Tobacco, Alcohol, &

Drugs: The Basics

Knowledge is crucial

Agenda

• Introduction• Anonymous Survey• Overview of Tobacco, Alcohol,

& Drugs• Case Scenarios• Q & A / Survey

Introduction

• Grace C. Bauer, RN, MSN, CNS, CCRN (MSN, CRNA 2015)

• Michael R. Cruz, RN, BSN, PhN, CCRN (MSN, CRNA 2015)

Nurse Anesthesia

A nurse anesthetist is a nurse who specializes in the administration of anesthesia. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has acquired graduate-level education and has board certification in anesthesia.

Tobacco• Tobacco is a leafy plant grown around

the world. The main ingredient in tobacco is nicotine which can lead to addiction.

• How does it work?• Nicotine increases dopamine (a

chemical in the body which makes you feel good)

• Why does it matter?• Cancer, lung disease, heart problems• Highly addictive

Alcohol: What’s the big deal?

• Impaired judgement leads to poor choices

• Drunk driving, being a passenger of a drunk driver

• Unsafe sex, HIV/ AIDS, lifetime consequences

• Addiction is a major concern

Cocaine

• Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America.

• How does it work?• Cocaine prevents dopamine reuptake in

the nerve synapse, resulting in feelings of elation

• Why does this matter?• It disrupts our natural ability to feel

happy• Heart problems, strokes, seizures

Methamphetamines• A synthetic pill, powder, or rock. • How does it work?

• It is a highly addictive stimulant that rapidly increases dopamine in the brain, resulting in a “rush” of elation

• Why does this matter? • This leads to conformational changes

in your brain, often leading to psychosis, memory problems, “meth mouth”

• YOU CAN DIE- Meth can increase your body temperature to a dangerous level.

Meth: Before & After shots

What was she thinking???

Marijuana

• Marijuana is composed of dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the plant Cannabis Sativa

• How does it work?• THC acts on cannaboid receptors in the brain

causing dopamine release• Why does this matter?

• Learning and memory- IQ drop!• Decline in coordination• Poor judgement and risky behavior

MDMA

• MDMA is a chemically made drug to produce euphoric, hallucinogenic, and energizing effects

• How does it work?• Increase in serotonin levels causing

mood-lifting effects or hyperactivity• Why does this matter?

• No medical benefit, can lead to depression, decrease memory/attention, hyperthermia and death

Bath Salts

• Bath salts are a manmade drug related to canthinone, an amphetamine like stimulant

• How does it work?• Increase in dopamine, similar to

meth, but 10x stronger• Why does this matter?

• Brain damage, psychosis, death

Prescription Drugs

• When someone takes a medication that is prescribed to someone else to get “high”

• How does it work?• Opioids, depressants, and stimulants if

abused lead to increased levels of dopamine and serotonin

• Why does this matter?• Abuse can lead to respiratory depression,

heart problems, death

Scenarios

Scenario 1

You used to play baseball with a friend who quit the team and started hanging out with the “wrong” crowd. This particular crowd always gets “high” You’ve drifted apart from this person, but one day that person approaches you and asks for help.

Friend in need

“I feel so helpless. I can’t talk to my folks about any of this. I’m lying and stealing to get high everyday. The less I feel, the better it seems. But I need help.”

What would you do?

What would you do?

• Do you:

• Tell them to get lost (You don’t know that person anymore!)

• Tell them it’s normal because everyone is doing it anyways. It’s just a phase so don’t worry about it!

• I want to help somehow, I just don’t know how.

Scenario 2

You notice a friend cutting class. You used to talk about what college you want to go to or what major you’d like to go into. Now that person misses a lot of class, and when they do show up, they seem to have lost interest in almost everything.

What would you do?

What would you do?

• Loudly badger them over why they aren’t ever in class anymore. Don’t they know they are headed to being a high school dropout?

• Say hello, stay kind, ask how they are. Offer your notes if they want help.

Remember, we don’t ever really know what other people are going through. They don’t need more judgement and pressure. They might not be doing drugs, but they might need HELP.

Some thoughts

• Information is better received if someone approaches you for help. This is to provide information should you be in the position to share it!

• Be alert to signs that someone is trying to ask for help but may be too embarrassed to say it outright. Try to maintain neutrality with an attitude of non-judgement.

• Assess the situation: Stay out of danger.

Do you need help NOW?!

1-800-662-HELP

(4357)

1-800-273-TALK

(8255)

Links to more resources• http://teens.drugabuse.gov

• http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

• http://www.helpguide.org/

THANK YOU FOR

LISTENING!!