Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine belongs to this major drug category because it increases activity in the central nervous system.
What is a stimulant?
This is the primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana responsible for the “high.”
What is THC?
Alcohol belongs primarily to this drug category because it slows central nervous system activity.
What is a depressant?
Heroin, morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone belong to this broad drug class.
What are opioids?
Xanax, Ativan, and Valium belong to this prescription drug family commonly used for anxiety and related conditions.
What are benzodiazepines?
Name two common short-term effects of methamphetamine use.
What are increased energy, decreased appetite, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, or decreased need for sleep?
Marijuana can impair these abilities, making driving dangerous. Name two.
What are reaction time, coordination, attention, judgment, or perception?
Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, reaction time, and this ability, which is why a person may believe they are functioning better than they actually are.
What is decision-making?
Opioids are medically used primarily to treat this symptom.
What is pain?
Medications used to decrease anxiety are described by this drug-class term.
What are anxiolytics?
Long periods without sleep combined with heavy meth use can contribute to these severe psychiatric symptoms.
What are paranoia, hallucinations, or psychosis?
Although some people use marijuana to relax, high doses of THC can sometimes increase these two uncomfortable psychological reactions.
What are anxiety and paranoia?
Long-term heavy alcohol use can damage multiple organs. Name three commonly affected organs.
What are the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, or gastrointestinal system?
During an opioid overdose, this vital function may become dangerously slow or stop altogether.
What is breathing/respiration?
Prescription medications that calm the central nervous system and cause relaxation or sleepiness may be classified as these.
What are sedatives/depressants?
Chronic methamphetamine use can cause significant problems with these three areas of functioning: thinking, emotions, and behavior. Name one example.
What are impaired memory/attention, mood disturbances, aggression, impulsivity, or psychotic symptoms?
Frequent marijuana use can lead to this condition in which stopping or reducing use produces symptoms such as irritability, sleep difficulty, decreased appetite, and cravings.
What is cannabis withdrawal?
Severe alcohol withdrawal can include hallucinations, seizures, and a potentially life-threatening condition involving severe confusion and autonomic instability.
What is delirium tremens (DTs)?
This medication can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and temporarily restore breathing.
What is naloxone (Narcan)?
Prescription stimulants can be medically appropriate when prescribed, but misuse can produce cardiovascular problems, insomnia, agitation, and several severe psychological symptoms.
What are paranoia, hallucinations, or psychosis?
Meth produces a powerful reward by dramatically affecting this neurotransmitter involved in motivation and reinforcement.
What is dopamine?
Recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting associated with prolonged, frequent cannabis use may indicate this syndrome.
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)?
Combining alcohol with opioids, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives is particularly dangerous because their effects can combine to suppress this life-sustaining function.
What is breathing/respiration?
After a period of abstinence, returning to a previously tolerated opioid dose can dramatically increase overdose risk because this has decreased.
What is tolerance?
Combining benzodiazepines or other sedatives with opioids significantly increases the risk of this potentially fatal consequence.
What is respiratory depression/overdose?