Substance use and abuse Flashcards
Define a drug
Any substance, other than food, that is taken to change the way the body or mind works
Drug use
The use of any drug in order to change how you think, act, or feel without it interfering with your daily activities or life
Drug abuse
Occurs when the use of a drug starts to affect or interfere w your daily life
Drugs can be taken in 4 ways:
- ingestion
- absorption
- inhalation
- injection
3 Classification of drugs:
- stimulant
- depressant
- hallucinogen
Stimulants: (6)
- speed up your heart rate and excite the central nervous system in the brain
- make you feel more alert
- energetic
- help you stay awake longer
- decrease your appetite
- make you feel more relaxed, good, extremely happy
Examples of stimulants (6)
- cocaine
- tobacco/nicotine
- caffeine
- crystal meth
- diet pills
- ecstasy/MDMA
Depressants: (3)
- slow down heart rate and functions of central nervous system, reduces inhibitions
- make you less aware of events around you
- make you feel sleepy, drowsy
Examples of depressants (5)
- alcohol
- opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine, opium)
- sedative (barbiturate, rohypnol, [date rape drug])
- tranquilizers (valium)
- inhalants (paint thinners, glue)
Hallucinogens (psychedelics): (3)
- distort the senses and one’s awareness or perception of events
- one might hear or see things that don’t actually exist
- flashbacks later in life are common
Examples of hallucinogens (5)
- LSD (acid)
- PCP (angel dust)
- katamine (special K)
- Magic mushrooms
- Ectasy/MDMA (also a stimulant)
Most widely used drug
Cannabis
Cannabis classification
acts on the body in many ways so it has its own classification, acts mostly as a hallucinogen, but also has depressant effects and a stimulant effect
Cannabis includes
- marijuana
- hash oil
- hashish
The 6 levels of drug use:
- non-use
- experimental
- social use
- binge use
- heavy use
- dependant use
