Substance Abuse Awareness

Substance Abuse Awareness

The Addiction Process

Level One:Use

The teenager has his or her first experiences with alcohol/drugs and uses them occasionally at first. At this level, his or her tolerance to alcohol/drugs is low; it doesn’t take much to feel the effects.

Characteristics of Level One use:

Responsible

Uses alcohol/drugs with parental knowledge.

in the family setting (at holiday meals and celebrations; in keeping with ethnic customs). Frequency: 4-6 times a year.
in the liturgical setting (taking communion at church; observing religious rites at church, temple or home). Frequency: varies.
for medical reasons (with doctor’s prescription; with parental supervision or at the individual’s discretion). Frequency: varies.

Experimental
Uses alcohol/drugs without parental knowledge - sometimes alone, more often with friends. Frequency: varies.

Level One Chemical of Choice:

alcohol

mostly beer and wine, wine coolers, sometimes hard liquor.

marijuana

usually local grown.

over-the-counter medications, pills or liquids

Asthma, hay fever, or cold remedies that contain alcohol or antihistamines. Other drugs that stimulate, cause drowsiness, or dizziness: NoDoz, Nyquil, Actifed, Sudafed, Dramamine, Sominex.

inhalants

Glue, solvents, aerosols, Liquid Paper, Rush (Rush is an over-the-counter stimulant sold in “head shops” that comes in a vial-like bottle and is sniffed).

Level One Consequences of Using

Social

Few if any. First episode of intoxication or first drug-related high.

Personal

Few if any, with the exception of toxic inhalants. Immediate effect for someone using toxic inhalants may include heart failure, death by suffocation or depression of the central nervous system, nausea, sneezing, coughing, nosebleeds, loss of appetite, lack of coordination. First hang-over.

Level Two:Misuse

The teenager uses alcohol/drugs regularly, but usually only on the weekends (or even less often). His or her tolerance increases.

Characteristics of Level Two use:

Control and choice are still present. Can decide when and whether to use and how much to use.
Begins to develop pattern of use, but weeknight use is still the exception.

Starts devising reasons for using without parental permission and at other than acceptable occasions (described above for Level One). Examples to impress friends, to “get ready” for a social occasion, to “relax” after a hard day.
Starts making self-imposed rules to govern using. Examples: “I’ll only drink at parties,” “I’ll only have two drinks,” “I’ll smoke pot, but I won’t smoke hash,” “I’ll only get drunk on weekends.” Begin questioning self.

Level Two Chemical of Choice:

alcohol

Uses hard liquor - whiskey, gin, vodka, rum - more frequently.

marijuana

Prefers foreign-grown. May also use hashish, hash oil.

uppers/downers

Amphetamines, tranquilizers, and sedatives: Dexadrine, Benzedrine, Valium, Librium, Quaaludes, Dalmane. Ritalin is frequently misused as well.

hallucinogens

Natural ones such as psilocybin (mushrooms) and peyote.

cocaine

Experiments with snorting, may try smoking crack for the first time.

Level Two Consequences of Using:

Social
Legal: is now breaking the law and runs the risk of getting caught. May experience first arrest for MIP (Minor in Possession).
School: activities begin to suffer, suspension from extracurricular activities my result, truancy begins. Problems with tardiness, handing in homework late (or not at all). Avoids teachers and leaves classroom more often.
Home: starts sneaking out at night and gives vague explanations or lies about whereabouts and activities. Becomes less responsible about chores.
Friends: feels strong peer pressure to use at social events. Associates mainly with other users.
Personal
Physical: hangovers continue; “bad trips” (very unpleasant experiences with alcohol/drugs) may begin. Trouble sleeping on weekends.
Mental: spends more time and energy planning the next high; equates social occasions with getting high. Start minimizing extent of usage. Denies (lies to parents) and excuses for using and behavior.
Emotional: Severe and unexplainable mood swings. Normal emotional tasks (grieving, dealing with relationship issues) are delayed.
Spiritual: family values and drug values come into conflict. Questions the need to go to church or temple.

