Drug Use, Abuse and Misusein the

United States

Health 11 – Principles of Healthful Living

Categories of Drugs

1. Prescription Drugs (need doctor approval)2. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (self-diagnose)3. Recreational Drugs (alcohol, tobacco, caffeine)4. Illicit (illegal) drugs (stimulants, depressants,

hallucinogens, designer drugs, marijuana & oils)5. Herbal preparation (lack of FDA regulations)6. Commercial preparations (cleansers, tar, nail

polish, industrial by-products)

Public Health Campaign on Drugs

The “War on Drugs”, “Just Say No”, “Hugs Not Drugs” “DARE”, “Mothers Against Drunk Drivers”, “Drug

Czar”

When you have politicians serving the public as “health educators” this is the result. The cost to benefit ratio is outrageous and We – the taxpayers – are paying for it. We spend 500 million each year for a “drug-free” America. It’s time to let everyone do their own jobs. Health educators should be educating the public and the politicians should be serving in the best interest of the public.

Routes of Administration

1. Oral ingestion2. Injection (intravenous,

intramuscular, subcutaneous)3. Inhalation4. Inunction5. Suppositories

The Effects of Drugs

1. Physiological Factors – chemical effects based on type of drug – stimulants vs. depressants vs. hallucinogens– effects on central nervous system

2. Psychological Factors – environmental effects (Set vs. Setting)

Receptor Site Theory The Receptor Site Theory answers the question as to how

chemicals are utilized by the body. The cells in your body maintain your existence. Cells utilize nutrients, oxygen, hormones and neurotransmitters to provide for your energy and repair. Cells are also specialized – meaning that they have different functions, “job titles” in the body that they are responsible for completing. The receptor sites on the cells provide the “toll-booth” for cells. Thereby only allowing certain chemicals to enter the cell. Once these chemicals enter the cell they are metabolized and eventually the waste products of their metabolism is excreted. The analogy of putting together pieces of a puzzle or the “lock and key” example describes how receptors only allow certain nutrients, drugs, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc. to enter the cell.

Main Effects of Drug UseDepending on your drug of choice: Stimulant,

Depressant, Hallucinogenic (Your personality has a lot to do with this)

The “positive” effect that your are looking for from the drug (the high, the low, the gone, the flow, the here, the there, the happy, the sad).

Once you develop a tolerance, the body will need more for the same effect. This contributes to the escalating need for more drug, more often, more time spent using, more money and obviously more energy spent involved with this addicting habit.

An addiction takes time from your schedule. Addictions leave less time for work, school, travel, reading, learning, meeting new people, going to parties, conferences, leisure activities.

Side Effects of Drugs Chronic diseases (CVD, Cancer, COPD) Mood instability Nausea, Vomiting, Coughing More colds, flu, absent from work, school Lower GPA in school Family problems, divorce, violence, rape Accelerates the aging process Eventually will lose independent living We do not use drugs for these reasons –

but these are the consequences of our decisions.

Drugs are immediate!

Everything else takes time. Such as exercise, relaxing to

music, calming effects of candles, sex.

History of Alcohol in U.S.

1600’s – 1700’s – no alcohol problem 1700’s – 1800’s – alcohol problems

begin – family violence on the rise 1800’s – 1900’s – Doctor’s begin to

define alcoholism – see problems in society

There are approximately 295 million Americans in the U.S.Who is at risk for becoming an

alcoholic?1. 1 in 10 Americans2. 1 in 4 if one parent is an alcoholic3. 1 in 2 if dad or grandfather

Alcohol and All Other Drugs do Two Things:

They are agents of change.1. They change the way you think

(mental).2. They change the way you feel

(emotional).

By default – you will behave differently.

Successful Treatment for Drug Use, Abuse and Misuse

1. The Individual – 5 levels Mental, Physical, Emotional, Social, Moral

2. The Environment (Society) Hetero-, Homo-, Politics, Economics,

Religion, Culture

3. Genetics – enzymes, genes

Do you send people to jail if they drink alcohol or if they smoke

tobacco or use marijuana?

Why do we put people in jail?

What is an addiction versus a habit?

AddictionAn unhealthy continued involvement with a mood-

altering object or activity that creates harmful consequences. Signs of an addiction are (1) obsession/compulsion (2) loss of control (3) negative consequences (4) denial (5) escalation (6) tolerance (7) withdrawal symptoms.

HabitA healthy continued involvement with an object or

activity that contributes to your growth in all six dimensions of wellness.

