After reading chapter 13 in your text you should know:
- The definition and characteristics of addictive behavior
- Identify the legal and illegal psychoactive substances
- Know how to prevent and/or treat substance abuse
- Become familiar with National Estimates of Illicit Drug Use
- Short-and Long Term Health Hazards of Tobacco Use
- National Estimates of Tobacco Use
- National Estimates of Alcohol Use
- Effects of Chronic Use of Alcohol
- Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse
- Learn how to prevent and /or treat alcoholism
Addictive Behaviors
- Addiction is a physical and psychological dependence on a substance or behavior.
It begins by using something to feel good. It seems to "help" the person to avoid
painful feelings. Over time, the person feels less pleasure, and more addicted.
Characteristics of addictive behaviors
- reinforcement
- compulsion or craving
- loss of control
- escalation
- negative consequences
Substance Abuse
- Physical dependence may or may not be present
- Involves one or more:
recurrent drug use resulting in failure to fulfill major responsibilities
recurrent drug use in physically hazardous situations
recurrent drug-related legal problems
continued use despite drug-related social or interpersonal problems
Substance Dependence
- Includes 3 or more of the following:
developing tolerance to the substance
experiencing withdrawal
taking substance in larger amounts
wanting to cut down on or regulate use
spending a great deal of time obtaining the substance or recovering from its effects
giving up or reducing important activities
continuing to use substance despite recognizing drug-related problems
Who Uses and Abuses Drugs?
Characteristics that place people at a higher risk
male
young
exposure to drugs through family and friends
disinterested in school
risk-taking personality
National Estimates of Illicit Drug Use
- An estimated 14.8 million Americans were current users of illicit drugs
in 1999, meaning they used an illicit drug at least once during the 30 days prior
to the interview. By comparison, the number of current illicit drug users was at its
highest level in 1979 when the estimate was 25 million.
- 10.9 percent of youths age 12-17 reported current use of illicit drugs in 1999.
Marijuana is the major illicit drug used by this group; 7.7 percent of youths
were current users of marijuana in 1999.
- Among youths age 12-17, the percent using illicit drugs in the 30 days prior
to interview was slightly higher for boys (11.3 percent) than for girls (10.5 percent).
Although in the age group 12-17 years boys had a slightly higher rate of marijuana
use than girls (8.4 percent vs. 7.1 percent), girls were somewhat more likely to use
psychotherapeutics nonmedically than boys (3.2 percent vs. 2.6 percent).
- The rates of current illicit drug use for major racial/ethnic groups were
6.6 percent for whites, 6.8 percent for Hispanics, and 7.7 percent for blacks.
- The rate was highest among the American Indian/Alaska Native population
(10.6 percent) and among persons reporting multiple race (11.2 percent).
Asians had the lowest rate (3.2 percent).
- The rate of illicit drug use in metropolitan areas was higher than the rate
in non- metropolitan areas. Rates were 7.1 percent in large metropolitan areas,
7.0 percent in small metropolitan areas, and 5.2 percent in non-metropolitan areas.
Rural non- metropolitan counties had a lower rate of illicit drug use (4.2 percent)
than other counties.
Tobacco
- Nicotine addiction
physical dependence on the psychoactive drug nicotine
- Withdrawal symptoms
muscular pains
headaches
nausea
insomnia
irritability
Short-Term Health Hazards of Tobacco Use
- respiratory shortness of breath
smoker’s cough
smoker’s bronchitis
- loss of appetite
diarrhea
fatigue
hoarseness
stomach pains
insomnia
impaired night sight
Long-Term Health Hazards of Tobacco Use
- reduced life expectancy
- increased risk for cardiovascular disease
lung disease
osteoporosis
diabetes
Numerous cancers
- gum disease
bad breath
hair loss
reproductive disorders
vehicle crashes
fire-related injuries
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- ETS inhaled by nonsmokers can cause
coughs
headaches
nasal discomfort
eye irritation
- ETS causes nearly 3000 deaths/year from lung cancer
and 50,000/year from heart disease in nonsmokers
National Estimates: Tobacco Use
- An estimated 66.8 million Americans reported current use of a tobacco
product in 1999, a prevalence rate of 30.2 percent for the population 12 and older.
Of this total, 57.0 million (25.8 percent) smoked cigarettes, 12.1 million (5.5
percent) smoked cigars, 7.6 million (3.4 percent) used smokeless tobacco, and
2.4 million (1.1 percent) smoked tobacco in pipes.
- Current cigarette smoking rates increase steadily by year of age, from 2.2
percent at age 12 to 43.5 percent at age 20. Overall, 14.9 percent of youths age
12 to 17 years in 1999 smoked cigarettes currently. Among young adults age 18 to
25 years, the rate was 39.7 percent, and among adults age 26 and older the rate was
24.9 percent.
- Three brands account for most of adolescent cigarette smoking. 54.5 percent of
current smokers 12 to 17 years of age report Marlboro as their usual brand. Newport
was reported by 21.6 percent of youth smokers, and Camel was reported by 9.8 percent.
No other cigarette brand was reported by even 2 percent of youths.
- Race/ethnicity differences in usual cigarette brand used were evident among both
adult and youth (age 12-17 years) smokers. More than half of white (58.4 percent)
and Hispanic (59.7 percent) youth smokers reported Marlboro as their usual brand.
About three quarters (73.9 percent) of black adolescent smokers reported Newport as
their usual brand.
- Youths age 12-17 who currently smoked cigarettes were seven times more likely
to use illicit drugs than youths who didn't smoke. Young adults age 18 to 25 who
smoked were four times more likely to use illicit drugs than their nonsmoking
peers.
Alcohol Facts
- 64% of Americans over age 12 drink alcohol in some form
- Alcohol-related injuries are leading cause of death among people between
ages 15 and 24
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is determined by amount of alcohol consumed
heredity
body weight
body fat
and gender
National Estimates: Alcohol Use
- In 1999, 105 million Americans age 12 and older reported current use of alcohol,
meaning they used alcohol at least once during the 30 days prior to the interview.
About 45 million of this group engaged in binge drinking, meaning they drank 5 or
more drinks on one occasion during that 30 day period. 12.4 million were heavy
drinkers, meaning they had 5 or more drinks on one occasion 5 or more days during
the past 30 days.
- Although consumption of alcoholic beverages is illegal for those under 21 years
of age, 10.4 million current drinkers were age 12-20 in 1999. Of this group, 6.8
million engaged in binge drinking, including 2.1 million who would also be classified
as heavy drinkers.
- For current alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy alcohol use, 21 is the age
of peak prevalence.
Effects of Chronic Use of Alcohol
- Cirrhosis
- Pancreatic inflammation
- Cardiovascular problems
- Increased cancer risk
- Psychological problems
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) due to maternal drinking
Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse
- Drinking alone or secretively
- Using alcohol to handle difficult situations
- Feeling uncomfortable when alcohol is not available
- Escalating alcohol consumption
- Using alcohol heavily in risky situations
- Getting drunk regularly
- Drinking in the morning or at other unusual times
Resouces on the WWW
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Statistics on substance abuse - alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - NCADD
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) provides
education, information, help and hope to the public.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (CAODA)
Tobacco Abuse Theme Page
PREVLINE: Prevention Online
References:
Fahey, T. D., Insel, P. M., & Roth, T. W. (2001). Fit & well: Core concepts and labs in
physical fitness and wellness (4th ed.). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.
Summary and conclusions
Questions and comments
Next Topic Chapter 14: "Sexually Transmitted Diseases"
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