Drugs and Society

Drug Use: Statistic and Trends (Social Drugs)

-$90 billion for alcohol -$51.9 billion for cigarettes -$2 billion for cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and snuff -$5.7 billion for coffee, teas, and cocoa

Drug Use: Statistics and Trends (Prescription Drugs)

-$950 billion worldwide in 2012 -$237.5 billion in the United States

National Household Survey on Drug Abuse 2011

-82.2% Americans used alcohol during lifetime -62.8% Americans used cigarettes -47% Americans used any illicit drug(s)

Biological Explanations for Use and Abuse of Drugs

-Biological: Genetic and biophysiological theories: >addiction based on genes, brain dysfunction, biochemical patterns >biological explanations emphasize effects of drugs on CNS -Reward centers in some people are more sensitive to drugs, resulting in more pleasure and greater rewarding experiences from use of drugs >drugs interfere with functioning neurotransmitters (neurotransmitters: chemical messengers used for communication between brain regions)

Social Psychological Learning Theoreis

-If effects of drug use become personally rewarding, chances of continuing to use are greater than stopping -Primary conditions determining drug use are: >amount of exposure to drug-using peers >extent of drug use in given neighborhood >age of first use (exposure to drugs at younger ages results in greater difficulty in stopping drug use) >frequency of drug use among peers

Psychoactive drugs

-LICIT (Legal) >coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, otc drugs -ILLICIT (illegal) >marijuana, cocaine, LSD, schedule 1 drugs, drugs obtained outside of prescription

Major Models of Addiction

-Moral model: poor morals and lifestyles; a choice. YOU CHOSE DRUGS. -Disease model: addiction is both chronic and progressive, drug user does not have control over the use and abuse of drug -Characterological/Personality Predisposition: personality disorder, problems with the personality of the addicted (needs, motives, attitudes of individual, impulse control disorders)

Costs of Drug Use to Society: Statistics

-National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates typical narcotic habit costs $100/day -heroin addict must steal 3-5x the actual cost of the drugs to maintain a habit ($100,000/year) -3/4 prostitutes in major cities have serious drug dependency

Consequences of Adolescent Drug Use

-adolescent suicide -sexual violence and drugs -gangs and drugs

drugs declining in use

-alcohol -cigarettes -hallucinogens -meth -cocaine -sedatives (barbiturates) -inhalants -heroin

Major Types of Commonly Abused Drugs

-alcohol (ethanol) -nicotine (all forms of tobacco) -prescription drugs (many drugs that are prescribed by a physician) -stimulants >major stimulants: amphetamines, cocaine, and crack >minor stimulants: nicotine, caffeine, tea, and chocolate -hallucinogens/psychadelics (LSD, mescaline, peyote, and psilocybin "shrooms" -bath salts (designer drugs) -depressants (barbiturate, benzodiazepines, valium, alcohol -cannabis (marijuana and hashish) -anabolic steroids (synthetic form of the male hormone testosterone) -inhalents/organic solvents: (inhalants like gasoline, model glue, paint thinner, certain foods, herbs, and vitamins) -narcotics/opiates: (opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin)

Major Risk Factors for Addiction

-alcohol and/or other drugs used alone -alcohol and/or other drugs used in order to reduce stress and/or anxiety -availability of drugs -abusive and/or neglectful parents; other dysfunctional family patterns -misperception of peer norms regarding extent of alcohol and/or drug use (belief that many other people are using drugs) -alienation factors, like isolation/emptiness

Media Influence on Drug Use

-alcohol industry spends more than $1 billion advertising/year -drug companies spent $1.6 billion/year for commercials (viagra, claritin, allegra, other drugs) -advertising budget for Budweiser beer exceeds entire budget for research on alcoholism/alcohol abusers -teens viewing photoes of inebriated friends posted on social media are 4x more likely to have used alcohol/tobacco

women and alcohol

-alcohol most widely used/abused by women in US -ages 12+ -women less likely to become alcoholics (unlike men) -women dependent on alcohol judged more harshly than men dependent on alcohol

Drugs in the Workplace

-alcohol/drug use and related problems cost employers/tax payers billion of dollars/year -highest rates of past-month illicit drug use among full-tome workers aged 18-64 were found in accommodations, food services, construction, and arts, entertainment, and recreation -lowest rates of past month illicit drugs were utilities, educational services, and public administration

When does use lead to abuse?

