Psychopharmacology
Part One
Learning Goals ď Ž Demonstrate understanding of ways psychoactive
drugs in the categories of depressants, stimulants, cannabis, and narcotics can affect users by listing, without notes or references, at least six types of psychoactive effects such drugs may have. ď Ž Demonstrate with an accuracy rate of at least 80% general knowledge of psychoactive drugs in the categories of depressants, stimulants, cannabis, and narcotics and effects common to each category by matching, without notes or references, psychoactive effects with the categories of drugs producing those effects.
Definition of a Psychoactive Drug One that has any of these Effects:
Changing of moods Distortion of perception Perceptions of things that aren’t there Speeding up or slowing down Changes to judgment or impulse control Changes to ability to think logically Belief in things that aren’t true Changes in level of motivation
Background How long have human beings been using
psychoactive drugs? Categories of drugs in use before modern times:
Depressants Stimulants Cannabis Narcotics Hallucinogens
Background Additional types of drugs now in use:
More of all the categories above Benzodiazepines Inhalants Anabolic Steroids Designer or Club Drugs
Background Why do people use drugs?
For effect (to experience pleasure or relieve physical or emotional pain) For social / popularity reasons As part of cultural and religious customs
When does drug use become a problem
instead of a good thing?
Depressants: General Info Barbiturates (Seconal, Nembutal, Amytal,
Phenobarbital) Alcohol Effects may last 1 – 16 hours depending on
drug, dose, method of use, other factors
Depressants: Positive Effects Calming Effect Increased Feeling of Well-Being Increased Confidence Sleep-Inducing Reduced Physical Pain / Discomfort
Depressants: Negative Effects
Drowsiness Disorientation Impaired Motor Coordination Impaired Judgment and Impulse Control Blackouts (Memory Gaps) Nausea/Vomiting with Minor Overdose (OD) Tremors (Shakes) in Withdrawal Nausea & Headache in Withdrawal Unconsciousness/Coma/Death with Large OD
Depressants: Negative Effects Tolerance & Withdrawal with Chronic Use Cross-Tolerance with Benzodiazepines Synergistic Effects When Mixed with
Benzodiazepines or Other Depressants Physical and Psychological Addiction Increased Risk for Cancer, Diabetes Heart, Liver, Brain, Bowel, Other Organ Damage with Heavy/Long-Term Use Birth Defects
Stimulants: General Info Cocaine (Powder, Crack, Basuco) Amphetamines Including Methamphetamines Caffeine Nicotine Effects may last 30 minutes to 20 hours
depending on drug, dose, method of use, other factors
Stimulants: Positive Effects Increased Energy, Speed, and Strength Increased Alertness and Concentration Increased Feeling of Well-Being Increased Sexual Desire Faster Reaction Time Increased Confidence
Stimulants: Positive Effects Euphoria Decreased Appetite Weight Loss Decreased Need for Sleep Medical Use: Local Anasthetic Medical Use: Vasoconstrictor (Shrinks Blood
Vessels)
Stimulants: Negative Effects
Anxiety, Irritability, and Paranoia Tremors (Shakes) Insomnia Poor Nutrition Headaches Impaired Judgment and Impulse Control Problems with Divided Attention Raised Pulse, Temperature, Breathing, Blood Pressure
Stimulants: Negative Effects Hallucinations with OD or Prolonged Use Convulsions/Seizure/Stroke with OD Tolerance & Withdrawal with Chronic Use Physical and Psychological Addiction Increased Tolerance for Alcohol, Other Depressants While Using Stimulants Impaired Sexual Performance with Prolonged Use (Cocaine) Lifelong Increased Risk for Depression/ Anxiety After Chronic Use
Stimulants: Negative Effects Premature Aging of Skin Due to Impaired
Circulation Increased Risk for Cancer, Heart/Lung
Disease (Nicotine) Birth Defects
Cannabis: General Info Marijuana Hashish Hashish Oil THC Effects may last 2 to 16 hours depending on
drug, dose, method of use, other factors
Cannabis: Positive Effects May Act as Either Stimulant or Depressant Calming Effect: Reduced Fear, Anxiety,
Anger Medical Use: Treatment for Glaucoma Medical Use: Reduced Physical Pain, Discomfort, Nausea Euphoria Increased Sense of Well-Being Increased Confidence
Cannabis: Negative Effects Dry Mouth, Red Eyes, Decreased Body Temp Reduced Muscular Strength Weakened Immune System Drowsiness Disorientation Dulled Senses Impaired Coordination and Space-Time Perception Impaired Judgment and Impulse Control Impaired Short-Term Memory
Cannabis: Negative Effects Impaired Concentration, Reduced Ability to
do Complex Tasks Paranoia Increased Risk of Cancers Birth Defects Hormone Imbalances with Prolonged Use Damage to Lungs, Throat with Prolonged Use Psychological Addiction with Prolonged Use
Narcotics/Opiates: General Info Opium
Oxycontin
Morphine
Hydrocodone
Heroin
Fentanyl
Methadone
Dilaudid
Codeine
Vicodin
Demerol
Darvon
Percodan
Talwin
Oxycodone
Effects may last 4 to 24 hours depending on drug, dose, method of use, other factors
Narcotics/Opiates: Positive Effects Medical Use: Reduction of Pain/Discomfort Euphoria Increased Sense of Well-Being Calming Effect: Reduced Fear, Anxiety,
Anger Sleep-Inducing
Narcotics/Opiates: Negative Effects Drowsiness Disorientation Dulled Senses Impaired Motor Coordination Impaired Judgment and Impulse Control Tremors (Shakes) in Withdrawal) Nausea, Muscle Cramps, Itching in
Withdrawal
Narcotics/Opiates: Negative Effects Unconsciousness/Convulsions/Coma/Death
with OD Tolerance and Withdrawal with Chronic Use Physical and Psychological Addiction
Review Definition of a psychoactive drug History of use of psychoactive drugs Categories of psychoactive drugs When drug use becomes a problem Info on four categories of drugs:
Depressants Stimulants Cannabis Narcotics/Opiates
Conclusion Discussion/Q&A Before Post-Test Post-Test Final Discussion/Q&A