Glamorise This?

By Sue Redmond

Regional Drugs Education Support Worker

Cocaine

Cocaine – Classy?

Cold Sores

Cold Sores sexy?

Nose collapse

Missing Septum

Increases Spots

Increases Spots Breakouts

Early aging & Wrinkles

The Transport into the country and to your table

    Rectally In Sores Passed in stools Through women bodies sold to prostitution

Cocaine

 Stimulant  Increases Heart Rate and Blood Pressure  Cocaine can be ‘cut’ with other stimulants  Effects last only 20-30 mins  Can Increase Aggression  Repeated use over several hours can lead to extreme agitation, paranoia and toxic psychosis

Cocaine Short Term Effects

        Euphoria Increased energy and confidence Appetite suppressed Dilated pupils Increased sexual interest Grinding teeth Crashes in days after use, very depressed and tired Hyperthermia Mental illness, stillbirth, miscarriage and suicide have also been associated with cocaine

Cocaine Long Term

            Extreme mood swings Eating disorders/weight loss (appetite suppressed) Paranoid thinking Psychotic behaviour Nose damage if snorting Ongoing rhinitis Depression Stroke Cerebral haemorrhage Heart failure Renal failure Death from respiratory arrest

Cocaine - Signs of use

         Hyperactive Talkative Unusually confident or arrogant Nose irritation (runny nose or itching) Small appetite Wide awake/full of energy Excessively tired (days after use) Depressed or low (days after use) Rolled up notes (sniffing)

What to do in an emergency



Stay calm



Dial 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance



Ensure their airways are clear

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Turn them on their side – recovery position and stay with them

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Give any powders, tablets, etc. that you find to the ambulance crew

What to do in an emergency

The Heart

     Blood vessels expand Artery walls constrict Causes spasm Heart attack Arrhythmia (heart disturbance)  Cocaine makes the blood thicker and increases chances of a clot and heart attack

How a neuron works

How it works

The Brain

It can take years for the dopamine and activity levels of the brain to reach levels it was at before cocaine use, especially in Chronic cocaine users. Dopamine has important roles in behaviour and cognition, motor activity, motivation, reward, sleep, mood, attention and learning.

How does this lead to addiction?

 The initial decision to take drugs is mostly voluntary.  However, when drug abuse takes over, a person's ability to exert self control can become seriously impaired.  Brain imaging studies from drug-addicted individuals show physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision making, learning and memory and behaviour control  These changes alter the way the brain works, and may help explain the compulsive and destructive behaviours of addiction.

Dependence

 Drug dependence is characterised by impaired control over the drug, preoccupation with use, continued use despite negative consequence, and sometimes evidence of physical dependence on the drug.  Various factors, such as your personality, your genetic makeup and peer pressure, affect your likelihood of becoming addicted to a drug.

Genetic factors

 Account for a percentage of vulnerability to addiction  The effects of environment on gene expression and function.  Adolescents and individuals with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug use and addiction than the general population.

Environmental Factors

 Home and Family. The influence of the home environment is usually most important in childhood. Parents or older family members who use alcohol or drugs, or who engage in criminal behaviour, can increase children's risks of developing their own drug problems.  Peer. Friends and acquaintances have the greatest influence during adolescence. Drug-abusing peers can sway even those without risk factors to try drugs for the first time. Academic failure or poor social skills can put a child further at risk for drug use.

Other Factors

 Personality. Another psychological problem, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD etc., People who exhibit aggression, a lack of self-control and a difficult temperament may be at greater risk of drug addiction.  Anxiety, depression and loneliness. Using drugs can become a way of coping with these painful psychological feelings  Early Use. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows that the earlier a person begins to use drugs the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse  Method of Administration. Smoking a drug or injecting it into a vein increases its addictive potential. Both smoked and injected drugs enter the brain within seconds, producing a powerful rush of pleasure. However, this intense "high" can fade within a few minutes, taking the abuser down to lower levels.  Type of drug. Some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, more quickly result in physical addiction than do others.  Low self-esteem. Can contribute to using drugs and becoming dependent on them.

When Mixed with Alcohol

 Use of alcohol leads to a 30% increase in blood levels of cocaine  Combination produces cocaethylene – Increases dopamine release – Enhances risk of cardiac death – Increases violent behaviour  Harder for the liver to break down  Alcohol leads to increased brain-to-plasma cocaine ratio

Dangers of Use

         Alcohol Heart attack Arrhythmias Stroke Spontaneous abortion Birth defects Psychiatric problems Liver disease Pancreatitis         Cocaine Heart attack Arrhythmias Stroke Spontaneous abortion Birth defects Psychiatric problems IV drug use

Psychiatric effects Combined

    Increases alcohol’s cognitive impairment Violence Sexual risk-related behaviour Impulsive decision making, impaired learning and memory

Withdrawal

       Alcohol Anxiety Tachycardia Nausea Tremor Disorientation Seizures        Cocaine Agitation/restlessness Intense cravings Depression Vivid unpleasant dreams Paranoia Fatigue

How do you know if it’s a problem for you…

      Doing more than last year or 6 mths ago Being aggressive or violent It’s affecting your mental health; depression, anxiety etc., It’s affecting your sexual health; impotence, promiscuity, failure to use contraception It’s affecting your relationship with others, arguments/fights about your drug use Can’t socialise without it

Every time you do a line…

You glamorise drugs to young people A Farmer in South America subject to poverty Someone engages in criminal activity to get it to you You Put yourself at risk of serious adverse effects and death

You put yourself at risk of addiction

If we stop the market for it, we stop it Cocaine

Colombian refugee

You engage in illegal activity A child is put at risk of poverty, abuse, neglect, low literacy and education drop out

For

WHAT

??? A Good time?

Now ask yourself

‘is it worth it?’

What help is available..?

 There are many and varied reasons someone turns to drugs & alcohol as a form of coping in their lives.  Counselling can be a place to think about this and other forms of coping strategies (that are healthier) and relapse prevention & support.  The second stage of withdrawal can last for a long time ie years & most people don't realise this. During this stage you'll have fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Where Counselling support can really help.

Where to go for help?

      NUI Galway offer a free and confidential counselling service to all students and have a specific drug & alcohol counsellor Contact: Student Counselling Service, 5 Distillery Road, NUI Galway. Office Hours: Mon – Fri between 9.15am and 1pm and 2.15pm and 4.15pm. Website: www.nuigalway.ie/student_services/counsellors Appointments 091-492484 or email counselling @nuigalway.ie

Drop in any time Mon – Fri between 2.15-4.15pm to see a counsellor Counsellors : Bea Gavin, Emer Casey, Geraldine Connolly, Eamonn O’ Dochartaigh Drug & Alcohol Counsellor: Mark Campbell

Where to go for help?

Drugs Counselling Service:  Galway 091-561 299    Mayo North 096-60060 Mayo South 094-9020430 Roscommon 071-9664900 Cocaine Clinic 091-561 299     Drugs Helpline: 1800 459 459 Alcoholics Anonymous: 091-567807 Narcotics Anonymous: 01 6728000 Samaritans 1850 609 090 Text Help to 51900 Live help online www.drugs.ie