-amount of drug taken does not necessarily determine abuse -the MOTIVE for taking the drug is the most important factor in determining presence of abuse -What is so wrong in their life they feel they need to turn to a drug to try to fix or forget about it? -initial drug abuse symptoms include: >excessive use >constant preoccupation about availability and supply of the drug -refusal to admit excessive use -reliance on the drug - I need to consistently believe I am worth more than to submit to a life of addiction

drugs holding relatively steady

-any illicit drug -marijuana -LSD -adderall -crystal meth -crack -narcotics (other than heroin) -oxyContin -Vicodin -tranquilizers

Drugs INCREASING in use

-any illicit drug -marijuana -amphetamines -tranquilizers -sedatives (barbiturates) -inhalants -heroin -rohypnol -ketamine -MDMA (ecstasy)

Major Factors Affecting Alcohol and Drug Use

-body size: smaller/thinner persons experience effects of drugs more intensely -gender: physical make-up of women have reduced tolerance to drugs compared to men -other drugs (poly drug use): taking multiple drugs can dramatically increase drug impairment -fatigue/illness/ empty stomach: increase drug effects -strength (alcohol proof) and how the amount of the drug affects one's reaction -mindset: uncontrollable or impulse drinking and/or use of drugs dramatically increases drug effects

Major reasons for college drug use

-breaks ice -enhances social activity -something to do -something to talk about -more fun -connections with peers -male bonding -sexual opportunity -female bonding -easier to deal with stress

Genetic Explanations for Contribution to Drug Abuse Vulnerability

-character traits (insecurity/ vulnerability), often found in many drug users/abusers may be genetically determined -factors determine difficulty of breaking drug addiction may be genetically determined

Drugs and Woman's reproduction

-cocaine: threat to fetus -alcohol: cross placenta/ affects fetus' development -tobacco: greater threat to fetus than cocaine -other drugs:marijuana, LSD, other depressants): abnormal fetal development when used during pregnancy

Gateway Drugs

-commonly used drugs believed to lead to use of other more powerful, mind-altering and addictive drugs -ex. hallucinogens, cocaine, crack, and heroin -most common gateway drugs: alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana

Danger signals of drug abuse

-do those close to you often ask about your drug use? have they noticed changes in your moods or behavior? -are you defensive if a friend/relative mentions your drug or alcohol use? -are you sometimes embarrassed or frightened by your behavior under the influence of drugs or alcohol? -have you ever gone to see a new doctor because your regular physician wouldn't prescribe the drug you wanted? -when you are under pressure or feel anxious, do you automatically take a depressant, stimulant, or drink? -do you take drugs more often or for purposes other than those recommended by your doctor? - do you mix other types of drugs with alcohol? -do you drink or take drugs regularly to help you sleep? -do you have to take drugs to relieve boredom or get through the day? -do you personally think you may have a drug problem? - do you avoid people who do not use drugs? -do you believe you cannot have fun without alcohol or other drugs?

Dimensions of Drug Abuse

-drug abuse: >also known as chemical or substance abuse and the willful misuse of either licit or illicit drugs for purpose of recreation, perceived necessity, or convenience -more intense misuse of drugs (often to point of addiction) -also known as chemical or substance abuse

parents who are most likely to foster drug abusing children are:

-drug abusers themselves -excessively rigid and condemning OR extreme rigidity to extreme neglect -overly demanding -overly productive -overwhelmed with their own personal conflicts -unable to effectively communicate with their children

Past Year Adolescent initiates of prescription drug use

-drug of choice: (12-13 y/o) prescription drugs -drug most commonly abused (teens): >pain relievers (vicodin/oxyContin), >powerful narcotics prescribed to treat pain >depressants >sleeping pills >anti-anxiety drugs >stimulants (ADHD)

Who is at Risk?

