Substances 101
This refers to the dried leaves, stems, and flowers of Cannabis plants.
What is Marijuana?
Using a substance to the point that it alters a person’s judgment and decision making, leading to dangerous behaviors.
What is Substance Misuse?
This is the main ingredient in cigarettes, cigars, and dip. It is a leaf that has the drug nicotine in it.
What is Tobacco?
In this job, you might care for clients receiving treatment for mental illness and substance misuse, usually in a hospital or clinic.
What is a Registered Nurse?
This is one of the most frequently used substances, a depressant that includes beer, wine, and liquor.
What is Alcohol?
These types of substances speed up the body's processes and include caffeine, nicotine, and cocaine.
What are Stimulants?
A mental health condition caused by a pattern of substance use that causes distress and impairs someone's life
What is Substance Use Disorder
The chemical in cigarettes that reduces the amount of oxygen available to your body and makes it hard for you to exercise or be good at sports.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
In this role, you might have a close understanding of your served community and be the link between health services and community members.
What is a Community Health Worker?
These substances are sold from a drug store directly to a person without a prescription; they can be misused if taken for another purpose than intended.
What are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?
This psychoactive substance in cannabis causes the feeling of being "high".
What is THC?
This life-saving nasal spray is used to reverse an opioid overdose.
What is Narcan?
The legal age at which someone can purchase a vape in California.
What is 21?
In this role, you might work with agencies to connect clients to care and services.
What is a Case Manager?
This is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Test strips can be used to identify if street drugs are contaminated with this substance.
What is Fentanyl?
This traditional approach to substance use treatment requires that people refrain from using substances.
What is Abstinence?
This addictive substance in cigarettes and vapes is a strong stimulant, but after getting a "boost" it quickly fades and the user seeks out the substance again.
What is Nicotine?
These professionals work in a wide variety of settings to provide emotional support, mental health evaluations, therapy, and case management.
What are Licensed Clinical Social Workers?
This type of substance is a “narcotic” that relieves pain by decreasing the intensity of pain signals that reach the brain. It includes prescription drugs like OxyContin and illicit substances like heroin.
What is a an opioid?
This type of substance alters a person's perception of reality and may cause them to see or hear things that are not there.
What are Psychedelics?
This includes a range of public health policies, practices, and tools - such as fentanyl test strips - that help lessen the negative consequences of substance use.
What is Harm Reduction?
This is an alternative to a traditional cigarette; the sale of flavored versions have have been banned in California.
What are E-Cigarettes?
These medical doctors specialize in mental health, including substance use disorders, and assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological challenges.
What are Psychiatrists?