Substance Use Basics
What is a drug?
any substance which, when absorbed into the body, can alter the body's functions either physically and/or psychologically. Drugs can be legal (alcohol, tobacco, caffeine) or illegal (marijuana, heroin, meth)
What is binge drinking?
Drinking with the goal of getting drunk, often as drunk as possible
What is the addictive drug in cigarettes?
Nicotine
What is the most common illegal drug used in the world?
True of false: Prescription drugs provide a safe high because the are regulated.
False; when not taken as prescribed, or taking someone else's prescriptions, these medications can be just as harmful, if not more, as street drugs.
What are the 4 ways to use drugs?
Inhale, topical, oral, injection
what is the most used and abused drug in the world
alcohol
More people die each year as a result of: tobacco, heroin, marijuana or cocaine
Tobacco
How long can marijuana stay in the body for?
30 days (a month)
What type of prescription pills are most abused? (2 types)
Painkillers (hydrocodone and oxycontin) and depressants (xanax and valium)
How do drugs and alcohol affect the brain?
A child's brain develops until early/mid twenties. The earlier a youth begins drinking alcohol or abusing drugs, the greater the risk of changing the development of the brain and can result in irreversible damage.
What is alcohol poisoning? And what are its effects?
Consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a small period of time. Can affect breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and could lead to a coma or death.
Consequences of chewing tobacco (give 2)
it causes cancer of the mouth, gum disease, and heart disease. Nicotine is still found in chewing tobacco.
What are some common names for marijuana?
What are some reasons teens are abusing specifically prescription pills?
Prescription pills are widely available, cheap or free, believe they are a safer way to get high and a safer alternative to street drugs.
What are some reasons youth may use drugs or alcohol? (give me three)
Boredom, wanting to look cool, peer pressure, stress, curiosity, an escape, friends, social media
What is alcoholism?
The inability to control or stop drinking once you have started, physical cravings, and dependency on alcohol.
True or False: You can die from smoking related illnesses without ever smoking. If no, explain why not. If yes, explain how.
Yes, you can get cancers from second-hand smoke.
What are side effects of marijuana use? (give three)
Red eyes, drowsiness, impaired motor skills, altered perception, poor coordination, and vision impairment.
What are "OTC" drugs? Give a few examples
Over-the-counter medications (sleeping aids, cough syrups, stimulants.) Common side effects include slurred speech, panic attacks, sleep disorders, coma, and loss of consciousness.
What are some health and social risk of drug use and abuse? (give me three)
Problems with family and friendships, school failure, loss of interest in healthy activities, impaired memory, mental health issues, risk of addiction
What are some long term health risk associated with drinking alcohol? (give me three)
Cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure and heart attacks) cancers of the throat, stomach, and liver, liver failure, anxiety and depression.
What are some long term health effects of smoking?
Give three
Lung, throat, mouth cancers, heart diseases, stroke, and high blood pressure.
What are some health risk associated with marijuana use? (give three)
Weight gain, respiratory infections, anxiety, panic attacks, and problems with memory and learning.
What are some health risk associated with prescription drug abuse? (give 2)
High blood pressure, heart attack, memory loss, confusion, respiratory issues (infections & breathing problems,) coma, and death.