Drugs/Alcohol/Diseases

Drug = any substance that causes a change in ones body

- there are a range of drugs, from OTC to Rx

- But, all drugs can be harmful if abused

Marijuana- most widely used illegal drug

- effects: euphoria, disorientation, damage to lungs, loss of memory, poor concentration, reduced testosterone levels in men, dependence

Hallucinogens – affect a persons reality, ex. PCP, LSD

- effects: lose touch with reality, things can feel like they are real, nightmarish illusions, seizures, heart attacks

- Works by interfering with transmission of messages to the brain

Stimulants- speed the nervous system up

- Amphetamines – “speed”, mask as the normal neurotransmitters and increases the impulses in the body, feelings of strength, which causes depression and fatigue after it wears off

Depressants – slows the nervous system down

- Barbiturates- “downers”, very addictive, use with alcohol can be deadly

Cocaine – causes the release of dopamine, increases heartbeat and blood pressure, causes a feeling of pleasure, very addictive, like depressants causes sad feeling when wears off

- Crack– cheap impure form of cocaine ( p 990)

Opiates – come from the opium poppy, ex. Morphine, heroin, effective pain killers but, OD can result in death

- morphine can be injected into the blood, causes sleepy feeling, addictive

Alcohol – a drug that is quickly absorbed through the body

- acts as a depressant, slow down the nervous system, p 994

- disease?, fetal alcohol syndrome, AA

Tobacco- a drug that contains the chemical nicotine

- nicotine acts as a stimulant, is very addictive

- contains hundreds of chemicals that are carcinogens

- problems such as respiratory, circulatory problems as well as various types of cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, 2^nd hand smoke

- In 1998, 60 million Americans were current cigarette smokers (28 percent of all Americans aged 12 and older), and 4.1 million were between the ages of 12 and 17

Physical and Psychological Problems

Drug abuse – misuse of legal or illegal drugs

Addiction – uncontrollable craving for a drug, can be psychological and or physical

Withdrawal – stopping use of a drug, chills, pain, nausea,

Endorphins = naturally produced opiates in the brain, are affected during addiction

Social problems

- you affect friends family

- cost on the country – accidents, suicide, health care