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FACTS on Substance Abuse
What is Substance Abuse?
- The misuse of alcohol, cigarettes and both illegal and legal drugs and medications and other mood-altering substances
Alcoholism
- Alcohol intoxication is associated with approximately 50% of nations traffic fatalities and homicides every year
- There are an estimated 15.4 million adult victims of alcoholism
- Development of alcoholism in a person is influenced by genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors
- Regular, daily intoxication
- Drinking large amounts at specific times (every weekend)
- Long periods of sobriety interspersed with binges of heavy daily drinking
8 Kinds of Drugs
Marijuana- Most widespread and frequently used illicit drug in the nation
- At least 62 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once in their life (1985 survey)
- Young people ages 15-17 who are current cigarette smokers are 5 times more likely to be current marijuana users
- Current users from 18-25 are almost one-and-a-half times as likely to be male
- 74% of those who have used marijuana 100 or more times, have tried cocaine
- Impairs short-term memory, concentration, perception and motor skills
- Smoking immediately accelerates the heartbeat
- May have serious effects on reproduction
- In 1982, it was estimated that more than 20 million Americans tried cocaine and 4 million were current users
- Highly addictive stimulant
- Many snort the powdered drug; some dissolve it and inject it into a muscle or vein
- "Crack" – altered so it can be smoked
- Increases in heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, body temperature and loss of appetite
- Cause heart attacks; even in young people
- May trigger brain seizures
- Increase in blood pressure may rupture blood vessels, causing strokes
- Psychological effects
- Fundamental personality changes
- Miscarriage or stillbirths for pregnant women
Amphetamines
- "Bennies", "dexies", "speed" and various diet pills
- Swallowed or injected
- Effects are similar to those of cocaine
- Effects may last longer and can be more potent
- Includes opium, morphine, heroin and codeine
- Heroin accounts for 90% of opiate abuse in U.S.
- Estimated one million addicted to heroin
- About one half of those who abuse opiates develop a dependence or addiction
- Feel "withdrawal" after they stop using; usually beginning within 4-6 hours after use
- Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, chills, sweating
Hallucinogens
- Include such drugs as LSD, mescaline and peyote
- Taken orally and can cause abuser to experience hallucinations and perceptions of objects that have no external cause
- Effects of these substances make it impossible to think or act normally
Inhalants
- Mind-altering chemical vapors that abusers breathe to get the high they’re looking for
- Includes solvents, aerosols, some anesthetics, gasoline, glue, paint thinners, nail polish remover and lighter and cleaning fluids
- Amyl nitrite
- Butyl nitrite – referred to as "locker room", "rush"
- Ages 7-17 most common abusers
- Slows down bodily functions
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Immediate effects include:
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- Referred to as tranquilizers and sleeping pills (sedatives)
- Used to relieve anxiety and promote sleep
- When abused or taken at high doses, they can lead to unconsciousness and death
- 2 major types are barbiturates ("barbs, downers") and benzodiazipines
- Use of these drugs with alcohol greatly increases risk of death
- Close to 50 million Americans smoke cigarettes
- 320,000 deaths a year are tobacco related
- Highly addictive
- Effects specific places in brain and other parts of the nervous system
- Relaxes skeletal muscles and affects heart, blood vessels and hormonal system
Treatment for Substance Abuse
- Admit there is a problem
- Family action plan or intervention (each member confronts abuser and explain how they are affected)
- Choose between family or drug
- Enter detoxification program or therapy program
- Make it your goal is to improve self image and promote healthful, drug-free living
- Seek professional support for family members
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Contact Alcohol Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), and others
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