-drug sensation-seeking individuals, sensation seekers: people who are at high risk for drug use/addiction -sensation-seekers: >continually search for new or novel thrills in their experiences >relentless desire to pursue physical/psychological stimulation often involving dangerous behavior >attracted to drugs are more likely to maintain constant preoccupation with altering consciousness (getting high)

drug use

-drug users: all occupations, professions, at all income/social classes, and all age levels -no one is immune to drug use that often leads to drug dependence -equal-opportunity affliction

Prevention and Treatment of Adolescent Drug Problems

-encourage: >parental awareness of gangs >alternative participation in other groups (athletics, school activities, volunteering, etc) >develop coping skills with frustration/stress >educate children about gang-related problems -drugs are result of problems and not solutions to problems

Career Pattern of Addiction

-experimentation or initiation of drug use -escalation: increasing use -maintenance: optimistic belief that drug fits in well with day-to-day goals/ activities -dysfunction: problems with use interfering with day-to-day goals -recovery: getting out of drug use/abuse -ex-addict: successfully quitting

Abused drugs as positive reinforcers

-explanation believes that most drugs with abuse potential enhance pleasure centers by causing release of dopamine, which is a specific brain neurotransmitter

Drug Use Women vs. Men

-females consistently use fewer licit and illicit drugs most types of abused drugs by females: -alcohol -flavored alcoholic beverages -binge drinking (+5 or more drinks) -cigarettes -marijuana -any illicit drug other than marijuana men do drugs more than women -drug use if often increasing among women more rapidly than among men

HIV symptoms

-flu-like illness 6-12 weeks -night sweats, swollen lymph glands, fever, headaches medications: -antiretroviral drug

most common sources for adolescents obtaining prescription drugs

-given for free by friend/relative -bought from friend or relative -taking drug from friend/relative without asking -bought on internet

Theories based on learning

-hugs work wonders! -humans acquire drug use behavior by close association or pairing of one significant reinforcing stimulus (friendship/intimacy), with another less isgnificant or neutral stimulus (ex. initial use of alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine) in learning to use drugs the following occurs: -conditioning: close association of significant reinforcing stimulus with another less significant or neutral stimulus -habituation: repeating certain patterns of behavior until they become established or habitual -"addiction to pleasure" theory: assumes it is biologically normal to continue a pleasure stimulus when once begun

Costs of Drug Use to Society

-illnesses -shortened lifespans -marital and family strife -fetal alcohol syndrome -criminalistic behavior -drugs in the workplace/disruption of careers and professions -cost of assistance programs (e.g. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs))

most important drug use factors for spread of HIV/AIDS in US

-intravenous drug use: >heroin >cocaine >both -crack: encourages high-risk sexual activities

Defining Addiction

-latin: process of binding to things, chronic adherence (attachment) to drugs -WHO: state of periodic/ chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and society, characterized by overwhelming desire to continue taking the drug and obtain it by any means -complex disease - NIDA: chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking an use, despite harmful consequences, considered brain disease, changes structure/ how it works. these brain changes can be long lasting, can lead to harmful behaviors

Major Risk Factors for Adults

-loss of meaningful role or occupational identity due to pending retirement -loss, grief, isolation due to divorce, loss of parents, empty nesters -loss of positive body image -dealing with newly diagnosed illness (ex. diabetes, heart problems, arthritis, cancer) -disappointment when life's expectations are clearly not met

Costs of Addiction

-major social problem -total criminal justice, health insurance, and other costs in US are estimated at $90-$185 billion/year

AIDS contractions

-male to male sexual contact -heterosexual contact -male to male sexual contact and injection drug use -injection drug use

Why adolescents use drugs

-most adolescents who use substances of abuse during psychosocial development do not develop problematic drug dependence -adolescent users who have difficulty with drugs often lack coping skills, from dysfunctional families, maintain poor self-images, and/or feel socially and emotionally insecure

