dhs ch 13

Why are prescription drugs the "nation's fastest growing drug problem?"

People obtain these drugs from family members or friends People duplicate prescriptions from multiple physicians Prescription drugs rapidly induce tolerance and dependence

Drugs that can relieve anxiety and lower inhibitions, which can result in a temporary elevation of mood. Larger doses increases drowsiness, sleep and loss of consciousness. They have a high potential for abuse and dependence

depressants

Drugs, such as LSD, that produce delusions and other changes in one's perception of the environment

hallucinogens

A commonly used and abused drug that causes a reduction in concentration, reaction time, impaired short term memory and lack of motivation to accomplish life's tasks

marrijuana

Integrated treatment entails all of the following EXCEPT:

medication only

Drugs that produce euphoria due to an increase dopamine in the brain (the "feel good" neurotransmitter). They build a quick tolerance, resulting in the necessity of ever-increasing doses. They can cause tremors, confusion, aggression and permanent brain damage

stimulants

Alcohol the #1 problem drug in America for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

The potency of alcohol and its addictive properties that cause a person to become addicted are greater than other drugs

What is Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurrence?

When a primary diagnosis of substance abuse and a secondary diagnosis of a mental disorder is made

A stimulant or depressant that can cause muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, chills or sweating. They are also used as a weapon to make a person unconscious and unable to consent to sex

club

marijuana

Gateway drugs are drugs that often lead to the use of more addictive types of drugs (gateway to the use and abuse of other more potent drugs). -Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are the drugs most commonly believed to be gateway drugs. -Other common gateway drugs include inhalants and anabolic steroids. More recently, the abuse of prescription drugs (mainly painkillers) are also included.

Psychoactive, breathable chemicals, such as cleaning fluid, that produce a reduction in anxiety and inhibitions, and make the user feel high for a brief amount of time

Inhalants

What changes have been made regarding the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act?

Insurance companies need to treat mental illness in the same manner as other (physical) diseases in regards to financial limitations (i.e., co-pays) and treatment

Exposure to environmental smoke is designated as a human class ____ carcinogen

class A

4 major derivatives (or "spin- offs") from marijuana plants

1. Sinsemilla: Often grown in water ("hydro") and some popular kinds are: kind bud, dro, 30s, AK-47, and blueberry. The average concentration of THC is 9.6% and higher and made from the buds of flowering tops of the female plants. 2. Hashish: Pure form of resin. Also from the flowers of the female plant. Average concentration of THC is 12.1% for domestic, 7.03% for nondomestic, and 20.76 for samples seized by law enforcement officials. More difficult to find in the United States. 3.Marijuana Wax: Also known as wax, ear wax, butter, and shatter. Currently the most powerful and potent (80% pure THC). Produces a very quick high often similar to hallucinogenic drugs. 4.Ganja: Largely produced in India. Consists of the dried tops of female plants. The term is also used as a slang term for marijuana (pot, weed, reefer).

What is the Synar Ammendment?

A federal law that prohibits the sale and distribution of tobacco products to people under the age of 18

Why is abstinence alone not the most effective strategy for fully recovering from an addiction?

An addict needs to resolve the underlying issues that drive him/her to cope with alcohol, tobacco and other drug use

What is the link between mental illness and drug addiction?

Approximately half of all people seeking treatment for substance abuse also suffer from a mental disorder

What is the Controlled Substance Act of 1970?

Drugs are listed in one of five levels according to their potential for abuse

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a human class _____ (correct answer above) because:

ETS has serious health effects, including cancer and respiratory infections

What is the role of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)?

Enforcing provisions of the Controlled Substance Act for Schedule 1 drugs is the DEA's primary responsibility since those drugs are classified as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use

Jason feels physically and emotionally ill when he abstains from smoking marijuana even for a day. Why, what is an example of withdrawal?

He has to smoke marijuana because otherwise, he will feel nauseous, anxious, and volitile

The American Medical Association's (AMA) Task Force to prevent, reduce and treat opioid addiction includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Prescribe less potent pain medications for injuries that are not severe

The use of drugs changes the brain and (may) cause/exacerbate mental illness conditions in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

Substance abuse of methamphetamines and hallucinogenic drugs causes serious deterioration of the brain, however alcohol and marijuana are not as harmful

Cindy was a drug addict for five years. She stopped using drugs for a year. Then, one night she decided to smoke some marijuana, which set her into a year long addiction with drugs. Why, what is relapse?

