with another group of people

Being curious about the effects of drugs...

Ways To Say No To DrugsIf you are ever confronted by someone who wants you to use drugs, try these ways to say no.  Practice them with a friend or parent so you will feel comfortable.

1. Saying "No Thanks" 2. Giving a Reason of Excuse 3. Repeated Refusal, or Keep Saying No 4. Walking away 5.Changing the Subject 6. Avoiding the Situation 7. Cold Shoulder 8. Strength in Numbers

This could be you..

Reference listRoberts, S. (2009) Drugs and addiction – ENVISION. http://www.slideshare.net/siondanielroberts/drugs-and-addiction-envision (accessed:06-03-14)

Nambis, M.(2009) Drug abuse and addiction. http://www.slideshare.net/MadaNambis/drug-abuse-and-addiction (accessed: 06- 03-14)

Sauyo High School. (2009) Drug Addiction. http://www.slideshare.net/g6mzwai/savedfiles?s_title=drug-addiction (accessed 06-03 14)

Helping Psychology. Working at USA. (2009) http://www.slideshare.net/HelpingPsychology/addictioneffective-treatment-methods (accessed 05-03-14)

R&C Investigations & Process Service. (2010) Alcohol drug awareness. http://www.slideshare.net/g6mzwai/savedfiles?s_title=alcohol-drug-awareness&user (accessed 05- 03- 14)