My name is Megan Johnson. My presentation is on Drug Addiction. The warning signs, Effects on the brain, and how it is possible to recover from addiction.

1. *
What is Addiction?

2. Self Administration of a
Substance for non-medical
purposes.
A condition characterized by
an overwhelming desire to
continue taking a drug to
which one has become
habituated through repeated
consumption because it
produces a particular effect,
usually an alteration of mental
Status. status.

3. * Orally
* Injection
* Smoked
* Sniffed
* Inhalation
* Intradermal
* Skin Patch

4. * Drug addiction is a
complex illness.
Addiction, is
characterized by
compulsive drug craving,
seeking, and use that
persists even in the face
of negative consequences.
* As with any other disease,
vulnerability to addiction
differs from person to
person. In general, the
more risk factors an
individual has, the greater
the chance that taking
drugs will lead to abuse
and addiction.

5. * Three types of drugs
are abused most often:
* Opioids—prescribed for
pain relief
* CNS depressants—
barbiturates and
benzodiazepines
prescribed for anxiety
or sleep problems
(often referred to as
sedatives or
tranquilizers)
* Stimulants—prescribed
for attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), the sleep
disorder narcolepsy, or
obesity

6. *
The effects of these Drugs Depressants Street Administered
are Sedation, Drowsiness, Name
Relaxation, and includes
slurred speech and Barbiturates Barbs, red, Injected
confusion. Phennies, Swallowed
Potential Health yellow
Consequences - lowered jacket
blood pressure, slowed
breathing, tolerance, Benzodiazepine Valium, Swallowed
withdrawal, addiction; Xanax,
increased risk of respiratory Candy,
distress and death when Ativan
combined with alcohol
Sleep Meds Ambien, Snorted,
Sonata, Swallowed
Roofies,
Rope

7. Codeine School Injected
Boy Snorted
* Pain relief, euphoria, Captain
drowsiness, sedation, Cody
weakness, dizziness,
nausea, impaired Morphine Roxanol Injected
coordination, confusion, Miss Swallowed
dry mouth, itching, Emma Smoked
sweating, clammy skin, Monkey
constipation
Methadone Fizzies Injected
* Potential Health Dolopine Swallowed
Consequences - slowed or
arrested breathing, Other Tylox, Chewed
lowered pulse and blood Opioids Oxycotion Swallowed
pressure, tolerance,
addiction, Percocet Snort
unconsciousness, coma, Herion inject
death lortab
Lorcet
opana

8. * Feelings of exhilaration, Types Street
increased energy, mental name
alertness Amphetamine Hearts, Injected
* Potential Health Speed swallowed
Consequences - Truck smoked
increased heart rate, Drivers snorted
blood pressure, and
metabolism, reduced Methylphenidate Smart Injected
appetite, weight loss, Drug Swallowed
nervousness, insomnia, Concerta snorted
seizures, heart attack, Ritalin
stroke

9. Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
* You’re neglecting your * You’ve built up a drug tolerance. You need
to use more of the drug to experience the
responsibilities at school, work, or same effects
home (e.g. flunking classes,
skipping work, neglecting your * You take drugs to avoid or relieve
withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long
children) because of your drug use. without drugs, you experience symptoms
* You’re using drugs under such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia,
depression, sweating.
dangerous conditions or taking
risks while high, such as driving * You’ve lost control over your drug use. You
while on drugs, using dirty needles, often do drugs or use more than you
or having unprotected sex. planned, even though you told yourself you
wouldn’t.
* Your drug use is getting you into * Your life revolves around drug use. You
legal trouble, such as arrests for spend a lot of time using and thinking about
disorderly conduct, driving under drugs, figuring out how to get them, and
the influence, or stealing to recovering from the drug’s effects.
support a drug habit. * You’ve abandoned activities you used to
* Your drug use is causing problems enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and
socializing, because of your drug use.
in your relationships, such as
fights with your partner or family * You continue to use drugs, despite
members, an unhappy boss, or the knowing it’s hurting you. It’s causing major
problems in your life—blackouts, infections,
loss of old friends. mood swings, depression, paranoia

10.  Biological Factors:  Psychological Factors:
-Curiosity.
-Family history, genetic -As a novelty
predisposition
-Social rebelliousness.
-Preexisting -Early initiation
psychiatric or -Poor control
personality disorder, or
a medical disorder. -Sensation seeking. (Feeling high).
-Low self-esteem (Anomie).
-Reinforcing effects of -Poor stress management.
drugs.
-Childhood loss or trauma.
-Withdrawal effects -As a relief from fatigue or
and craving. boredom.
-To escape reality
-Biochemical factors -No interest in conventional goals.

11. * Taking a recreational drug Drugs of abuse affect
causes a surge in levels of
dopamine in your brain, which
trigger feelings of pleasure. Your
three primary areas of
brain remembers these feelings
and wants them repeated.
the brain:
* If you become addicted, the
substance takes on the same
significance as other survival
behaviors, such as eating and
drinking.
* Changes in your brain interfere
with your ability to think clearly,
exercise good judgment, control
your behavior, and feel normal
without drugs
* All drugs of abuse—nicotine,
cocaine, marijuana, and others—
affect the brain’s “reward”
circuit, which is part of the
limbic system

12. Physical warning signs of drug abuse
* Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual.
* Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or
weight gain.
* Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits.
* Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
* Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.
Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
* Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
* Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts.
* Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness.
* Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out.”
* Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason.

13. o Speak up. Talk to the person about your
concerns, and offer your help and
support, without being judgmental. The
earlier addiction is treated, the better.
Don’t wait for your loved one to hit
Support can come from: bottom! Be prepared for excuses and
denial by listing specific examples of
* family members your loved one’s behavior that has you
worried.
* close friends o Take care of yourself. Don’t get so
caught up in someone else’s drug
* therapists or counselors problem that you neglect your own
needs. Make sure you have people you
* other recovering addicts can talk to and lean on for support. And
stay safe. Don’t put yourself in
* healthcare providers dangerous situations.
o Avoid self-blame. You can support a
* people from your faith person with a substance abuse problem
and encourage treatment, but you can’t
community force an addict to change. You can’t
control your loved one’s decisions. Let
the person accept responsibility for his
or her actions, an essential step along
the way to recovery for drug addiction.

14. o Recognizing that you have a
oFinding help and support problem is the first step on the road
to recovery, one that takes
for drug addiction tremendous courage and strength.
Facing your addiction without
oVisit a Narcotics minimizing the problem or making
Anonymous meeting in excuses can feel frightening and
your area. overwhelming, but recovery is
within reach. If you’re ready to
oCall 1-800-662-HELP in make a change and willing to seek
the U.S. to reach a free help, you can overcome your
addiction and build a satisfying,
referral helpline from the drug-free life for yourself.
Substance Abuse and o Don’t try to go it alone; it’s all too
Mental Health Services easy to get discouraged and
Administration. rationalize “just one more” hit or
pill. Whether you choose to go to
rehab, rely on self-help programs,
get therapy, or take a self-directed
treatment approach, support is
essential.