A Prescription for Education. Hillary Dubois, Director of Prevention Services Amanda Sandoval, Asst. Director of Prevention Services

Transcription

1 A Prescription for Education Hillary Dubois, Director of Prevention Services Amanda Sandoval, Asst. Director of Prevention Services

2 Addiction Release of abnormally large amounts of neurotransmitters, mainly dopamine Dopamine deals with feelings of pleasure The overstimulation of this reward system produces euphoric effects in response to drugs This creates a reinforcing pattern that teaches people to repeat the behavior of using drugs

3 Addiction continued.. As a person continues to abuse drugs their brain adapts to the surges of dopamine by producing less This lessens the dopamine's impact on the reward circuit The abuser does not enjoy the drugs anymore or other events that once brought pleasure The abuser keeps using drugs in an attempt to restore dopamine levels and get that euphoric feeling again However, now they must use larger amounts of the drug

4 Risk Factors for Addiction Biology Environment Development Family History Abuse, neglect, traumatic childhood events Mental Disorders (depression or anxiety) Early use of drugs Availability

5 Experimentation Experimentation can cause addiction because drugs today are extremely potent. Experimentation can change brain function and development, sometimes permanently Young people often don t wait to see the effects of drugs, instead mixing or using more, often causing extremely negative results

6 Teen Brain and Addiction Our brain is not completely developed during the teen years. Looks for pleasure, to be social and to take risks. Impulse control is under developed. Early use is another risk factor for developing addiction.

7 Misuse vs Abuse Misuse: The use of a substance for unintended purposes or for intended purposes in improper amounts of doses

8 Misuse vs Abuse Abuse: maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12 month period: 1. Recurrent use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home 2. Recurrent use in situations in which it is physically hazardous 3. Recurrent use related legal problems 4. Continued use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused by the effects of the substances

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10 Opioids or Opiates Opioids: Percocet, Perc 30 s (blues, baby blues), Oxycodone, Vicodin, Codeine ( Syzzurp), Suboxone,, Fentanyl, Diluadid, What are they? Pain medications, narcotics Work in receptors of brain Highly addictive, the person will go through withdrawal if use is stopped. Available for purchase on street at roughly one dollar per mg. Can be taken orally, smoked, snorted, or injected Due to high cost, users often switch over to Heroin because it is cheaper and gives the same high Overdose results in respiratory arrest, reversed by Narcan

11 Signs of Opioid Misuse or Abuse Pinned pupils that are fixed regardless of lighting Drooped, smooth eyelids Sedated, nodding movements Slack muscle tone Cool, clammy skin Low concentration Dry, cotton mouth Face and arm scratching or itching Dreamy walk or talk Slow reaction and movement

12 How do people become addicted to opioids? 1 st to 3 rd use body can physically need the drug otherwise it will go through withdrawal. Specifically opioid use permanently changes the way the brain functions Withdrawal causes physical as well as emotion pain and can last for days or weeks depending on how much the person was using The physical pain keeps people from wanted to stop Most people do not use necessarily to get high but more to not get sick and to feel normal

13 Opioids: Signs of Withdrawal Eyes Burning, watery Body Tremors Sneezing Diarrhea Vomiting Nausea Chills Sweats Muscle and bone pain Cramps Headaches Loss of appetite Psychological Restlessness Irritability Insomnia Cravings Depression

14 Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines or benzo s - Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium What are they? Sedative medications or sleeping pills prescribed when someone can t sleep or feels anxious People can seek them out from their doctors or can buy them illegally on the streets Highly addictive The person will go through withdrawal if use is stopped Used to top off the effects of opioids Can be taken orally Overdose results in respiratory arrest

15 Benzos: Signs of Use Dizziness Confusion Drowsiness Blurred vision Unresponsiveness Agitation Anxiety Insomnia Anorexia Headaches Weakness

16 Benzos: Signs of Withdrawal Sleeping problems Feeling anxious or tense Panic Depression Confusion Paranoia thinking other people want to do you harm Feelings of disassociation Abnormal sensory perception (noises sound loud, colors seem odd, etc.) Shaking, or more rarely, convulsions Muscle aches, pains and spasms Irritability Symptoms that mimic flu

17 Stimulants Stimulants: Adderall, Adderall XR, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin What are they? Stimulant medications are used to treat ADD and ADHD and often prescribed to youth Enhance brain activity and speed up the body by increasing alertness, attention, and energy, elevates blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. They are prescribed but people can also get them on the streets or in schools because are prescribed these medications for ADHD Considered a study drug and is commonly abused for weight loss or to do better in school. Can be taken orally, snorted, smoked or injected Overdose causes cardiac issues, seizures, or stroke

18 Stimulants: Signs of Use Headaches Flushed skin Excessive sweating Vomiting Dizziness Tremors, cardiac issues, seizures, or stroke Abdominal cramps Paranoia Hallucinations Convulsions Suicidal or homicidal behavior Cardiovascular collapse

19 Behavioral Signs of Drug Abuse Change in school performance Significant changes in personal habits Significant changes in behavior or mood Decreased involvement in positive social activities Association with different peer group Missing money, valuables, prescriptions Demanding more privacy

20 Recognizing the Signs of an Overdose for depressants (opiates, heroin, methadone, Xanax, alcohol, etc.) Awake, but unable to respond Body very limp Face very pale Pulse (heartbeat) is slow erratic or has stopped Blue skin tinge usually lips and fingers show first Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic or has stopped Passing out Choking sounds or a gurgling noise Throwing-up

21 Really High Vs. Overdose A person who is really high will respond to proper stimulation, a person who is overdosing will not Proper stimulation: Yelling Sternum Rub

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23 Purple Drank Also called sizzurp, Lean and dirty sprite Codeine cough syrup Mixed with soda and candy High risk of fatal overdose, depress central nervous system, slow or stop the heart and lungs, highly addictive

24 Electronic Cigarettes Also called e-cigarettes or e-cigs Battery-operated devices that deliver nicotine with flavorings and other chemicals to users in vapor Can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or even pens or USB memory sticks More than 250 different e-cigarette brands are currently on the market. Deliver nicotine without burning tobacco, e- cigarettes appear as if they are safer, less toxic alternative to conventional cigarettes.

25 Electronic Cigarettes continued.. Manufacturers don t need to report their ingredients, so users don t actually know what is in them. What teens report is in their e-cigs 66% - Just Flavoring 13.7% - Don t know 13.2% - Nicotine 5.8% - Marijuana 1.3% - Other

26 Current Drug Trends Spice/K2 Vaping

27 Resources Adolescent Treatment CASTLE - Family Support: Learn to Cope MA Substance Abuse Helpline

28 For More Information Hillary Dubois, MS Director of Prevention Services Amanda Sandoval, CPS Assistant Director of Prevention Services High Point Treatment Center 30 Meadowbrook Road Brockton, MA Phone: (508)