Fast Facts
True or False?
It is legal to take someone else's prescription when they give you permission.
False
Vomiting, blacking out, passing out, cold/clammy skin, slurring, lack of muscle coordination
Name a risk of sharing drug supplies such as straw or pipes.
Infection with Hep C or HIV.
What are three risk factors to addiction?
Genetics, environment, friend/family use, lack of parental supervision, availability of drugs, drug use at a young age, mental health issues, stress.
What are the two main chemicals in marijuana?
THC and CBD
How can smoking marijuana affect your lungs?
Smoking can damage the lungs. It can put carcinogenic tar and other toxins into your lungs. This increases the risk of bronchitis, chronic inflammation (chronic coughing or wheezing) and lung cancer.
Why do people feel depressed after using stimulants such as cocaine and meth?
Because these drugs (uppers/stimulants) give a big dose of the "feel good" chemical dopamine and the body can stop producing it. After the drug is out of the system, it takes a while for the body to start making and releasing it again. With meth, the dopamine surge is so extreme it causes the brain to make new receptors with is why the crash is so intense.
What are three signs of someone's substance use becoming a problem?
Trying to quit but can't, conflicts in relationships (family, friends, partner), affecting commitments/responsibilities (school, sports, work), affecting finances (stealing, selling/dealing, exploitation).
What are three protective factors to avoid/prevent addiction?
Strong family bonds, parental supervision and involvement, friends who are positive influences and don't use drugs, strong neighborhood and community, clear rules and expectations, strong performance in school, participation in positive activities, coping strategies.
What method of ingesting marijuana delivers a dangerous amount of THC to the user?
Dabbing- this has 3-5x more THC than the plant itself!
What does alcohol do to your body temperature?
It lowers it. When alcohol reaches your bloodstream it causes your small blood vessels to expand. This increases the flow of your blood in your body. Although you may feel warm, your body temperature actually drops.
What are three side effects of using ecstasy?
Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, enlarged pupils, nausea, tightened muscles, sweating, chills, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and body temperature, dehydration, shaking, next-day sleepiness.
How old do you have to be to smoke marijuana legally in Colorado?
21
What is the least harmful way of taking a substance? Eating, smoking, or injecting?
Eating, because it takes longer for the body to absorb it and it can also be puked or pumped out if necessary.
In addition to causing trouble in the brain, smoking marijuana may increase the risk of what?
Heart attacks and respiratory illnesses
What is the active chemical in marijuana?
Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC
What are some deadly effects of opioid misuse?
Decreased heart rate and breathing, risk of coma, stopped breathing, liver and kidney disease.
What are three effects of marijuana on the brain?
Impact on decision making, concentration, memory, changes in perception and mood, lack of coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, disrupted learning and memory.
Why is underage drug use such a concern to medical and mental health professionals, and the legal system?
Adolescent use has been linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and puts these teens at increased risk for developing schizophrenia and developing psychosis.
Drivers on marijuana have an increased risk of getting into a car accident because of...?
Slowed reaction time and impaired judgement
The brain is particularly vulnerable to damage from alcohol and drugs while it is still developing. Until about what age does the brain continue to develop?
Well into the mid 20's
Withdrawal
What should you do if someone who has been using alcohol or other drugs passes out?
Put them in the "recovery position" so they don't choke or drown in their vomit. If the person is unresponsive then you need to call 911.
What is an overdose?
This occurs when a person uses enough of a substance to produce life-threatening symptoms or death.
What is a potential effect of smoking too much marijuana?
Cyclic vomiting