Keeping Youth Drug Free PDF 3.87 MB

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Keeping Youth Drug Free PDF 3.87 MB Keeping Youth DRUG FREE Keeping Youth DRUG FREE U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Acknowledgments Electronic Access and Copies of Publication This publication was prepared for the Substance This publication may be downloaded or ordered at Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration http://store.samhsa.gov. Or call SAMHSA’s Store (SAMHSA) by the Center for Substance Abuse at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) Prevention (CSAP) under contract number (English and Español). HHSS277201600001C, with SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Recommended Citation David Lamont Wilson served as the Government Project Officer. Keeping Youth Drug Free. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 17-3772. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disclaimer Services Administration, 2017. The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Originating Office the views, opinions, or policies of SAMHSA or HHS. SAMHSA complies with applicable Federal civil rights Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. SAMHSA 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles HHS Publication No. (SMA) 17-3772. aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, First printed 2002. Revised 2017. nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Public Domain Notice All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Citation of the source is appreciated. However, this publication may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of the Office of Communications, SAMHSA, HHS. YOU HOLD THE KEY TO YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE. Few things worry parents, grandparents, and other caregivers more than the prospect of children using alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. They know youth under their charge spend many hours each day out of their sight and are subject to influences they can’t control. Youth may be encouraged by their peers to try marijuana, try inhalants, or misuse prescription drugs. Media often link alcohol use with fun and excitement and with being popular and sophisticated. Dangers seem to lurk everywhere. 1 WHAT TO KNOW AND WHAT TO DO Your 16-year-old may be taller than you and faster than you at certain tasks, but his brain will still be developing when he’s in his early twenties. From age 13 to 25, the young brain is intensively shaped and reshaped based on its experiences. Connections within the brain that are used a lot become stronger while those that are not used much get weaker. That’s why it’s vital for youth to get involved in challenging intellectual, athletic, and social activities—it will do their brains good for the rest of their lives. The last region of the brain to develop is the pre-frontal cortex which governs judgment. Teens have a lot of energy and emotion, but without the ability to predict outcomes and plan accordingly, they can make choices such as using drugs and alcohol that will hurt them for life. 2 In 2016, 1.9 million youth ages 12-17 The good news is that you can influence reported using illicit drugs and 2.3 million whether or not your child uses alcohol used alcohol in the past month, with more or drugs. Taking a clear stand against than half of those youth reporting binge substance use by talking with children drinking. Each day, about 3,300 youth early is a good place to start. The majority try marijuana for the first time and about of adolescents who start drinking do so 6,300 try alcohol for the first time.1 when they are in the 7th or 8th grade and are about 13-14 years old.2 That’s The long-term effects of early alcohol and why parents, caregivers, teachers, and illicit drug use are even more alarming. others should start talking with children Multiple studies have found associations about alcohol use well before the teen between early initiation of alcohol or illicit years and should continue talking drug use (for example, in adolescence) throughout adolescence. What’s more, and an increased likelihood of developing the sooner you talk to your children about substance use disorders. alcohol, the greater chance you have of Recent years have brought heartening influencing their decisions about drinking. news with fewer youth using harmful Studies have shown that parents have a substances. However, with many teens still significant influence on young people’s using alcohol and illicit substances, our job decisions about alcohol, especially when in keeping youth alcohol-and drug-free, parents create supportive and nurturing safe, and healthy is far from done. environments in which their children can make their own decisions. 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2017). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (HHS Publication No. SMA 17-5044, NSDUH Series H-52). