# Presentation: 028612

## Session 7:Opioids and Club Drugs

## The Importance of Total Abstinence

- 	Abstinence from all substances that affect 	the brain—even alcohol—greatly increases 	the chances of a successful recovery.

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## What Are Opioids?

- 	Opioids are natural or synthetic substances 	that act on the brain’s opiate receptors.
- 	Opioids dull pain and relieve anxiety that 	comes from thinking about pain.
- 	People abuse opioids because they provide 	a feeling of euphoria (a “rush”).

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## Physical Effects of Opioids

- Taking opioids causes
- 	Constricted pupils
- 	Flushing of the skin
- 	Heavy feeling in the limbs
- The rush is followed by a confused, drowsy feeling that lasts several hours.
- Breathing and heart rate slow during this period.

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## Opioids and Tolerance

- 	Higher and higher doses are required to 	achieve the opioid’s effects. This is called 	“tolerance.”
- 	Eventually, the drug is taken mainly to 	prevent withdrawal, not to get high.

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## Dependence Versus Addiction

- 	People who use opioids as prescribed to 	relieve pain rarely become addicted.
- 	Long-term use can result in tolerance and 	dependence.
- 	Addiction is characterized by craving for the 	drug and using it even when it causes harm.

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## Withdrawal From Opioids

- 	Withdrawal occurs when someone who is 	dependent or addicted stops taking opioids 	suddenly.
- 	Withdrawal symptoms: severe muscle and 	bone pain, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, 	vomiting, and cold flashes.

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## Abuse of Prescription Opioids

- 	The main prescription opioids people abuse are
- Codeine
- Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®)
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
- Meperidine (Demerol®)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)

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## OxycodoneUse Patterns

- 	The number of people abusing oxycodone 	has increased every year since the drug was 	introduced in 1995.
- 	In 2004, 5 percent of high school seniors said 	they used oxycodone at least once.

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## OxycodoneFacts

- 	Oxycodone is timed-release medicine for 	cancer and back pain.
- 	People forge prescriptions and rob 	pharmacies to obtain oxycodone illegally.
- 	People abuse oxycodone by crushing the 	tablet and swallowing or snorting it or 	dissolving it in water and injecting it.
- 	Street names include oxy, OC, kickers, 	killers, blue, and hillbilly heroin.

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## OxycodoneDangers

- 	When people crush tablets before taking 	them, the danger of overdose is increased.
- 	Like all opioids, oxycodone is highly 	addictive when it is abused.

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## HeroinUse Patterns

- 	1 million Americans may be addicted to heroin.
- 	Among people younger than 26, heroin is 	linked to more deaths than any other 	substance except alcohol.
- 	Purer forms of heroin that can be smoked or 	snorted have led to increased use, especially 	among young people.
- 	Smoking or snorting heroin can lead to 	addiction, just as injecting heroin does.

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## HeroinFacts 

- 	Heroin is a white to dark brown powder.
- 	It often is mixed with other substances (sugar, 	starch) or poison (strychnine).

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## HeroinDangers

- 	The need to purchase and use heroin causes 	people to ignore other aspects of their lives, 	like family and loved ones, finances, and 	legal concerns.
- 	This neglect can lead to weight loss, 	sickness, money problems, criminal activity, 	and housing and family problems.
- 	Overdose is a persistent danger with heroin.

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## HeroinDisease Risks

- 	Injection drug use is linked to one-third of 	HIV cases and more than one-half of 	hepatitis C cases.

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## What Are Club Drugs?

- 	Club drugs include a variety of drugs used at 	bars and dance parties, especially by high 	school and college students.
- 	Many people wrongly believe club drugs are 	safe.

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## GHBUse Patterns 

- 	Most people who use GHB are between 18 	and 30 years old.
- 	Between 1994 and 2002, there was a 9,000-	percent increase in emergency room reports 	of GHB use.
-   2 percent of high school seniors have tried    	GHB.

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## GHBFacts 

- 	GHB is made in illegal labs. The ingredients 	are cheap and easy to find.
- 	GHB is a light powder that usually is 	dissolved in liquid and sold from a bottle.

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## GHBPhysical Effects

- 	At high doses GHB can cause comalike 	sleep.
- 	If GHB is mixed with alcohol, overdose and 	death can result.
- 	Since 1990, 16,000 people have overdosed 	on GHB; 70 have died.

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## RohypnolUse Patterns 

- 	Rohypnol is popular with youth because it is 	cheap.

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## RohypnolFacts 

- 	Rohypnol is often sold in its original 	packaging, so people think it is legal.
- 	Rohypnol is 10 times stronger than Valium.

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## RohypnolPhysical Effects 

- 	Later effects include decreased blood 	pressure, slurred speech, impaired judgment, 	and trouble walking.
- 	Rohypnol can cause headaches, nightmares, 	tremors, muscle pain, and blackouts.

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## KetamineUse Patterns

- 	Ketamine use has been steadily decreasing.

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## KetamineFacts 

- 	Ketamine is a white powder, which can be 	added to drinks, snorted, or smoked.
- 	Ketamine has no smell or taste, so it is hard 	to detect.

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## KetaminePhysical Effects 

- 	High doses can lead to a feeling in which a 	person’s senses shut down—the K-hole.
- 	At high doses ketamine can cause heart 	attack, stroke, coma, and death.

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## Club Drugs and Date Rape

- GHB, Rohypnol, and ketamine have been linked to date rape.
- People who take these drugs may be unable to resist sexual acts.

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## LSDUse Patterns

- 	1 out of every 10 people ages 12 and 	older 	has tried LSD.

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## LSDFacts 

- 	LSD is sold as tablets or dissolved onto 	blotter paper.
- 	It has a slightly bitter taste.

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## LSDPhysical Effects

- 	High doses produce hallucinations, known as 	a trip; bad trips can cause confusion, panic, 	and terror.
- 	The effects last 12 hours, often followed by 	depression and extreme tiredness.
- 	People who use LSD regularly can have 	flashbacks, even without taking the drug.
- 	LSD is linked to serious mental illness, such 	as depression and schizophrenia.

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## MDMA (“Ecstasy”)Use Patterns

- 	Ecstasy use began in clubs but has spread to 	other social settings.

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## EcstasyFacts 

- 	Ecstasy was used in psychotherapy, but 	proved to have no therapeutic value.
- 	Today, it is a banned substance.

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## EcstasyPhysical Effects

- 	Ecstasy causes increased heart rate and 	blood pressure, nausea, loss of appetite, jaw 	tightness, and teeth clenching.
- 	Ecstasy kills nerve cells in the brain.
- 	Studies show that the damage can last at 	least 7 years.

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