Level Three:Abuse

The teenager is preoccupied with drugs/alcohol and uses 2-3 times a week and on weekends. His or her tolerance continues to increase.

Characteristics of Level Three use:

Has less control and choice over whether to use.
Rituals for using are established. Examples: getting high after school, smoking marijuana while listening to music, weekend keg parties. Begins to acquire and use drug paraphernalia (pipes, bongs, one-hitters, roach clips).
Starts anticipating and planning times and occasions when he or she can use drugs/alcohol.
Becomes more ingenious about hiding use from parents and deceiving authorities. Examples: staying overnight with friends, coming home and going straight to his or her room, avoiding family meals, having parties at home when parents are on vacation, not showing up at family activities.
Solitary use begins. Examples: Drinks alone in room at home. Smokes marijuana in room with window open; uses on the way to or from school or work.
Self-Imposed rules are modified and more exceptions are allowed. (I’ll only drink on Mondays and Wednesdays and at weekend parties,” “I won’t drink on the job but only after work,” “I won’t get high at school - but I’ll skip school to get high if my friends do.”)
Makes repeated promises to family and authorities about cutting down or quitting.

Level Three Chemicals of Choice

alcohol

Prefers hard liquor.

marijuana

Prefers seedless, if available.

uppers/downers

“Speed” (White Crosses) and barbiturates (Seconal, Nembutal, Tuinal).

hallucinogens

Synthetics including PCP (“angel dust”), LSD (“acid”) MDA (methyl dioxyamphetamine), mescaline.

“designer drugs”

Examples include MDMA (a compounded form of MDA called “Ecstasy”), MDEA (a slightly altered form of Ecstasy called “Eve”).

Level Three Consequences of Using

Social
Legal: shoplifting, vandalism, dealing drugs, accumulating drug paraphernalia. May run away from home. First arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
School: grades drop and truancy becomes more frequent. Starts sleeping in class, has a marked change in attitude, and may be suspended from school. Brings drugs to school; forges passes and excuses for absences.
Home: experiences money problems; may steal from parents. Spends more time in his or her room with the door closed; stays out overnight. Becomes verbally and sometimes physically abusive. There are more family fights. Promises to change.
Friends: are all using friends. Drops any remaining straight friends.

Personal
Physical: Injuries, respiratory problems, weight loss or gain, overdoses. Personal hygiene suffers; doesn’t bathe as often and isn’t concerned about the appearance of his or her clothes, hair and skin.
Mental: blackouts begin. (Not to be confused with passing out, a blackout is a period of seconds, minutes, hours or even days which the user is awake and active but later remembers nothing about the events that took place.) Has a shorter attention span and decreased motivation/drive. Starts rationalizing alcohol/drug use and blaming others.
Emotional: depression; suicidal thoughts. Feels different from his or her friends and cut off from them. Anger, loneliness, hurt, feelings of inferiority, a sense of worthlessness.
Spiritual: the conflict between family values and drug values grows more severe and causes shame and guilt. May stop going to church or temple.

Level Four:Addiction

The teenager uses alcohol/drugs compulsively, usually daily. His or her tolerance continues to increase.

Characteristics of Level Four use:

can no longer exercise control or choice over his or her alcohol/drug use. Can no longer predict how much he or she will use or what the outcome will be.
more rituals; rituals become more rigid. Examples: uses in the morning before school or work, during the lunch hour and school breaks.
Binge use - may remain intoxicated or high throughout the day for two or more days.
Exhibits grandiose and aggressive behavior. More defiant in school. More risk-taking with police. Physically violent with family members and friends.
Obsessed with alcohol/drugs and the need to keep a constant supply on hand. Never uses all of surplus with friends. Stocks up on liquor for Sundays; spends a lot of time getting drugs; when dealing, “shorts” customers and keeps part for self.
Becomes more careless about hiding drugs and paraphernalia. Isn’t aware of self as high, so memory and judgment are impaired. Uses more recklessly; leaves pipes and drugs in bedroom without hiding them.
Solitary use increases in amount and frequency.
Abandons self-imposed rules. Because of the obsession and the compulsion to use, life becomes alcohol/drug-centered. The “love affair” is all encompassing. Everything else becomes secondary to using.
Makes repeated efforts to control or reduce excessive use.

