Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a common physical effect of MDMA?
Which of the following is a common physical effect of MDMA?
Nicotine is known to decrease heart rate.
Nicotine is known to decrease heart rate.
False (B)
What are the symptoms of high doses of marijuana?
What are the symptoms of high doses of marijuana?
Nausea, vomiting, disorientation, panic attacks, paranoia
Caffeine is considered the most widely used __________ drug.
Caffeine is considered the most widely used __________ drug.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the drugs to their effects:
Match the drugs to their effects:
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential consequence of regular nicotine use?
What is a potential consequence of regular nicotine use?
Signup and view all the answers
Marijuana does not impair motor performance.
Marijuana does not impair motor performance.
Signup and view all the answers
What is detoxification in the context of drug treatment?
What is detoxification in the context of drug treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one reason women tend to get intoxicated at lower doses than men?
What is one reason women tend to get intoxicated at lower doses than men?
Signup and view all the answers
Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death among young people aged 17-24.
Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death among young people aged 17-24.
Signup and view all the answers
How many college students die each year due to overdoses and alcohol-related vehicle accidents?
How many college students die each year due to overdoses and alcohol-related vehicle accidents?
Signup and view all the answers
Binge-drinking is defined as consuming ______ or more drinks for women on one occasion.
Binge-drinking is defined as consuming ______ or more drinks for women on one occasion.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common cause of death related to excessive alcohol consumption?
What is a common cause of death related to excessive alcohol consumption?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
College students drink less than their peers who do not attend college.
College students drink less than their peers who do not attend college.
Signup and view all the answers
What effect does alcohol have on judgment and concentration?
What effect does alcohol have on judgment and concentration?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is classified as a stimulant?
Which of the following is classified as a stimulant?
Signup and view all the answers
Psychoactive drugs only include illegal substances.
Psychoactive drugs only include illegal substances.
Signup and view all the answers
What syndrome is characterized by unpleasant symptoms that occur when a drug's use is stopped?
What syndrome is characterized by unpleasant symptoms that occur when a drug's use is stopped?
Signup and view all the answers
The most widely abused depressant is __________.
The most widely abused depressant is __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the types of psychoactive drugs with their effects:
Match the types of psychoactive drugs with their effects:
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of adult Americans have used an illicit drug at some point in their life?
What percentage of adult Americans have used an illicit drug at some point in their life?
Signup and view all the answers
Psychological dependence is characterized by physical symptoms when the drug is not taken.
Psychological dependence is characterized by physical symptoms when the drug is not taken.
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes the need to increase the amount of a drug to achieve the same effect?
What term describes the need to increase the amount of a drug to achieve the same effect?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following substances is NOT a narcotic?
Which of the following substances is NOT a narcotic?
Signup and view all the answers
Stimulants can lead to decreased heart rate and fatigue.
Stimulants can lead to decreased heart rate and fatigue.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common psychological effect of cocaine use?
What is a common psychological effect of cocaine use?
Signup and view all the answers
A rush of pleasurable excitement is often induced by _____ like heroin.
A rush of pleasurable excitement is often induced by _____ like heroin.
Signup and view all the answers
Which drug is associated with the euphoric rush lasting 5-15 minutes?
Which drug is associated with the euphoric rush lasting 5-15 minutes?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following substances with their effects or characteristics:
Match the following substances with their effects or characteristics:
Signup and view all the answers
Using tranquilizers like Valium can be especially dangerous when combined with alcohol.
Using tranquilizers like Valium can be especially dangerous when combined with alcohol.
Signup and view all the answers
What psychological symptom might people experience after using MDMA?
What psychological symptom might people experience after using MDMA?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Psychoactive Drugs
- Chemical substances that affect brain function, altering emotions and mental states.
- Influence mood, thoughts, perceptions, and behavior.
- Some are illegal (illicit), while others are legal but have restrictions. Examples include cocaine, heroin, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana (in some states).
Psychoactive Drug Statistics
- About half of adult Americans have used an illicit drug at some point, with marijuana being the most common.
- Approximately 1 in 10 Americans over 12 years old currently uses an illicit drug.
- Marijuana use is increasing among high school seniors, surpassing cigarette smoking.
- About 1 in 10 Americans will develop a drug abuse or dependence disorder during their lifetime.
Drug Abuse
- Repeated drug use can cause or worsen problems in personal and occupational life, as well as health problems.
- Polyabusers use more than one drug at a time.
Drug Dependence
- Drug abuse often leads to drug dependence, characterized by loss of control over drug use.
- Individuals are strongly compelled to use drugs, unable to stop even when it harms their lives.
Dependence (Detailed)
- Physiological dependence: Body chemistry alters due to repeated use, making the body reliant on a constant supply of the drug.
- Withdrawal syndrome (or abstinence syndrome): Unpleasant, sometimes dangerous symptoms that arise when drug use is stopped.
- Tolerance: Increasing amounts of a drug are needed to achieve the same effect.
Types of Drugs
- There are three main categories of psychoactive drugs:
- Depressants: Calm neural activity and slow down bodily functions (e.g., alcohol).
- Stimulants: Temporarily excite neural activity and arouse bodily functions (e.g., caffeine, cocaine, meth).