The chronic nature of addiction means that for some people relapse, or a return to drug use after an attempt to stop, can be part of the process, but newer treatments are designed to help with relapse prevention

Protein-building drugs that rebuild muscle, increase strength and endurance, and are often abused by competitive athletes

anabolic

What types of over-the-counter drugs are misused/abused?

cough and cold remedies laxatives mouthwashes

Pain-reducing, numbing and euphoric-feeling drugs that have a high potential for abuse and dependence. They build a quick tolerance, resulting in the necessity of ever-increasing doses, increasing the risk of overdosing and death

narcotics

what is marijuana?

• Marijuana is a hemp plant consisting of the dried and crushed leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the Cannabis plant. • The two main strains are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. •THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.

synthetic marijuana

•Also known as Spice, K-2, and often termed "fake weed." Synthetic marijuana refers to manmade mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed with one or more of the designer chemicals from the cannabinoid family on dried and shredded plant material. Synthetic marijuana is either smoked (herbal incense) or sold as liquids to be vaporized and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices (liquid incense).

effects of marijuana on the central nervous system

•Altered perceptions -Changes in the interpretation of stimuli resulting from marijuana use• "Munchies" -Hunger experienced while under the effects of marijuana •Anandamide -Possible neurotransmitter acting at the marijuana (cannabinoid) receptor site

effects on other systems

•Alveolar Macrophages (respiratory system) -Special white blood cells that play a role in cleaning lung tissue are less able to remove debris when exposed to smoke •Vasodilation (cardiovascular system) -Enlarged blood vessels •Aphrodisiac (sexual performance and reproduction) -In lower doses of marijuana, THC is believed to cause sexual arousal

amotivational syndrome or anti motivational syndrome

•Amotivational syndrome refers to a belief that heavy use of marijuana causes a lack of motivation or impaired desire and reduced productivity. •Specifically, users show an increase in: -Apathy -Poor short-term memory -Difficulty with concentration -A lingering lack of interest in pursuing goals

two major types of marijuana

•Cannabis Sativa: -Originates from Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica, South Africa, Thailand, and Southeast Asia -Causes uplifting and energetic feelings, appetite stimulant, and provides pain relief from certain ailments •Cannabis Indica:-Originates from hash-producing countries, with very warm climates, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Morocco, and Tibet -Causes body relaxation, stress relief, and calmness and serenity and has lower THC content than Sativa

cannabis use disorder defined by DSM-V

•Cannabis is often taken in larger amounts than was intended. •There are persistent desires or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cannabis use. •Much time is spent securing the drug, using the drug, and/or recovering from its effects. •Craving the euphoric effects of the drug. •Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home. •Continued use of cannabis despite persistent or recurrent social and interpersonal problems caused by the effect of cannabis. •Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of cannabis use. •Recurrent cannabis usage in situations in which it is physically hazardous. •Cannabis use is continued despite persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems stemming from usage. •Tolerance develops to offset the diminishing effects of cannabis resulting in more use of cannabis. •Withdrawal symptoms lead to increased use of cannabis.

arguments against marijuana

•It contains 421 chemicals. •It is stronger than it was 20 years ago. •Smoking this drug is worse for the lungs than tobacco. •Impairs short-term memory and may cause "amotivational syndrome." •U.S. federal law continues to legally prohibit the possession, the sale, and use of marijuana. (The federal government continues to believe that marijuana has no medically proven use.)

behavioral effects

•Low to moderate doses produce euphoria and a pleasant state of relaxation. •Common effects: dry mouth, elevated heartbeat, some loss of coordination and balance, slower reaction times, reddening of the eyes, elevated blood pressure, some mental confusion (short-term memory loss). •A typical high lasts from 2 to 3 hours (length of effect depends on amount of THC), and the user experiences altered perception of space and time as well as impaired memory. •An acute dose of cannabis can produce adverse reactions: mild anxiety to panic and paranoia. •In a minority of cases users can exhibit psychosis, delusional and bizarre behavior, and hallucinations. These reactions occur most frequently in individuals who are under stress, anxious, depressed, or borderline schizophrenic, and are using the more potent types of marijuana. •Subjective euphoric effects: The ongoing social and psychological experiences incurred while intoxicated with marijuana. These include both the user's altered state of consciousness and his or her perceptions while intoxicated. •Attachment to the use of marijuana: Users exhibit a strong attachment to their passionate feelings about using marijuana. •Differential association: Behavioral satisfaction derived from friends who use marijuana ("fun times when high with friends").

