HEALTH 9: Types of Drugs PDF

**Types of Drugs or Substances that are Abused** 1. **Stimulants** - Stimulants are also referred to as "uppers" are psychoactive drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. They increase energy, alertness, and attention. These substances are prescribed by doctors for medical p...

**Types of Drugs or Substances that are Abused** 1. **Stimulants** - Stimulants are also referred to as "uppers" are psychoactive drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. They increase energy, alertness, and attention. These substances are prescribed by doctors for medical purposes such as treatment of neurological disorders, asthma, respiratory ailments, mild depression, overweight, chronic sleep disorder, and aother diseases. Examples of Stimulants a. Cocaine -- It is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant. b. Methamphetamine -- This is a substance that strongly stimulates the central nervous system. 2. **Depressants** - These are anti-psychotic drugs that depress the central nervous system. These substances slow down brain activity. They are also called "downers". These substances are used for treating anxiety and sleep disorders creating relaxation, drowsiness and sleepiness. Types of Depressants a. Tranquilizers -- mild effects used for anxiety b. Barbiturates -- more potent depressants used for sleep disorders and seizures c. Hypnotics -- the strongest of the depressants 3. **Narcotics** - These are substances, also known as "pain killers" , are drugs that slow down the central nervous system and are often prescribed by physicians as analgesics or drugs that relieve pain, used as a cough suppressants, and used to treat diarrhea. Types of Narcotics a. Opium- It is made of from the seedpod of the poppy plants which produces euphoric effects or unconsciousness lasting for hours. b. Morphine -- It is a widely-used painkiller derived from opium. It is often used after surgery or for cancer cases. c. Heroin -- heroin was initially developed from morphine as a treatment for tuberculosis and cure morphine addiction. d. Hallucinogens -- these are psychedelic drugs that interfere with our senses, alter perception and cause hallucinations. Examples of Hallucinogens a. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) -- It is one of the most powerful mood changing chemicals. It may cause strong mood swings that range from joy to depression. b. Phencyclidine (PCP), Ketamine and Mescaline -- these are used as an anesthetic for surgery. This drug can also create delusions, paranoia, disordered thinking, and extreme anxiety. 4. **Inhalants** - These are chemicals that produce vapor, affecting mood and behavior when inhaled. Non-medical inhalants are uncontrolled drugs. Examples of Inhalants a. Rugby b. Nail polish remover c. Gasoline d. Nitrous oxide/ laughing gas e. Furniture polish (Varnish) 1. **Methamphetamine or Shabu** - It is a chemical substance that is an extremely addictive stimulant. This is also known as the "poor man's cocaine" because it is somewhat cheaper and easier to purchase. *How is shabu used?* a. Smoking b. injecting c. Snorting d. Ingesting ***Effects of Shabu in the brain*** - Shabu increases the amount of neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the brain, causing an intense rush of pleasure or prolonged sense of euphoria. - The user, wanting to get the same effect, would increase the dosage to stimulate the release of excess dopamine heightening the pleasure. - Chronic abuse can lead to psychotic behavior including paranoia, insomnia, anxiety, extreme aggression, delusions and hallucinations and even death. - Over time, shabu destroys dopamine receptors, making it impossible to feel pleasure. 2. **Marijuana** - Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems and seeds from hemp plant, ***Cannabis sativa.*** Marijuana is usually used by smoking. The user rolls the marijuana into a cigarette, called a ***joint*** or removes the tobacco from an ordinary cigarette and then stuffs the marijuana into the hollowed-out cigarette. This marijuana-stuffed cigarette is called ***blunt***. Others use vaporizers or even mix them with foods. Marijuana, considering its effect on the body, may be classified as a stimulant, depressant and hallucinogen. 3. **Cocaine** - It is a powerful stimulant made from the leaves of the coca plant and sold in fine, white, crystalline powder form. It is also called coke, rock, snow, toot or blow. - It is used in sniffing through the nostrils in powder form, but it can also be injected into the veins in liquid form. Crack which is crystallized form of cocaine is usually smoked in pipe. - It speeds up the rate and causes the blood vessels top narrow which may lead to heart attack and serious breathing problems. It may also cause the body temperature to rise to a very dangerous level. Any of these can result **Reasons for Possible Substance Abuse in Youth** 1. Curiosity 2. Low Sel-Esteem 3. Peer pressure 4. Adult modeling 5. Mood Alteration 6. Boredom 7. Alienation **Effects of Drug Abuse on the FAMILY** 1. Family Pain 2. Physical Health Problems 3. Separation of Family Members 4. Financial troubles 5. Negligence of Duties and Responsibilities 6. Dishonor and Embarrassment to the Family **Effects of Drug Abuse on SCHOOL** 1. Reduced Academic Performance and Achievement 2. Increased Violence in School 3. Disrespectful to School Policies and Authorities 1. High prevalence of crimes 2. Increased number of accidents 3. Government fund loss to drug-related operations **Prevention and Control of Substance Use and Abuse** Resistance skills or refusal skills are helpful that will enable a person to say NO or leave a situation and not be forced into it. Resistance skills help individuals practice ways to reinforce decisions, gain confidence and learn delayed gratification. Actions that can be used to develop resistance skills: 1. Have confidence in saying "no" to drug use. 2. Give reasons for saying "no" to drug use. 3. Use the broken-record technique. 4. Match the verbal behavior with nonverbal behavior. 5. Avoid situations of being pressured to use harmful drugs. 6. Avoid drug users. 7. Resist pressure to engage in illegal behavior. 8. Influence others to have responsible behavior. Alternatives of Drug Use 1. Sports 2. Volunteering 3. Clubs or Organizations 4. Hobby