Substance Use and Gambling

Alcohol

100

Alcohol is a drug

True! A drug is any substance, other than food, that is taken to change the way the body or mind functions. Drugs can occur naturally or can be produced in a lab.

200

Alcohol is a depressant

True! Alcohol depresses the brain centres that control behaviour.

300

When a person stops drinking suddenly after drinking heavily, they can get sick.

True! Physical dependence occurs when the body gets used to having alcohol in the system. Withdrawal symptoms (sickness) may happen if drinking is suddenly stopped.

400

If you drink only beer, you won't develop a drinking problem

False! The form of alcohol makes no difference. The effect of the pure alcohol contained in all alcoholic beverages is the same.

500

Only people who drink every day can become alcoholics.

False! Anyone who drinks can become alcoholic.

Marijuana

100

Smoking marijuana interferes with your sense of time and distance

True! Judging distance and passage of time is difficult under the influence of marijuana. People under the influence frequently misjudge the speed at which they are driving, and the amount of time required for braking.

300

Short-term memory loss, laziness and feeling tired all the time are side effects of using marijuana

True! Mood swings, poor concentration and lung damage are also side effects as well.

400

Marijuana is grown naturally therefore it is less harmful than cigarettes

False! An average cigarette has over 400 chemicals in it; most of those same chemicals are present in marijuana. Marijuana is not regulated at all and therefore we can never be sure of what we are getting. Cigarettes are tested and have warning labels, therefore we know the dangers of smoking.

500

Marijuana is not addictive

False! It can be. Psychologically addictive and a mild physical addiction.

Other Substances

100

Examples of inhalants

What is fuels, solvents, adhesives, aerosol propellants, and paint thinners

200

What is a drug that is indispensable in the practice of medicine. 

What is opoids. They are the most effective agents known for the relief of intense pain. However, they also induce a pleasurable effect on the CNS that promotes their abuse.

300

Severe opioid intoxication can lead to?

What is respiratory depression, coma, and death.

400

These substances are capable of distorting an individual’s perception of reality and have the ability to alter sensory perception.

What is Hallucinogenic substances. Hallucingenics are capable of distorting an individual’s perception of reality and the ability to alter sensory perception and induce hallucinations. Some of the manifestations have been likened to a psychotic break.

500

These substances produce euphoria, impaired judgment, confusion, and changes in vital signs (even coma or death, depending on amount consumed).

Amphetamines and cocaine

Gambling

100

The act of risking money, property or something of value on an activity with an uncertain outcome.

What is gambling. Gambling is defined as "the act of risking money, property or something of value on an activity with an uncertain outcome".

200

Some features in gambling devices can help contribute to a person's problem

True! For example, the most powerful and long-lasting learning pattern occurs when a behaviour is reinforced intermittently and unpredictably. Pattern of intermittent winning may lead to irrational beliefs about gambling and winning. Slot machines pay out on an intermittent reinforcement schedule.

300

Government revenue from gambling in Ontario is over $3 billion annually

True! In 2011, total lottery revenue in Ontario was $3.245 billion. 8 million Ontarians played the lottery at least once in 2011 and 2.7 million visited gaming sites.

500

When a flipped coin comes up heads four times in a row, the next flip will be more likely to come up tails than heads

False! There is no relationship between previous outcomes and the next flip of the coin. The coin is just as likely to come up heads as it is to come up tails (50-50 chance). Gamblers often feel they have some control over the outcome, even when they don't.

Risk and Protective Factors

100

Protective factors decrease kids' chance of becoming harmfully involved with substance use or gambling

True! Other examples of protective factors are developing good social skills, participating in productive activities, feeling connected to school and having friends who positively influence decision-making.

200

Risk factors increase kids' chances of harmful involvement with substances or gambling

True! Other examples of risk factors are early involvement with alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or gambling, a history of substance abuse in the family, family conflict and poor school connection.

300

Schools can make a valuable difference in preventing substance use and gambling problems

True! Research shows that participation in extracurriculuar activities, positive relationships between youth and adults in the school setting, and high social and academic expectations are critical factors in preventing substance use and gambling problems.

400

Young people may turn to substance use or gambling when they cannot express their feelings in a healthy way

True! As people grow older, bottled up feelings will continue to cause pain. Some people try to relieve the pain through substance use or gambling.

500

It is helpful for an adult to tell a youth how to replace feelings of sadness with feelings of happiness

False! A young person needs to know that it is okay to talk honestly about feelings or to feel sad, confused and vulnerable at times. Adults can show they care by listening and understanding.