Chapter 12

Elizabeth Lytle, MPH, BSN, RN Los Altos School District

Avoiding Addictions

Addiction And The Dimensions Of Health

Characteristics Of College Drug Users

Illicit Drug UsersInappropriate

Prescription Drug UseSingle, White, Male White, male or female

Lower GPA Lower GPA

Less likely to report good physical or mental health

Less likely to report good physical or mental health

Sexually activeKnow faculty or administration

Less religious values

Why Students Don’t Use Drugs

Spirituality and Religion

Academic Engagement

Perceived Harmfulness

Athletics

Why Students Use Drugs

Genetics and family history

Sexual Identity

Social Influences and Norms

Race/

Ethnicity

Mental Health Problems

Substance Use In Highschool

Parental Attitudes and Behavior

Positive Expectations

Often Misused Over-the-Counter Medications

Nasal Spray Laxatives

Eye Drops Sleep Aids

Pain Killers Cough Syrup

Avoid Misuse of OTC Medications By:

Avoid using for several days in a row

Use fiber and exercise instead

Avoid using for several days in a row

Practice sleep hygiene

Take only when needed Many active

ingredients are ineffective

Prescription Medications

Considerations for taking prescription drugs:

Non-adherence

Most common problem – Ask how to take medication

Take entire course

Side Effects

Physical and psychological side effects are possible

Review information on side effects

Drug Interactions

OTC and prescription drugs interact with each other

Alcohol interferes with drugs

Read label to check for interactions

Prescription Drug Abuse Is Increasing

Highest nonmedical use of prescription medication is among

young adults age 18 to 25

Most widely abused medications are prescription stimulants and pain

killers

Prescription Drug Abuse Carries Danger

Stimulants

High doses:

• Increase addiction risk

• Panic attacks• Aggressive behavior• Suicidal or homicidal impulses

Side Effects:• Increased blood pressure• Headache• Cardio-respiratory problems

Prescription Drug Abuse Carries Danger

Pain Killers

Addictive

Usually requires medical detoxification

May require medication and therapy

Types of Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse is broken down into several categories:

AbusePattern of use resulting in negative consequences or impairment

DependencePattern of continuing substance use despite symptoms

MisuseTaking drug for purpose or person other than the one intended

Not taking recommended dose

DiversionTransfer of medication from person it was prescribed to another

Causes of Drug Dependence and Abuse

BiologyDopamine release from drugs can change pathways in the brain

Vulnerability

Difficulty controlling impulses

Lack of values

Low self-esteem, powerlessness

Depression

Early Influences

Drug abuse during adolescence or parent drug use

Cannabis Is Most Widely Abused Substance

Names: Marijuana, pot, hashish, hash

EffectHeightened sensations

Relaxation

Increased confidence

Risks

• Depression• Impaired fertility• Diminished immune responses• Memory loss, difficulty learning, psychotic symptoms

WithdrawalInsomnia, restlessness, loss of appetite, irritability

Common Names Of Club Drugs

Ecstasy GHB Nitrites GBL

Love drug hug Beans Herbal

X Georgia home boy Cloud 9 Liquid Ecstasy Herbal bliss XTC G

Grievous bodily harm

Ecstasy GHB Nitrites GBL

Love drug hug Beans Herbal

X Georgia home boy Cloud 9 Liquid Ecstasy Herbal bliss XTC G

Grievous bodily harm

Club Drug – Ecstasy

Ecstasy, E, XTC, X, hug, beans, love drug

EffectMood elevator

Relaxed, euphoric state

Enhance sensory experience

Risks

• Psychological difficulties• Death of young, healthy 16-24 year old• Hyperthermia, severe dehydration• Dangerous increase in blood pressure• Stroke and heart attack• Risk to developing fetus