Adolescents and Drugs

-most important factor: peer drug use -correlation between strong family bonds and non-drug using peer groups -drugs to cope with boredom, unpleasant feelings, emotions, stress, depression, reduce tension, reduce alienation

drug use by college students

-most popular substance of use/abuse: alcohol -clear relationship between alcohol use and GPA (alcohol up, GPA down) -nearly 80% of binge drinkers live in frat or sorority house -almost 1/2 of college students victims of campus crimes were drinking/using drugs when victimized -alcohol use implicated in 1/3-2/3 of sexual assault and rape cases among teens/college students -whites highest binge drinkers followed by blacks, then Asians -50% drinkers had altercations with law enforcement

major risk factors for adolescents

-physical or sexual abuse (past/present) -peer norms favoring drug use - misperception and/or power of age group peer norms -conflicts: > dependence vs. independence >adult maturational tasks vs. fear and low self-esteem -teenage risk-taking and view of being omnipotent and invulnerable to drug effects (invincible) -drug use viewed as rite of passage into adulthood -drug use perceived as glamorous, fun, facilitating, and intimate -electronic social media influences like photos of drinking

Psychological Explanations for Drug Use/ Abuse

-psychological theories regarding drug use and addiction mostly focus on: > mental/emotional states of drug users > unconscious motivations that are within all of us > Social environmental factors -APA classifies severe drug dependence as form of psychiatric disorder -abused drugs can cause mental conditions that mimic major psychiatric illness -psychological factors of addiction include: >escape from reality >boredom >inability to cope with anxiety >destructive self-indulgence (constantly desiring intoxicants) >blind compliance with drug-abusing peers >self-destructiveness >blindly using drugs without wanting to understand harmful effects of drug use >self medicating (need drug to feel better)

athletes and drug abuse

-reported since Greek Olympics in 776 BC -"doping" among world-class competitors is rampant -young athletes receive exaggerated attention/prestige in almost every university, college, high school, and middle school in US -studies show athletes are NOT more likely than non-athletes to use drugs of abuse (marijuana, alcohol, barbiturates, cocaine, and hallucinogens) -athletes much more likely than other subcultures of drug users to take drugs to ENHANCE PERFORMANCE (amphetamines, cocaine, ergogenic effects, anabolic steroids)

Basic Reasons People Take Drugs

-searching for pleasure - relieve pain, stress, tension, or depression -curiosity -peer pressure -enhance religious/mystical experiences -enhance social experiences - enhance work performance (amphetamine-types of drugs and cocaine) -drugs (primarily performance-enhancing drugs) can be used to improve athletic performance -relieve pain or symptoms of ilness

subcultures of special populations

-sport/athletics -women -adolescents -college students -HIV/AIDS carriers -promoters of drug use: entertainment industry and internet

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

-substance use disorder: combines substance abuse and substance dependence -diagnoses includes: 1. pharmacological: taking substance in larger doses 2. excessive time spent obtaining the substance 3. craving the drug 4. social impairment: failure to meet goals and obligations 5. risky use of substance: despite physical and/or psychological problems encountered 6. tolerance: individual needs increased amounts to achieve diminishing effects of the drug 7. withdrawal: symptoms that can often lead to renewed substance dependence

Drug Testing

-used to identify those who may be using drugs -urine, blood screening, or hair analysis Duration of Detection/ "Cut-Offs" for Urine Analysis: -amphetamines, cocaine, metabolite, opiates: 24-72 hours -PCP: 24-96 hours -THC/metabolite: 24 hours-3 weeks (depends on frequency of use) Note: hair analysis 1-3 months for all drugs listed above -approximately 70% of large companies, 50% of medium companies, and 22% of small companies drug test -over 90% use urine analysis, less than 20% use blood analysis, and less than 3% use hair analysis -most drug-using youth do not cease drug use when they begin working

10 Reasons Why Drug Use is more serious today

1. 1960-present widespread phenomenon 2. drugs more potent 3. popular, $multibillion/year business, major influence on national economies 4. licit/illicit drugs experimented with youths at increasingly younger age 5. media, famous people 6. greater availability, wider dissemination of drug info (emails, drug websites for purchasing prescription drugs, info on how to make drugs) 7. crack/ crystal meth offer potent effects at low cost 8. endangers future of a society (harming youth/destroying lives) 9. drug dealing major factors in growth of crime rates among young 10. 7/10 drug users work full time, increases possibility of serious accidents in workplace

3 Principle Biological Theories

1. Abused drugs are positive reinforcers: -most drugs with abuse potential enhance pleasure centers by causing release of specific brain neurotransmitters such as dopamine 2. drug abuse and psychiatric disorders: - biological explanations are thought to be responsible for substantial overlap that exists between drug addiction and mental illness 3. genetic explanations: -inherited traits can predispose some individuals to drug addiction

