SUBSTANCE ABUSE:What is Drug Abuse?

Ms. Mai

Lawndale High School

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is any use of an illegal drug or the misuse of any legal drug (prescription, over-the-counter, alcohol)

Remember that psychoactive drugs are any substance that acts on the brain affecting someone’s mind and behavior

Depending on the type of drug used, it may make you feel elated, relaxed, more energetic, more excited, or simply different than you normally feel

Categories of Psychoactive Drugs For these reasons, many people

become addicted to mind-altering drugs

Psychoactive drugs are categories into 5 different categories depending upon their potential for abuse and addiction (Category 1 5)

Categories of Psychoactive DrugsCategory Drugs Characteristics

Category 1 Cannabis, heroin, LSD

Highest potential for abuse

No medical use

Category 2 Cocaine, meth, PCP, morphine,

High potential for abuse

Very restricted medical use

Category 3 Narcotics, barbiturates

Some potential for abuse

Accepted medical use

Category 4 Tranquilizer stimulants

Low potential for abuse

Accepted medical use

Category 5 Some over-the-counter

Lowest potential for abuse

Accepted medical use

Category 1 Highest potential for

abuse and addiction, no accepted medical use (cannabis, heroin, LSD)

Category 2

High potential for abuse and addiction, restricted medical use (amphetamine, codeine, cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, opium, PCP, barbiturates)

Category 3

Some potential for abuse and addition, accepted medical use (stimulants, barbiturates, narcotics)

Category 4

Low potential for abuse and addiction, accepted medical use (sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotics)

Category 5

Lowest potential for abuse, accepted medical use (over-the-counter med)

Why Do Young People Use Drugs?

The most common reason teenagers start using drugs is to be accepted by their peers and to “fit in”

They are also curious about the effects, want to relax, relieve boredom, or escape personal problems

Stages of Drug Abuse

Stage 1 - begin drug abuse with the use of beer or wine

Stage 2 – start drinking other liquor, cigarettes, or both

Stage 3 – start using marijuana

Stage 4 – start using illegal drugs

How Does Drug Abuse Develop?

The powerful effects of drugs quickly lead users from experimentation to regular use to addiction (strong physical and psychological craving for substance)

Drug Abuse develops with a few steps

1. Experimentation

2. Tolerance

3. Physical Dependence

4. Psychological Dependence

Steps of Drug Abuse1. Experimentation – users like the

unusual feelings, and want to try it again

2. Tolerance – start increasing the amounts of the drug to reduce sensitivity

3. Physical Dependence – body becomes dependent on it effects (withdrawal if user stops like depression anxiety, nausea, vomiting, chills, sweating)

4. Psychological Dependence – users want mind-altering effects (sometimes stronger than physical dependence)

Dangers of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse involved 2 major dangers

1. Damaging effects of combining drugs

2. Severe injury or death of overdose

When psychoactive drugs are combined, their effects can seriously disrupt heart rate, breathing, and other body processes (drug most often used in combination is alcohol)

Overdose

An overdose is a drug dose high enough to cause serious injury, coma, or death

Remember that the purity and strength of illegal drugs are not controlled, so users can never be sure of what they are really taking

By the time the drug or combination of drugs is taken and it too potent for the person, it is too late