please see attachments, please note two of the attachments are handouts with information and the discussion and journal are the actual work.
ALTERING CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGH DRUGS
Psychoactive Drugs
• Chemical substances that act on the brain to affect
emotional or mental states.
• Affect mood, thoughts processes, perceptions, &
behavior.
• Some are illegal AKA illicit – cocaine, heroin etc.
• Others are legal – caffeine, others are legally available
with restrictions – alcohol, tobacco & in some states
marijuana.
Psychoactive Drug Statistics
• About half of adult Americans have used an illicit drug at
some point in life – marijuana being the most popular.
• About 1 in 10 Americans over 12 yrs. old currently use an
illicit drug.
• Marijuana use is rising – more high school seniors report
using marijuana than smoking cigarettes.
• About 1 in 10 Americans will develop a drug abuse or
dependence disorder at some point in their lives.
Drug Abuse • When repeated use causes or aggravates personal,
occupational or health-related problems.
• Polyabusers – using more than one drug at a time.
Drug Abuse • Drug abuse often leads to drug dependence
characterized by impaired control over the use of a drug.
• Strongly compelled to use, powerless to stop use even
when they know the use is ruining their lives.
Dependence • Physiological dependence – person’s body chemistry
changes as the result of repeated use of a drug so that
the body comes to depend o having a steady supply of
the drug.
• Withdrawal Syndrome AKA Abstinence
Syndrome – unpleasant/sometimes dangerous
symptoms with stopped use.
• Tolerance – need to increase amount of a drug to have
the same effect.
Dependence
• Drug Addiction – AKA Chemical Addiction – a
pattern of drug dependence accompanied by
physiological dependence. People often feel powerless to
control their drug use & have developed signs of
physiological dependence.
• Psychological Dependence – pattern of compulsive
or habitual use that serves a psychological need –
lessening anxiety, escaping stress, coping.
Drugs • There are 3 categories of psychoactive drugs
• Depressants – calm neural activity & slow down body functions ex. Alcohol
• Stimulants – temporarily excite neural activity & arouse body functions. Ex. Caffeine, cocaine, meth
• Hallucinogens – distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input. Ex. Marijuana, LSD, Ecstasy
Alcohol• Most widely abuse depressant.
• Intoxicant – a chemical substance that induces a state of
drunkenness.
• Women tend to get intoxicated at lower doses for several
reasons, less muscle mass, less weight, less of an
enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the stomach so more
pure alcohol reaches the bloodstream.
• Directly affects the brain clouding judgement, impairing
concentration & attention, & ability to weigh
consequences of behavior – making them more likely to
do/say things they typically would not do – ex. unsafe sex.
Alcohol • Decreases inhibitions leading to aggressive or impulsive
behavior.
• Nearly 90,000 people in US die each year from alcohol-related
causes – motor vehicle accidents, liver & heart disease.
• Cirrhosis of the liver – irreversible scarring of liver tissue
accounts for about 30,000 US deaths each year.
• Alcohol impairs depth perception making driving particularly
dangerous.
• Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death
among young people ages 17-24.
• Play a role in about 1 in 3 suicides & accidental deaths.
College Drinking • About 6 in 10 college students drink about once a month
– most being underage.
• College students tend to drink more than their peers who
do not attend college.
• 1,800 college students die each year due to overdoses &
alcohol-related vehicle accidents.
• Alcohol plays a role in nearly 700,000 physical assaults &
nearly 100,000 sexual assaults annually in the US.
College Drinking • Binge-Drinking – 5 or more drinks for men, 4 or more for
women on one occasion.
• On the rise among college & high school students.
• Damages health but also associated with poorer
academic performance, missing class, falling behind in
work, receiving lower grades, increases risk of developing
alcohol & drug-related problems.
College Drinking • Binge-Drinking & drinking games can be very risky.
• Places drinkers at risk of coma, death, black-outs, seizures.
• Choking on one’s own vomit is a frequent cause of alcohol-
induced deaths – drug’s depressant effects on the central
nervous system can interfere with the normal vomiting
response & vomit can accumulate in air passages which can
lead to asphyxiation & death.
• NEVER LEAVE A PERSON WHO IS UNRESPONSIVE OR
UNCONSCIOUS ALONE!
Barbiturates & Tranquilizers • Barbiturates – calming or sedating drugs that have
several legitimate medical uses – regulate high blood
pressure, block pain during surgery, control epileptic
seizures.
• Highly addictive
• Used illicitly to induce euphoria & relaxation
• Ex. amobarbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital,
secobarbital.
• Overdose can lead to convulsions, coma, death.
• Particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol.
Barbiturates & Tranquilizers
• Tranquilizers – class of depressants widely used to treat
anxiety & insomnia.
• Reduce excess nervous system activity.
• Xanax, Valium
• Particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol.
