Assignment: Anabolic steroids

NOW F OR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Assignment: Anabolic steroids

Steroids

Anabolic steroids are synthetic variants of male sex hormone testosterone

Build muscle and said to be androgenic

Most commonly used in athletes and other individuals willing to risk potential and irreversible health consequences to build muscle

Potentially fatal risks

Blood clots, liver damage, premature cardiovascular changes, increased cholesterol

Increased potential for suicide and aggressive and risky behaviors

18Inhalants

Contain volatile components with psychoactive properties

Many products found in home or workplace (e.g., spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids)

Produce a rapid high that may resemble alcohol intoxications; may progress to loss of sensation and even unconsciousness

Irreversible effects:

Hearing loss, limb spasms, CNS or brain damage, or bone marrow damage; may result in death from heart failure or suffocation

19Adolescent Substance Abuse

Highest prevalence of illicit drug use during lifetime between 18 and 25 years

Teen use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco has declined

Nearly half of teens try marijuana before they graduate—skepticism about drug’s danger

As harmful, illicit substances come in and out of vogue, CHN needs a good understanding of drug culture, terminology, and differing signs and symptoms

20Conceptualizations of Substance Abuse

Conceptualizations have changed over the years, often for political and social reasons rather than for scientific reasons.

“Dependence” or “abuse”

What substances can be abused?

APA focuses on alcohol, amphetamines, caffeine, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, and hypnotics or anxiolytics

21Defining Substance Abuse

Substance abuse: a maladaptive pattern of substance use that is manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to repeated use of a substance.

Failure to fulfill major role obligations

Repeated use in physically hazardous situations

Multiple legal problems

Recurrent social and interpersonal problems

22Defining Substance Abuse (Cont.)

Dependence: a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms that indicate continued use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems

Pattern of repeated, self-administered use

Tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug-taking behaviors

A craving or strong desire for the substance

Preoccupation with supply, money to purchase, and getting through time between periods of use

23Sociocultural and Political Aspects of Substance Abuse

Determined largely by economic, cultural, and political conditions of potential users

Cultural conditions create ambiguity in clearly determining when a problem exists.

Competing value systems lead to cultural disintegration and a sense of powerlessness and hopelessness.

24Course of Substance-Related Problems

Path from initiation to dependency is multidimensional.

Person + substance + context/environment

Progression varies—from initiation to continuation, transition to abuse, and finally, addiction and dependency

Critical point is transition from use to abuse

Addiction/dependency marked by changes in both behavior and cognition

Once addiction is established, withdrawal symptoms are strong motivators to continue use