1. Gary A. Burley

2. Distinguish between fact and fiction regarding drug use;
Discuss the myth that adolescent use of alcohol and other drugs is just
experimentation;
Recognize the stages of alcohol and other drug use;
Identify the attitudes feelings, behaviors, and social factors that
promote drug use;
Discuss the concepts of rebound and its relationship to drug
dependency;
Discuss drugs currently being used in their school population.
Agenda

3. More teens die from prescription drugs than heroin/cocaine combined.
In 2013, more high school seniors regularly used marijuana than cigarettes as 22.7% smoked pot in the last month,
compared to 16.3% who smoked cigarettes.
60% of seniors don't see regular marijuana use as harmful, but THC (the active ingredient in the drug that causes
addiction) is nearly 5 times stronger than it was 20 years ago.
1/3 of teenagers who live in states with medical marijuana laws get their pot from other people's prescriptions.
The United States represents 5% of the world's population and 75% of prescription drugs taken. 60% of teens who
abuse prescription drugs get them free from friends and relatives.
Adderall use (often prescribed to treat ADHD) has increased among high school seniors from 5.4% in 2009 to 7.5%
this year.
54% of high school seniors do not think regular steroid use is harmful, the lowest number since 1980, when the
National Institute on Drug Abuse started asking about perception on steroids.
By the 8th grade, 28% of adolescents have consumed alcohol, 15% have smoked cigarettes, and 16.5% have used
marijuana.
Teens who consistently learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than
those who don't.
6.5% of high school seniors smoke pot daily, up from 5.1% five years ago. Meanwhile, less than 20% of 12th graders
think occasional use is harmful, while less than 40% see regular use as harmful (lowest numbers since 1983).
About 50% of high school seniors do not think it's harmful to try crack or cocaine once or twice and 40% believe it's
not harmful to use heroin once or twice.
Facts Regarding ATOD

5. Doing drugs is a rite of passage for most teenagers. Drugs are a
normal part of growing up, and experimentation is normal and harmless.
Helpful drugs are those that are legal, while harmful drugs are illegal. It does not matter
whether a drug is legal or illegal, all drugs can be abused. Even if a federally regulated drug is considered “safe”, misuse and
abuse of this drug can still have harmful effects. At times, legal drugs have been so harmful that treatment for drug abuse is
needed.
Marijuana is not bad for you. Marijuana is in fact bad for you. This powerful drug can cause cancer and numerous other
health complications putting the user at risk for disease. Anyone who uses this drug is at risk for dependence. Other negative effects of this
drug include lack of coordination, memory problems and poor concentration.
Combining drugs is not harmful. Mixing drugs can be extremely dangerous. Many times, overdose and death
occur as a result of combining drugs. Examples include: mixing certain prescription drugs together or combining illegal
drugs with alcohol. Due to these and other risks one faces when taking drugs, drug treatment centers are recommended for
recovery assistance.
Pregnant women can take drugs without having to worry about harmful side effects.
When a woman is pregnant, any drugs taken can play a very harmful and dangerous role. These drugs, prescription drugs
included, are able to enter the developing fetus by breaking through the placenta barrier. Breast feeding is also dangerous for
the baby if drugs are taken.
Fiction Regarding ATOD

6. Driving is not affected by the influence of drugs. Drugs negatively affect driving ability. Many
drugs impair coordination, weaken muscles, affect attention span and judgment, as well as blur your vision. Distortion of the area
around you is also another side effect, one that is especially dangerous for drivers. Statistics state that a driver with an alcohol
concentration above 0.05 faces the same risks as someone under the influence of cannabis or an amphetamine based substance.
Fiction Regarding ATOD (cont.)

7. This generation of teens is the first generation raised by parents who were also exposed to
drugs and alcohol use as teens. Before baby boomers became parents any drug or alcohol use
by teens was met with alarm, but the current attitude is more relaxed. Today, some adults see
trying drugs and alcohol as a rite of passage and think teen experimentation with these
things is just a phase. But what if it isn’t a phase? What if experimentation has given way to
something more troubling? What if somebody you know is struggling with addiction?
Are Teens Too Young to Be Addicts?
Trying drugs and alcohol is a gamble and there is no way to tell in advance whether or not
you will develop an addiction. Teens are not too young to become addicts. Anybody who
uses drugs or alcohol can become addicted.
The signs of addiction are standard and easy to see if you are looking for them. The earliest
signs of addiction are often missed because it can be hard to tell the difference between
somebody who parties too much and somebody who has a real problem but the later signs of
addiction are undeniable. Early intervention is important.
Myth ADOT is just Experimentation