Opioids AKA Opiates • Narcotics – addictive drugs with pain-relieving & sleep
inducing properties.
• Morphine, heroin, codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin
• Rush of pleasurable excitement & dampen awareness of
personal problems.
• Sometimes prescribed for pain management.
• About 1.6% of adults in US 12 & older report using heroin
at some point.
Heroin • Induces euphoric rush that lasts 5-15 min.
• Rush compared to orgasm.
• Rush fades that leads to relaxed drowsy state
• Problems evaporate
• Physical dependence develops within a few weeks of
regular use.
Stimulants • Heighten activity of central nervous
system.
• Amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA,
nicotine, caffeine.
Amphetamines • Chemicals that activate the nervous system causing increased
heart rate, breathing, & blood pressure.
• At low doses boost mental alertness & concentration, reduce
fatigue, & lessen need for sleep.
• At high doses can induce an intense pleasurable rush.
• Increases availability of norepinephrine & dopamine – keeps
neurons firing to crease high levels of arousal & alertness.
• Directly stimulate reward pathways in the brain.
• About 5% US adults have used meth at some point in lives
• 1.5 million are regular users
Amphetamines • High doses can cause extreme restlessness, loss of
appetite, tremors, cardiovascular irregularities, coma,
death.
• Amphetamine psychosis – psychotic reaction
characterized by hallucinations & delusions similar to
schizophrenia.
• Damages the brain causing deficits in learning, memory,
& other functions.
• Can lead to stroke, liver damage, among other serious
health problems.
Cocaine • Derived from coca plant
• Produces state of pleasure by blocking reuptake of
dopamine in synapse between neurons.
• Damages heart & circulatory system, life-threatening,
fatal.
• Psychological issues – anxiety, depression, irritability.
• Cocaine Psychosis – hallucinations & delusions of
persecution.
MDMA/Ecstasy • 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
• Produces euphoric & hallucinogenic effects.
• Psychological effects – depression, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, &
psychotic symptoms.
• Cognitive deficits – memory issues, learning ability & attention
issues.
• Physical effects – increased heart rate, blood pressure, chattering
jaw, body warmth/chills.
• High doses can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, death.
• 1 in 15 Americans have experimented with MDMA
Nicotine • Mild stimulant but highly addictive.
• Speeds up heart rate, dampens appetite, produces mild rush –
psychological kick.
• Increases arousal, alertness, concentration – paradoxical effects
of relaxation & mental calmness.
• Releases endorphins
• Cuts about 10 years off of a person’s lifespan.
• 480,000 deaths per year. 1 in 3 due to cancer
• Smoking damages virtually every organ in the body
• 16.8% Americans smoke – the lowest record level in 50 years.
Caffeine • Mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, etc.
• Most widely used psychoactive drug.
• Not known to be associated with health risks when used
in moderation
• Enhances wakefulness, mental alertness
• High doses – Jitteriness, nervousness.
Hallucinogens • Drugs that alter sensory perceptions, producing
distortions or hallucinations in visual, auditory, or other
sensory forms. AKA psychedelics “mind revealing”
• Lysergic acid diethylamide AKA acid
• Vivid hallucinations & sensory distortions
• Trip may last up to 12 hours.
• Pupil dilation, increases heart rate, blood pressure, body
temperature, sweating, tremors, loss of appetite,
sleeplessness.
• Variable & unpredictable
Marijuana • Alters perception & can produce hallucinations – particularly in
high doses or when used by susceptible people.
• Lower doses – relaxed & mildly euphoric
• Time seems to pass more slowly, bodily sensations pronounced,
anxiety, or panic.
• High doses – nausea, vomiting, disorientation, panic attacks,
paranoia
• Physiological dependence remains unclear
• Increases heart rate, impairs motor performance & coordination
• Driving under influence especially dangerous
• Regular use impairs cognitive functioning – memory, learning, can
lead to brain abnormalities.
Other Factors • Unemployment is linked to drug abuse
• Genetic factors play a role in many addictive disorders but
no single gene is responsible. Multiple genes act with
environment.
• Some people may be genetically predisposed to reap
greater pleasure from alcohol & other drugs which raises
the risk.
• Regular drug use can damage brain circuits & impair
ability to produce dopamine
Treatment • Detoxification – clearing body of addictive drugs.
Usually requires a hospital stay.
• Counselors can help confront psychological issues such
as depression & low self-esteem.
