Abuse vs. Misuse
Taking an extra dose of your prescribed cough medicine because you still feel sick.
drug misuse
This vital organ is physically rewired, changed, and hijacked by long-term drug use.
the brain
Maya tried a vape for the first time at a party out of curiosity but hasn't looked for it or used it since. Name this initial stage.
experimentation
True or False: Because OTC drugs can be bought without a doctor's note, they are completely safe and cannot be misused or abused.
false
This developmental factor explains why teenagers are at a much higher risk for addiction: their brains—specifically the area controlling impulse and judgment—are not yet fully built.
age
This term describes using a drug for purposes completely different from why it was made, like using a medicine to get high.
drug abuse
This is the compulsive, uncontrollable medical condition where a person cannot stop using a substance despite it causing severe harm.
addiction
Leo only drinks alcohol on weekends when he hangs out with his friends, but it hasn't affected his schoolwork or home life yet. Name this stage.
continued use, socially, for fun
These types of medicines can be bought straight off the shelf at a pharmacy or grocery store without needing a note from a doctor.
OTC Over the counter
This factor includes things like your DNA and family history, accounting for up to 50% to 60% of a person's vulnerability to substance addiction.
biology
True or False: Taking a friend's prescription ADHD medication to study for a test is an example of drug misuse.
false
Drugs disrupt the brain's communication system by mimicking or interfering with these chemical messengers.
neurotransmitters- dopamine
Sarah feels physically sick, sweaty, and anxious every morning until she takes her prescription pain medication. Name this stage.
physical dependance
This crucial piece of information, printed on every OTC medicine box, contains the active ingredients, purpose, warnings, and exact age-appropriate directions.
Growing up in a neighborhood with high crime rates, easy access to substances, or extreme poverty represents this category of risk.
environment
This classic classroom visual tool is what students used in groups to contrast and sort examples of abuse versus misuse.
T-chart
When the brain adapts to a drug, a person needs larger and larger amounts of it to feel the same effect, a process known as building this.
tolerance
Marcus now notices that his usual one cup of coffee doesn't wake him up anymore; he now requires three cups just to feel normal. Name this biological stage.
tolerance
Name two distinct dangers or legal issues that can happen if a person shares their strong prescription pain medication with a friend who is hurting.
accidental overdose/allergic reaction, masking a worse medical issue, or breaking the law (illegal distribution)
This term refers to the shared beliefs and peer pressures within a community or friend group that can make drug use seem normal, acceptable, or even high-status.
social values
A person takes their own prescription sleep medication at 2 PM instead of bedtime because they feel anxious. Name whether this is abuse or misuse, and explain why.
drug misuse
What are 3 warning signs someone is addicted to a drug.
constant need to take the drug
they are "high" all the time
they lie and steals
loss of weight/facial changes
trouble with the law
David continues to spend all his savings on substances, has been fired from his job, and has lost contact with his family, yet he spends every day searching for his next dose. Name this final stage.
addiction
Explain the difference between Prescription and OTC drugs regarding who the medication is chemically formulated for,
A prescription is formulated and custom-dosed for one specific individual based on their unique biology/history, while OTC drugs are formulated for the general public to treat broad symptoms.
Explain how a negative childhood environment (like chronic stress or trauma) can actually change a person's biology, making them more vulnerable to addiction later in life.
Chronic stress that alters the brain's reward pathway- Trauma or neglect can lower baseline dopamine levels, making the brain highly sensitive to the intense chemical rush of drugs when exposed to them later in life..