Risk Factors for Addiction

Your Personality1. Low self-esteem2. External focus of

control3. Passivity4. Post-traumatic stress

disorder

Your Environment

1. Access2. Abusive home3. Peer norms4. Life events

/oppression

Your Biology1. Early exposure2. ADD/Learning

disabilities3. Neurotransmitter

imbalance4. Genetic

predisposition

Signs of Work Addiction

Time urgency Need to control Perfectionism Difficulty with

relationships Work binges Difficulty relaxing

and having fun

Irritability Memory loss due

to preoccupation with work

Low self-esteem Health problems

Alcohol Key Terms

History of Alcohol Perception Schedule 1-5 Rehab Risk factors Physical effects Statistics

Tolerance Withdrawal Dependence Set and Setting Binge drinking Proof/Percentage Cirrhosis,fatty liver FAS, FAE,

DT’STolerance

Perception of Alcohol Use & Abuse

Behavior – before prohibition Substance – during prohibition Person – after prohibition

History of Drug Control

Tax it Prohibit it – 18th amendment (1919-1933)

Where’s the education?

1933 21st amendment – repealed prohibition – Franklin D. Roosevelt trying to boost economy after the Depression 1929-1933.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

1935 – AA formed by Dr. Bob and Bill W.

Dr. Jellinek defines alcoholism as a disease for the first time!

The “Abstract” Brain1. Think2. Feel3. Vital functions

We have 20 billion brain cells

1. Cells communicate electrically and chemically

What is one drink?

1. Beer – 12 oz. (4-6%)2. Wine – 3-4 oz. (12-15%)3. Distilled liquors – 1 oz. (50-75%)

Proof = twice the percentage

How Alcohol Passes through the Body

1. Mouth – Esophagus – Stomach – Duodenum – Blood stream – circulates through all the organs – brain, heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, genitals, breast

2. The body can remove approximately 1 drink per hour.

Effects of Alcohol Immediate effects1. Loss of inhibitions2. Flushing/dizziness3. Impaired

coordination4. Slow reactions5. High blood pressure6. Memory impairment

Long Term Effects1. Vitamin/nutritional

deficiencies2. Skin problems3. Loss of muscle tissue4. Sexual impotence5. Frequent infections6. Heart, lung, liver and

brain disfunctions

How Drugs Are Scheduled Schedule I – high potential for abuse and addiction, no

accepted medical use (amphetamine, heroin, PCP, marijuana) Schedule II – high potential for abuse and addiction,

restricted medical use (cocaine, methadone, morphine, opium)

Schedule III – some potential for abuse and addiction, currently accepted medical use (prescription drugs and over the counter drugs)

Schedule IV – low potential for abuse and addiction, current medical use (anti-seizure meds, minor tranquilizers)

Schedule V – lowest potential for abuse and addiction, medical use (over-the counter drugs)

Polydrug Use

1. Synergism2. Antagonism3. Inhibition4. Intolerance5. Cross tolerance

Prescription / OTC Drugs

Prescription Drugs:

1. Antibiotics2. Anti-depressants3. Sedatives/4. Tranquilizers5. Diuretics

OTC Drugs:1. Analgesics2. Laxatives3. Prostaglandin

inhibitors4. Anti-inflammatory

drugs - ibuprophen

When do prescription drugs become over-the-counter drugs:1. Doctors feel they are safe without a

prescription2. The drug(s) have been on the market

for at least 3 years and are on the safe and effective list (GRAS/GRAE)

3. There appears to be a high demand for drugs to be over-the-counter

Tolerance

1. Weight (size)2. Gender3. Percent concentration4. Amount consumed5. Empty stomach6. Polydrug use7. Enzyme action

Withdrawal

Detox The first 3 days presents the

greatest risk for death

Dependence Physiological and psychological

issues

Not as easy as saying “Just Say No”

In fact, with some drugs if you stop suddenly there may be severe side effects – even death. Careful when you try to give advise to others.

How do you feel?

Depressed Normal BlissUnhappy Euphoric

Bottom line…We have needs!

We want to be happy We want to feel good We want to be

successful We want to be loved We want to feel

motivated We want to have energy We want friends We want to be

recognized

We want to be relaxed We want to feel “high”

– stimulated We want to relieve

depression We want to be less

inhibited We want to try

something new, take risks – be adventurous

We want to discover the meaning of life

If your needs are not being met…

You will self-medicate!