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Drugs

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Lesson notes

What are drugs?

  • **Drugs** are substances that can change how the body and mind work.
  • Some drugs are used for medical reasons (e.g., painkillers), others for recreation.
  • Recreational drugs can have serious effects on health and behaviour.

Types of drugs and their effects

  • **Painkillers** (e.g., paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen) block pain signals from reaching the brain; they do not treat the cause of pain.
  • **Depressants** (e.g., alcohol, heroin) slow down brain activity, making you feel relaxed or sleepy, but impair coordination and slow reaction times.
  • **Stimulants** (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, cocaine) increase brain activity, making you feel more awake and alert; they also increase heart rate and blood pressure.
  • **Hallucinogens** (e.g., LSD, magic mushrooms) change your perception of reality, causing you to see, hear, or feel things that are not there.

Alcohol – a legal depressant

  • Alcohol is a **legal drug** classified as a **depressant**; it enters the bloodstream and slows brain functions.
  • Effects include slurred speech, blurred vision, impaired judgment, and reduced coordination and reaction times.
  • Long-term heavy drinking can cause **liver disease** (cirrhosis), heart disease, increased cancer risk, brain damage, and mental health issues.
  • Alcohol can lead to aggressive or risky behaviour and **addiction**.

Addiction and withdrawal

  • **Addiction** is when the body or mind becomes dependent on a substance, leading to a strong need to keep using it despite harm.
  • When an addicted person stops using the drug, they may experience **withdrawal symptoms**.
  • Withdrawal symptoms include **anxiety**, **shaking**, and **nausea**.

Illegal drugs

  • Some drugs are **illegal** because they are highly addictive and cause severe harm to mental and physical health.
  • Examples of illegal drugs: **heroin** and **cocaine**.

Four main types of drugs and their effects on the body and mind.

Types of Drugs and Their EffectsBlocks pain signalsSlows brain activityIncreases alertnessAlters perception

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.Which type of drug slows down brain activity and can make you feel relaxed or sleepy?

    Easy
    • ADepressants
    • BStimulants
    • CPainkillers
    • DHallucinogens
  2. 2.Which of the following is an example of a painkiller?

    Easy
    • AParacetamol
    • BCaffeine
    • CLSD
    • DAlcohol
  3. 3.Which of the following drugs is illegal?

    Easy
    • AHeroin
    • BAlcohol
    • CParacetamol
    • DCaffeine
  4. 4.Why is it dangerous to drive after drinking alcohol?

    Medium
    • AAlcohol slows reaction times and impairs coordination
    • BAlcohol increases alertness and concentration
    • CAlcohol improves vision and hearing
    • DAlcohol has no effect on driving ability
  5. 5.What is meant by addiction?

    Medium
    • AA strong need to keep using a drug even when it is harmful
    • BA temporary desire to try a new substance
    • CA medical treatment using drugs
    • DA feeling of relaxation after taking a drug
  6. 6.Which of the following is a withdrawal symptom?

    Medium
    • AAnxiety
    • BIncreased energy
    • CImproved concentration
    • DEuphoria
  7. 7.Why are heroin and cocaine illegal?

    Medium
    • AThey are highly addictive and cause severe harm to health
    • BThey are used for medical purposes
    • CThey are legal in some countries
    • DThey are depressants
  8. 8.How do painkillers work?

    Medium
    • AThey block pain signals from reaching the brain
    • BThey increase brain activity to ignore pain
    • CThey treat the cause of the pain
    • DThey slow down the nervous system

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