Level Four Chemical of Choice:

alcohol (still #1!)
any other available drug: (anything they can get) uppers/downers, hallucinogens, marijuana and cocaine.
narcotics (for some)

Codeine, Percodan, morphine, heroin.

crack

Smokes regularly.

The needle may be used for some of the drugs.

Level Four Consequences of Using:

Social
Legal: commits crime such as breaking and entering, robbery, assault and battery, and prostitution. May deal drugs more frequently and in larger quantities, engages in physical violence, and spends more time in jail.
School: may sell drugs at school. Use during school hours in common. May be suspended or expelled; may vandalize the school. May be fired frequently.
Home: Family fights become more physical. Stays away from home for longer periods of time or may leave altogether. Parents may threaten to kick out.
Friends: Using friends may show their concern. Responds by avoiding them and may use violence against them. Tries a “geographic escape” by going to places where friends are not likely to be.

Personal
Physical: more injuries; chronic cough; more sever weight loss; tremors (shaky hands, jerky movements); dry heaves. Withdrawal symptoms. Rapid deterioration of health and appearance.
Mental: projects self-hatred onto others. Impaired memory; flashbacks (feeling of being under the influence of alcohol/drugs even when none have been recently ingested). Regular blackouts.
Emotional: Deep remorse and despair; suicide plans and attempts; feelings of paranoia (of being watched or “chased” or under suspicion); indefinable fears.
Spiritual: complete “spiritual bankruptcy” - the conflict between values and behaviors becomes subconscious and no longer server to restrain or inhibit using behavior. No peace even when high. Constant, overwhelming feelings of self-hatred, hopelessness.

Stages Of Addiction

Level OneLevel TwoLevel Three Level Four

Non Use Use Misuse Abuse Addiction

Non-AddictionAddiction

Control and ChoiceLoss of Control and Choice

Warning Signs of Drug Use

This section is intended to provide information about the effects of substances on the individual. Each substance is identified and discussed. Also, information is provided for individuals to allow themselves to determine if they or someone they know have a substance abuse problem.

Alcohol

Early Signs and Symptoms

Later Signs and Symptoms

Physical

Red eyes

Headaches

Lack of coordination

Unsteady gait

Drowsiness

Alcohol on breath

Blackouts

Slurred speech

Behavioral

Pre-party drinking

Sneaking drinks

Physical

Shakes when not drinking

Tolerance

Physical illnesses: (liver and cardiac mostly)

Behavioral

Excessive sleeping

Fights/ arguments

Solitary drinking

Falls

Burns

Bruises

Use of alcohol

Lack of control

Types of Alcohol Problems:

Alcohol Use Disorders include alcohol dependence (known as alcoholism) and alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse is characterized by clinically significant impairment or distress but does not entail physical dependence.
Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is characterized by impaired control over drinking, tolerance, withdrawal syndrome when alcohol is removed, neglect of normal activities for drinking, and continued drinking despite recurrent related physical or psychological problems.
Risky drinking includes drinking beyond moderate levels either on a regular basis or on a particular occasion.

Who Has An Alcohol Problem?

Nearly 14 million Americans meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders.
Approximately one-half of US adults report family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.
An estimated 74% of current male drinkers and 72% of current female drinkers aged 21 and older at least once a year exceed guidelines for low risk drinking.
More than 18% of Americans experience alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some time in their lives.

How Can I Recognize An Alcohol Problem?