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/samhsa-data-outcomes-quality/major-data- collections/reports-detailed-tables-2016-NSDUH 2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. (2007).The Surgeon General’s call to action to prevent and reduce underage drinking. Retrieved from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/underage-drinking-educator-guide.pdf 3 Watching and supporting a youth’s ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN emotional well-being is another important GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH way for parents to reduce the odds of YOUR CHILD. their child using harmful substances. Talk with your child every day—but most Ties between substance use and mental importantly, listen. We all need to be health problems are strong. Youth who heard and understood. Listen especially experience a major depressive episode for the feelings behind your child’s words. are more likely to engage in illicit drug Is the child in your care frightened, lonely, use and more likely to smoke cigarettes depressed or hurt? every day. They also are more likely Suppose your 13-year-old daughter to be dependent on or use illicit drugs says flatly, “Emily is having a party and or alcohol. Madison and Chloe are invited, but I’m Here are some steps you can take to not.” She doesn’t look sad, so you don’t help the child you love reject illicit drugs think much of it and reply, “That’s good and alcohol. because we really need to get some errands done anyway.” What if your daughter was in fact very hurt about not being invited to the party? She may be more upset than she realizes. After a series of conversations like this with you, she may start to keep more things to herself and seem to have less to say. With less of a connection with 4 you, she will need to seek gratification elsewhere and be more subject to peer pressures, as she searches for a place to belong and to have her emotional needs met. What if you had instead responded with “Oh, honey, it must feel awful not to be invited when all your friends are going. I’m so sorry.” Your daughter may then open up and admit that she feels terrible and begin to cry. The tears will release her sadness, and she’ll walk away feeling better and glad that she talked to you. Your relationship will become stronger—and that strong relationship with you is her best protection against substance misuse. If you are successful in opening lines of communication with your child about routine matters, she will be more likely to talk to you about serious issues. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR ● Spend at least 15 minutes a day doing CHILD’S LIFE. an age-appropriate activity that your child enjoys, such as reading a book, Young people are much less likely to use watching a TV program together, riding drugs when they have caring adults in bikes, going to the library, or playing their lives and interesting activities to a game. keep them busy, happy, and productive. ● Do something special together each week, such as going for a walk or searching on the Internet for information about a topic you both find interesting. ● Recognize good behavior consistently and immediately. Make the extra effort to catch your child being good. ● Use meal times as an opportunity to share news of the day or to discuss current affairs. By being involved, you will notice when your child is under stress or needs extra attention. 6 MAKE CLEAR RULES AND BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL. ENFORCE THEM CONSISTENTLY. Children learn by watching you. If you If you let your child know that you don’t make yourself a drink to deal with approve of him using alcohol, tobacco, or disappointment or anger, they notice. If drugs, he is less likely to do it. You can: you tell your son not to smoke, but then ask him to get you an ashtray from the ● Discuss why tobacco, illicit drugs, and cupboard, he notices that, too. underage drinking are not acceptable. Children can understand that adults have ● Make sure your child is clear about privileges they don’t have, because adults your rules. assume responsibilities that children ● Lay out what the consequences will don’t. But if your kids see you misusing be if your rules are broken, and follow substances, you are setting an example through if they are.
Recommended publications
  • Hallucinogens
    Hallucinogens What Are Hallucinogens? Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their thoughts and feelings. They are commonly split into two categories: classic hallucinogens (such as LSD) and dissociative drugs (such as PCP). Both types of hallucinogens can cause hallucinations, or sensations and images that seem real though they are not. Additionally, dissociative drugs can cause users to feel out of control or disconnected from their body and environment. Some hallucinogens are extracted from plants or mushrooms, and others are synthetic (human-made). Historically, people have used hallucinogens for religious or healing rituals. More recently, people report using these drugs for social or recreational purposes. Hallucinogens are a Types of Hallucinogens diverse group of drugs Classic Hallucinogens that alter perception, LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the most powerful mind- thoughts, and feelings. altering chemicals. It is a clear or white odorless material made from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus that grows on rye and other Hallucinogens are split grains. into two categories: Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) comes from certain classic hallucinogens and types of mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of South dissociative drugs. America, Mexico, and the United States. Peyote (mescaline) is a small, spineless cactus with mescaline as its main People use hallucinogens ingredient. Peyote can also be synthetic. in a wide variety of ways DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful chemical found naturally in some Amazonian plants. People can also make DMT in a lab.
