Alcohol___Substance_Use(2)

Alcohol & Substance Use : 

Alcohol & Substance Use http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_x79BHo4LA&feature=player_embedded

Psychoactive Drugs : 

Psychoactive Drugs Substances that act on the nervous system to alter consciousness, modify perceptions, and change moods Reduce tension, recreation, curiosity, relieve boredom and fatigue, social interactions Tolerance – greater dosages needed to achieve same effect Physiological dependence – the body adjusts to, and depends on, the presence of the drug Psychological dependence – the psychological need or craving for the drug for emotional reasons

Varieties of Psychoactive Drugs : 

Varieties of Psychoactive Drugs Hallucinogens (a.k.a., psychedelics) LSD, PCP, Cannabis Opiates (a.k.a., narcotics) Morphine, heroine Stimulants Amphetamines, methamphetamines, MDMA, cocaine, nicotine, caffeine Depressants Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, alcohol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

Hallucinogens : 

Hallucinogens Modify perceptive experiences (inner and outer worlds) – often work on Serotonin MDMA (Ecstasy) – stimulant & hallucinogenic Memory, cognitive processing, kills serotonergic axons (depression) LSD – serotonin & dopamine Mood swings, attention, memory Marijuana – not specific NT – variety of NT and hormones Excitatory (heart rate), depressive (blood pressure, coordination), and mildly hallucinatory characteristics (distorted perceptions)

What’s the Deal with the Munchies? : 

What’s the Deal with the Munchies? Cannabinoids- active chemical in marijuana Endocannabinoids (e.g., anandamine) Appetite, mood, pain-sensations play a role in regulating food consumption (increase appetite) & reward systems in the brain Make people seek foods that are sweet and taste good (i.e., junk foods)

Opiates : 

Opiates Morphine, heroine, OxyContin Reduce physical sensation and response to stimulation, depress CNS activity Bind to endorphin (endogenous opiods) receptor sites Euphoria, pain-free Highly addictive Very painful withdrawal

Stimulants : 

Stimulants Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA Increase CNS activity, increase NT levels (e.g., norepinepherine, serotonin, dopamine) Increases self-confidence, greater energy, hyperalertness, mood alterations approaching euphoria Moderate to high risks of dependence

Depressants : 

Depressants Decrease mental and physical activity by decreasing or inhibiting neural transmission Barbiturates (sleep aids, sedatives) Decrease CNS activity Addictive, potent – risk for overdose Benzodiazepines – tranquilizers (e.g., Xanax) reduce anxiety, relaxation Alcohol

How Could Alcohol Be A Depressant?! : 

How Could Alcohol Be A Depressant?! Loss of Inhibitions, silly, boisterous Life of the party

Alcohol & Biology : 

Alcohol & Biology Slows down brain activity – areas involved in judgment, inhibition, coordination, impulse control Reward pathway: ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex Increases GABA Cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia

Why Do We Drink? : 

Why Do We Drink? Types of Motives Social Motives It’s what your friends do, You want to be sociable Enhancement Motives It’s fun, you like how it feels Coping Motives (more negative outcomes) Relax, deal with stress, forget worries Personality & Motives Extraverts  social & enhancement Conscientious  less  social & enhancement Neuroticism  coping

FaSt Facts About Drug & Alcohol Use in the US : 

FaSt Facts About Drug & Alcohol Use in the US Results from the 2008National Survey on Drug Use and Health:National Findings

Slide 13: 

Past Month Illicit Drug Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age: 2008 Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically

Slide 14: 

Current, Binge, and Heavy Alcohol Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age: 2008

Slide 15: 

Specific Drug Used When Initiating Illicit Drug Use among Past Year Initiates of Illicit Drugs Aged 12 or Older: 2008

Slide 16: 

Mean Age at First Use for Specific Illicit Drugs among Past Year Initiates Aged 12 to 49: 2008