PED 206 - Personal Health and Wellness

Chapter 9

In the U.S. 2 billion drug prescriptions are filled each year - 30 billion cost – 10 billion –non prescription –(over the counter). Many people turn to drugs to solve physical, mental and emotional problems. A lot of people think it is what will or can be the only source of relief

Drug- chemical substance in a medicine that alters the structure or function of some of the body’s biological processes.

Psycho active drugs- designed to alter a person’s experiences of consciousness. 2 of the most widely used are alcohol and nicotine.

Medicine- a drug that 1) prevents illness- vaccines 2) cure disease- anti biotics 3) heals-ointments 4) suppress symptoms- pain relievers

Pharmacology- the science and study of drugs

Drugs are classified by biological processes

1)Diuretic- inc urine production

2)Analgesic- reduce pain

3)Stim- produces nervous system excitement

At the origin, the manufacture and sale of drugs was not regulated. Some drugs could be purchased by mail order.

How they work

Drugs interact with cells in the body that carry receptors- proteins with which drugs interact (i.e. a key fitting into a lock) The drug binds to a receptor and affects the biological process of cells and organs.

(Drugs can chemical resemble a hormone-steroid)

(Drugs can bind to a receptor in place of a natural substance and alter physiology – antibiotics cure bacterial infections by binding to receptors in bacteria and blocking their repro.

An example of this is chemotherapy for cancer.

Side effects- when the drug binds to receptors of unintended cell and their receptors

• allergic reactions
• physical dependence
• harm fetus and embryos

A drug may also be harmful it the taker has a condition that will be aggravated by that drug. (Contraindication) i.e. blood vessel diseases- no birth control pills

Once in the body-drugs are metabolized by the liver. Also filtered by kidneys and passed out in urine. Others eliminated in expired air.

Dose- amount taken. Effected by body size, how rapidly it’s broken down, the presence of other drugs and foods, a person’s mental state (stressed people need higher doses).

Drugs have a narrow range of effectiveness

• Low- doesn’t work
• High- Toxic
• Placebo- can show the same therapeutic effects of drugs for some people.

4 out of 10 aspirin study/ rogaine study (powerful mind)

Drugs are overused-people expect doctors to prescribe something for every situation. Tranquilizers for depression help in serious cases when sleep is severely altered but many people assume that drugs will solve the problem, where instead they need treatment (meditation an option)

Drug abuse- using any drug to the point where health is affected or the ability to function in society is impaired. It defines type-amount and if it is used to mask or control of the drug is lost.

CAN CAUSE

Addiction- a habitual and uncontrollable behavior.

Are people who become addicted weak or is there a genetic factor or is it a result of personality traits?

• We can become addicted to almost anything if it gives us a pleasurable rush.
• Physical dependence – addiction consequence: withdrawal symptoms may be fatal. It created so much discomfort that can create a greater motivation to continue drug use. ( caffeine- shakes) They are the opposite of the drugs primary effects ( heroin creates a calm serene environment– withdrawal creates jitters, anxiety, irritability, psych dependence- habituation – an intense craving for the drug

A pattern of use may be consistent but physical dependence may not be present (smoking pot)

• Tolerance- the body’s adaptation to a drug so larger doses are needed to produce the same effect everyone is different. A dose to one is a toxic overdose to another.
• Psychoactive substance affect thoughts perceptions, moods

Characteristics of addiction behavior

a. reinforcement- the pleasure from it is reinforcing

b. craving- a strong need to continue the behavior

c. loss of control

d. escalation- a lot of time is spent on this behavior

e. negative consequences- problems with job, personal relationships, health problems

Examples of addiction behavior: gambling, sex, spending money, internet, exercise

Stim: act on the control nervous system. These produce an increased energy and a state of euphoria (high) Long term- personality changes/ aggressive behavior. Usually frequent use leads to dependence.

Who uses drugs? Why do some people choose not to use them? (pg 222)

Drug and User Factors

• Cocaine- obtained from leaves of the coca shrub in the Andes. For years people in Peru, Bolivia and Columbia chewed coca leaves to attain stimulants effects.
• 1880 Coca-Cola used coca leaves and Kola nuts.
• It induces euphoria- a sense of power and clarity of thought. Increased physical vigor. Can be snorted, injected or smoked.
• Inc. HR/blood pressure , (Talk about max HR) sleep disturbance, mal nutrition, altered thought and mood patterns. It can inflame nasal passages and permanently damage the septum.
• It can produce tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal, great potential for being psychological dependent.

It’s effects last 5-20 minutes. Crack (smoked cocaine) can reach the brain in 10 seconds and has intense effects when effects wear off- users will crash

- Amphetamine- manufactured chem. Can be taken orally, injected, or smoked/ produces a hallucinogenic state lasting several hours

Drug Factors

1. pharmacological properties- the effects on a person’s body chemistry, behavior, and psychology

2. Dose- response function- relationship between the amount of drug taken and the type and intensity of the resulting effect. i.e. LSD- a certain dosage will cause changes in perception, if higher doses are taken, the effect stays the same.

3. Time action function- time elapsed since it was taken and the intensity of it’s effect

4. Drug history- a small amount of alcohol will affect a habitual drinker more than an occasional drinker

5. Method of usage- ingestion, injection, inhalation, absorption

User factors

1. Body mass (weight)

2. Overall health

3. Genetic factors

4. Use of other substances- some drugs block the effects of other drugs

5. user expectations (placebo effect)

These drugs have been taken by people who want to perform well or must stay awake

Students, truck drivers, night club entertainers, and athletes. It speeds up the CNS causing headaches, insomnia, panic, delirium. Once it wears off they crash- sleep a long time or depressed. Some people use for appetite suppression.

