Understanding Analgesics
What are analgesics?
Medications used to relieve pain
What is Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
OTC
What do analgesics block in the brain?
Pain signals
Jonah pulled a muscle in his leg during P.E. He had basketball practice that afternoon and decided not to tell his coach what happened. Jonah skipped his warmups and began to play in a scrimmage, but his leg continued to hurt. When he got home, he told his mom about the pain and she gave him Naproxen (Aleve). Did Jonah take the right steps? If not, what could Jonah have done instead?
Jonah should have been honest with his coach, even if it meant he might have to sit out of the scrimmage. During that time, he could have stretched his muscles or applied a heat pack to see if his pain improved. If Jonah tried these alternatives FIRST and found that he was still experiencing pain, it would be best to try taking an OTC pain medication.
What are the stages of substance use
1. No use
2. Experimental
3. Social/Occasional
4. Substance abuse
5. Dependence/Addiction
What are examples of non-opioid analgesics (OTC)?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Aspirin, etc.
What is Codeine cough syrup?
Prescription
High doses of analgesics can ______ the central nervous system, which affects breathing, heart rate, and alertness.
slow
Oliver had a headache after school but had a lot of homework to do. He started feeling tired, so he decided to drink an energy drink to stay up and finish his assignments. An hour later, Oliver’s headache felt worse than before. What should he have done?
Instead of drinking an energy drink, Oliver should have listened to his body. He could have placed a cold towel on his head or lay down for a couple of minutes to see if this improved his headache.
What does it mean when we say that addiction is a disease and not a choice or character flaw?
It is a condition that changes the brain
What are examples of opioid analgesics (prescription)?
Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Morphine, Codeine, etc.
What are multivitamins?
Non-Analgesic
It can cause constipation and nausea
Tom fell and broke his wrist while playing football. He went to the doctor and was told he had to get surgery. When surgery was completed, his doctor prescribed him Oxycodone to help manage the severe pain. After taking the medication for several days, Tom noticed that his pain was still severe. What should he do?
Tom should call his doctor's office to let them know that he is still feeling severe pain and to see if there is anything they can do to help. He should follow their recommendations.
How can substance abuse affect school, relationships, or family life?
Substance abuse significantly damages school performance, personal relationships, and family life by causing cognitive impairment, emotional distress, communication breakdowns, and financial and legal problems
Why or how do teens misuse analgesics?
They can take more than the recommended dose, use someone else's prescription, mix pain relievers, or use them to "numb" emotional pain
What is a cough drop?
OTC
What is dopamine, and how do opioid analgesics affect it?
Dopamine is a chemical that creates pleasure and relief. Opioid analgesics trigger the release of dopamine. With repeated use, the brain adapts by producing less dopamine, leading to tolerance and dependence.
Ally had a toothache after school on Monday. She could not go to the dentist, so she decided to take Ibuprofen before bed to sleep through the night. What is a healthy alternative Ally could have used before taking medication?
Ally could have applied a cold compress to the area of her toothache or tried using a salt rinse with warm water to help alleviate her pain.
What is the most commonly used stimulant?
Caffeine
Where can you find the recommended dose on over-the-counter medication?
On the back of the bottle or packaging
What is Amoxicillin (antibiotic)?
Non-Analgesic
How do analgesics affect hormones?
It changes their production
Mariah broke her ankle while skating a month ago and had to receive surgery. Due to her severe pain, the doctor prescribed her Morphine. Mariah told her friend she was taking Morphine, and her friend suggested that they crush it up and snort it. Mariah was nervous but decided to try it. Now, Mariah crushes up her Morphine to relieve her pain because she feels the effects faster. Is this misuse? What side effects could Mariah start to experience from this behavior?
Yes, this is misuse. Crushing or sorting pills sends too much medication to the brain at once. Because this is greatly affecting her brain and nerves, she may begin to experience confusion, memory problems, or addiction to other substances.
What are the four main signs of addiction?
Loss of Control, Social/Occupational Problems, Risky Use, and Physical Effects