Four Principle Factors that Affect Drug Use

1. Biological, Genetic, and Pharmacological factors: -substance abuse/addiction involve biological/genetic factors -pharmacology focuses on how the ingredients of a particular drug affect body and nervous system -a person's experience with a particular drug 2. cultural factors: -how do societal views, determined by custom/tradition, affect our initial approach to and use of a drug 3. Social factors: -what are the specific reasons why a drug is taken? -ex. curing an illness, self-medicating, escape from reality, peer pressure, family upbringing, membership in drug-abusing subcultures) 4. Contextual factors: -how do physical surroundings (music, concerts, bars, nightclubs, frat/sorority parties) affect the amount of drug use?

Drugs, Crime, and Violence

1. Drug users are more likely to commit crimes than non-drug users 2. a high percentages of arrestees are often under the influence of a drug while committing crimes 3. a high percentage of drug users arrested for drug use and violence are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol and/or stimulant-types of drugs such as cocaine, crack, and methamphetamines

Three Types of Drug Users

1. Experimenters: -begin using drugs mostly because of peer pressure/curiosity -confine use to recreational settings 2. Compulsive Users: -devote considerable time/energy into getting high, talk incessantly (sometimes exclusively) about drug use, and become connoisseurs of street drugs 3. floaters or "chippers": -focus more on using other people's drugs without maintaining as much of a personal supply

Erich Goode's Four Types of Drug Use

1. Legal instrumental use: -taking prescribed drugs or OTC drugs to relieve or treat mental/physical symptoms 2. Legal recreational use: -using licit drugs like tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine to achieve a certain mental state 3. illegal instrumental use: -taking nonprescribed drugs to achieve a task or goal 4. illegal recreational use: -taking illicit drugs for fun or pleasure

5 Stages of Drug Dependence

1. Relief: satisfaction from negative feelings in using the drug 2. Increased use: involves taking greater quantities of the drug 3. preoccupation: consists of constant concern with substance 4. dependency: synonym for addiction, when more of the drug is sought despite the presence of physical symptoms 5. withdrawal: physical and/or psychological effects from not using drug

Three major simultaneous changes in user

1. social and psychological rewards from drug "high" -causes illusion of temporary satisfaction and postponement of social pressures and anxieties to try to believe that problems/concerns are nonproblematic 2. pharmacologically -alters body chemistry by interfering with its homeostatic functioning -drugs enhance, slow down, speed-up, or distort the reception and transmission of reality 3. using a particular drug may satisfy an inborn or genetically programmed need or desire

sociological explanations

1. social influence theories: -focus on microscopic explanations that concentrate on roles played by significant others and impact on individual 2. structural influence theories: -focus on macroscopic explanations of drug use and assumption that organizational structure of society has major impact on individual drug use

Six Examples of Drug Misuse

1. taking more drugs than prescribed 2. using OTC or psychoactive drugs in excess without medical supervision 3. mixing drugs with alcohol or other types of drugs 4. using old medicines to self-treat new symptoms of an illness 5. discontinuing prescribed drugs at will and/or against physician's orders 6. administering prescribed drugs to a family member without medical consultation and supervision

Drug Use in Entertainment Industry

Alcohol: movies, songs tobacco: movies marijuana: drug most frequently in movies, in addition to hallucinogens, heroin, opiates, others, crack cocaine

Drug Use: Additional Info

Education: -college grads had lowest rate of current illicit drug use -those who didn't complete high school had highest use of illicit drugs -past-month alcohol use increased with higher levels of completed education -less than high school vs. college graduates Employment: -unemployed persons have greater tendency to use more illicit-types of drugs than people gainfully employed Geography: -rate of past-month illicit drug use was high in large metropolitan counties Criminal Justice: -33% state prisoners and 25% federal prisoners reported committing offenses while under influence of drugs

Drug Use: Statistics and Trends

OTC Drugs: -$23.5 billion Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs: -2008, 51.9 million Americans age 12+ had used prescription-type drugs nonmedically at least once in their life Miscellaneous Drugs: -ex. inhalents, nutmeg, morning glory seeds -extent of use cannot be verified

Why are people attracted to drugs?