Ritalin- used to treat attention deficit/hyperactive disorder when taken as prescribed there is little potential for abuse

Inhalants- chem sub that vaporize and produces depressant effects similar to alcohol

Recreational inhalant

1. air plane glue, nail polish removes gas

2. aerosols

3. anesthetics- nitrous oxide, chloroform

They enter the body rapidly – high lasts an hour or so. There is no tolerance or withdrawal and don’t induce dependence but they damage all vital internal organs.

Designer drugs- “ecstasy”

Mix of amphetamine and other substances that affect the release of serotonin in the brain and causes neurological damage (effects: relaxed, euphoria, expressive, more verbal)

Also Rohypnol- a sedative 10 times more powerful than Valium and causes a person to pass out “Date Rape Drug”

Steroids- derivations of the male hormones testosterone that promote the growth of the skeletal muscle and increase lean body muscle- abused by elite athletics to increase athletic performance and improve physical appearance.

Oral- injected taken in cycle of weeks and months (cycling)

Stacking- take several different types of steroids to maximize their effectiveness (one for inc. size and one for hardening new muscle tissue)

Illegal- found in blood tests

Hazards- liver tumors, fluid retention, high blood pressure, acne shrinking of testicles and reduce sperm count, boldness, and breast development

Females- deep voice, no menstrual cycle, facial hair.

It is dangerous for adolescents to take steroids because their bodies are producing proper hormones-why alter that?

Caffeine-soda, coffee, chocolate also a key ingredient in over the counter drugs (stay awake) Can cause nervousness, restlessness, shakes, insomnia, increased urine output -----Legal

Melanin- health food store drug that helps to monitor your wake- sleep cycle (jet lag)

Produce normally by a gland in the brain.

Marijuana

Principal ingredient is THC. It comes in pill form, it can be smoked or eaten (hash brownies). It’s absorbed rapidly in the tissue producing euphoria and a sense of relaxation. It produces an altered perception of space and time, speech and short-term memory are affected.

At times it can evoke confusion, anxiety, panic paranoia. Some people it doesn’t affect at all. (mother)

Long term effects- bronchitis; increase Heart rate, blood pressure, lowering of immune system

Effective in treating glaucoma- helps out discomfort after cancer chemo and other treatments (illegal but patient advocate groups are trying to change).

Hallucinogens

Derived by over 100 kinds of plants and chemicals synthesized in labs. Alters perception, thought, mood, sensations.

Many drug induced hallucinations are visual (pushing the land) and enjoyable (can fly). Individual usually aware that experience is unusual and not part of normal state of consciousness

Most common used-LSD (last 1- 24 hours). Common features is the suspension of the normal psychic mechanism that integrates self with the environment (distortions).

PCP- Angel dust, it can be a stimulant hallucinogen, or depressant.

Advance effects- paranoia, restlessness, confusion and violent or bizarre behavior. Many people admitted to psychiatric emergency rooms are for PCP intoxication.

It does not induce tolerance or physical dependence but users may experience the drugs effect a long time and body chemistry may be permanently altered (psychosis).

Most terrifying, unpredictable, dangerous of illegal recreation drugs---easy to manufacture.

Depressant/ effects: reducing level of arousal, motor activity, environmental awareness reduction, and sedation

-Sedatives, tranquilizers, hypnotics, alcohol

In mild doses, they produce a mild state of euphoria, reduce inhibitions or induce a feeling of relaxation. High doses impair mood speech and motor coordination.

An overdose may produce coma because the respiratory system has shut down. If 2 or more depressants are taken together they can produce a much stronger effect than either drug produces when taken alone (alcohol/ Tranquilizers)

Medically- are used to treat insomnia, anxiety disorders and control seizures

Opiates- (Narcotics) natural or synthetic (lab made) drugs that depress the CNS. Derived from an opium poppy, which have been used for thousands of years in a variety of cultures to produce euphoria and relieve pain. Typically injected or absorbed-results in dependence and tolerance can develop rapidly.

Opium is a mixture which principal psychoactive substances are morphine and codeine. Heroin is derived from morphine.

They function to block nerve transmission in the CNS suppressing physical and mental function. The body has natural pain reliving substance (endorphins) which the opiates bind to and mimic the actions of endorphins (morphine and codeine are used medically- heroin is illegal). unwanted effects- loss of appetite, depression, no interest in sex, constipation, disruption of the menstrual cycle.

Street heroin- 1-3% pure, the rest is sugar, corn starch, or any white powder. (Dealers cut it to make more money. If you get a higher brand it can stop respiratory function. The heroin is converted to morphine and excreted in sweat, urine, and saliva.

A developing fetus can become addicted because morphine crosses the placenta—withdrawal symptoms occur when born.

Americans spend 50 billion per year on illegal drugs-100 billion per year is spent on law enforcement, prevention, treatment, lost wages, drug related injuries and crime.

Drug/crime relationships-2 million arrests per year. Many assaults and murders are a result of people trying to acquire drugs or money to purchase drugs (also drug territory, theft from dealers).

Annually drugs are responsible for 500,000 ER admissions over 7 million people need treatment for drug addiction

Legalizing drugs? A good idea or not?

Drug dependence treatments

• substitution programs- methadone is given to help get people off heroin.
• Treatment centers- hospitalization, de-tox, counseling and mental health services (halfway houses)
• Self help groups (AA)
• Peer counseling