    [Show full text]
  • SENATE BILL No. 52
    As Amended by Senate Committee Session of 2017 SENATE BILL No. 52 By Committee on Public Health and Welfare 1-20 1 AN ACT concerning the uniform controlled substances act; relating to 2 substances included in schedules I, II and V; amending K.S.A. 2016 3 Supp. 65-4105, 65-4107 and 65-4113 and repealing the existing 4 sections. 5 6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: 7 Section 1. K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 65-4105 is hereby amended to read as 8 follows: 65-4105. (a) The controlled substances listed in this section are 9 included in schedule I and the number set forth opposite each drug or 10 substance is the DEA controlled substances code which has been assigned 11 to it. 12 (b) Any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, 13 ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, unless specifically 14 excepted, whenever the existence of these isomers, esters, ethers and salts 15 is possible within the specific chemical designation: 16 (1) Acetyl fentanyl (N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)- 17 N-phenylacetamide)......................................................................9821 18 (2) Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl (N-[1-(1-methyl-2-phenethyl)-4- 19 piperidinyl]-N-phenylacetamide)..................................................9815 20 (3) Acetylmethadol.............................................................................9601 21 (4) AH-7921 (3.4-dichloro-N-[(1- 22 dimethylaminocyclohexylmethyl]benzamide)...............................9551 23 (4)(5) Allylprodine...........................................................................9602
    [Show full text]
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology of Amphetamine and Related Designer Drugs
    Pharmacology and Toxicology of Amphetamine and Related Designer Drugs U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES • Public Health Service • Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration Pharmacology and Toxicology of Amphetamine and Related Designer Drugs Editors: Khursheed Asghar, Ph.D. Division of Preclinical Research National Institute on Drug Abuse Errol De Souza, Ph.D. Addiction Research Center National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA Research Monograph 94 1989 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration National Institute on Drug Abuse 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402 Pharmacology and Toxicology of Amphetamine and Related Designer Drugs ACKNOWLEDGMENT This monograph is based upon papers and discussion from a technical review on pharmacology and toxicology of amphetamine and related designer drugs that took place on August 2 through 4, 1988, in Bethesda, MD. The review meeting was sponsored by the Biomedical Branch, Division of Preclinical Research, and the Addiction Research Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse. COPYRIGHT STATUS The National Institute on Drug Abuse has obtained permission from the copyright holders to reproduce certain previously published material as noted in the text. Further reproduction of this copyrighted material is permitted only as part of a reprinting of the entire publication or chapter. For any other use, the copyright holder’s permission is required. All other matieral in this volume except quoted passages from copyrighted sources is in the public domain and may be used or reproduced without permission from the Institute or the authors.
    [Show full text]
  • Soma and Haoma: Ayahuasca Analogues from the Late Bronze Age
    ORIGINAL ARTICLE Journal of Psychedelic Studies 3(2), pp. 104–116 (2019) DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.013 First published online July 25, 2019 Soma and Haoma: Ayahuasca analogues from the Late Bronze Age MATTHEW CLARK* School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Department of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, University of London, London, UK (Received: October 19, 2018; accepted: March 14, 2019) In this article, the origins of the cult of the ritual drink known as soma/haoma are explored. Various shortcomings of the main botanical candidates that have so far been proposed for this so-called “nectar of immortality” are assessed. Attention is brought to a variety of plants identified as soma/haoma in ancient Asian literature. Some of these plants are included in complex formulas and are sources of dimethyl tryptamine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and other psychedelic substances. It is suggested that through trial and error the same kinds of formulas that are used to make ayahuasca in South America were developed in antiquity in Central Asia and that the knowledge of the psychoactive properties of certain plants spreads through migrants from Central Asia to Persia and India. This article summarizes the main arguments for the botanical identity of soma/haoma, which is presented in my book, The Tawny One: Soma, Haoma and Ayahuasca (Muswell Hill Press, London/New York). However, in this article, all the topics dealt with in that publication, such as the possible ingredients of the potion used in Greek mystery rites, an extensive discussion of cannabis, or criteria that we might use to demarcate non-ordinary states of consciousness, have not been elaborated.