9. Excessive and consistent use of drugs or alcohol could be a sign of problems to come, for
example, getting very drunk every weekend or after school. Inclusion of drugs or alcohol in
all types of social situations, not just at parties, is another warning sign. Escalating use or use
of more than one drug at a time, making drugs or alcohol a spending priority, and suggesting
that drugs or alcohol are important parts of having a good time are further signs of future
problems. Addicts live in denial and do not like to thinks that drugs and alcohol can lead to
problems. In order to feel like using drugs and alcohol is normal people in the early stages of
addiction may start pressuring others to use with them. When confronted with their drug or
alcohol use they may start making excuses or insisting that they could quit at any time they
want.
All too often early warning signs like these are ignored. Once the addict has reached a point
where even they can see there is a problem the addiction could be too strong. Even if the
addict can see the problems that drugs and alcohol are causing in their life they may be
unwilling to seek help. Instead they may take steps to hide their problem from the outside
world.
Early Signs of Addiction

10. Later Signs of Addiction
Addiction gets ugly very fast. Signs that an addiction is reaching a
breaking point include; lying, stealing, drastic mood swings, changes in
grooming habits or appearance, quitting extracurricular activities,
negative changes in grades and hanging out with new friends. An
addict might start using drugs and alcohol at times that can no longer
be labeled as social. They may start getting high at lunch time or alone
during the day. Addicts may start cycling drugs, partying all night with
alcohol then taking an upper pill the next day to deal with the
hangover.

14. If you think that a friend may be struggling with an addiction the best
thing you can do for them is go to their parents. Do not try to get them
help on your own. Addicts can be very crafty people and covering up
their addiction quickly becomes part of their lifestyle. They get very
good at fooling people and if they can’t fool people they quickly cut
those people out of their lives. While it is easy to cut off friends it is
harder for teens to cut off family. Unless you have a really good reason
to not go to a friend’s parents you should always alert them to your
concerns. Loyalty to your friendship is not a good reason to stay quiet.
If you can’t go to the parents go to another trusted adult, like a school
counselor, teacher or church leader. If you know the name of your
friend’s doctor you may even consider going to them for help.
Helping an Addicted Friend

16. People who are struggling with an addiction find it hard to reach out
for help. They often have to hit rock bottom before they can face the
addiction. People who are struggling with an addiction need friends
who are willing to step in and help them when they can’t help
themselves. The sooner help is given the better the chances of recovery.
Addiction lasts a life time. There is no quick fix and there is no easy
way out. You are not being a friend by sitting back and doing nothing.
If a friend were drowning you wouldn’t even think twice about helping
them and calling 911. Addiction should be treated the same way. If you
think a friend is suffering from an addiction don’t stay quiet, act to help
them. It is what a real friend would do.
It Is Not Selling Your Friend Out to Get
Them Help

17. There are certain common factors that are associated with the cause of drug abuse. They are:
1. Family history, genetic predisposition
2. Preexisting psychiatric, personality, or medical disorder
3. Curiosity
4. Peer pressure
5. Rebellion
6. Poor self-control
7. Sensation seeking
8. Low self-esteem
9. Poor stress management
10. Loss or trauma
11. Relief from fatigue or boredom
12. Escape from reality
13. Psychological distress
COMMON FACTORS

18. A rebound effect is what happens when the body tries to bring itself back
into balance after a drug has been taken by pulling in the opposite
direction of the drug. One of the
ironies of addiction is that the
rebound effect causes the user to
experience the very same effects
they were hoping to escape through
drug use. This effect is the leading
cause of relapse.
Rebound Effect from ATOD

19. Drug addiction and drug dependence are sometimes interchangeable. Many addicts depend
on drugs to function. It is possible, however, to be dependent on drugs without being
addicted. This often occurs if you rely on medications to control a chronic medical condition.
It is also possible to be addicted to drugs without your body becoming dependent on them.
Characteristics of Addiction
use of drugs despite the consequences
inability to stop using drugs
neglect of social and work obligations
Characteristics of Dependence
Features of dependence may include some or all of the features of addiction, plus:
high tolerance as the body physically adapts to the drug, often leading to the desire for larger
or more frequent doses
physical symptoms of withdrawal when attempting to stop using the drug
Dependence & Addiction from ATOD

20. Marijuana is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and
flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. The mixture can be green, brown, or
gray.
A bunch of leaves seem harmless, right? But think again. Marijuana has a
chemical in it called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. A
lot of other chemicals are found in marijuana, too—about 400 of them, many
of which could affect your health. But THC is the main psychoactive (i.e.,
mind altering) ingredient. In fact, marijuana’s strength or potency is related to
the amount of THC it contains. The THC content of marijuana has been
increasing since the 1970s. Estimates from confiscated marijuana indicated
that it contains almost 10 percent THC, on average.
Some people mistakenly believe that “everybody’s doing it” and use that as an excuse to start using
marijuana themselves. Well, they need to check the facts, because that's just not true. According to NIDA's
2012 Monitoring the Future study, about 6.5% of 8th graders, 17.0% of 10th graders, and 22.9% of 12th
graders had used marijuana in the month before the survey. In fact, marijuana use declined from the late
1990s through about 2007.
What is Marijuana?

