Drug Facts 1
Dopamine.
Dopamine's primary purpose is to motivate and reward us for actions that keep us alive (hunting, gathering, eating, drinking, etc.) When substances are abused, and much higher levels of dopamine are released than the brain is meant to experience, the brain thinks it needs that substance to survive, leading to addiction. In other words: the action of using substances is rewarded with unnatural levels of dopamine.
True or false: binge-drinking is defined as consuming 4 alcoholic beverages for women or 5 alcoholic drinks for men over a span of 2 hours.
True! This definition comes from The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
False! Due to the unknown chemicals sprayed on it during production, the side effects are often worse. For example, spice can cause aggression, extreme paranoia that leads to attacking others, and seizures.
Spice is often marketed at convenience stores as "incense."
True.
What are the purpose of coping skills?
To bring stress down to a manageable level.
What is the riskiest way to ingest a drug?
Intravenous ("shooting up.") It delivers high concentrations very directly, making overdose much more likely. There is also the additional risk of disease transmission from dirty/shared needles.
True or false: because its effects include alertness and pleasure, alcohol is considered a stimulant.
False! Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the nervous system.
Approximately how much does the United States spend a year on the War on Drugs?
51 billion dollars.
Does this surprise you?
Precontemplation.
What is a coping skill that can be used when you start feeling angry?
Deep breathing, counting to ten before reacting, taking a break. What others can you think of and why would they help reduce anger?
The liver detoxifies alcohol, but what two organs are responsible for separating its wastes?
Kidneys and lungs.
How many more times potent is fentanyl compared to morphine?
50-100 times more potent.
Name 3 behaviors that someone on PCP might exhibit.
It tends to cause schizophrenia-like symptoms in high doses and is highly addictive. It's dangerous because it tends to make people behave with unpredictable violence.
What can be considered the sixth stage of change and why?
Relapse, because it's a common part of the sobriety journey. It's considered a chance to try again using the skills you've learned.
They draw a line you do not want crossed--for example, if you know being around alcohol is a trigger for you, setting a boundary with friends/family about alcohol being at gatherings could be helpful.
Who can give an example of communicating a boundary? Remember, a boundary is assertive, kind, and states what will happen if that boundary is crossed.
What is the estimated percentage of people who experience serious mental illness also having a substance use disorder?
It is estimated that up to 75% of individuals with a serious mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder. This is known as dual diagnosis or co-occuring disorders.
Do you think this estimation is high or low? Why do you think that individuals who suffer from mental illness might be more prone to substance abuse, or vice versa?
The brain, heart, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
Low amounts of alcohol can increase blood pressure, but what can large amounts of alcohol do to the heart?
Cause irregular pumping.
During the middle stage of addiction, physical and psychological tolerance to the substance begins to build. What are the symptoms of physical tolerance and what are the symptoms of psychological tolerance?
Physical tolerance: body "needs" the substance to function normally.
Psychological tolerance: individual feels they cannot function without the substance.
True or false: All coping skills help all people.
False! Some coping skills don't help some people; it's important to find healthy coping skills that work for you.
While the chemicals in meth harm a person's teeth, what is another factor of meth that causes tooth decay?
A decrease in the amount of spit in the mouth.
Less saliva=more tooth decay.Many individuals who are addicted to meth do not eat or sleep for several days at a time. This is because of the drug's affect on what system of the body?
The nervous system.
Because the nervous system is overstimulated by the drug, eating/sleeping is not a priority for the body. When a person "comes down" from the high, it is not uncommon for them to want to eat all the food and sleep.
1 shot of liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer all contain the same amount of alcohol. How many ounces of alcohol is that?
1/2 ounce of alcohol
What is the difference between healthy avoidance and unhealthy avoidance?
Healthy avoidance is choosing temporary distractions about stresses you cannot change; unhealthy avoidance is refusing to acknowledge problems and feelings, pretending they don't exist.
Healthy avoidance can be thought of as mindful "breaks," while unhealthy avoidance can be thought of as ignoring reality.