    [Show full text]
  • A User's Guide to Methamphetamine
    A USER’S GUIDE TO METHAMPHETAMINE A self-help guide to reduce harm for people who use methamphetamine 1st Edition, March 2017 Acknowledgements This booklet was adapted from an original publication created by The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. This information does not constitute medical advice. Please seek the immediate help of a qualified medical practitioner about any personal health concerns. This booklet is being distributed for information purposes only. In the current state of crisis related to crystal methamphetamine, this booklet is intended as a guide to reduce harm for people who use methamphetamine. It lists the most common features of methamphetamine use, ways to reduce harm associated with the use of meth, and strategies for cutting down and quitting. The best way to avoid problems with drugs is to not use them. We are grateful for the contributions of the Integrated Drug Strategies in Waterloo Region and Guelph Wellington, in particular the leadership of Adrienne Crowder and Lindsay Sprague. Don Roth, Kerry Manthenga, Shirley Hilton, and our community review team provided great support and helpful edits. Marcey Gray provided exemplary skill on the design, images and editing, with final expert assistance from Arkay Design and Print. We are thankful for the financial support to print copies from the Waterloo-Wellington Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee. For more information please contact: Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy www.wgdrugstrategy.ca Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy www.waterlooregiondrugstrategy.ca Circulated with the support of: WaterlooRegion Integrated Drugs Strategy WaterlooRegion Integrated Drugs Strategy The best way to avoid problems with drugs is to not use them.
    [Show full text]
  • Salvia Divinorum: Clinical and Research Potential
    18 m a p s • v o l u m e x i i i n u m b e r 1 • s p r i n g 2 0 0 3 Salvia divinorum: Clinical and Research Potential Karl R. Hanes, Ph.D. ([email protected]), Cognitive- Behavioural Treatment Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Salvia divinorum is a perennial Mexican herb from the labiate (mint) family (Epling & Jativa, 1962) that has a history of use chiefly for the initiation and facilitation of shamanic practice among such peoples as the Mazatec Indians of the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, and possibly by earlier human civilizations (Johnson, 1939; Wasson, 1962; Ott, 1995). In its capacity as a tool of divination, the predomi- nant known use of this plant (aside from general problem solving, such as finding lost objects) occurred in the context of healing ceremonies, for the treatment of disease. Typically, these healing rituals involved the oral consumption of large doses (50-100 leaves) of the plant in order to induce altered states of consciousness that fostered the detection of specific ailments. Significantly, the means of such identification of a specific condition Salvia divinorum was often through self-report. The Mazatec Indians, who referred to this herb by a number of names, most commonly ‘ska Maria pastora’ (‘leaves of the Virgin Mary, the Shepherdess’), also employed this plant medicinally for the management of such conditions as headache, diarrhoea, rheumatism and anaemia (Valdez, Diaz & Paul, 1983). Recent investigations have isolated the neoclerodane diterpenes Salvinorin A, B and C as the main constituents (Ortega, Blount & Manchand, 1982; Valdez et al., 2001; Roth et al., 2002), and the psychoactivity of this herb, identified by earlier investigators (Wasson, 1962), has been clearly delineated only recently (Siebert, 1994).
    [Show full text]
  • SALVIA DIVINORUM and SALVINORIN a (Street Names: Maria Pastora, Sage of the Seers, Diviner’S Sage, Salvia, Sally-D, Magic Mint) March 2020
    Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section SALVIA DIVINORUM AND SALVINORIN A (Street Names: Maria Pastora, Sage of the Seers, Diviner’s Sage, Salvia, Sally-D, Magic Mint) March 2020 Introduction: from Mexico and Central and South America. The Internet Salvia divinorum is a perennial herb in the mint family is used for the promotion and distribution of Salvia divinorum. native to certain areas of the Sierra Mazateca region of It is sold as seeds, plant cuttings, whole plants, fresh and Oaxaca, Mexico. The plant, which can grow to over three dried leaves, extract-enhanced leaves of various strengths feet in height, has large green leaves, hollow square stems (e.g., 5x, 10x, 20x, 30x), and liquid extracts purported to and white flowers with purple calyces, can also be grown contain salvinorin A. These products are also sold at local successfully outside of this region. Salvia divinorum has shops (e.g., head shops and tobacco shops). been used by the Mazatec Indians for its ritual divination and healing. The active constituent of Salvia divinorum has been User Population: identified as salvinorin A. Currently, neither Salvia divinorum According to the National Survey on Drug Use and nor any of its constituents, including salvinorin A, are Health (NSDUH), published by SAMHSA, it is estimated that controlled under the federal Controlled Substances Act 5.3 million persons, aged 12 or older, used Salvia divinorum (CSA). in their lifetime in 2016 in comparison to 5.1 million persons a year ago in 2015 and 1.8 million persons a decade ago in Licit Uses: 2006.
