LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY
SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, TRUSTED TEACHER OR OTHER TRUSTED ADULT, CHURCH, PARENT, LOCAL COUNSELING CENTERS AND RECOVERY GROUPS
WHAT ARE SOURCES OF SUPPORT?
If you have questions, need to talk, seeking advice... REACH OUT
B.A.C
WHAT IS BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION?
.08 is the legal limit for someone who is at the legal age of 21
GROUP OF SYMPTOMS THAT OCCUR UPON THE ABRUPT DISCONTINUATION OR DECREASE IN THE INTAKE OF MEDICATIONS OR RECREATIONAL DRUGS.
WHAT IS WITHDRAWAL?
Heroin and prescription painkillers: flu-like symptoms lasting an average of 5 days
Benzodiazepines: anxiety and/or seizures lasting weeks or months
Cocaine: depression and restlessness lasting 7-10 days
Alcohol: tremors and/or seizures lasting three days to several weeks
ALCOHOL
WHAT IS A DEPRESSANT?
Alcohol is actually a bi-phasic drug. Biphasic effects of alcohol refers to the two distinct effects which alcohol has on drinkers, it starts out as a stimulant (euphoria) and ends up as a depressant
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION IS A SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO ILLICIT STREET DRUGS
WHAT IS A MYTH?
Prescription drugs, when misused or taken without a prescription, can be just as harmful as illegal street drugs.
ASSUMED TO BE A SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO MARIJUANA
WHAT ARE SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS?
“fake weed” are dangerous impersonators of marijuana. These mind-altering chemicals may be sold as liquids for vaporizing devices or e-cigarettes or sprayed on dried plant matter (to resemble marijuana) for smoking.
These substances are far from safe and have been linked to hallucinations, psychosis, acts of violence, and even episodes of deadly bleeding caused by rat poison-laced drugs. Once legal, it’s now illegal to buy, sell, or possess many of these chemicals. Commonly found versions include K2 and Spice.
SAFE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL WHEN PREGNANT
WHAT IS NONE?
There is no safe amount of alcohol when a woman is pregnant. Evidence-based research has found that drinking even small amounts of alcohol while pregnant can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, or sudden infant death syndrome.
A PRIMARY, CHRONIC DISEASE OF BRAIN REWARD, MOTIVATION, MEMORY AND RELATED CIRCUITRY
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
Addiction is about the way your body craves a substance or behavior, especially if it causes a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of “reward” and lack of concern over consequences. Someone experiencing an addiction will: - be unable stay away from the substance or stop the addictive behavior - display a lack of self-control -have an increased desire for the substance or behavior -dismiss how their behavior may be causing problems -lack an emotional response
Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
MARIJUANA
WHAT IS A HALLUCINOGEN?
Marijuana is classified as a mild hallucinogen. It primarily affects the way the user perceives things. Currently, marijuana is second only to alcohol as the drug most often found in the bodies of collision victims. It can act as a stimulant or depressant, depending on the user's mood and experience with the drug.
MARIJUANA IS SAFER THAN ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS
WHAT IS A MYTH?
Research shows that marijuana can cause serious problems with learning, feelings, and health.
Short-term use of marijuana can lead to:
School difficulties
Problems with memory and concentration
Increased aggression
Car accidents
Use of other drugs or alcohol
Risky sexual behaviors
Worsening of underlying mental health conditions including mood changes and suicidal thinking
Increased risk of psychosis
Interference with prescribed medication
Regular use of marijuana can lead to significant problems including Cannabis Use Disorder. Signs of developing Cannabis Use Disorder include using marijuana more often than intended, having cravings, or when using interferes with other activities. If stops using suddenly, they may suffer from withdrawal symptoms that, while not dangerous, can cause irritability, anxiety, and changes in mood, sleep, and appetite.
Long-term use of marijuana can lead to:
Cannabis Use Disorder
The same breathing problems as smoking cigarettes (coughing, wheezing, trouble with physical activity, and lung cancer)
Decreased motivation or interest which can lead to decline in academic or occupational performance
Lower intelligence
Mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, anger, irritability, moodiness, and risk of suicide
CURRENTLY LEGAL, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, PLANT SUBSTANCE THAT IS EASY TO ORDER ON THE INTERNET
WHAT IS KRATOM?
When kratom is taken in small amounts, users report increased energy, sociability, and alertness instead of sedation as when taken in larger amounts. However, kratom can also cause uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous side effects.
Reported health effects of kratom use include: nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, loss of appetite, seizures, hallucinations, addiction.
Symptoms of psychosis have been reported in some users.
CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA TOGETHER COULD RESULT IN THIS
WHAT IS ALCOHOL POISONNG?
Cannabis products are known to be antiemetic, indicating that cannabis use makes it more difficult for an individual to vomit and could potentially lead to serious effects when combined with alcohol that could increase the potential for overdose and/or alcohol poisoning due to a disruption in an individual’s ability to rid excess alcohol from their system via vomiting.
It is important to recognize how to tell if someone has alcohol poisoning so that they can get help. The common signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:
Extreme confusion
Disorientation
Vomiting
Shallow, slow or irregular breathing
Passing out
Being unresponsive
Seizures
Low body temperature
Pale or blue-ish looking skin
CHEMICALS THAT CHANGE THE WAY YOUR BODY WORKS, THINKS AND FEELS
WHAT ARE DRUGS?
Drugs are chemicals that change the way your body works. • Drugs can change how you think, feel or act. • Medicines are drugs that can help cure sickness, relieve pain or prevent illness. • Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are drugs.
HEROIN, VICODIN, CODEINE
WHAT ARE OPIOIDS?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin ®), hydrocodone (Vicodin ®), codeine, morphine, and many others.