Club Drug – GHB and GBL

GHB, G, Georgia home boy, grievous bodily harm, liquid ecstasy

EffectSedative while producing euphoria

Heightened sexuality

Risks

• Amnesia (‘date rape’ drug)• Pass out and fall into coma or die• Hallucinations• Decreased heart rate• Convulsions• Addictive

Club Drug – Nitrites

Amyl, butyl and isobutyl nitrite

EffectFeeling of high with slowed sense of time

Intensified sexual experience

Carefree sense of well-being

Risks

• Headache• Drop in blood pressure• Changes in heart rate• Increased pressure in eyes• Skin flushing• Chronic use: chemical burn, skin lesion

Club Drug – Herbal Ecstasy

Herbal bliss, cloud 9, herbal X

EffectFeeling of high with slowed sense of time

Intensified sexual experience

Carefree sense of well-being

Risks

• Stroke• Heart attack• Disfiguring skin condition• Large variation in ingredients because sold as herbal alternative

Stimulant Drugs– Cocaine

INSERT FIGURE 12.4 pg 411: Some effects of cocaine on the body. Center on pageCoke, snow, lady, crack

Effect

Soaring well-being

Boundless energy

Feel enormous physical and mental ability

Risks See next slide

Withdrawal

Depression and fatigue

Vivid and disturbing dreams

Anxiety and irritability

Increased appetite

Cocaine’s Effect On The Body

Stimulant Drugs– Khat

INSERT FIGURE 12.4 pg 411: Some effects of cocaine on the body. Center on pageKat, catha, chat, abyssinian tea

EffectReduces appetite

Alleviates fatigue

Risks

Compulsive use creates:• Manic behavior• Grandiose illusions• Paranoia• Hallucinations

Depressant Drugs - Benzodiazepines

Librium, diazepam, Serax, Ativan, Dalmane, Xanax

EffectTension relief

Loosening of sexual or aggressive inhibitions

RisksDependence develops in 2-4 weeks

Cross-tolerance

Impaired judgment and aggression

Withdrawal From Benzodiazepines

Withdrawal

Malaise or weakness

Sweating and rapid pulse

Tremors

Nausea or vomiting

Insomnia

Temporary hallucinations

Anxiety or irritability

Grand Mal seizures

Depressant Drugs - Opiods

Morphine, codeine, heroin (horse, junk, smack, downtown)

EffectRelaxation

Pain relief

Risks

Rapid development of dependence

Lethargy and weight loss

Loss of sexual drive

Anxiety

Insomnia

Restlessness

Craving for drug

Depressant Drugs - Opiods

Withdrawal

Irritability, nausea, vomiting

Muscle aches

Runny nose or eyes

Dilated pupils

Sweating

Diarrhea

Yawning

Fever

Insomnia

Hallucinogens – LSD

Acid, lysergic acid diethylamide, peyote

EffectVivid and unusual changes in thought, feeling and perceptions

WithdrawalDoes not create dependence, can be stopped at any time

Dissociative Drugs– Ketamine

K, Special-K, vitamin K

EffectHallucinations

Distorted perceptions of time and space

Risks

Date-rape drug

Impaired attention and memory

Potentially deadly breathing problems

Paranoia

Single use can produce long-term memory loss and ‘flashbacks’

Dissociative Drugs– PCP

Phencyclidine, Sernyl, angel dust, peace pill, lovely, green

Effect

Utterly unpredictable• hallucinations or euphoria• emptiness or numbness• violent behavior• irreversible psychosis

Risks

Suicide

Permanent psychosis after only one use

Stupor that lasts days

Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Dissociative Drugs– Salvia

Effect

Hallucinations

Psychotomimetic episodes

Greatly altered perception of reality and self

RisksDEA lists it as a drug with high potential for abuse

Inhalants – A Risk For Young People

Only alcohol is more widely used than inhalants

EffectSlightly stimulated

Less inhibited

Risks

Interference with thinking and impulse control

Irritation of throat, lungs and nose

Nausea and headache

Tolerance occurs

Suffocation

Cardiac arrhythmia