Drug Use Flashcards
what is a drug?
any substance that modifies (either by enhancing, inhibiting, or distorting) mind and/or body functioning
what is a psychoactive drug?
drug compounds (substances) that affect the central nervous system – alter consciousness, thoughts, and/or perceptions
licit drug
legal drug
illicit drug
illegal drug
what drug kills the most people annually?
tobacco
discuss the key findings from drug use research
people who use illegal drugs are found in all occupations, professions, income, and social class levels, as well as in all age and racial groups
understand the different terminology we use to discuss people who use illegal drugs and why we use the terminology we do
- person-first language
- avoid stigmatizing labels
- clinical terminology
- harm reduction language
- recovering-oriented language
- avoid generalizations
- cultural competence
- public health approach
- avoid moral judgments
describe how the brain changes when an individual uses drugs
short term:
- neurotransmitter boost
- boost of dopamine and serotonin
long term:
- adaptation with repeated use
- the brain forms new connections related to drug use
- environmental cues become linked to drug use
- the brain reinforces drug-seeking behaviors to avoid discomfort
reinforcement mechanisms
pleasure from drug use and avoidance of discomfort (withdrawal) reinforce the desire to use drugs, these mechanisms contribute to the challenging cycle of addiction
regular tolerance
- increasing use
- when the body and brain become accustomed to the presence of a substance over time, leading to a reduced response to the same amount of that substance
reverse tolerance
- sensitization
- refers to a phenomenon where an individual becomes more responsive or sensitive to a substance over time, leading to stronger effects with lower doses
cross-tolerance
- replacement
- phenomenon where the development of tolerance to one substance results in a reduced response to another, often structurally or functionally similar, substance
potency
the amount of drug necessary to cause an effect (low potency = more drug)
toxicity
the capacity of a drug to do damage or cause adverse effects in the body
describe different risk factors and vulnerabilities that may impact the development of a Substance Use Disorder
biological factors:
- genetics
- brain differences
- developmental factors
psychosocial factors:
- mental health conditions
- personality traits
- social environment
- trauma
contextual factors:
- accessibility
- cultural and societal influences
- media and advertising
characteristics of addiction
- impaired control
- compulsive use
- continued use despite harm
- cravings
describe how drugs are classified in the US
- schedule 1: high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision (heroin, LSD)
- schedule 2: high potential for abuse, accepted medical use with severe restrictions (opioids, morphine)
- schedule 3: less potential for abuse, accepted medical use, moderate to low potential for physical dependence (some opioids, steroids)
- schedule 4: lower potential for abuse, accepted medical use, limited potential for dependence (xanax, valium)
- schedule 5: lowest potential for abuse among controlled substances, limited potential for dependence (cold meds)
drug misuse
the unintentional or inappropriate use of prescribed or over-the-counter types of drugs
describe the DSM criteria for a substance use disorder
- taking the opioid in larger amounts and for longer than intended
- wanting to cut down or quit but not being able to do it
- spending a lot of time obtaining the opioid
- craving or a strong desire to use opioid
- repeatedly unable to carry out major obligations at work, school, or home due to opioid use
- continued use despite persistent or recurring social interpersonal problems caused or made worse by opioid use
- stopping or reducing important social, occupational, or recreational activities due to opioid use
- recurrent use of opioids in physically hazardous situations
- consistent use of opioids despite acknowledgment of persistent or recurrent physical or psychological difficulties from using opioids
- tolerance
- withdrawal
what are opioids
a type of powerful pain-relief medication that can be natural or synthetic
stages of the opioid epidemic
- changes in pain management guidelines (1990s)
- over prescription
- marketing medications directly to the consumer
- about 80% of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids
what is harm reduction?
a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use
examples of harm reduction
- Naloxone distribution (Narcan)
- syringe exchange
- fentanyl test strips
- safe injection sites
steps for overdose response
- stimulate
- call 911
- rescue breathing
- administer Naloxone
- monitor and support (recovery position)
history of war on drugs: Richard Nixon
- started the war on drugs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- the enemy was the addiction
history of war on drugs: Ronald Reagan
- the war reemerged
- new enemy became people who used drugs
- connected to crack
- Anti-Drug Act
- extremely harsh sentencing
history of war on drugs: Bill Clinton
- Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (Crime Bill)
- “three strikes you’re out”
- ended welfare, connected housing and other services to criminal record
- increased law enforcement budgets
history of war on drugs: Barack Obama
- ended “war” metaphor
- reversed some policies (coke sentencing)
what is Naloxone?
medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose
how did the war on drugs lead to mass incarceration?
- tough drug laws
- sentencing disparities
- three-strikes laws
- zero tolerance policies
- expansion of police powers
- racial disparities
- impact on low-income communities
- privatization of prisons
- limited focus on rehab
why did the war on drugs disproportionately impact individuals of color?
- racial profiling
- disparate policing practices
- crack-cocaine sentencing disparities
- zero tolerance policies in schools
- mandatory minimum sentences
- three-strikes laws
- implicit bias
- economic inequality
- impact on families and communities
- privatization of prisons
- media portrayals and stigmatization
