Substance Abuse and Dependency Issues

Substance Abuse and Dependency Issues

An overview of adolescent substance abuse and dependency issues

What is Substance Abuse?

• Definition– a pattern of harmful use of any substance for

mood-altering purposes.

History of Substance Abuse

• Controlled Substance Act of 1970

• Resurfaces in the 1980’s

• Amphetamines developed in the late 1800’s

• Over the counter medication in the 1930’s

History of Substance Abuse

• The use of substances continued to growth with substance abuse.

• WWII

• Korean War

• Truckers

• Homemakers

• College Students

• bikers

Alcohol

• One of the easiest and most popular substances for adolescent youth to obtain

History of Alcohol

• Ancient Greeks and Egyptians

• Brought to America by early European Settlers

• Temperance movement-1919 to 1933

History of Alcohol CONT’D

• Most widely used drug in the world

• Nearly half of all Americans over the age of 12 are consumers of alcohol.

What is Alcohol?

• Ethanol or ethyl alcohol

• CNS depressant

• Anesthetic

Effects of Alcohol

• Euphoria• Irritability• Loss of physical

coordination• Unsteady gait and

balance• Impaired judgment

• Slurred or incoherent speech

• Loss of consciousness• Slowed thinking• Depression• Impaired short term

memory• Blackouts

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

• Tremors

• Agitation

• Anxiety and Panic

• Paranoia and delusions

• Hallucinations

• Confusion

• Nausea and vomiting

• Increased body temperature

Additional Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

• Elevated blood pressure and heart rate

• Seizures

Dangers of Alcohol Abuse

• Neurological

• Cardiological

• Respiratory

• Liver

• Effects on the fetus

Alcohol and Adolescents

• Adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence the than those who began at the age of 21.

• First drink of alcohol– 11 years old (boys)– 13 years old (girls)

Alcohol and Adolescents• Easy to obtain

• Most are binge drinkers

• Alcohol affects the development of the hippocampus and limbic system

• Increase risk of sexual behavior

• Increase risk of impulsive behavior

• Alcohol related automobile accidents(leading cause of death among 15-24year olds)

Alcohol and Adolescents

• As of May 6, 2002, it is a Third Degree Felony for any person to knowingly or intentionally cause or permit a child or elderly adult to be exposed to, to ingest or inhale, or have contact with a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia.

Marijuana

• Pot

• Grass

• Reefer

• Weed

• Herb

• Mary Jane

• Bud

Some facts about Marijuana

• 50% of 12th graders have tried marijuana

• Most common illicit drug

• Number one choice of adolescents in treatment in Utah

• Five more times potent than in the 70’s

Detection Period

• Causal use (four “joints” per week):– 5-7days

• Daily Use:– 10-15 days

• Chronic, heavy use:– 1-2 months

Acute Effects

• Effects begin immediately if smoked

• Last 1-3 hours• If consumed in food or

drink, effects begin in ½ to one hour

• Lasts as long as 4 hours

• Heart rate increases (20 to 50 beats more)

• Blood Vessels in eyes expand(making eyes look red)

• Feelings of euphoria

Acute Effects

• Hallucinogen• Sounds or colors may

seem more intense• Time appears to pass

slowly• Mouth feels dry• Hunger and thirst• Hands may tremble

• Disrupts coordination• Impairs ability to form

memories• Impairs ability to shift

attention• Impairs reaction time

Physical Health

• Impairs memory and learning skills (even after intoxication)

• Respiratory and lung problems:– Chronic cough– Bronchitis – Emphysema

Physical Health

• Cancer– Head – Neck– Lungs

Withdrawal

• Sleep difficulty

• Craving

• Aggression

• Irritability

• Headaches

• Depression

• Restlessness

Social Effects

• Lower grades

• Less likely to graduate

• Lower test scores

• Lower problem solving ability

• Lower emotional skills

Is Marijuana Addictive?

• In some people

• Can interfere with:– Family – School– Work– Recreational activities

AND BY THE WAY………IT’S ILLEGAL!

Other Substances less used by Adolescents

• Narcotics

• Opiods

• Cocaine

• Amphetamines

Treatment

• Provide evidenced based treatment (e.g. motivational interviewing, coping and social skills training, etc.)

• Expect a lapse or relapse as a part of recovery

Treatment

• Explore ways to reduce access to drugs

• Ask your therapist for additional help on educating teens on craving and urges.

• Positive reinforcement for abstinence or partial abstinence

• Be redundant

Never underestimate the power of simply

engaging someone who is in treatment

RESOURCES

• Utah Division of Substance Abuse

• Salt Lake County Division of Substance Abuse

• Edward G. Callister Foundation

• National Institute of Drug Abuse

• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug information

Resources

• American academy of child and adolescent psychiatry

• Kelly J. Lundberg, Ph.D Utah Addiction Center, University of Utah