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PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 7: Handout
Page 1 of 2
Psychoactive Drugs
Drugs Method of Ingestion
Medical Use
Desired Effect Short- term Side Effect
Tolerance Risk of Physical
Dependence
Risk of Psychological Dependence
Fatal Overdose Potential
Health Risks
Narcotics (opiates) Morphine, Heroin
Injected, smoked, oral
Pain Relief Euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, pain relief
Lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, impaired coordination, impaired mental functioning, constipation
Rapid High High High Infectious diseases, accidents, immune depression
Sedatives Barbiturates Benzodiazepines
Oral, injected Sleeping pills, anticonvulsant
Euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, reduced inhibitions
Lethargy, drowsiness, severely impaired coordination, impaired mental functioning, emotional swings, dejection
Rapid High High High Accidents
Stimulants Amphetamines Cocaine
Oral, sniffed, injected, freebased, smoked
Treatment of hyperactivity and narcolepsy, local anesthetic (cocaine only)
Elation, excitement, increased alertness, increased energy, reduced fatigue
Increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased talkativeness, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, reduced appetite, increased sweating and urination, anxiety, paranoia, increased aggressiveness, panic
Rapid Moderate High Moderate to High
Sleep problems, malnutrition, nasal damage, hypertension, respiratory disease, stroke, liver disease, heart attack
Hallucinogens LSD Mescaline Psilocybin
Oral None Increased sensory awareness, euphoria, altered perceptions, hallucinations, insightful experiences
Dilated pupils, nausea, emotional swings, paranoia, jumbled thought processes, impaired judgment, anxiety, panic reaction
Gradual None Very Low Very Low Accidents, acute pain
Cannabis Marijuana Hashish THC
Smoked, Oral Treatment of glaucoma and chemotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting; other uses under study
Mild euphoria, relaxation, altered perceptions, enhanced awareness
Elevated heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth, reduced short-term memory, sluggish motor coordination, sluggish mental functioning, anxiety
Gradual None Low to Moderate
Very Low Accidents, lung cancer, respiratory disease, pulmonary disease, increased vulnerability to psychosis
PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 7: Handout
Page 2 of 2
Alcohol Drinking None Euphoria, relaxation, anxiety reduction, reduced inhibitions
Severely impaired coordination, impaired mental functioning, increased urination, emotional swings, depression, quarrelsomeness, hangover
Gradual Moderate Moderate Low to High
Accidents, liver disease, malnutrition, brain damage, neurological disorders, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, ulcers, cancer, birth defects
© Debra Vos and Indian Hills Community College
,
PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 7: Discussion
Discussion
This discussion is a 3 PART assignment so pay close attention to the due dates on the agenda.
Part 1: 1st Discussion Post
~Research a drug of your choice.
~Use at least 2 reliable sources beyond your text and reference your sources using APA style (see APA
cheat sheet in LU 1).
~Write a 2-4 page paper including the following criteria:
• -Introduction
• -Nicknames of the drug
• -What substance(s) is the drug derived?
• -Is the drug a stimulant, opiate, depressant, or hallucinogen? Explain.
• -How does the user ingest the drug?
• -Short term effects of usage
• -Long term effects of usage
o Ex. Brain Activity, Memory, Motor Skills, Senses, Disease, etc.…
• -Withdrawal symptoms
• -Social problems related to drug usage (ex. Rape, Drunk Drivers, Trafficking)
• -Provide Facts & Statistics
• -Prevalence of use in the US
• -Conclusion
Part 2: 2nd Discussion Post
~After reading through the discussion threads, choose 2 (or more) submissions and ask each writer 2
additional questions about the drug they researched. Feel free to also include information that you
know about the drug to expand on the writer’s content.
PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 7: Discussion
Part 3: 3rd Discussion Post
~Answer 4 (or more) questions that classmates posted to your initial discussion thread. Be sure to
include any references used.
~If there were no questions posted to your thread, research and post 4 additional facts about the drug
you researched.
DO NOT COPY & PASTE CONTENT
You are encouraged to continue to engage with one another beyond the assignment requirements in an
online conversation by asking questions, sharing experiences, knowledge, and insights.
© Jennifer Hess and Indian Hills Community College
,
Journal
Read Module 4.4 in the textbook (page 158-172). Choose one drug from each category (depressant,
stimulant, hallucinogen). Explain what the drug is, its legal status, how it is taken, and what effects it has
(long and short term). Discuss how addiction to each of these drugs can impact people, what withdrawal
symptoms look like, and how to combat addiction to this drug. Research into what, if any, addiction
support programs are offered for those who use each drug. Research how addictive each substance is
and what impacts it can have on people. Look into real-world experiences and stories people have with
each drug.
Write about your personal thoughts regarding the drugs (and their impacts) you chose from each
category. Is it legal? Should it be? Are there other uses for it, outside of recreational? Support your
thoughts and opinions with research and peer-reviewed studies.
Write 3-4 paragraphs for each drug explaining the outcomes of your research. Use at least 3-5 sources
and cite these at the end of your journal post. This is an extension of your discussion post, so feel free to
use the same drug in both posts, if you include the additional two drugs in this post and meet the
expectations for both assignments (see discussion board instructions for specifics).
© Indian Hills Community College Page 1 of 1
PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 7: Journal
