Psychology Ch 5 Altering Consciousness Through Drugs

Drugs that have psychological effects such as stimulation or distortion of perceptions.

A drug that increases the activity of the nervous system. Stimulants elevate mood, increase feeling of well being, and increase energy and alertness.

Cocaine
Crack Cocaine
Amphetamines
Methamphetamines
Nicotine

A drug that lowers the rate of activity of the nervous system.

Alcohol
Opiates

Alcohol

15 yrs - 4 times more likely.
Adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develope alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

Tolerance
Withdrawal Symptoms
Repeated failure in quiting.
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced.

Recurrent use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligation at work, home or school.
Recurrent use in physically hazardous situations.
Recurrent substance related legal problems.

Certain people may have a genetic predisposition toward physiological dependance (addiction) an various substances including alcohol, opiates, cocaine and nicotine. an inherited tendancy toward alcoholism may involve greater sensitivity to alcohol, greater enjoyment, and greater tolerance of it.

Native Americans and Irish Americans have the highest rate of alcoholism in the U.S.
Jewish Americans have relatively low rates of alcoholism.
Asian and Asian Americans are more likely to show a "flushing response" sensitivity to alcohol which inhibits heavy drinking.

44% - Twice a month - 3 or more times every two weeks.
44% of college students binge at least twice a month and half of them binge 3 or more times every two weeks.

Men

Delirium Tremens (DTs) Depression
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

To fill in gaps in ones memory with fabrications that one believes to be facts.

Helping or shielding from consequences.

Medical detoxification from alcohol followed by total abstinence from all mood-altering drugs.

Flu like symptoms.

Sores and scabs picks at skin(Meth), delusions, organ damage, awake and wired for days, severe mood swings, meth rots teeth and gums, (snorting leads to nose bleeds, impairs sense of smell, erodes nose septum) violent outbursts and psychiatric problems, severe weight loss, hallucinate, psychotic behavior even months after use has stopped, damage to the parts of the brain related to feelings and memory, stroke, seizures

70%

Increased heart rate.
Slows response times.
Intensifies the user's sense of time, making him or her feel that time is moving slowly.
Leads to increased hunger or thirst.
After initial euphoric high passes, user may feel drowsy or depressed.
Feelings of anxiety or panic attacks.
Impair short-term memory and slows learning capabilities.
In higher doses, hallucinations or delusions.
Blood vessels in the eyes dialate, making them appear red.

TEACH early and often.
Beware of the DANGER zone.
Find a HOBBY.
Plan TIME together.
Set a good EXAMPLE.