Drugs and Alcohol Flashcards
Drug
Any chemical other than food that is intended to affect the structure or function of the body
Psychoactive drug
A drug that acts on the nervous system and affects or alters a persons’ experience or consciousness
Intoxication
A state of being mentally affected or poisoned by a substance
Addictive behaviour
Any habit that becomes out of control and results in negative health effects
Addiction
A chronic disease that disrupts the brains reward pathways and is characterized by a compulsive need or desire to consume a drug or alcohol
Charcteristics of Addiction
- Reinforcement:
Positive - good feelings while using (high)
Negative - Withdrawals - Compulsion - A compelling need to use or engage in behaviour
- Loss of control - Cannot block the impulse to continue behaviour
- Escalation - More of the substance is required to achieve the same physiological effect (tolerance)
- Negative consequences - May affect things like job performance, academics, relationships, health
Types of addictive behaviours
- Substance use
- Gambling
- Social media
- Gaming
- Compulsive buying
- Work
- Excercise
- Sex
Routes of administration
- Oral dosage
Ex. Tylenol, Cannabis in food - Inhalation
Ex. vaping, smoking - Injected
Ex. Needles - Snorted
Ex. Cocaine
Injecting/smoking = most likely to cause dependence (wears off quick, more frequent doses)
Injecting = more likely to transmit infectious diseases
How drugs affect the brain
- Changes brain chemistry
- Altered effects of neurotransmitters
- Increases effect of dopamine in the brain’s reward and pleasure pathway
- Nicotine, cocaine, alcohol, heroin, and amphetamines all affect dopamine levels
Factors that influence drug effects
- Pharmacological properties (composition)
- Dose-response function (Intensity)
- Time-action function (lag time)
- Drug use history
- Route of administration
- Physical factors (weight)
- Psychological factors (setting)
Stimulants
Speed up the activity of the nervous and/or muscular system
Ex. Caffeine, Nicotine, Cocaine
Caffeine
Most popular psychoactive drug
Ex. coffee, Tea
Excess consumption can cause shaking, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, irregular heartbeat
Withdrawal can cause irritability, drowsiness, headaches
Nicotine
Stimulant drug in e-cigs and cigarettes
Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death
Smoking strongly associated with CVD and lung cancer
Carcinogens in smoke damage DNA, poisons weaken tumour fighters
Chronic smoking may cause bronchitis, emphysema, and reproductive complications
E-Cigarettes & Vaping
Unknown to be safer than traditional cigarettes
Vapour still may contain harmful chemicals or unsafe levels of nicotine
May help quit smoking or perpetuate addiction
WHO does not recommend using them until confirmed to be safe
Short-term affects of smoking
- Nicotine stimulates brain to release chemicals that alter mood
- Nicotine constricts blood vessels
- Nicotine accelerates heart rate, elevates blood pressure
- Nicotine depresses hunger contractions
- Nicotine prohibits production of urine in kidneys
- Nicotine causes liver to release glycogen, raising blood sugar level
Long term effects of smoking
Damage to lungs, bronchioles
Cocaine
Potent CNS stimulant
- Rapid heart/breathing rate, decreased appetite
- Users may experience feeling of euphoria, alertnedness, competency, power, invincibility (short-lasting)
possible for overdose
‘Crack’ is a less pure form of cocaine
Some effects of Cocaine use
CNS: Repeated or high doses may cause severe psychological problems
CVS: Increasing blood pressure by constricting blood vessels
Respiratory system: Freebasing causes lung damage
Reproductive system: Affects ability to maintain erections and ejaculate: also causes sperm abnormalities
Amphetamines
Powerful stimulants; highly addictive
Cheap ingredients: can be made from household ingredients
Promote tolerance, very high relapse rate
Chronic use may result in severe weight loss, heart attack, stroke, violent behaviour
MDMA/Ecstasy
Stimulant and mild hallucinogen
- Mood elevator
- Euphoria, increased energy, heightened sense of belonging
Hallucinogens
A group of psychoactive drugs that alter perceptions, feelings and thoughts
last ~8+ hours
Can produce ‘good trip’ (positive experience) or ‘bad trip’ (negative experience)
- Generally less addictive
Ex. LSD, Psyliocibin, MDMA
Opioids
Class of drugs that relieve pain, cause drowsiness and euphoria
Some prescribed for pain, but most are powerfully addicitve
Relaxation, euphoria, slowed breathing
Ex. Opium, heroin, morphine
Cannabis
Classified as CNS depressant, hallucinogen or stimulant
Acute effects: mild euphoria, heightened perception, drowsiness
Chronic effects: Interferes with memory, reproductive dysfunction, health risk on airways
negative long term affects of Cannabis
- Bad for Brain and Nervous System; dulls cognitive skills
- Negative impact on Cardiovascular system
- Negative impact on respiratory system
- BAd for reproductive system
