Grade 8Healthy Living

Addictions

Grade 8Healthy Living

Addictions

SCO 3.11: demonstrate an understanding that there are many factors that contribute to our health status

SCO 3.16: examine the impacts of substance use and gambling, both legally sanctioned and illegal activities have on communities

What is an addiction?

Is it a… Disease?

or

Behaviour?

What are some examples of addiction? (What are some things people can become addicted to?)

List:

Why do people become addicted to …?

We become addicted because: Drugs affect the most basic (reptilian) part of the brain. (The mesolimbic reward system)

Basically, addiction is a hijacking of the survival system and executive level of your brain

Many mammals have a tendency to want to alter their perception of reality.

Drugs ‘numb’ the decision making part of your brain and at the same time ignite the emotional, needs, and cravings sites in your frontal lobe.

Drugs impair our decision making ability and judgement.

Addiction is…

A disease...

is an abnormal physiological process

brought on by a combination of environmental and/or genetic factors

has signs and symptoms

has a natural history that is predictable

responds to treatment(s)

Addiction is…

a disease of the brain.

Addiction is…

a brain disease!

(It is not simply a behaviour we can choose to control or not control.)

Why do people take drugs?

Brainstorm/share/discuss…

To Do:

1. Read the section “Why Do People Take Drugs?” from the booklet The Truth About Drugs.

The article can also be accessed here…http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/drugs/why-do-people-take-

drugs.html

Write one or two sentences that summarize what you think is most important about each section that you read.

To Do…

2. Watch the documentary The Truth About Drugs.

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/#/documentaries/truth-about-drugs-documentary-intro

Write a well-written summary statement about this documentary.

To Do…3. Watch the following PSAs (public service announcements):

PSA – PopularPSA – Best HighPSA – TrippingPSA – One of the Guysand others…

The above PSAs and others can be accessed here: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/#/videos(Drugfreeworld.org)

For each PSA, record the title, the theme of each PSA, and rate it (1 to 10) on how true it is.

To Do:

4. The Truth About Drugs is a series of thirteen illustrated drug information booklets containing facts about the most commonly abused drugs.

You can access the booklets here:http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/drugs/why-do-people-take-drugs.html

Skim through each and record several facts for each drug.

To Do:Gambling

To Do:

Making connections…

1. What impacts do gambling and drug addictions have on our community and out society?

2. Where can addicts get help?

4 3 2 1SCO 3.11: demonstrate an understanding that there are many factors that contribute to our health statusSCO 3.16: examine the impacts of substance use and gambling, both legally sanctioned and illegal activities have on communities

Assessment

Due: June 2013!