Substance Use 1
What is a drug?
A drug is any substance that affects the way you think, act, and/or feel.
What does having an addiction mean?
A person addicted to a substance feels that he/she cannot do without the substance.
What is the legal age to drink any alcohol beverage?
21 and older in the United States
What are hallucinogens?
They are drugs that distort the user’s awareness and perception, causing the person to see or hear things that are not there. Some examples include LSD, solvents (gasoline, glue), ecstasy (MDMA), and mushrooms.
What are depressants?
Depressants are drugs that slow down the functions of the central nervous system and make the user less aware of the environment. Some examples include alcohol, sleeping pills (sedative hypnotics), and pain killers (narcotic analgesics).
Your favourite cousin says to you, “I had a few drinks but I can still drive you home.” What would you do?
Call home for a ride. Talk your cousin out of driving, etc.
What are the warning signs of substance abuse?
Changes in behaviour; gradual withdrawal from social circles; drop in grades; loss of interest in normal activities.
What are stimulants?
Stimulants are drugs that speed up the functions of the central nervous system and make the user more aware of the environment. Some examples include Caffeine, nicotine, and methamphetamine.
Name two things that people should NOT do after drinking alcohol.
Drive a car, ride a bicycle, swim, drive an ATV.
What is peer pressure?
Feeling like you have to get along with your friends even though you feel uncertain about it.
What does cannabis do to your body?
Increased appetite (munchies); loss of coordination; decreased concentration; hallucinations; memory loss; lung disease; addiction.
What are the side effects of depressants?
Depressants have a relaxing effect and can slow brain function and physical function, such as breathing.
What are the effects of alcohol on the body?
Alcohol enters the blood stream and affects the brain function. It can also slow reaction time, increase risk taking, and cause blurred vision and slurred speech. Long term effects of alcohol include damage to organs such as the brain, liver, pancreas, and stomach, as well as increased risk of cancer.
Are prescription drugs always safe and legal?
No. When you take drugs that are prescribed to you properly, following doctor’s orders, they are safe and legal. But when you take drugs prescribed to someone else or take them in a way that was not intended, they can be unsafe and they become illegal.
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
Vomiting, passing out, difficulty waking up, and slow, shallow breathing are all signs of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning can result in coma or death.
Why is alcohol considered a drug?
Alcohol is a drug because it affects the mind and body and can be addictive.
Does alcohol make a person feel more tired or more awake?
Alcohol is a depressant and slows down the mind and body so it makes a person feel more tired
What happens to a person who drinks too much in a short period?
Drinking too much in a short time period is known as binge drinking. Vomiting, passing out, difficulty waking up, and slow, shallow breathing are all signs of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning can result in coma or death.
What are some of the effects of prescription drugs?
Prescription drugs, just like other drugs have potentially dangerous effects, such as decreased breathing and addiction.
What effects do drugs and alcohol have on athletic performance?
Decreased athletic performance due to extra weight, decreased motor skills (hand, eye, brain, coordination), hangovers, and delayed reaction time.
Can you tell from a person’s behavior that she/he has been drinking alcohol?
No, not always. Some people may not seem to be affected by alcohol. However, it slows down the activity of the mind and body even though this may not be obvious to an observer.
Why is it dangerous to mix alcohol and other drugs?
Combinations of drugs can intensify effects that can even be fatal including mixing alcohol with medication prescribed by a doctor or mixing energy drinks with alcohol.
What will take away the effects of alcohol?
Only time will take away the effect of alcohol. Coffee and cold showers will not make you sober or shorten the time it takes to become sober.
What are designer drugs?
They are man-made, illegal drugs that are not regulated, so you don’t ever know what is in them. They can be used as a rape drug so you should never leave your drink unattended. Some examples include Ecstasy, Rohypnol (roofies), LSD, and Ketamine
What is the connection between mental health and substance abuse?
Mental illness can contribute to substance abuse or long-term drug use can lead to the development of mental illnesses. Some examples of mental illnesses connected with substance misuse include: depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.