What drug kills the most people?
Tobacco: The only drug that kills 50% of users.
True or False: Drinking alcohol is completely safe because it is legal?
False: Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to numerous long-term health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, learning and memory problems, mental health problems, alcohol dependence, and social/family problems.
True or False: Children raised in a home with smokers are less likely to become smokers?
False: Children are twice as likely to start smoking when living in a home with smokers.
What is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana?
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) = the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana
CBD (Cannabidiol) = the compound that has medicinal properties
THC concentration = 15%–30% (from 2%–8% in the 1970s)
CBD concentration = 0.1% or less
True or False: Gaming / Technology can become an addiction?
True: People will start neglecting their lives to engage in gaming or technology use. You could see it impacting a variety of major life areas.
What are 2 characteristics of addiction?
Loss of control
Use despite harm/consequences
Withdrawal symptoms
Cravings
Tolerance
Compulsions
Chemical changes in the brain
What is the first sign that someone may be experiencing alcohol poisoning?
Other symptoms may include:
Confusion
Seizures
Slow or irregular breathing
Low body temperature
Unconsciousness/passing out
Blue-tinged or pale skin
True or False: Second hand smoke is more toxic than the smoke inhaled by the smoker?
True: Second hand smoke has 5x more carbon monoxide, 2x more tar and 2x more nicotine.
True or False: Unlike alcohol, it is safe to drive after using marijuana.
False: Marijuana affects your ability to judge distance, your concentration and coordination, and slows your reaction time.
Effects of marijuana can last in your system for 4 hours or more.
What are 2 healthy gaming strategies?
Take a break
Turn off at night
Set times / alarms as reminders
Play with other people
Continue engaging with other activities
Monitor usage
Complete homework before gaming
What are 2 reasons why someone might start using drugs or alcohol?
Peer pressure
Curiosity
Boredom
Availability
Family influences
Coping with emotions
Positive attitude towards drugs
Uneducated about use
What is the recovery position and why would you put someone in it that passed out?
On their side, arm holding up their head, leg bent to stabilize: This position is used to prevent choking.
On average, how much longer will a non-smoker live than a smoker?
1 year, 3 years, 8 years, or 10 years?
8 Years: The average smoker will die 8 years earlier than a non-smoker.
What are 2 ways that you would know someone is having substance use concerns with marijuana?
Using marijuana at school
Skipping class
Falling asleep in class
Trouble focusing
Incomplete schoolwork
Lack of motivation
Dropping out of previously enjoyed activities
Fights at home with family
What are 2 withdrawal symptoms someone might experience when they stop gaming or using technology?
Irritability / Anger
Mood Swings
Sadness / Depression
Intense worry / Anxiety
Cravings
Boredom / loss of interests
Give 2 healthy and 2 unhealthy coping strategies.
Healthy:
Going for a walk
Talking to a friend
Having a bath
Journaling
Listening to music
Asking for help
Unhealthy:
Using drugs/alcohol
Self-harm
Physical aggression
High risk activities
Avoidance
Why is it dangerous to mix alcohol with other drugs?
(including caffeine)
Alcohol will always be processed first by your liver which would result in delayed effects from other substances. It may also amplify the effects of a drug.
Alcohol is a depressant. Combine it with a stimulant, such as cocaine, and the two drugs compete with each other. The depressant drug tries to slow the brain/central nervous system down, while the stimulant tries to speed it up – putting your brain/central nervous system under great pressure. Combine alcohol with another depressant drug, heroin for example, and the effect they each have of slowing your central nervous system will be multiplied, and you risk your body shutting down altogether.
True or False: Using e-cigarettes is a good way to help someone quit smoking?
False: Using e-cigarettes to help you abstain from tobacco significantly lowers yours odds of quitting. People who abstain from cigarettes without the use of e-cigarettes are 2-3x more likely to be successful.
Risks: E-cigarettes contain a variety of unregulated chemicals.
E-cigarettes contain Propylene glycol (used in antifreeze and theatre fog).
There is a lack of evidence around the safety and effectiveness.
Popcorn lung from Diacetyl (chemical used in microwave popcorn for flavoring, effects similar to bronchitis that doesn’t go away).
E-cigarettes have exploded.
What are 2 long term health concerns related to marijuana use?
Lung damage
Decreased motivation
Memory problems
Concentration problems
Psychosis
Decreased brain function
Inability to manage emotions
What can put someone at risk for becoming addicted to technology? Give 2 examples.
Unregulated time
Drop in previous interests
Decreased social interaction
Lack of coping skills
Using technology to “escape”
Isolation
Life stressors
Mental Health Concerns
Why is substance use more harmful to adolescents than adults?
The brain is in a crucial part of development, and continues to develop until age 25.
Drugs and alcohol affect the brain’s ability to develop to its full potential.
What is “binge drinking” and why is it dangerous?
Binge Drinking: The consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time
Women: 4 or more drinks in a single occasion
Men: 5 or more drinks in a single occasion
Dangers include: Alcohol poisoning, blackouts, injuries (such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, drownings, burns), violence, risky sexual behaviours.
How many toxic chemicals are found in cigarettes?
60, 500, 1000, or 4000?
4000: More than 4000 different chemicals are found in the average cigarette.
What is “dabbing” and why is it even more harmful than traditional ways of using marijuana?
Concentrated forms of THC are used (dabs, wax, honey oil, shatter).
Extraction involves running a solvent (usually butane, carbon dioxide, or propane) through marijuana buds to pull out the cannabinoids, then evaporating the solvent and gathering the resins left behind.
*Levels of THC are 50-90% stronger in these forms of
marijuana.
Name 3 ways you would be able to identify that someone has problematic use of gaming/internet/social media.
The Process of Addiction (Media)
No Use -No use of devices
Use - Normal/social use Few, if any, negative consequences Does not impact daily living Spend limited time using
Misuse - Occasional problems begin Increased time on internet or gaming Binging Staying up too late and being tired in the morning
Abuse - Regular problems Using to cope with negative emotions or stress Increasing frequency Lack of other leisure interests Increased conflict at home
Dependency - Withdrawal will occur if not able to use Loss of control Cravings Thinking about it all the time, even if not using Dropping out or poor school attendance Life revolves around using device