What is a Drug?

Caffeine amoxil nicotine

Seldane alcohol penicillin

Aspirin PCP ibuprofen

LSD Advil crack

Vicoden acetaminophen valium

Tylenol sleeping pills cocaine

Paint thinner heroin nuprin

marijuana aleve steroids

Xanax

Drugs and Health

Medical breakthroughs over the last 100 years have increased our overall health…..

But we have become a self-medicating societyand this can be dangerous….

…drugs that are misused become dangerous to the body and the mind

What is a drug?

Any substance other than food that change the structure and function of the body or mind.

What is a medicine?

Any substance used to treat or prevent diseases or other health problems

How Drugs Enter the Bloodstream!

Taken by mouth The drug passes through the walls of the stomach

and then into the small intestine to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Inhaled

The drug inters the bloodstream by way of the rich supply of blood vessels

in the nasal passages.

SmokedThe drug passes from the alveoli(sacs) in the lungs

into the capillaries and the bloodstream.

Applied to the skin

The drug is applied to the skin passes through the pores

into the tiny capillaries and the bloodstream.

Injected

Skin popping – the drug is injected under the skin.

Intramuscular injection – the drug is injected deep into a muscle.

Mainlining – the drug is injected directly into a vein.

Reactions to Medicines

How we react depends on several factors…

…method of entry…body size variations

…body chemistry differences

Types of reactions

side effects- any reaction other than the one intended

examples: upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea

Tolerance

becoming used to the effects of a medicine

need greater amounts for it to be effective

mixing medicines

when you take 2 or more medicationsat the same time =

> stronger effect> unexpected effects

> may cancel each other out