The following information is from Breining Institute Manual for Counselor Competency Chapter 12 The Physiology anf Pharmacology of Addiction Pg 141-143 can be ordered through www.breining.edu
Why Do People Drink Alcohol and Take Other Drugs?
Because they work, that's why.
Alcohol and other drugs work wonders on the Central Nervous System (CNS) in such a way as to alter the conscious state of the user. Depending on what drug is used, the effect can be one of euphoria, calmness, stimulation, lack of pain, or a combination of the above.
What Do Drugs Do to the CNS?
Drugs impair
COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING
MOTOR COORDINATION
JUDGMENT
DECISION-MAKING ABILITY
BEHAVIORAL CONTROL
ANXIETY STATES
STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS and
SENSORY PERCEPTIONS
Drugs cause MOOD SWINGS THAT MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OVERT PSYCHOSIS WHICH CAUSE EMOTIONAL ISOLATION, COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES, LONELINESS, DEPRESSION AND INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT
Classes of Abused Drugs and Mind-altering Chemicals:
Depending on what action they have on the CNS depends on how we classify drugs, and depending on how addicting they are is how they are scheduled. The four major classes of drugs are DEPRESSANTS, STIMULANTS, PAIN KILLERS, and HALLUCINOGENS. In the fairly recent classic book on the subject, Darryl Inaba and Bill Cohen refer to these drugs as "UPPERS, DOWNERS, and ALL-AROUNDERS", a catchy title and an easy way to understand just what different drugs do to the brain and the Central Nervous System. Whatever we call them, they generally do just what one wants them to do, and that is to provide one with a feeling or mood that is better or different than the one currently and naturally held.
The types of drugs are as follows:
Depressants (Downers) depress the CNS by mimicking either the brain's natural sedating chemicals or suppressing the brain's natural stimulating chemicals. Depressants include:
Tranquilizers, Sedatives, Alcohol, Barbiturates, Anesthetics, Opiates and opioids, Muscle Relaxants, Sleeping Aids, Antihistamines, "Roofies"and the Hypnotic Drugs.
In addition to the above, there are other "downer" drugs that are called:
Narcotic Analgesics: These include: Morphine, Codeine, Papaverine, Heroin, Darvon, Demerol, Dilaudid, Percodan, Vicodin, Sublimaze, Talwin, Stadol, Nubain.
There are, of course, other analgesics, such as plain aspirin, that do not contain narcotics, and are therefore not scheduled or controlled.
CROSS TOLERANCE: high tolerance to one of the above creates likely high tolerance to others in this group
SYNERGISTIC EFFECT: one of the above drugs, taken with any of the others creates a greater depressant effect
Stimulants ( Uppers) increase CNS activity by forcing the release of energy before it is needed naturally. Stimulants include:
Cocaine ("Crack"), Methylphenidate (Ritalin, "Meth"), Amphetamines, "Speed", "Crank", "'ce", Caffeine, Nicotine, Diet Pills, Khat (Cathinone),Betel nuts, Yohimbe, and Ephedra.
CROSS TOLERANCE: high tolerance to one of the above creates likely high tolerance to others in this group
SYNERGISTIC EFFECT: one of the above drugs, taken with any of the others creates a greater stimulant effect
Hallucinogenics (AII-Arounders) distort sensory perception, disrupt the functioning, while also depressing or stimulating the CNS.
The Hallucinogenics include: LSD, Psilocybin, DMT, Mescaline, Peyote, DOM/STP, MDA, PCP, Marijuana and the Inhalants. Jimson Weed, a drug from the 60's has been rediscovered by some of our young people and is staging a comeback. This very dangerous plant is found in abundance in California, growing in vacant lots and in quite a few gardens.
MARIJUANA: Although not an hallucinogen, as such, nor a sedative, nor a stimulant drug, marijuana can affect the CNS in all these ways and taken with any other drug, may have a synergistic effect that will increase the CNS effect of the other drug. The THC chemical of cannabis sativa can cause sedation or stimulation, giddiness, sensory distortion, time and space distortion while also exaggerating emotions, increasing anxiety and heart rate and disrupting hormone activity.
Inhalants: (deleriants) are gases and liquids that give off fumes that stupefy and intoxicate. There are three types of inhalants:
Anesthetics: Ether, Chloroform, Nitrous Oxide
Solvents: Chemicals in glue, gasoline, paints, cleaners, freon Have a sedative effect on CNS
Nitrates:Amyl Nitrate, Isobutyl, Butyl. Have a stimulant effect on CNS The solvents Toluene and Trichloroethylene are found in correction fluid, glue, gasoline, and some spray paints.
Effects of these organic solvents can be: temporary stimulation, reduced inhibition, dizziness, slurring of words, drowsiness, illusions, excitement, impulsiveness, nerve damage, depression, hallucinations, insomnia, tremors, anorexia and irritability. Really good stuff !!
CROSS TOLERANCE: not much is known of the physical tolerance nor the SYNERGISTIC EFFECT of the hallucinogens, other than they appear quite dangerous when taken, especially in combination with any other drug.
A NEW TREND
In a recent crackdown in Memphis, Tennessee, police found that of 150 persons stopped for reckless driving, 61 had been drinking alcohol and 89 tested positive for cocaine or marijuana. They gave breath tests to catch those using alcohol and then blood tests for the rest. An amazing statistic that might be more common than we think, but police do not generally have the means to give roadside blood tests, so only those on alcohol are readily detected.
The police in Memphis reported that it's quite difficult to detect drugs other than alcohol on the highway, and when they catch someone driving erratically, the person usually passes the sobriety test, although the police know they are on something. The new move to set up urine testing stations on the highways might well deter people from driving under the influence of any drug.
As you can clearly see, there is indeed a real need for Certified Christ Centered Addiction Specialists.
Congratulations! You have completed Module 3 Lesson 2.
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