TOPIC 4

• Drug - a substance that by virtue of its chemical nature alters the structure or function of a living organism.
• Drug Abuse or Substance Abuse - the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain.
• Drug - any absorbed substance that changes any physical or psychological function in the body.
• there are four main stages of drug addiction; experimentation, regular use, high-risk use, and addiction or dependency.
• Stage 1 Drug Experimentation - might not lead to full blown addiction, drug experimentation is in fact considered the first stage of addiction.
• Experimentation - often accepted or even encouraged, but is important to remember that experimentation isn't always harmless.
• Experimentation - can be an easy pathway to a long future of substance use disorders.
• Stage 2 Social or Regular Use - represents somewhat of a fork in the road for a lot of people.
• Stage 2 - the risk for substance abuse greatly increases during this stage.
• Stage 2 - it is very important during this stage to keep an eye out for changes in mood and behaviour, shifts in priorities, or early physical symptoms of addiction.
• Stage 2 - people during this stage may develop personal concerns or feelings of shame for their behaviour, but generally, continue to justify to it or make excuses.
• Stage 3 Risky Use/Abuse - It is during this stage that the drug user begins to prioritize drug use over other facets of their life and becomes unaware or unafraid of the consequences of their behavior.
• The warning signs associated with stage 3 addiction are: physical or psychological cravings and depression/irritability or fatigue if the drug cannot be accessed.
• Hypersensitisation - meaning that the individual will experience greater pleasure the next time they try the substance.
• Hypersensitisation -  Leads to something incentive salience which means that the drug has now become a reward for the body and the body will start to want the drug at greatest intensity and therefore repeatedly take the drug.
• Stage 4 Drug Addiction and Chemical Dependencies - the final stage of drug addiction.
• Stage 4 - characteristics of this stages include continued use of drugs regardless of the negative consequences, severed impacts to physical and mental health, poor performance at work or job loss, or engaging in criminal activity.
• Stage 4 - Personal relationship are jeopardized or completely lost as a result of drug use.
• If the addict progresses beyond stage four and enters recovery, it usually is a result of reaching a rock bottom-arrest or detention, near death experience, loss of loved one, before they choose to seek addiction treatment.
• During stage 4, the addict has gotten to a point that they would have never previously imagined when they began with experimentation.
• During Stage 4, peer and family support is important, but is also a serious emotional strain and sometimes even an impossibility.