Tag: substance use

Barbiturates

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WHAT IS IT?

Barbiturates are a depressant drug used to help sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, prevent seizures.

Prescribed names: Fiorina®, Pentothal®, Seconal®, or Nembutal®.

STREET NAMES

Barbs, Block Busters, Christmas Trees, Goof Balls, Pinks, Red Devils, Reds & Blues, Yellow Jackets

HOW IT IS TAKEN

Swallowing a pill or injecting a liquid

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE BODY?

  • Lack of inhibition, relief of anxiety, sleepiness; impairment of memory, judgment and coordination; irritability
  • Paranoia and suicidal thought
  • Tolerance is easily developed, requiring larger doses each time
  • Overdose can occur easily and can be fatal.
    • Signs: Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma

Reference: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs/barbiturates

Parent Toolkit for Talking to your Teen about Substances

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Operation Prevention breaks down opioid substance use. They go through the basics of opioids, facts v. myths, parenting styles, and finally how to start the discussion on substance use with your child. It breaks down discussion points for each age group and helps hone you’re skills for starting a discussion with your child.

Follow the link below to read the toolkit:

https://www.operationprevention.com/#parent-toolkit

Heroin

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WHAT IS IT?

Heroin is an opiate (narcotic) drug processed from morphine and extracted from certain poppy plants. Heroin comes in a white or brownish powder, or a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Often “cut” with other drugs or substances such as sugar or powdered milk. User is unaware how much actual heroin is being used, creating likelihood of overdose.

STREET NAMES

Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Hell Dust, Horse, Negra, Smack, Thunder


HOW IT IS TAKEN

Injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. High purity heroin is usually snorted or smoked.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE BODY?

  • Highly addictive
  • Initial surge of euphoria or “rush,” followed by a twilight state of sleep and wakefulness
  • Physical symptoms of use include: drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea, a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and heavy extremities
  • Overdose symptoms: slow and shallow breathing, blue lips and fingernails, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and possible death

Reference: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs/heroin

Amphetamines

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WHAT IS IT?

Amphetamines are prescription stimulants used to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prescribed as Adderall®, Concerta®, Dexedrine®, Focalin®, Metadate®, Methylin®, Ritalin®.

STREET NAMES

Bennies, Black Beauties, Crank, Ice, Speed, Uppers

HOW IT IS TAKEN

Orally or injected. “Ice” or crystallized methamphetamine hydrochloride is smoked.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE BODY?

  • Similar to cocaine, but slower onset and longer duration
  • Increased body temperature, blood pressure and pulse rates, insomnia, loss of appetite, physical exhaustion
  • Chronic abuse produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia: paranoia, hallucinations, violent and erratic behavior
  • Overdose can be fatal

Reference: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs/amphetamines

Substance Use Resources

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SADD is dedicated to ensuring a healthy, happy, and empowered life, throughout every stage of life. This means not only adhering to the mission of helping our youth turn away from drinking and driving, but also to prevent other destructive decisions through peer-to-peer communication.
We are proud to take a positive stand on important issues that face our teens through youth leadership development. This means helping teens and the adults in their lives to better understand the pressures that they face on a day-to-day basis through a variety of educational and motivational material. Utilize the resources below for optimal health and wellness, throughout all areas of life.

SADD

Follow the link below for a list of resources to learn more about substance use.

https://ma.sadd.org/resources

Guide to Finding a Quality Treatment

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Center on Addiction has written a short, concise guide to help anyone who is trying to find a quality addictions treatment. They go into detail about levels of care as well as types of addiction treatment. They provide you with questions to ask when you’re looking for quality addiction treatment, including a blank worksheet with questions for a treatment provider.

Follow the link below for the full ebook.

Guide to Finding Quality Addiction Treatment