Drinking to calm nerves, forget worries or to boost a sad mood.
Guilt about drinking.
Unsuccessful attempts to cut down/stop drinking.
Lying about or hiding drinking habits.
Causing harm to oneself or someone else as a result of drinking.
Needing to drink increasingly greater amounts in order to achieve desired effect.
Feeling irritable, resentful or unreasonable when not drinking.
Medical, social, family, or financial problems caused by drinking.

Harmful Effects of Alcohol

Heavy drinking raises the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, accidents, violence, suicides, birth defects and overall mortality.
Economic costs to society are estimated at $185 billion annually for 1998.
Harmful and hazardous drinking is involved in about one-third of suicides, one-half of homicides, and one-third of child abuse cases.
Alcohol is involved in a large proportion of unintentional deaths from falls, burns, and drownings.

Women and Alcohol Problems

Women overall drink less than men but are more likely to experience adverse consequences including damage to the heart muscle, liver, and brain trauma resulting from auto crashes, interpersonal violence, and death.
The progression of alcohol abuse and alcoholism is usually faster in women than in men.
Researchers have identified no safe threshold for drinking during pregnancy.

Drinking Among Teens and College Students

In 1999, 44% of college students reported binge drinking (consuming 5 or more drinks in a row for males or 4 or more drinks in a row for females during the past two weeks); nearly 23% of college students reported frequent binge drinking (bingeing three or more times in a two-week period).
The rate of binge drinking among fraternity and sorority members is considerably higher: 65% in 1999. Among those living in a fraternity or sorority house, the rate of binge drinking is still higher (79%), though lower than in 1997 (82%).
Among college students who consumed alcohol, more than 47% in 1999 reported drinking to get drunk (compared with 40% in 1993 and 52% in 1997).
Young persons who begin drinking before age 13 are four times as likely to develop alcohol dependence and twice as likely to develop alcohol abuse as those who begin drinking at age 21.
More than 41% of high school seniors perceive no great risk in consuming four to five drinks nearly every day.
Approximately 22% of 8th graders, 41% of 10th graders, and 50% of 12th graders report having consumed alcohol during the past month.
About 8% of 8th, 23% of 10th, and 32% of 12th graders report having been drunk during the past month.
About 14% of 8th, 26% of 10th, and 30% of 12th graders report binge drinking during the past two weeks.
Alcohol is frequently a factor in the three leading causes of death (motor vehicle crashes, homicides, and suicides) for 15 to 24 year olds.

When is drinking a problem questionnaire:

Do you find yourself getting really drunk a lot?
Does your personality change when you’re drinking? So you pick fights, come on very strong with people you’re interested in. say outrageous things. Do you otherwise behave in a way that you wouldn’t if you were sober?
So you find yourself having all kinds of accidents?
Are people around you starting to express concern either with your drinking or with your general appearance, behavior, performance in school, et cetera?
Do you feel you need alcohol to go through with something difficult, like a date? Do you dink in order to have a food time, rather than as part of a good time?
Do you hide drinks? Do you plan ahead when and where you’re going to drink next?
Do you feel guilty about drinking?
Are you unable to discuss your drinking with anyone?
Do you sometimes forget what you did during whole periods of time when you were drunk?
Do you think and talk about drinking often?
Do you drink now more than you used to?
Do you sometimes gulp drinks?
Do you often take a drink to help you relax? Do you feel that you can’t relax without a drink, or that you usually can’t?
Do you drink when you are alone?
Do you keep a bottle hidden somewhere - at home or at school - for a quick pick-me-up? Does the thought of not knowing where you could get a drink if you needed one make you feel panicky?
Do you ever start drinking without really thinking about it?
Do you drink in the mornings to relieve a hangover?
Have you ever been arrested for an alcohol-related charge?
Have you ever missed school or work because of drinking? Because of a hangover? Because of being wiped out after a wild party or a night of drinking with a friend?
Do you dislike this quiz because it hits too close to home?

Marijuana(pot, weed, grass, joint, refer, blunt)