Drug Classifications
What class of drug does CANNABIS for under?
Its own. (Cannabis)
What form of CANNABIS causes the most hospital visits?
Edible cannabis. (takes longer to set-in)
What is one long term affect of smoking cigarettes daily?
Blood pressure, lung complications, addiction, blackened teeth, financial commitment, etc...
What is the safest possible form for harm Reduction that eliminates all risk of physical harm from substances?
Abstinence (not partaking)
Is addiction considered a choice or a disease?
Disease
What CLASS of drug does ALCOHOL fall under?
Depressants (slows functions down)
What synthetic opioid has been causing 80,000-100,000 overdose deaths a year in the United States over the past 5 years?
Fentanyl
What is a short term effect of using methamphetamine?
Inability to sleep, erratic behavior, increased energy, increased anxiety and paranoia, increased/rapid/irregular heart rate/breathing rate, decreased appetite, delusional thoughts
Start Low Go Slow. Describe this harm Reduction strategy...
When trying a new substance, take a low dose and wait to see how it affects you before using more.
Can a person become addicted to CANNABIS?
Yes. No physical addiction, but a mental/psychological addiction can occur.
What CLASS of drug does COCAINE fall under?
Stimulants. (speeds up functions)
What is Naloxone/Narcan?
Opioid OD reversal drug.
What is a long term PHYSICAL affect of using alcohol often and consistently?
Liver cirrhosis/failure, digestive cancers, daily withdrawal symptoms, risk of poor decisions consistently, etc...
Never mix substances. Why is it dangerous to mix two or more substances?
Greatly increases chance of overdose. Substances can have a synergistic affect on each other, meaning they can boost the potency of each other and increase chance of OD and other complications.
Describe how WITHDRAWAL from a substance can trap people in addiction...
Withdrawal symptoms are extremely unpleasant, they are the bodies response to being deprived of a substance it has gotten used to. Taking the substance will provide temporary relief from these symptoms.
What class of drugs does LSD/Acid fall under?
Psychedelics
What are TWO signs someone has overdosed on opioids?
Pale/clammy/blueish-purple skin/lips, cold sweat, pinpoint pupils, unconscious/unresponsive, slowed/stopped breathing, weak pulse, gurgling/aggressive snoring, vomiting, etc...
What are TWO immediate short term affects of consuming large amounts of alcohol?
Intoxication, reduced decision making, Vomiting, passing out, OD (alcohol poisoning)
Check the Substance. This strategy is more important today than ever before. What does it mean?
Fentanyl Test Strips. Test the drug to make sure it really is what you think it is.
What is tolerance?
When the body gets used to a substance, and then requires a larger amount to produce the same affect/feeling
What CLASS of drug does HEROIN fall under?
Opiates (non-synthetic)
What is the Good Samaritan Law?
A law that prevents anyone from getting into legal trouble for reporting an overdose.
What do we know about the long term affects of VAPING?
Unknown. "Guinea Pig" generation.
Set and Setting. This harm Reduction strategy is important if using any substance, especially psychedelic substances. What does it mean>
Set: Mindset. Make sure you are confident and prepared for the decision.
Setting: Make sure you are comfortable with the place/people you are at/with.
What THREE substance can have withdrawal symptoms so severe that they can be fatal?
Alcohol, benzodiazipines, opiates/opioids