    [Show full text]
  • Alcohol Mixed with Other Drugs
    Alcohol Mixed with Other Drugs Stimulants Stimulants or “uppers”: Drugs that temporarily +increase alertness and energy Examples: Adderall, Ritalin, cocaine, methamphetamine FOCUS: Alcohol + Adderall Adderall: Used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Some students misuse Adderall in hopes it will help them study. “Misuse” is defined as taking a medication that was not prescribed to you, taking more Alcohol than what was prescribed to you or taking it for a dierent purpose than prescribed. Eects: Because alcohol is a depressant Use CUPS to remember the and Adderall is a stimulant, Adderall will symptoms of alcohol poisoning: mask alcohol’s eects. Mixing alcohol with • Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. a stimulant makes you less aware of alcohol's • Unconscious or unable to be roused. intoxicating eects, which can result in an • Puking repeatedly or uncontrollably. overdose or death. Additionally, mixing alcohol with Adderall (or any other stimulant) • Slow or irregular breathing. can cause an irregular heartbeat and cause cardiovascular complications. Stat: 4.3 percent of UC Davis undergraduates reported using a prescription stimulant in the last 12 months that was not prescribed to them. Sedative Depressants or “downers”: Sedating drugs +that reduce stimulation Examples: opiates, Xanax, Valium FOCUS: Alcohol + Opiates/Opioids Opiates: A group of drugs that are used for treating pain -examples: heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycontin, vicodin, fentanyl Alcohol Eects: When alcohol and opioids are Symptoms: taken at the same time, the sedative • Slow or irregular breathing eects of both drugs will magnify. This • Lowered pulse and can depress or even stop involuntary blood pressure functions, such as breathing, and will • Unconscious or unable increase the risk of overdose and death.
    [Show full text]
  • Modafinil: a Review of Neurochemical Actions and Effects on Cognition
    Neuropsychopharmacology (2008) 33, 1477–1502 & 2008 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0893-133X/08 $30.00 www.neuropsychopharmacology.org Perspective Modafinil: A Review of Neurochemical Actions and Effects on Cognition ,1 1 Michael J Minzenberg* and Cameron S Carter 1Imaging Research Center, Davis School of Medicine, UC-Davis Health System, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA Modafinil (2-[(Diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide, Provigil) is an FDA-approved medication with wake-promoting properties. Pre-clinical studies of modafinil suggest a complex profile of neurochemical and behavioral effects, distinct from those of amphetamine. In addition, modafinil shows initial promise for a variety of off-label indications in psychiatry, including treatment-resistant depression, attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Cognitive dysfunction may be a particularly important emerging treatment target for modafinil, across these and other neuropsychiatric disorders. We aimed to comprehensively review the empirical literature on neurochemical actions of modafinil, and effects on cognition in animal models, healthy adult humans, and clinical populations. We searched PubMed with the search term ‘modafinil’ and reviewed all English-language articles for neurochemical, neurophysiological, cognitive, or information-processing experimental measures. We additionally summarized the pharmacokinetic profile of modafinil and clinical efficacy in psychiatric patients. Modafinil exhibits robust effects on catecholamines, serotonin, glutamate, gamma amino-butyric acid, orexin, and histamine systems in the brain. Many of these effects may be secondary to catecholamine effects, with some selectivity for cortical over subcortical sites of action. In addition, modafinil (at well-tolerated doses) improves function in several cognitive domains, including working memory and episodic memory, and other processes dependent on prefrontal cortex and cognitive control.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 4: MDMA
    MDMA 4 ERROL YUDKO (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy,” E, Adam, X, XTC) is a methamphetamine analogue. It has hallucinogenic, psychostimu- lant, and multiple behavior-altering activities (Green et al., 1995). Although it was discovered serendipitously in 1912 by Merck Pharmaceuticals, its use as a psychotherapeutic/recreational drug was unknown until the late 1970s. By the early 1980s, as the popularity of the “rave party” increased so did use of MDMA. In 1985, prior to its classification as a Schedule I drug, it was being evaluated for its use in psychotherapy. A fearful Congress and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) successfully petitioned for its classifica- tion as a Schedule I compound with no evidence that it was at all harmful. Recreational use of MDMA has been on the rise for the past 20 years (Peroutka, 1987; Schuster et al., 1998; Pope et al., 2001). Increases in the rate of MDMA use have continued despite reductions in the use of other substances (Johnston et al., 2001a,b). This is an international trend (Abraham et al., 1998; Hibell et al., 2000; McPherson and Afsarifard, Chapter 3 of this book). Although there have been occasional deaths indirectly caused by the use of MDMA (Henry et al., 1992), it is widely considered by its users to be a “safe” drug. The illusion of safety stems from lack of the obvious negative effects that other amphetamine-type compounds induce. MDMA does not cause an increase in aggressive behavior, and its users do not experience paranoid schizophrenia. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) less than 0.3% of drug-related emergency room visits are due to MDMA.
