Drugs are bad. Just say “no”

Don’t drink and drive and

don’t drive with anyone who has been drinking

Drugs

• Altered state of consciousness and perceptions of reality

• Pleasure, relaxation, escape• Impair decision making capabilities• Tie to ‘reward circuits’ in brain

(evolution)• Culture: acceptability of use varies

Hallucinogens• Alter perceptions, create hallucinations• Neurotransmitter SEROTONIN• Mescaline, ‘shrooms, LSD (acid), PCP (angel

dust)• Cannabis: – Hemp (other uses)– THC (dopamine)– Mild and pleasurable hallucinogenic– Pain relief, sedation, euphoria (like heroin)– Psychological addiction more than physical

Opiates

• Opium poppy• Morphine, heroin, codeine• Highly addictive; analgesic (endorphins)• Bayer developed heroin!• Strong rush, euphoria, little cognitive

changes• Serious addiction, costly (crime)• Pain control (no addiction)

Depressants

• Slow mental and physical activity (CNS)

• Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol

• Relieve pain and anxiety OR impair reflexes and judgment

• Barbiturates:– Sleeping pills (reduce REM = feel

unrested, have crazy dreams,) – Can overdose easily (Michael

Jackson? Heath Ledger?)

Depressants Cont’d• Benzodiazepines– Minor tranquilizers for anxiety– Valium and Xanax– Commonly prescribed (and abused)– Overdoses and withdrawal are unpleasant

• Alcohol– Loosen inhibition (self monitoring center)– Small doses relaxes and increases reaction time

(ADULT)

Depressants Cont’d• Alcohol cont’d– Metabolize 1oz per hour! (typical beer 8-12 oz)– 0.1 % ‘legally’ drunk…0.08% now– Social lubricant– 5-10% quality of life harmed by alcohol use/abuse– Binge drinking on college campuses– Pregnant women (mental retardation of baby)– Alcohol related auto accidents are the leading cause of

death in ages 15-25. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE

Stimulants• Speed up central nervous system• Increase concentration and decrease hyperactivity• Cocaine powerful, crack addictive• Amphetamine (speed) methamphetamine (meth)

and MDMA (ecstasy)• Hallucinations and delusions, convulsions, etc

Stimulants con’t

• Emotional roller coaster; dependency and tolerance

• Caffeine and nicotine– Addictive (pleasure centers of brain)– Minor negative effects (misattribution?)– Nicotine: • Variety of health problems • Leading cause of preventable disease• Legal and actively promoted

Dependence and Addiction

• Drugs block or stimulate neural messages on synapses (brains communication mode)

• Tolerance needs more and more often to get same effect

• Physical dependence occurs as tolerance builds (neurotransmitters) withdrawal

• Everyday reinforcers become less meaningful

• Addiction is use even when bad effects occur

Dependence and addiction cont’d

• Psychological dependence is craving or hungering for drug (powerful reward)

• Addiction brain diseases (hospital vs. jail)• Medicine, therapy, and economic solutions• ENVIRONMENT in which addiction was formed

(classical conditioning and tolerance)

Peer pressureEscape from conflict, frustration, failure,

pressureImitate parents, athletes, musicians

Personality: vulnerable, low self-esteemCurious

Invincible to consequencesAgainst the rules

Challenge authority of parents/society