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Name 2 reasons why teens use prescription drugs
Teens misuse prescription drugs for a number of reasons, such as to get high, to stop pain, or because they think it will help them with school work.
Reasons for use for males and females
Boys and girls tend to misuse some types of prescription drugs for different reasons. For example, boys are more likely to misuse prescription stimulants to get high, while girls tend to misuse them to stay alert or to lose weight.
This drug has been in the news recently. It is a powerful opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is sometimes added to elicit drugs sold on the street.
Fentanyl
Where do most teens get prescription drugs?
Many teens get prescription drugs they misuse from friends and relatives, sometimes without the person knowing.
Daily double: Name 2 ways in which prescription drugs are misused?
1. Taking someone else’s prescription medication. Even when someone takes another person’s medication for its intended purposes (such as to relieve pain, to stay awake, or to fall asleep) it is considered misuse
2. Taking a prescription medication in a way other than prescribed. Taking your own prescription in a way that it is not meant to be taken is also misuse. This includes taking more of the medication than prescribed or changing its form—for example, breaking or crushing a pill or capsule and then snorting the powder
3. Taking a prescription medication to get high. Some types of prescription drugs also can produce pleasurable effects or “highs.” Taking the medication only for the purpose of getting high is considered prescription drug misuse
4. Mixing it with other drugs. In some cases, if you mix your prescription drug with alcohol and certain other drugs, it is considered misuse and it can be dangerous
Name 1 effect of prescription depressants
slurred speech
shallow breathing, which can lead to overdose and even death.
sleepiness
disorientation
lack of coordination
Prescription drugs are the most commonly used drugs after which 2 drugs?
Alcohol and marijuana
What are prescription opioids used to treat?
pain—for example, pain from dental surgery, serious sports injuries, or cancer. Opioids are also commonly prescribed to treat other kinds of pain that lasts a long time (chronic pain), but it is unclear if they are effective for long term pain
What is 1 of the 3 categories of depressants
Barbiturates
Sleep medications
Benzodiazepines
Give 2 names for opioid medications:
Oxycodone
Hydrocodone
Morphine
Codeine
Fentanyl
Hydromorphone (dilaudid)
Demerol
Methadone
Opioid receptors are also located in the brain’s reward center, where they cause a large release of what neurotransmitter
dopamine. This causes a strong feeling of relaxation and euphoria (extreme good feelings). Repeated surges of dopamine in the reward center from drug-taking can lead to addiction
What is one commonly misused benzodiazepine?
Xanax
Valium
Prosom
Klonopin
Ativan
Depressants affect the brain by increasing the activity of what neurotransmitter
Most depressants affect the brain by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the brain that sends messages between cells. The increased GABA activity in turn slows down brain activity. This causes a relaxing effect that is helpful to people with anxiety or sleep problems. Too much GABA activity, though, can be harmful.