Substance Abuse Prevention

Substance Abuse in Adolescents Monitoring the Future Study (University of Michigan Institute for Social Research)

Studied drug abuse among teens since 1975
Study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH)
There was an overall increase in substance abuse among adolescents in the 1990ís, although there has been a stabilization and even decline in illicit drug use in the past 1-2 years. It is hoped that this recent downward trend will continue.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly advocated the need for health care professionals to participate in the promotion of substance abuse prevention among children and adolescents. In order to do this, it is vital that health care providers have a basic understanding of common illicit drugs; including but not limited to, their definitions, street names, signs/symptoms of usage, and common side effects.

Substance use: occasional use of substance or alcohol without tolerance or symptoms of withdrawal

Substance Abuse: persistent and continued use of substances accompanied by social, physical, and/or psychological problems that are related to use of the substance(s)

Substance Dependence: characterized by at least 3 of the followingÖ

Substance used in larger& larger amounts over longer periods of time than initially intended
Strong, persistent desire or craving of the substance with unsuccessful attempts to control or modify use of substance
Increasingly larger periods of time utilized in obtaining the substance; using the substance; or recovering from the effects of the substance
Missed obligations due to intoxication or detoxification periods related to use of the substance
Persistent and continued use of substance in the context of social, physical, and/or psychological problems related to use of the substance
Development of tolerance to the substance
Symptoms of withdrawal when not using the substance
Substance needed to relieve symptoms of withdrawal

Addiction: chronic, relapsing use of substance in an uncontrollable, compulsive manner characterized by tolerance, withdrawal, and cravings: namely, person develops increased need for the substance; person may be plagued by intense symptoms associated with not taking the substance; person becomes willing to sacrifice many or all aspects of his/her life to obtain the substance along with compulsive utilization of the substance

Common illicit drugs used by adolescents and young adults:

Marijuana

A.K.A.: Pot/Weed/Herb/Green/Mary Jane/MJ/Joints/Bong Toke/Reefer
Derived from cannabis plant; main active chemical: THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
Effects: apathy; lethargy; poor concentration and memory; "amotivational syndrome" with passivity & decreased motivation; altered perceptions of time and space; possible hallucinations; anxiety; panic attacks
Not proven to be physically addictive and not associated with withdrawal symptoms
Psychological dependence

Cocaine

A.K.A. (depending on form): Coke/Blow/Powder/Sugar/Nose Candy/Rock/Crack/Base
Blocks reuptake of dopamine causing increased amounts of dopamine in synaptic clefts
Effects: hypervigilance; excitability; hostility/irritability; withdrawn behavior; impaired psychomotor coordination; erratic behavior; aggressiveness; impaired judgment; impaired fine motor skills; impaired spatial distance perception
Highly addictive

LSD

A.K.A.: acid/beast/blue cheer/blue heaven/dot/Lucy in the sky with diamonds/sid
Odorless, colorless, tasteless hallucinogen
Greatly modifies neurochemical brain activity without actually stimulating or depressing CNS
Effects: delusions; hallucinations; odd sensations & feelings; sensory distortion; impaired temporal spatial perception; excitability; bizarre/mythical/magical ideation; impaired memory
Severe flashbacks with visual and/or auditory hallucinations
Psychological dependence with very high tolerance

Ecstasy

MDMA=methylenedioxymethampthetamine
A.K.A.: XTC; wonder drug; Adam; Eve; B bombs; E bombs; blue lips; blue kisses; crystal; X pills; X; doctor; drivers; essence; Egyptians; happy pills; love drug; love biscuits; Scooby snacks; rave energy; ritual spirit; tweety birds; ultimate XphoriaÖ
Synthetic, psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties
Effects: initial euphoria; carefree feeling; disinhibiting; confusion; severe depression; anxiety; paranoia; psychosis; teeth clenching; nausea; faintness
May destroy neurons that release serotonin and dopamine

Heroin

A.K.A.: smack; skag; elephant; stuff; tiger; H; hache; H caps; Harry; junk
Opiate: depresses CNS
Derived from morphine which comes from the poppy plant
Effects: euphoria followed by feeling of heaviness/drowsiness; sedation @ higher doses; respiratory depression; relaxing detachment; flushing of skin; dry mouth; associated with infections from IVDU (HIV/hepatitis/endocarditis/cellulitis/abscesses)
Physical dependence: positive pleasure replaced by the needed fix
Only takes few weeks to develop dependence

Inhalants

Solvents:

Industrial or household solvents or solvent-containing products: paint thinners; degreasers (dry-cleaning fluids); gasoline; glue
Art or office supply solvents: correction fluids; felt-tip-marker fluid; electronic contact cleaners

Gases:

Household or commercial gas: butane lighters and propane tanks; whipping cream aerosols; refrigerant gases
Household aerosol propellants and solvents: spray paints; hair or deodorant sprays; fabric protector sprays
Medical anesthetic gas: ether; chloroform; halothane; nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrites

Aliphatic nitrites: cyclohexyl nitrite; amyl nitrite; butyl nitrite

Effects: stimulant-like intoxication; slowing of bodily functions; disinhibitions; loss of consciousness; hearing loss; heart failure; brain damage; bone marrow damage; liver toxicity; renal toxicity; respiratory failure; death
Breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive effects
Likely to be abused by young people because easily accessible and inexpensive

Ketamine

Ketamine Hydrochloride
A.K.A.: Vitamin K; new ecstasy; Super K; psychedelic heroin; K hole
Effects: euphoria; vivid hallucinations; impaired motor function; delirium; amnesia; respiratory failure
Usually snorted
Often mixed with other drugs such as ecstasy; heroin; cocaine
Medical use as anesthetic since 1970ís

Rohypnol

A.K.A.: date rape drug
Sedative-hypnotic effects: muscle relaxation; amnesia
Effects: victims become incapacitated; easily become extremely disinhibited
Often mixed in alcoholic beverage of unsuspecting victim
Associated with withdrawal seizures

Methamphetamine

A.K.A.: speed; chalk; meth / meth hydrochloride: crystal; crank; ice; glass; cristy
Causes the release of increased levels of dopamine
Effects: rush; high; enhanced body motion; enhanced mood; insomnia; decreased appetite; euphoria; anxiety; paranoia; tremors; confusion; aggressive behavior; stroke; cardiovascular collapse; death
Addiction can occur quickly
Taken by snorting, injection, smoked, oral

References:

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health website: http://www.nida.nih.gov
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign website: http://www.theantidrug.com
National Youth Network website: http://www.nationalyouth.com
Drug use website: http://www.druguse.com