Teens & Drug Use
Who is ultimately responsible for a person's drug use and why?
The final responsibility for choosing to use or not use drugs come down to the individual person.
Where is peer pressure most likely to come from?
Friends/Family
Name 1 club drug.
Rohypnol, Ketamine, and Ecstasy.
What is drug addiction?
A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.
Why do you think there are age restrictions on purchasing alcohol?
The brain does not fully mature until age 25. Teens are more prone to develop an addiction and to have damaging effects on their brain.
What are some reasons a teen may NOT want to use drugs.
Don't want to risk the negative consequences; Have other ways and skills to deal with problems; Don't like how drugs make them feel; Support from peers to stay drug free; Want to please parents or prove they're responsible; Other interests; Don't need drugs to feel good or perform well.
Why do teens have a hard time saying NO to drugs and/or alcohol?
friends pressure you; media and advertising; personal curiosity; looking for fun; fitting in; impress others; Bullying
What is a depressant? Name one example.
Drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Prescription versions may be used to treat anxiety or sleeplessness. Ex: alcohol, benzodiazepines such as Valium.
What is dopamine and and how do drugs affect it?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that causes people to feel happy or safe. Illegal drugs cause dopamine levels to go up making a person feel good in response to a drug. If a person keeps using the drug, the brain gets used to these higher levels of dopamine and eventually won't be able to produce much dopamine on its own. This makes the person dependent on the drug to produce higher levels of dopamine to feel "good" again.
How can you tell if a person will get addicted to drugs?
You can't.
Name 3 risk factors for drug use.
Easy access to drugs at home, school, community; Community and neighborhood crime; Poverty; Role models who use drugs; Acceptance of drug use by family and friends; Lack of supervision by parents; Doing poorly in school.
What are refusal skills?
Refusal skills are ways to say no when someone is pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do.
What are inhalants?
Substances that give off fumes that act on the brain. They're breathed in to cause changes in perception or mental function. Most are household or commercial products, such as cleaning products, paint thinners and glues, that were not intended to be used as drugs.
Why does drug use affect the teen brain differently than adults?
Teen brains are still developing. Teens may experience more intense feelings of pleasure when they use drugs, but also more intense negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, when drug use is stopped. Because their brains are still growing and changing, teens and young adults are more vulnerable to the effects of drugs, and are more likely to become addicted faster than older adults.
Name as many consequences of drug addiction as you can.
Physical Problems
Emotional Problems
Social Problems
Financial Problems
Legal Problems
Name 3 protective factors against drug use.
Learning about drugs in school; School anti-drug policy; Lack of access to drugs; Adult disapproval of drug use; Peer disapproval of drug use; Monitoring and support from parents; Positive relationships; Engaging in activities such as sports, youth groups, clubs; Good self-control and having coping/problem-solving skills.
How can you improve refusal skills?
By practicing saying No and developing healthy coping skills and techniques to deal with the pressures to consume drugs and/or alcohol.
List 3 short-term effects of using Hallucinogens.
See, hear or feel things that aren't real, mood swings and strong emotions, heart beats faster, blood pressure rises, body temperature rises, pupils dilate, nausea and vomiting, confusion and panic attacks.
What factors increase the chances of addiction?
Biology, age, environment, social values, mental health, and type of drug used.
What is a performance drug?
Drugs used to temporarily enhance mental or athletic abilities. (ex: anabolic steroids)
Name 3 legal drugs that people might use recreationally and NOT for medical purposes.
Caffeine, Energy drinks, Herbal remedies and supplements, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Prescription Medications (Adderall, Ritalin, OxyContin).
List 3 ways you can say NO to drugs and/or alcohol.
Make a joke, give a reason why it's a bad idea, make an excuse why you can't, just say no firmly, suggest an alternative activity, ignore the situation, repeat yourself if necessary, leave the situation, "thanks, but no thanks".
List a short-term and long-term effect of using Marijuana.
Short Term: feeling calm, relaxed or sleepy; heart beats faster; reaction time slows; dry throat, mouth and lips; bloodshot eyes, blurred eyesight; lose sense of time.
Over Time: lung damage; memory problems, problems processing information, impaired immune system, lower sperm count or sperm movement, changes to menstrual cycle.
What are the stages of addiction?
1. First Use
2. Continued Use
3. Tolerance
4. Dependence
5. Addiction
What is an Opioid?
Drugs that are used medically as painkillers. (Ex: heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, and certain pain pills)