People use drugs as a means to temporarily: -experience pleasure/ heighten good feelings -relieve stress, tension, or anxiety -forget one's problems/ avoid or postpone worries -relax after a tension-filled day of work -fit in with peers or as a rite of passage -enhance religious or mystical experiences -relieve pain and some symptoms of illness

Drug Dependence

Physical dependence: -refers to need to continue taking drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which often include feelings of discomfort and illness Psychological dependence: -refers to the need that a user may mentally feel about continuing the use of a drug to experience its effects and/ or relieve withdrawal symptoms

Designer Drugs/ Synthetic Drugs or Synthetic Opioids

Structural analogs: -drugs that result from altered chemical structures of current illicit drugs -involves modifying the basic molecular skeleton of a compound to form a new molecular species Designer Drugs/ Synthetic drugs/ synthetic opioids -new categories of hybrid drugs like Ecstasy and demerol -these relatively recent types of drugs are created as structural analogs of substances already classified under the Controlled Substances Act

subculture

a special population or subgroup whose members share similar values and patterns of related behaviors that differ from the larger population

Drug Use: Additional Findings

age patterns: 18-20 age category report the most illicit drug use Racial and Ethnic differences: -2 or more races 13.5% -American Indian/Alaska Natives 13.4% -Black/African American: 10% -Whites: 8.7% -Hispanic/Latino: 8.4% -Asians: 3.8% Gender: -males more likely than females among persons 12+ to be current illicit drug users -rate of past-month marijuana use for males was twice as high for males as rate for females Pregnant: -less likely to use drugs than similar age women who are not pregnant

control theories

belief that if people are left without attachments (bonds) to other groups (family, peers, social institutions), they have a tendency to deviate from expected cultural values, norms, and attitudes and use drugs -socialization: internal/external controls

social disorganization and social strain theories

drug use caused by rapid and disruptive social change in society

social learning theory

explains drug use as form of learned behavior

subculture theory

explains that peer pressure is a determining cause of drug experimentation, use, and/or abuse

structural influence theories

focus on how the organization of a society, group, or subculture is largely responsible for drug abuse by its members

external subcultural forces

law enforcement, availability of drug dealers, and concerns with being caught using drugs

Holistic Self-Awareness Approach

mind, body, and spirit work best when they are drug-free -you have more power and knowledge than you could ever realize. and when you get stressed you have the opportunity to amaze yourself with what you're able to accomplish. you are more than just 70% water

Youth and AIDS

races and ethnicities: 1. black/ African American 2. white 3. multiple races 3 Principle ways adolescents become infected with HIV: 1. high-risk sexual activity (unprotected sex) 2. injection of substances of abuse 3. sex with multiple partners -spreading at alarming rates among younger urban gay males who are too young to recall beginning of AIDS epidemic 20 years ago

high risk drug choices

refer to developing values and attitudes that lead to using drugs both habitually and addictively, such as constantly searching for drinking and rug parties and hanging with drug abusers

low risk drug choices

refer to values and attitudes that lead to controlling the use of alcohol or drugs--- self-monitoring your drug use, behavior, and abstinence

physical dependence

refers to the body's need to constantly have the drug or drugs

psychological dependence

refers to the mental inability to stop using the drug or drugs

labeling theory

says people whose opinions we value have determining influence over our self-image -key factors: >primary deviance >secondary deviance >master status >retrospective interpretation -IF YOU LABEL SOMEONE AS BAD THEY WILL BELIEVE IT

internal subcultural forces

shared attitudes that are favorable of drug use, habitual, and/or addictive behavior

Nature of Addiction?

should addiction be considered: -bad habit? -failure of healthy choices? -failure of morality? -symptom of other problems? -chronic disease? -psychological disease? -comes down to motive for taking the drug

Drug misuse

unintentional or inappropriate use of prescribed or OTC types of drugs

social influence and role of significant others

use of drugs is learned during intimate interaction with others who, while using the drug, serve as a primary group

insider's perspective

viewing a group or subculture from inside the group; seeing members as they perceive themselves. drug users in agreement with other drug users or sympathizers

outsider's perspective

viewing a group or subculture from outside the group and viewing the group and its members as an observer; looking "in". non users viewing drug users