21. “Ecstasy” and "Molly" are slang terms for MDMA, short for
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a name that’s nearly
as long as the all-night parties where MDMA is often used.
That's why MDMA has been called a “club drug.” It has
effects similar to those of other stimulants, and it often makes
the person feel like everyone is his or her friend, even when
that’s not the case.
MDMA is man-made—it doesn't come from a plant like
marijuana or tobacco do. Other chemicals or substances—
such as caffeine, dextromethorphan (found in some cough
syrups), amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine—are sometimes
added to, or substituted for, MDMA in Ecstasy or Molly
tablets. Makers of MDMA can add anything they want to the
drug, so its purity is always in question.
What is MDMA?

22. • HOW IS MDMA USED?
Most people who abuse MDMA take a pill, tablet, or capsule. These pills can be different colors, and sometimes
have cartoon-like images on them. Some people take more than one pill at a time, called "bumping."
• HOW MANY TEENS ABUSE MDMA?
According to a 2012 NIDA-funded survey, over the past 11 years, smart young teens have turned their backs on
MDMA. From 2001 to 2012, the percentage of teens who have ever tried MDMA dropped from 5.2 to 2.0%
among 8th graders, from 8.0 to 5.0% among 10th graders, and from 11.7 to 7.2% among 12th graders. From
2011 to 2012, declines were also seen in past-year and past-month (current) use among 10th and 12th graders
and in past year-use among 8th graders.
• IS MDMA ADDICTIVE?
Like other drugs, MDMA can be addictive for some people. That is, people continue to take the drug despite
experiencing unpleasant physical side effects and other social, behavioral, and health consequences.
No one knows how many times a person can use a drug before becoming addicted or who's most vulnerable to
addiction. As with other drugs of abuse, a person’s genes, living environment, and other factors play a role in
whether they are likely to become addicted to MDMA.

23. • WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS?
For most people, a “hit” of MDMA lasts for 3 to 6 hours. Once the pill is swallowed, it takes only about 15
minutes for MDMA to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. About 45 minutes later, the person
experiences MDMA's “high.” That’s when the drug is at its peak level. People who use MDMA might feel very
alert, or “hyper,” at first. Some lose a sense of time and experience other changes in perception, such as an
enhanced sense of touch. Others experience negative effects right away. They may become anxious and
agitated. Sweating or chills may occur, and people may feel faint or dizzy.
MDMA can also cause muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Forceful clenching of the teeth can occur, and individuals at clubs have been known to chew on pacifiers to
relieve some of the tension.
But it doesn't stop there. Even if a person takes only one pill, the side effects of MDMA—including feelings of
sadness, anxiety, depression, and memory difficulties—can last for several days to a week (or longer in
people who use MDMA regularly).

24. • WHAT RISKS TO THE BRAIN CAN MDMA USE CAUSE?
Messages travel through our brains through nerve cells, or neurons. Researchers that study the brain think
that MDMA may affect neurons that use serotonin to communicate with other neurons. The serotonin system
plays a direct role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. Another
bit of bad news—researchers have seen memory loss among regular users of MDMA.
• WHAT ARE THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF USING MDMA?
We still don’t know whether MDMA causes long-term brain damage in humans, or whether the effects are
reversible when someone stops using the drug. A study of animals showed that exposure to high doses of
MDMA for 4 days produced brain damage that could still be seen 6 to 7 years later. The good news is that the
researchers found that some of the nerve fibers grew back in the same places. But, we still don’t know if these
new neurons work like the old ones. It's like cutting off a branch of a fruit tree: The tree is still alive and can
sprout a new limb near the site of the cut, but it may not bear as much fruit as the old one.
• WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF USING MDMA
People who use MDMA can become dehydrated through vigorous activity in a hot environment. It may not
seem like a big deal, but when MDMA interferes with the body's ability to regulate its temperature, it can cause
dangerous overheating, called hyperthermia. This, in turn, can lead to serious heart and kidney problems—or,
rarely, death. MDMA can be extremely dangerous in high doses or when multiple small doses are taken within
a short time period to maintain the high. High levels of the drug in the blood stream can increase the risk of
seizures and affect the heart's ability to maintain its normal rhythms.