10 kinds Of

Drug Abuse
Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mrs. Nob
MAPEH Teacher

Precious Glory G. Llagas

IV Einstein Carmen National High School

Alcohol

Many people enjoy a drink without it leading to an addiction. People who have developed a more serious problem with alcohol use may shy away from thinking of themselves as addicts; after all, alcohol is a legal substance and readily available to adults.

What is Alcohol Addiction? The line between having a few drinks as part of a social experience and having an addiction to alcoholic beverages comes down to whether drinking is something you "have" to do as opposed to something that you "want" to do. A person who enjoys a drink controls their consumption and in the case of an alcoholic, the drinking controls them.

Signs of Alcohol Dependence

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Signs that your use of alcohol may have moved from social drinking to an addiction include: An increased tolerance for alcohol Difficulty in stopping drinking even when you want to Withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop drinking Spending a lot of time thinking about drinking, consuming alcoholic beverages, or recovering from a bout of drinking Negative consequences from drinking, such as relationship difficulties, DUI or arrest for public intoxication, or job loss, yet continuing to drink anyway

Inhalants

An inhalant is a chemical substance that you breath. It has mind altering effects. Most people who abuse inhalants are between the ages of 14 or 15. A drug that enters the body through breathing is an inhalant. Inhalants are more commonly used by teenagers than any other age.More than a thousand substances have vapors that can be abused as inhalants. Most inhalants are cleaning products. These cleaning products remove fatty substances from the brain cells which cause brain damage. The first time a person uses an inhalant it can kill them. Doctors think the reason for death is heart failure which is caused by an irregular heart beat. Inhalants also cause hearing loss, suffocation, damage to the nerves and bone marrow. Inhalants cause brain damage, lung damage, coma or even death.Someone who has taken inhalants acts as if they are dizzy or drunk, Their senses are mixed-up and the world around them may seem abnormal.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug addiction is a growing problem that many people don't take as seriously as they should. Since the medications were originally prescribed by a doctor, they feel that prescription drug abuse is different than when the person is using street drugs. Prescription drug addicts are addicted, in the same way that those who get hooked on cocaine, heroin, or other types of illegal drugs are.

What is Prescription Drug Addiction?

A prescription drug addict uses medications in a way other than for which they were originally prescribed or to a much greater extent. They come to depend on the drugs to feel better in some way, and experience cravings for them in between doses. The prescription drug use continues in spite of negative consequences for the user, including relationship difficulties, problems on the job, or the risk of physical harm from inappropriate use. Signs of Prescription Abuse and Dependence

The signs of addiction to prescription drugs include the following:

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Complaining of vague symptoms to get more medication Lack of interest in treatment options other than medications Mood swings Seeing several doctors and/or pharmacies to get more pills Past history of drug addiction On and off relief from anxiety Using more than the recommended dose or dosage frequency of the medication Using prescription pills prescribed for others

Nicotine

The reason cigarette smoking is such a hard habit to break is because nicotine is a highly-addictive substance. Every time you take a drag off of a cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate increase for a short time. Nicotine is one of the hardest addictions to break.

What is Nicotine Addiction?

Nicotine is one of the chemicals that are present in tobacco products, and it is responsible for giving smokers a "rush" within about 10 seconds of taking a drag of the cigarette. The effect doesn't last for very long, which is why a person with a nicotine addiction keeps lighting up.

Signs of Nicotine Dependence

Most people who smoke become addicted to nicotine. Someone who has become addicted to nicotine may have cravings for cigarettes, have difficulty stopping smoking, and have nicotine withdrawal symptoms when they try to do so. Some people feel irritable when they don't have a cigarette, while others find it hard to concentrate without them.

Causes of Dependency
Nicotine causes addiction because it affects the brain by making it produce an increased amount of a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that has a lot to do with how a person feels pleasure. When dopamine levels drop, the nicotine addict may feel down or even depressed and lights up another cigarette to feel good again.

Effects of Use
A person who smokes puts an extra strain on their heart every time they have a cigarette. Cigarettes also contain carbon monoxide, which makes it more difficult for your body to get the oxygen it needs. To compensate, blood flow to the extremities is reduced. Smokers have bad breath, stained teeth and fingers, and a lowered resistance to colds and the flu. The nicotine addict's sense of smell and taste are less sensitive than a non-smoker's are. Appetite is reduced as well.

Caffeine

Caffeine is used in a number of products that we consume. You will find it in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, as well as several kinds of medication. Over 80 percent of the Earth's population eat, drink, or consume caffeine on a daily basis.

What is Caffeine Addiction?

A caffeine addict is someone who doesn't just enjoy their morning coffee or a sweet chocolate treat. They feel that they can't get through the day without consuming caffeine. Without it, they don't feel alert.

