Overview of Psychoactive Drug use By Dr. Oladosu Ahmed Kayode Specialist in mental health Attending physician Dept. of psychiatry, GH Ilorin & Hopeville Psychiatric Hospital, Ilorin.
Learning objectives Understand : 1)Psychoactive substances 2)How drugs work in the brain reward system 3)Examples of psychoactive substances -others
The brain
Brain reward system Natural rewards Food Water Nurturing Give examples of other pleasurable activities
The brain in addiction
Psychoactive drugs: definition Psychoactive drugs interact with the central nervous system (CNS) affecting: mental processes and behaviour perceptions of reality level of alertness, response time, and perception of the world
Why use drugs?
Why use drugs? Forget (stress / pain amelioration) Functional (purposeful) Fun (pleasure) Psychiatric disorders Social / educational disadvantages Experimental use Peer pressure
Drug addiction Drug addiction: uncontrollable craving, seeking, and use despite extremely negative consequences Do you know someone like that?
CRAVING craving is a strong desire or urge to use drugs.
Tolerance Tolerance is a state in which a person no longer responds to a drug as they did before, and a higher dose is required to achieve the same effect.
Withdrawal symptoms The following symptoms may occur when drug use is reduced or discontinued: Tremors, chills Cramps Emotional problems Cognitive and attention deficits Hallucinations Convulsions Death
Examples of psychoactive substances: Alcohol
Examples of psychoactive substances: alcohol Alcohol : present in varying amounts in beer, palm wine, and liquors Acute Effects: Sedation, euphoria, lower heart rate and respiration, slowed reaction time, impaired coordination, coma, death
Alcohol withdrawal Tremors, chills Cramps Hallucinations Convulsions Delirium tremens Death
Long-term effects of alcohol use Decrease in blood cells leading to anemia, slow-healing wounds and other diseases Brain damage, loss of memory, blackouts, poor vision, slurred speech, and decreased motor control Increased risk of high blood pressure, hardening of arteries, and heart disease Liver cirrhosis, jaundice, and diabetes Immune system dysfunction Stomach ulcers, hemorrhaging, and gastritis Thiamine (and other) deficiencies Testicular and ovarian atrophy Harm to a fetus during pregnancy
Cigarettes - contain nicotine plus more than 4,000 chemicals -Smoking, chewing Acute Effects: Pleasure; relaxation; increased concentration; release of glucose; increased blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate
Withdrawal Symptoms: Cognitive / attention deficits Sleep disturbance Increased appetite Hostility Irritability Low energy Headaches
Chronic cigarette use Aneurysm Cataracts Cancer (lung and other types) Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Asthma symptoms Obstructive pulmonary diseases Heart disease (stroke, heart attack) Vascular disease Harm to a fetus during pregnancy, low weight at birth Death
Cannabis
Cannabis Acute Effects: Relaxation Increased appetite Dry mouth Altered time sense Mood changes Bloodshot eyes Impaired memory
Cannabis withdrawal Insomnia Restlessness Loss of appetite Irritability Sweating Tremors Nausea Diarrhea
Long term effects of cannabis use Increase in activation of stress-response system Amotivational syndrome Changes in neurotransmitter levels Psychosis in vulnerable individuals Increased risk for cancer, especially lung, head, and neck Respiratory illnesses (cough, phlegm) and lung infections Immune system dysfunction Harm to a fetus during pregnancy