Week 7 Lecture Slides on Drug Use PDF

Learning outcomes Reflect on the history of substance use and current statistics Become knowledgeable about drug classifications Become knowledgeable on reasons why people use psychoactive substances Become knowledgeable about what harm reduction is and some...

Learning outcomes Reflect on the history of substance use and current statistics Become knowledgeable about drug classifications Become knowledgeable on reasons why people use psychoactive substances Become knowledgeable about what harm reduction is and some interventions CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au  History of substance use Drug use is not a recent phenomenon: no definitive answer as to oldest proof of drug use but... Evidence suggests that humans were ingesting drugs/alcohol up to 8000 years ago, beer jugs dating back to the stone age Red wine was found in King Tutankhamen's tomb Evidence of opium use dates back to Mesopotamia (region around Iraq) around 4000 BC Animals use drugs too (Source: QADREC – 2012) CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au  In Australia White settlers brought lots of medicines and drugs with them when they first came to Australia to protect themselves from “warm climates and tropical diseases” Drug use in the late 1800s was mainly opium and cocaine-based stimulants used by doctors / nurses, the middle-upper class, housewives (for depression + menstrual pain) and then later by Chinese immigrants. CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au  What is a drug? Psychoactive drugs are substances that, when taken in or administered into one's system, affect mental processes, e.g. perception, consciousness, cognition or mood and emotions. Psychoactive drugs belong to a broader category of psychoactive substances that include also alcohol and nicotine. “Psychoactive” does not necessarily imply dependence-producing, and in common parlance, the term is often left unstated, as in “drug use”, “substance use” or “substance abuse”. World Health Organisation (2024) https://www.who.int/health-topics/drugs-psychoactive#tab=tab_1 CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au  Classification of Substances Drugs can be classified as depressants or stimulants depending on their action on the Central Nervous System (CNS). In addition, there are a number of drugs that are used specifically for their hallucinogenic effect – hallucinogens. CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au  Data Daily tobacco smoking rate dropped from 11% to 8.3% between 2019 and 2022-2023 Use of electronic cigarettes and vapes nearly tripled between 2019 (2.5%) and 2022-2023 (7%) Around 1 in 3 people (31%) in Australia drank alcohol in ways that put their health at risk in 2022-2013 Around 1 in 2 people (47%) have used an illicit drug in their lifetime, with cannabis being the most used (41%) CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au Figure 1: Summary of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarette, and illicit drug use, people aged 14 and over, 2022–2023 NDSHS 2022–2023,  Why people use drugs? People use AOD for a range of reasons which may include: For enjoyment To help them relax As part of socialisation Curiosity Peer pressure Cope with trauma Avoid physical or psychological pain CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au Spectrum of drug use Non-use Experimental Recreational Regular Dependent A person can move either way along the spectrum There is no evidence to show that one stage automatically leads to the next. These levels apply to each drug being used e.g. dependent speed use and recreational alcohol use. There are risks associated with all levels of use.  e  Harm reduction Examples of programs that aim to minimise risky behaviours include: Ø NSP Ø Supervised drug consumption rooms/MSIC Ø Drug checking (pill testing) Ø Smoke free laws Ø Drink and drug driving laws Ø Take-home naloxone programs Ø Standard drinks CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au  Stages of change model Termination Action & Pre-contemplation Contemplation Preparation maintenance Relapse Prevention & Management Providing information Motivational I/V Goal setting Managing cravings Raising awareness Raising importance Highlighting Challenging thoughts Lifestyle issues Building confidence barriers Problem solving Relationship building Identifying support High risk situations systems Exploring alternatives Self-monitoring Refusal & social skills  The role of the Nurse Provide non-judgemental and compassionate care Provide education about associated risks Education on harm reduction Assess for and manage withdrawals when / if they arise Collaborative goal and care planning CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 01032F notredame.edu.au Tutorials e Stigma Lived Experience Harm Reduction References & information AIHW (2024). National Drug Strategy Household survey 2022- 2023. retrieved August 2024 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug- strategy-household-survey/contents/about