THE DEVELOPING BRAIN IS MORE VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES THAN A FULLY DEVELOPED ADULT BRAIN
WHAT IS A FACT?
The human brain isn't really fully developed until the mid 20’s.
Nicotine and other substances of abuse can disrupt brain development, interfere with long-term cognitive functioning, and increase the risk of various mental and physical health problems later in life.
Our brains are constantly adapting to the circumstances we live in, environment and experiences. We can damage the process of brain development by alcohol and drug abuse, but also with the amount of stress we face every single day. That’s why we need to take care of our lifestyle, because even though we might not notice, it will affect our brain permanently.
UNSUPERVISED WITHDRAWAL OF 2 SUBSTANCES THAT CAN RESULT IN DEATH
WHAT ARE BENZODIAZEPINES AND ALCOHOL?
Withdrawal from benzos can result in seizures, depending on how long and how heavily the drugs have been used. The risk of grand mal seizures is higher than with alcohol withdrawal and can result in death. Benzo withdrawal also has significant psychological symptoms that can be life-threatening.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a result of the central nervous system being in a ‘hyper-excitable’ state. Unlike a drug withdrawal, withdrawal from alcohol can in fact cause death. Approximately 5-20% of people with severe alcohol addiction will suffer from seizures and delirium tremens; both of which are withdrawal symptoms and can cause death.
3 REASONS THAT ALCOHOL WOULD BE ILLEGAL, DETRIMENTAL OR DANGEROUS
WHAT IS UNDERAGE, ALCOHOL USE DISORDER, PREGNANT, DRIVING OR PLANNING TO DRIVE, TAKING CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION/OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS OR CERTAIN MEDICAL DISORDERS?
Legal drinking age is 21
If you identify as someone with alcohol use disorder then abstinence is a must
No amount of alcohol is safe for someone who is pregnant
MOST COMMON, COSTLY AND DEADLY PATTERN OF EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE
WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?
Amount of alcohol consumption considered binge drinking for a woman is 4 or more in 2 hours and 5 or more in 2 hours for a man
Most people younger than age 21 who drink alcohol report binge drinking, often consuming large amounts.
Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent but are putting themselves in danger for many health problems like such as:
Unintentional injuries such as car crashes, falls, burns, and alcohol poisoning.
Violence including homicide, suicide, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault.
Sexually transmitted diseases.
Unintended pregnancy and poor pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
Chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease.
Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.
Memory and learning problems.
Alcohol dependence.
COCAINE, ADDERALL, CRYSTAL METH
WHAT ARE STIMULANTS?
Prescription stimulants (Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, Vyvanse) & other drugs in this class are frequently used as performance-enhancing drugs. Individuals take them in an attempt to increase their academic or professional capabilities. Frequently referred to as “study drugs,” these substances are highly addictive, and abuse can lead to psychosis, seizures, and heart failure.
A CHILD'S EARLIEST INTERACTIONS WITHIN A FAMILY ARE CRUCIAL TO HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND RISK FOR DRUG USE
WHAT IS A FACT?
Parental monitoring and support are protective factors. Parents or older family members who use drugs or misuse alcohol, or who break the law, can increase children's risk of future drug problems.
"MOVIE FOOD" NAME FOR BRONCHIOLITIS OBLITERANS AND WHAT IT IS
WHAT IS POPCORN LUNG?
A serious and irreversible lung disease that causes symptoms similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to inhaling diacetyl from vaping.
Symptoms include: wheezing that is not related to another health condition such as bronchitis or asthma, dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing deeply especially with physical activity, unexplained exhaustion, rapid breathing
ORGAN THAT IS AFFECTED FIRST BY ALCOHOL
WHAT IS THE BRAIN?
The first part of the body affected by alcohol is the brain, particularly the part of the brain that allows you to think clearly and make good decisions (FRONTAL LOBE). Its sedative effects impair judgment in a way that is usually not noticed by the drinker.
EXTENDED ABSTINENCE OF MIND ALTERING SUBSTANCES IS PREDICTIVE OF THIS
WHAT IS LONG-TERM OR SUSTAINED RECOVERY?
A person who remains substance free after five years will probably stay that way. The chances of remaining substance free increase after three years of sobriety. However, to maintain long-term recovery requires active, ongoing disease management strategy, including participation in self-help or support groups.
PAINT, GLUE, GASOLINE, MARKERS, DUSTER
WHAT ARE INHALANTS?
Often referred to as "huffing". Common household items usually used by children and adolescents by sniffing, spraying, huffing, bagging or inhaling that causes the substance to cross through the lungs into the bloodstream. AIR DUSTER (canned air used on computer keyboards) is very popular an short-term effects of inhaling it include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, muscle weakness, stomach pain, mood swings, irrational or violent behavior, anger, slurred speech, clumsiness, tingling in the hands and feet, hallucination, hearing loss and delayed reflexes. Long-term effects of huffing are unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, indifference, muscle spasms, ineptitude and an ill-temper. Permanent damage to vital organs including the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs occurs, as does damage to areas of the brain that control learning, motor skills, vision and hearing.
A serious and sudden consequence is SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH SYNDROME. It can happen whether it's a user's first time huffing or not. It occurs most often when inhaling aerosol products like "air dusters." Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome results in rapid and irregular heart beats that lead to cardiac arrest and death.
Another fatal consequence of inhaling air dusters is SUFFOCATION. When the fumes enter the lungs and central nervous system, oxygen levels are depressed so that the user is unable to breathe and suffocates.
Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, in the same category as heroin and L.S.D. that have a high potential for abuse
WHAT IS A FACT?
Marijuana is currently classified by the federal government as a Schedule I controlled substance, the same category as heroin and L.S.D. Drugs with that classification, the government says, have a high potential for abuse and “no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.”.