Drug Education

Introduction
What Does Drugs do to your Brain?

 Drugs react in the brain to change the way the body feels. The brain is the master
control center of the body and it sends messages to the rest of the body based on
the signals that it gets from chemical messengers, or drugs. Most of the chemical
messengers are actually made in the body to do specific jobs in the brain. But
drugs, which aren’t made by the body, are chemical messengers that can send the
wrong messages to the brain, which then sends the wrong signals to the body. In
essence, if the brain gets the wrong messages from drugs, you can end up seeing
or hearing things that aren’t real, feeling things that aren’t there, or doing things
that you wouldn’t normally do.
 Drugs can make your heart beat faster, your body move slower, your throat feel
dry, your pupils get bigger, and can make you breathe too fast or too slow. Drugs
can affect the way you see, hear, feel, smell, think, move, eat, and even how often
you go to the bathroom.
Why is Drug Education so Important?

Effective drug education is important because

young people are faced with many influences to
use both licit and illicit drugs. Education can play a
counterbalancing role in shaping a normative
culture of safety, moderation, and informed
decision making.
 10 Common Factors why people use drugs
 1 EXPERIMENTING
It is not uncommon for addiction to stem from a person being curious and experimenting with drugs or
alcohol. It is a scenario that often starts with a young person using alcohol or marijuana out of curiosity.
While it seems harmless, adolescents that experiment with drugs and alcohol
are more likely to develop substance use disorder according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
 2 FAMILY HISTORY/GENETICS
If you have a family history of drug addiction, you may have a genetic predisposition to develop an addiction
to drugs or alcohol. It is stated that about 30% – 70% of a person’s risk for addiction is linked to the genes
they are born with along with other social factors.
 3 PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
There is a popular misconception that any medication prescribed by a doctor is safe. Unfortunately, that is not
always the case. Doctors prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms of physical or mental health issues.
However, many individuals are not properly educated on the risks that the medications may carry. Chronic
pain is often managed through opioid medications, which are highly addictive. Dependent upon the amount
used and other factors, someone may require a medical detox just to stop using opioids. Likewise, those
suffering from anxiety and depression may be prescribed addictive medications to ease symptoms. Non-
addictive medication and/or pain recovery services are often available.
 Cont.
 4 LONELINESS
Addiction can start when an individual feels lonely or is isolated from the friends and family. They
turn to drugs and alcohol thinking that it will fill a void that they have been living with. People
lacking positive daily interaction may choose to use substances to feel happy or content.
Additionally, users may begin to alienate themselves further if they fear being judged or that help is
not available to them.
 5 PEER PRESSURE
Peer pressure usually applies to adolescents or young adults. The need to fit in, on some level, is
built into each and every one of us. Some people may feel the need to participate in potentially
harmful activities to do so. The pressure of being around others who are abusing drugs or alcohol
can push someone follow suit.
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 6 DRUGS AND ALCOHOL CAN MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD
There is a popular quote in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous that states:
“Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol.” While this
seems obvious, some people like the effect so much that they are unable to stop. It may be difficult to see
the harm in something that makes you feel good.
 7 MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Depression, anxiety, and PTSD can put individuals at higher risk of developing addiction. Using
substances to cope with difficult feelings may seem like an easier path for some. Though they may seem
crippling at times, there is help available to anyone struggling with a mental health disorder. Non-narcotic
medications are often available for most mental health disorders. It’s worth researching with a doctor to
see if there is an alternative to addictive medications.
Cont.
 8 RECREATION
Many people use drugs or alcohol socially with friends or to “unwind” after a long day. They
often see substances as a way to relax or clear their minds. Recreational drug users are still at risk
to become addicted if their use becomes more frequent or they use highly addictive substances.
 9 ALCOHOL ISN’T ENOUGH
For some, alcohol stops doing the trick. A few beers after work or having drinks with friends at a
local bar, just doesn’t have the same effect that it used to. Some individuals end up “chasing a
buzz” that they were once able to attain with a few drinks. This can leave someone
powerless over alcohol and unable to quit drinking.
 10 SELF-MEDICATING
People struggling with any of a multitude of ailments may turn to drugs or alcohol to ease their
pain. Mental health disorders and chronic pain leave some seeking solutions on their own.
Alcohol or other substances can alleviate symptoms and seem like a short-term solution.
However, people should look for manageable, long-term solutions under medical supervision to
combat these issues.