| Introduction:
There are a wide variety
of stimulants that are associated with substance abuse. Currently,
methamphetamines (Crank) is the fasted growing substance of abuse. In
addition, prescription drugs such as RitaIin are now also being abused.
Although these drugs are important, other "legal" drugs also have
considerable impact. For example, the most commonly used drug in the
world is Caffeine. Further, Nicotine found in cigarettes is highly
addictive and through its delivery device is a major cause of death for more
than 1,000 people per day. Finally, both of these drugs impact a wide
variety of other drugs. This section will review stimulants, how they work,
and their impacts on and with other compounds
Outcomes:
After completing this lesson you should understand / be
able to:
 | Identify how stimulants work. |
| Problems with some stimulants |
| Interactions of stimulants with other
drugs |
Some Objectives:
KSA's
4: Recognize the potential for substance use
disorders to mimic a
variety of medical and psychological disorders and the
potential for
medical and psychological disorders to co-exist with addiction
and
substance abuse
5: Be familiar with medical and pharmaceutical
resources in the
treatment of addictive diseases and other substance-related
disorders.
102:
Describe warning signs, symptoms and the course of substance
use disorders.
Other objectives:
1. Understand the
physiological mechanisms, neural mechanisms,
and neurochemical
processes related to stimulants.
2. Understand the
impacts of stimulants with other drugs.
Some Important Terms:
| Crack, Ice, Crank |
| Amphetamines, Methamphetamine |
| Cocaine, |
| Serotonin and Dopamine |
| Caffeine, Energy Drinks |
| Caffeine, Theophylline, Theobromine |
| |
|
|
