PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m-iepxgceo

Drugs Drugs: Is a chemical substance that is taken to

cause changes in a person’s body or behavior Often gives the feeling of EUPHORIA: Pleasure

Over the Counter Drugs

Medicine that is sold legally in stores without a doctor’s prescription

Prescription DrugsA drug that you can only get with a doctor’s

prescription and can be purchased from a pharmacy

Illegal Drugs A chemical substance that people of any

age can not make, posesses , buy, or sell Also known as “street drugs”

Drug Misuse Improper use of medicines either

prescription or over-the-counter drugs Taking more then prescribed Taking drugs with the wrong foods or the

wrong time of day

Drug Abuse Drug is intentionally used improperly or

unsafely Taking to much medicine to get the feeling

of being “high” Any use of illegal drugs

Legal and Illegal drugs

Drug Abuse and the Brain Psychoactive drugs typically create a pleasurable

feeling that the user wants to repeat, this activity takes place along the “REWARD PATHWAY ” of the brain. Brain cells along this pathway release a chemical called DOPAMINE. Dopamine is not necessarily a dangerous chemical but can be in association with drug use.

Dangerous Effects of Dopamine when a person is on drugs The extra dopamine released during the drug use can

cause the user to ignore the harmful effects of the drug and want to continue using it.

Flooding the reward pathway with dopamine may lead to intense cravings for the drug when it’s not available.

After a time, drug abuse can dull the brain’s reactions to natural levels of dopamine. The user no longer feels pleasure from normal activities.

Dangers of drug abuse, misuse, and abuse

ADDICTIONo Physical addiction occurs when the body’s chemistry adjusts its

functioning to the presence of the drug. The addicted person requires higher and higher does of the drug to ward off symptoms of withdrawal

o Psychological addiction occurs when a strong mental craving for a drug sets in. The craving may last for years after the drug is gone. The only sure way to escape drug addiction is never to experiment with drugs that produce it.

 WITHDRAWLo The physical symptoms of withdrawal that occur when a drug to which

a person is addicted is cleared from the body tissues.o Withdrawal Symptoms include but are not limited to: nausea,

vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fever, digestion problems, paranoia or panic, tremors, seizures or death.

Peers and Drugs Answer the questions at the bottom of page 2

in the packet

Commonly abused drugs Complete pages 3 – 7 in the packet using your book

pages 440-447 DUE TOMORROW

Hands on activity - page 8 in packet Peer pressure

Test tomorrow Can use packet

Packet Due

Hands on Activity 1. Form a group with 4 other students2. You will receive a role-playing card from

your teacher3. Do not discuss your role with other group

members4. Imagine that you are at the party with

your friends. Spend 5 minutes about your role and how you will act

5. At my signal begin acting out your role with the other members of your group

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