Signs of Caffeine Dependence

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Caffeine addicts display these kinds of symptoms: Difficulty concentrating without caffeine Dizziness Fatigue Frequent headaches PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) Pronounced mood swings Trouble staying awake during the day

Causes of Dependency
Caffeine increases the level of stress hormones in the body. As a result, you feel an increased sense of alertness between 30-45 minutes after ingesting it. This substance also raises the levels of dopamine in the brain in the same way as other drugs, such as cocaine, amphetamines, or heroin, do. Since caffeine is a stimulant, addicts may find it difficult to get to sleep at night. The person feels tired when they get up in the morning and reaches for a cup of coffee or other source of caffeine to feel awake enough to get through the day. Over time, this pattern of behavior turns into a vicious cycle. If you are drinking six cups of coffee a day or more, you may start to develop a tolerance for caffeine.

Effects of Use
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When someone ingests caffeine, it has a number of effects on his or her body, including: Elevated mood Raised blood pressure Increased attentiveness Increased blood sugar levels Irritated stomach lining

Steroids

Athletes and body builders who want to increase muscle mass may be tempted to use steroids to get bigger, faster. They may not realize that the sense of well-being they experience when using them is from the 'roids themselves. An addiction to steroids may be more difficult to recognize than someone using a substance to achieve a "high" though there are typically signs that can be detected.
Steroids are produced in the human body naturally. The anabolic steroids you hear of athletes using are testosterone, and used to build muscle quickly. Originally developed to treat males who didn't produce sufficient testosterone and to build up muscle in concentration camp survivors, athletes started experimenting with them in the 1940s. Steroids may be injected, taken orally, or rubbed onto the skin as a cream or a gel.

What is Steroid Addiction?

Someone who is addicted to steroids may start using because they want to improve their appearance or their performance on the playing field. Over time, they become more dependent on the "roids", but in a different way than someone who is addicted to heroin or opiates might get hooked. Rather than experiencing a rush or a high when taking them, the steroid user discovers that they feel better when using them than without them.

Signs of Steroid Abuse

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Signs that someone has become addicted to steroids are as follows: Continuing to use steroids in spite of negative consequences Preoccupation with getting the next dose Steroid use becomes something the user can no longer control Abnormal speed of muscle growth and workout intensity Withdrawal symptoms when the person stops using steroids

Causes of Dependency

Doctors say that increased teen steroids abuse is tied to young people's increasing obsession with body image. A need for enhanced athletic performance is another major contributor to experimentation with anabolic steroids. These two factors combined represent the largest causes of dependency since as one improves their physique or heightens their athletic abilities they are seldom willing to consider stopping since the thought of a reversal of these two perceived improvements is unacceptable. The addiction becomes self-perpetuating while they see "gains" but as with most drug addictions eventually the abuser must continue use just to "maintain".

Opiate
Codeine, morphine, and heroin are all powerful painkilling drugs derived from the opium poppy. Not only can they alleviate pain, but they also produce a feeling of euphoria, which opens up the door to addiction. Someone who is in the throes of an addiction to these kinds of drugs may lose the ability to make good decisions for themselves. They also run the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS if they are using needles to inject themselves. Often, a visit to a drug detox center is necessary even before entering a treatment facility for opiate addiction treatment. Opiates are narcotics, and drugs in this category tend to make the user feel sleepy (downers), as opposed to energized (uppers). Many are powerful and can severely "numb" the user. As medication, opiates are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. The term opiate refers to any of the narcotic alkaloids found in opium, as well as all derivatives of such alkaloids.

Common Opiate Use

People with chronic pain, cancer, or who are recovering from surgery may be prescribed these medications. Opiates include such prescription medications as: Codeine Morphine Oxycodone Oxycontin Percocet Percodan Ultram Vicodin

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What is Opiate Addiction?

A person has an opiate addiction when they develop a dependence on the medication. They continue to take the medication to avoid going through opiate withdrawal symptoms or because they want to continue to experience the euphoric effects of the drug.

Signs of Opiate Dependence

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Signs of addiction to opiates include: Having to take larger doses of the medication to get the desired effect Spending a lot of time focusing on the drug, using it and being able to take it again and again Depression and/or suicidal thoughts Unkempt physical appearance, including weight loss in some cases Social withdrawal

Causes of Dependency
Opiate addicts get hooked on the medication because of the way it acts on the user's brain. If the drug is used regularly and to excess, the brain stops producing natural painkillers called endorphins. As a result, the person who is addicted to opiates experiences a physical dependence on the drug.

Effects of Use

Opiate addicts use the drug to feel a sense of well-being that comes in a rush after the drug is taken. After this initial feeling of euphoria, the user goes through alternate periods of feeling alert and then drowsy. Using opiates affects the user's ability to reason clearly. Respiration slows, and reflexes are impaired.

cocaine
Cocaine is a highlyaddictive stimulant that is made from the leaves of the coca plant. Whether you call it "coke," "blow," or "nose candy," it gives the user a relatively brief, but very intense, high. See cocaine pictures here. This drug also causes the user's heart rate and blood pressure to increase rapidly, sometimes with tragic results in the form of a heart attack or a stroke. Using cocaine may be compared to a roller coaster. The person using this drug experiences a pleasurable "high," but that good feeling only lasts for a short time before the user starts to come down again. The cocaine addict continues to use the drug to attempt to recreate the experience they enjoyed so much.