- Hallucinogens: Distort perceptions and evoke sensory images (e.g., marijuana, LSD, Ecstasy).
Alcohol
- Most commonly abused depressant.
- Intoxicant – a chemical substance that induces a state of drunkenness.
- Women become intoxicated at lower doses due to differences in body composition and alcohol metabolism.
- Alcohol impairs judgment, concentration, and the ability to assess consequences, often leading to unsafe behavior (e.g., unsafe sex).
- Alcohol-related problems (e.g., motor vehicle accidents, liver and heart disease) cause nearly 90,000 deaths annually in the US.
College Drinking
- Approximately 6 in 10 college students drink at least once a month (often underage).
- College students tend to drink more than non-college peers.
- Alcohol-related deaths (overdoses and accidents) affect about 1,800 college students annually.
- Alcohol is strongly linked to physical and sexual assault.
Binge Drinking
- Binge drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks for men, and 4 or more drinks for women, in a single occasion.
- Binge drinking is increasingly common among college and high school students.
- It leads to poor academic performance, health problems, and raises the risk of alcohol and drug-related issues.
College Drinking (Risks)
- Binge drinking and drinking games can be dangerous, potentially leading to coma, death, blackouts, and seizures.
- Choking on vomit is a significant cause of alcohol-related deaths, as alcohol depresses the nervous system, disrupting natural vomiting reflexes.
- Never leave an unresponsive or unconscious person alone.
Barbiturates & Tranquilizers
- Calming/sedating drugs with legitimate medical uses (high blood pressure, surgery, seizures).
- Highly addictive when abused.
- Lead to euphoria and relaxation.
- Overdoses can result in convulsions, coma, and death, especially when combined with alcohol.
- Tranquilizers (e.g., Xanax, Valium) are also depressants used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
Opioids (AKA Opiates)
- Addictive pain-relieving and sleep-inducing drugs.
- Examples include morphine, heroin, codeine, Vicodin, and OxyContin.
- Produce a rush of pleasure and reduce awareness of personal problems.
- Commonly prescribed for pain management.
Heroin
- Induces a short euphoric rush (5-15 minutes), followed by a relaxed drowsy state.
- The initial rush is often compared to an orgasm.
- Physical dependence develops rapidly with regular use.
Stimulants
- Increase central nervous system activity (e.g., increased heart rate, breathing).
- Examples include amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA, nicotine, and caffeine.
Amphetamines
- Activate the nervous system, increasing heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
- Boost alertness, concentration, and reduce fatigue.
- High doses produce an intense rush.
- Increase availability of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine.
- Directly stimulate reward pathways.
- High doses can lead to extreme symptoms, including death. Amphetamine psychosis is characterized by hallucinations and delusions.
Cocaine
- Derived from the coca plant.
- Blocks dopamine reuptake in the synapse between neurons.
- Produce a state of pleasure.
- Damages the heart and circulatory system, potentially leading to life-threatening or fatal outcomes.
- Psychological issues, such as anxiety, depression, and irritability can arise.
MDMA/Ecstasy
- Produces euphoric and hallucinogenic effects.
- Psychological effects include depression, anxiety, insomnia, and paranoia.
- Cognitive deficits (memory and learning).
- Physical effects such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, jaw clenching, and body temperature shifts.
- High doses can be fatal (consciousness loss, seizures, or death).
Nicotine
- Mild stimulant and highly addictive.
- Speeds up heart rate, reduces appetite.
- Produces a mild "psychological kick."
- Increases arousal, alertness, and concentration, but can also paradoxically lead to relaxation.
- Releases endorphins.
- Significantly shortens life expectancy.
- Smoking damages many body organs and has contributed to over 480,000 deaths annually in the US, but the rates are declining.
Caffeine
- Mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate.
- Most commonly used psychoactive drug.
- Generally safe in moderation.
- Enhances wakefulness and mental alertness.
- High doses may cause jitteriness and nervousness.
Hallucinogens
- Alter sensory perceptions and produce distortions or hallucinations.
- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a common example.
- May cause vivid hallucinations and sensory distortions.
- Typically produces a trip that can last up to 12 hours.
- Effects can include pupil dilation, increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature shifts, sweating, tremors, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness.
Marijuana
- Alters perception, potentially causing hallucinations.
- Lower doses can induce relaxation and mild euphoria.
- High doses can cause nausea, vomiting, disorientation, panic attacks, and paranoia.
- Physiological dependence is unclear.
- Driving under influence is dangerous.
- Regular use can impair cognitive functions and lead to brain abnormalities.
Other Factors
- Unemployment can increase the likelihood of drug abuse.
- Genetic factors play a role in drug addiction, but no single gene is responsible. Multiple genes interact with the environment.
- Some people may be predisposed to experience greater pleasure from drugs, increasing the risk.
- Regular drug use can damage brain circuits and impair the ability to produce dopamine.
Treatment
- Detoxification: Clearing the body of addictive drugs, typically requiring a hospital stay.
- Psychological support: Counselors can help address psychological issues such as depression and low self-esteem.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the physical effects of various drugs, including MDMA, nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol. This quiz explores the implications of drug use, symptoms, and addiction consequences, particularly among college students. Challenge yourself and learn more about drug effects and alcohol awareness.