critical thinking skills

•Marijuana has been found to have a negative impact on critical-thinking skills. •Specifically, heavy marijuana use impairs attention, memory, and learning. •Marijuana alters brain activity because residues of this drug persist in the brain.

brief history and trends

•Marijuana has historically been a valued crop. The woody fibers of the stem yield a fiber that can be made into cloth and rope. •Early records of marijuana use: -China 2737 BC and India (religious ceremonies). -Assyrians, dating back to 650 BC, used it for making rope and cloth and consumed it to experience euphoria. -Ancient Greeks also knew about marijuana. -In North America, in Jamestown (1611), marijuana was used to make rope and clothing. -Currently, marijuana grows wild in many U.S. states.

noteworthy findings regarding marijuana users (SAMHSA 2014)

•Marijuana is the most highly abused illicit type of illicit drug. •The highest rate of use was found among young adults (ages 18-25) with 19.1% reporting current use (past month) and among youth (ages 12-17) with 6.9% reporting current use (see Table 13.1). •In 2013, among recent initiates aged 12 or older who initiated marijuana use prior to the age of 21, the mean age at first use was 16.2 years. •There were 2.4 million new marijuana users in 2013, which averages 6,600 initiates per day.

therapeutic uses of marijuana

•Medical marijuana use: Involves using cannabis, primarily the THC from the Cannabis plant, as a drug to calm or to relieve symptoms of an illness. •Some research shows that THC can be used for treating: -Glaucoma: potentially blinding eye disease causing continual and increasing intraocular pressure •Appetite stimulant: Patients experiencing anorexia, AIDS, chemotherapy and radiation therapy •Antiseizure: Aids in the prevention of seizures (epilepsy) •Antiasthmatic effect: Short-term smoking of marijuana improves breathing for asthma patients •Antidepressant effect: Used in Great Britain as a euphoriant for treating depression. In the U.S., some research supports findings that marijuana shows promise in treating physical and mental conditions. •Muscle relaxation: Aids in reducing muscle spasms •Analgesic effect: In patients experiencing frequent migraines and chronic headaches or inflammation

driving performance

•Some noteworthy evidence shows that the ability to perform complex tasks, such as driving, is often impaired while under the influence of marijuana .•In limited surveys, 70%-80% of marijuana users indicate that they sometimes drive while high. •Recent research (Beirness and Porath-Waller 2015) reveals that among young drivers, driving after using cannabis is more prevalent than driving after drinking. (Driving while under the influence of a drug is termed drugged driving.) Further, after alcohol, cannabis is the most commonly detected substance among drivers who die in traffic crashes.

major factors affecting marijuana use

•Structural factors: Age, gender, family background, lack of any religious beliefs •Social and interactional factors: Type of interpersonal relationships, friendship cliques, drug use within the peer group setting •Setting: Type of community and neighborhood (physical location where marijuana is used) •Attitudinal factors: Personal attitudes toward the use of drugs, self-esteem, maturation level •Participation in after-school activities is associated with higher levels of academic achievement and self-esteem, as well as lower levels of substance use. •Religious involvement is significantly associated with less past month illicit drug use and this clearly includes marijuana use.

physiological effects

•The brain: THC activates the reward system in the brain by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine •Central nervous system: Alters mood, coordination, memory, and self-perception •Respiratory system: Damage to the lungs •Cardiovascular system: Marijuana products limit the amount of oxygen that can be carried to the heart •Sexual performance and reproduction: Affects the sympathetic nervous system, increasing vasodilation in the genital and delaying ejaculation; high doses can decrease sexual desire

several questions and answers

•Today marijuana is how many times more potent than the marijuana on the street in the 1960s and 1970s? -Approximately 20 times more potent as a result of more efficient agriculture largely due to new methods of harvesting, new varieties, and special processing marijuana of plants •How many Americans are current marijuana users? -Aged 12 or older in 2013: Out of 19.8 million current (past month) marijuana users, approximately 64.7% reported current use of only marijuana and another 15.9% used marijuana and other illicit drug(s). (This means that out of 19.8 million current marijuana users a staggering 80.6% [64.7% + 15.9%] either used marijuana alone or used marijuana with another drug.) The remaining 19.4% of drug users used an illicit drug but not marijuana (SAMHSA 2014).