INTRO to ATOD
Define drug AND medicine.
Drug: is any substance that causes a change in a person’s physical or psychological state
Medicine: are drugs used to cure, prevent, or treat illness or discomfort
Define Blood Alcohol Concentration
The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a percentage
Define Nicotine.
The addictive drug found in all tobacco products
What is the active chemical in marijuana?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Define Alcoholism
A disease that causes a person to lose control of his or her drinking behavior - Alcoholics are physically and emotionally addicted to alcohol, and suffer painful symptoms when they do not have alcohol
Describe the difference between a prescription drug and an OTC drug
Prescription: is written order from a doctor for a specific medicine
OTC: medicines can be bought without a prescription
Define two terms... Binge drinking and Alcohol abuse
Binge Drinking: is the act of drinking five or more drinks in one sitting
Alcohol Abuse: is drinking too much alcohol, drinking it too often, or drinking it at inappropriate times
Define the dangerous tobacco products tar AND carbon monoxide
Tar: is a sticky, black substance in tobacco smoke. It kills the cilia.
Carbon Monoxide: a toxic gas that “blocks” oxygen from getting into the bloodstream
Define what a stimulant is... Give one example.
Drugs that temporarily increase a person’s energy and alertness - Cocaine or Meth
Define/explain the effects of environmental tobacco smoke.
A combination of mainstream and sidestream smoke
List two ways binge drinking can affect the brain AND the body.
Brain Affects: Alcohol slows down the nervous system - The drinker lose inhibitions - The drinker cannot focus his or her eyes - The drinker may have slurred speech - The drinker loses coordination and judgment, Blackout, coma, death
Body Affects: Alcohol irritates the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach - Alcohol makes the heart work harder - Alcohol make the body lose heat - Alcohol causes the liver to work harder - Alcohol causes dehydration
Explain the long-term affects of the liver, heart, and brain
Liver: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer
Heart: Irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, enlargement of the heart, anemia
Brain: Brain damage, including shrunken brain and dead brain cells
Explain the difference between sidestream and mainstream smoke.
Sidestream Smoke: is the smoke that escapes from the tip of a lit cigarette, cigar, or pipe. This can be as much as half of the total smoke
Mainstream Smoke: is the smoke that is inhaled through a tobacco product and exhaled by the user
List three reasons why people begin using illegal drugs.
a desire to experiment
a desire to escape boredom or depression
enjoyment of risk-taking behavior
a belief that drugs solve personal, social, or medical problems
peer pressure
glamorization of drugs by the media
Describe the difference between physical dependence and psychological dependence.
Physical Dependence: the state in which the brain relies on a drug in order to function normally (withdrawal)
Psychological Dependence: The state in which one is emotionally and mentally needing a drug to function normally (mood disorders)
Describe the difference between drug use, misuse, and abuse
Drug Use: Taking a drug correctly for a legitimate medical reason
Drug Misuse: Taking a legal drug inappropriately
Drug Abuse: Taking a legal drug in such a manner that some aspect of the user’s life is damaged. OR Taking an illegal drug for any purpose.
Of the four categories, describe how alcohol affects someone's BAC: body weight, food, gender, time
Body Weight: Large people tend to reach lower BACs than smaller people; given the same amount of alcohol
Food: When there is food in your stomach, alcohol is absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream. The BAC rises more rapidly when you drink on an empty stomach, because there is no food in which to dilute the alcohol
Gender: Women reach higher BACs faster because they have less water in their bodies and more adipose tissue (fat)
Time: In general, the quicker you drink, the higher your peak BAC will be
Describe the long-term effects of tobacco on two of the following body parts - Mouth, Heart, Skin, or Brain
Mouth: smoking changes the natural chemical balance inside the mouth, leading to increased plaque, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Heart: nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure and narrows the blood vessels. It also increases the risk of hardened and clogged arteries
Skin: smoking breaks down the proteins that give skin elasticity
Brain: smoking reduces oxygen to the brain, narrows blood vessels, and can lead to strokes
List three ways illegal drugs use is dangerous
Illegal drugs can have permanent effects on the brain and the body.
You can become addicted.
You can catch infectious diseases from needles.
You can overdose.
You can lose the ability to make responsible decisions about other risky behavior.
Define depressants, opiates, and hallucinogens. Bonus points if you list a common name for each.
Depressants: are drugs that cause relaxation and sleepiness.
Opiates: are a group of highly addictive drugs derived from the poppy plant that are used as pain relievers, anesthetics, and sedatives.
Hallucinogens: are drugs that distort perceptions and cause a person to see or hear things that are not real.
List and explain the "pathway to addiction"
Drug Use: Drug use activates the brain rewards system (pleasure system)
Tolerance: The drug user needs more of the drug to produce the same effect
Dependence: The drug user experiences uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if he or she tries to stop using the drug
Addiction: The drug user is both physically and psychologically dependent on the drug
List and briefly describe the four stages of alcoholism.
1. Problem Drinking: Drinker cannot drink alcohol in moderation or at appropriate times
2. Tolerance: Drinker needs more alcohol to produce the same effect
3. Dependence: Drinker feels he or she needs alcohol to function properly
4. Drinker is both physically and emotionally addicted to alcohol
List three short-term effects of nicotine on the body
Stimulates the brain reward system
Increases heart rate and blood pressure
Increases breathing rate
Increases blood-sugar levels
Stimulates the vomit reflex
Opiates - list: common street names, intoxication effect, and possible negative health consequences
Heroin - pain relief, relaxation, drowsiness - vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness
List the 5 ways alcohol impairs driving that were in the powerpoint
Slows your reaction time
Affects your vision
Makes you drowsy
Reduces your coordination
Affects your judgment