    [Show full text]
  • Ce4less.Com Ce4less.Com Ce4less.Com Ce4less.Com Ce4less.Com Ce4less.Com Ce4less.Com
    Hallucinogens And Dissociative Drug Use And Addiction Introduction Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that cause alterations in perception, thought, or mood. This heterogeneous group has compounds with different chemical structures, different mechanisms of action, and different adverse effects. Despite their description, most hallucinogens do not consistently cause hallucinations. The drugs are more likely to cause changes in mood or in thought than actual hallucinations. Hallucinogenic substances that form naturally have been used worldwide for millennia to induce altered states for religious or spiritual purposes. While these practices still exist, the more common use of hallucinogens today involves the recreational use of synthetic hallucinogens. Hallucinogen And Dissociative Drug Toxicity Hallucinogens comprise a collection of compounds that are used to induce hallucinations or alterations of consciousness. Hallucinogens are drugs that cause alteration of visual, auditory, or tactile perceptions; they are also referred to as a class of drugs that cause alteration of thought and emotion. Hallucinogens disrupt a person’s ability to think and communicate effectively. Hallucinations are defined as false sensations that have no basis in reality: The sensory experience is not actually there. The term “hallucinogen” is slightly misleading because hallucinogens do not consistently cause hallucinations. 1 ce4less.com ce4less.com ce4less.com ce4less.com ce4less.com ce4less.com ce4less.com How hallucinogens cause alterations in a person’s sensory experience is not entirely understood. Hallucinogens work, at least in part, by disrupting communication between neurotransmitter systems throughout the body including those that regulate sleep, hunger, sexual behavior and muscle control. Patients under the influence of hallucinogens may show a wide range of unusual and often sudden, volatile behaviors with the potential to rapidly fluctuate from a relaxed, euphoric state to one of extreme agitation and aggression.
    [Show full text]
  • Prescription Stimulants
    Prescription Stimulants What are prescription stimulants? Prescription stimulants are medicines generally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy— uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep. They increase alertness, attention, and energy. What are common prescription stimulants? • dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®) • dextroamphetamine/amphetamine combination product (Adderall®) • methylphenidate (Ritalin®, Concerta®). Photo by ©iStock.com/ognianm Popular slang terms for prescription stimulants include Speed, Uppers, and Vitamin R. How do people use and misuse prescription stimulants? Most prescription stimulants come in tablet, capsule, or liquid form, which a person takes by mouth. Misuse of a prescription stimulant means: Do Prescription Stimulants Make You • taking medicine in a way or dose Smarter? other than prescribed Some people take prescription stimulants to • taking someone else’s medicine try to improve mental performance. Teens • taking medicine only for the effect it and college students sometimes misuse causes—to get high them to try to get better grades, and older adults misuse them to try to improve their When misusing a prescription stimulant, memory. Taking prescription stimulants for people can swallow the medicine in its reasons other than treating ADHD or normal form. Alternatively, they can crush narcolepsy could lead to harmful health tablets or open the capsules, dissolve the powder in water, and inject the liquid into a effects, such as addiction, heart problems, vein. Some can also snort or smoke the or psychosis. powder. Prescription Stimulants • June 2018 • Page 1 How do prescription stimulants affect the brain and body? Prescription stimulants increase the activity of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is involved in the reinforcement of rewarding behaviors.
    [Show full text]