Drugs and alcohol Flashcards
Depressants
slow down the functioning of the central nervous system (brain). Examples of depressant drugs include alcohol, cannabis, analgesics and tranquilisers – slow down heart rate, decreased perception, depress your state, tiredness, nausea, reaction time reduced
Stimulants
increase the functioning of the central nervous system. Examples of stimulant drugs include tobacco, caffeine, amphetamines (speed) and cocaine – increase your behaviour and perception of things, stimulate or enhance your sense, increase heart rate, increase speed, blood pressure, breathing, sweating, thirsty, insomnia, dilated pupils.
Hallucinogens
alter a person’s perception of reality. They may see, hear, feel and taste things differently and/or that do not exist. Examples of hallucinogens include cannabis (only in large amounts), ice and LSD – sweating, repeating actions, anxiety, nausea, distorted perception.
Short-term effects of drugs
loss of control, lured vision. Slurred speech and reduced reaction time. Memory loss, headache, nausea, hangover, unwanted sex = STI’s, loss of friends
Long-term effects of drugs
memory loss, more prone to to alcohol addiction, develop tolerance, addiction, liver damage, cancer, heart problems, depression, life revolves around alcohol.
Pre-loading
drinking alcohol before going to the intended event or place. Reasons young people do:
- Meet friends at a central place before going out
- Drink whilst getting ready
- Save money on buying from venue
- ‘pump up’ or get in the right mood
- some venues or functions don’t serve alcohol
- it is an accept tradition in Australia
Effects of alcohol on relationships
When intoxicated, people do things they wouldn’t say or do when sober = could lead to assault, abuse; physical, verbal or sexual – miscommunication and misunderstandings. Can impair individual’s relationship with children
Effects of alcohol on the community
- Domestic violence
- Sports stars see affects on career and health
- Under-age drinking: in 2005 1/10 aged 12-17 were drinking
- Homelessness and alcohol abuse: results in despair and loss
Drink spiking
when alcohol or drugs have been added to a drink without the consumer knowing or giving approval. Causes serious health issues and concerns including death.
Why people don’t take drugs
fears of what could go wrong, wanting to upkeep a healthy lifestyle, don’t enjoy them.
Prescription drugs
over-the-counter drugs can be bought whenever, but prescription drugs require a slip that proves you have permission to get the drug.
Reasons for over-the-counter medication
headache, period pain, back pain, cough or colds.
Who regulates over-the-counter drugs in Australia: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Over-the-counter drugs include aspirin, morphine, nurofen, Panadol, Zyrtec, venolin, nerofen plus, codral.
Ecstasy
a hallucinogen amphetamine, combines the effects of hallucinogens such as LSD and the stimulant effects of speed. Mainly taken orally in tablet form. Most users experiment with it in their early adulthood (18-25).
Ice
street name for methamphetamine. Synthetic stimulant drug which speeds up the messages going to and from the brain. Highly addictive, more potent than other forms of amphetamines. Smoked, swallowed, snorted or injected. Also heated on aluminum foil and the vapours inhaled.
Cocaine
stimulant, speeds up the brain and nervous system. From cocoa leaves, snorting, ingested, injected. Injected = much stronger effects, higher change of overdosing.