What is Cocaine Addiction?

Cocaine addictions can start off by the person being introduced to the drug at a party. They use the drug and enjoy the feeling of euphoria that it gives them. The individual may continue to use the drug as part of their social activities, and not realize they are falling into a cycle of cocaine abuse.

Signs of Cocaine Dependence

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This is not a drug that causes a physical dependency; instead, it causes a psychological one. Other symptoms of cocaine use include: Using the drug more often Needing to use more coke to get a "high" Neglecting paying bills so that you can buy cocaine Selling or disposing of possessions to get more Continuing to use the drug in the face of negative consequences, including not being able to sleep, poor work performance, or difficulty in personal relationships

Causes of Dependency
Cocaine addicts continue to use the drug because using it makes them feel good. The person using it feels energetic and has a tremendous sense of well-being. They keep using in an attempt to recreate the pleasurable sensations that cocaine gives them. Coming down from a cocaine "high" is not pleasant, since the user feels depressed. Cocaine abuse involves a vicious cycle of using the drug, coming down, feeling lousy, and then using again to feel better.

Effects of Use
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A person who is addicted to cocaine may experience the following symptoms and effects from coke: Confusion Dilated pupils Excess energy Increase in heart rate and blood pressure Loss of appetite Paranoia Rapid heartbeat Rapid speech Runny nose Stuffy nose

Marijuana
More than three million people in the United States use marijuana on either a daily or an almost-daily basis, making it the most popular illegal drug in the country. There are more than 200 different names used to describe the leaves, stems, and flowers of the hemp plant, which are dried and rolled prior to being smoked. The question of whether marijuana is addictive remains a popular debate with opposing viewpoints. The most common method for using marijuana is to place the dried leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant onto rolling paper and make it into a cigarette, to be smoked. It can also be smoked in a waterpipe or "bong", or other metal or glass pipe. This drug can also be put in food products or mixed with coffee or tea.

What is Marijuana Addiction?

A person who is living with an addiction to marijuana is unable to stop using it, even when they want to. The urge to use is simply too strong. Couple the dependence on the drug with the fact that it is cheap and relatively easy to get, and you will see why so many people become addicted.

Signs of Marijuana Dependence

Signs that use of marijuana has moved from the recreational stage to a more serious problem are similar to those of other addictions, and include: Spending a large portion of time thinking about marijuana Focusing on getting more and finding the money to get it Need to use a larger amount to get the same effect

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Causes of Dependency
An individual who is addicted to marijuana becomes dependent on the drug because it affects the pleasure centers in the brain. Repeated use makes it more difficult for the person to remember events, learn new ideas or skills, and adapt to changes appropriately. This impairment can lead to depression, and the marijuana addict may continue to use the drug as a way to deal with the feelings of emptiness and hopelessness that accompany this disorder. The side effects of marijuana use may also lead to anxiety when the person tries to quit.

Effects of Use
Marijuana addicts claim that using the drug gives them these effects, which last for two or three hours after the drug is ingested: Ease in social situations Euphoria Feeling of relaxation Sexual arousal

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Methadone

Methadone is a medication given to people being treated for heroin and other types of addiction. It is a controversial choice, with those opposed to this method pointing out that addicts are trading one type of addiction for another. The drug is taken orally when being given to treat addictions, but it may also be injected. Some people continue to use methadone for years after they stop using heroin.

What is Methadone Addiction?

Methadone addicts are the in throes of a physical addiction to the drug, which is a synthetic opiate. It has the same characteristics as other drugs in this class, and is used to replace other medications, such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Percocet, as well as heroin. A person who becomes addicted to methadone may feel that they can't function throughout the day without it.

Signs of Methadone Dependence

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Methadone abuse may take a number of forms. Here are some signs that a user has developed an addiction: Lying to the doctor about symptoms to get a higher dose of the drug Combining methadone with alcohol or other substances Taking more of the drug than the label indicates Using methadone while continuing to use heroin

Causes of Dependency
People who use methadone experience similar effects than if they were using other opiates, albeit not to the same extent. Methadone works on the pleasure centers in the brain and creates a feeling of wellbeing. A heroin addict may continue using methadone to avoid going through withdrawal symptoms much in the same way they originally continued to abuse heroin.

Effects of Use
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Methadone addicts experience these kinds of symptoms when they take the drug: Contentment Drowsiness Warmth The person's body temperature, heart rate, and respiration drop. Blood pressure is lowered, as well. His or her ability to operate a motor vehicle or heavy equipment may be impaired as a result.