2.

8 Effects of Drug Abuse on Body Coordination and Health

Learning Outcomes
Define what drugs are List examples of drugs Explain what drug abuse is Describe the effects of drug abuse on body coordination Describe the effects of drug abuse on health

 A drug is defined as a chemical substance which can change the function and physiology of the body. Drug abuse is the misuse of drug without doctors prescription for non-medicinal purposes.

EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON BODY COORDINATION

DRUG
Stimulants
Examples: Caffeine Nicotine Amphetamine

Depressants
Examples: Barbiturates Heroine Cannabis
BARBITURATES

Hallucinogens
Examples: Marijuana Ecstasy

ECSTASY AMPHETAMINES HEROINE

NICOTINE

CANNABIS

MARIJUANA

DRUG
Stimulants
Examples: Caffeine Nicotine Amphetamines Effects: 1) Activate the nervous system 2) Cause similar effects as adrenaline 3) Increase the heartbeat, breathing rate, blood pressure and blood sugar level

Depressants
Examples: Barbiturates Heroine Cannabis Effects: 1) Slow down nerve impulses 2) Make the user sleepy and less anxious 3) Slow down reaction to stimuli

Hallucinogens
Examples: Marijuana Ecstasy Effects: 1) Alter the passage of impulses through the brain 2) Distort perceptions 3) Cause hallucinations 4) Cause violent behaviour

Effects of Drug Abuse on Health

1) High blood pressure 2) Heart problems 3) Damage the liver 4) Weaken users immune system 5) High risk of cancer 6) End up with brain damage 7) Serious mental problems 8) AIDS and hepatitis B 9) Over dosage can cause death!

2.9 Effects of Excessive Consumption of Alcohol on Body Coordination and Health

 Alcoholic drinks contain ethanol. Ethanol is produced from the fermentation of glucose by yeast. Such drinks are categorized as hard drinks because of their high alcohol content.

Examples of alcoholic drinks

BEER

WINES

SPIRITS

Alcohol slows down the rate of nerve impulse transmission and affects the central nervous system. Response of a drinker in an emergency is slow. A drinker cannot drive safely because his sight is blurred, his hearing is poor and his reaction becomes slower. A drinker uses a longer time to stop his vehicle.

Effects of excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks

Alcohol can damage liver cells, reduce the production of bile, cause cirrhosis of the liver (scar tissue) and hepatitis. In severe cases, continuous consumption of alcohol can cause death.

2.10 Importance of Sound and Healthy Mind

Mind
The mind is the ability of the brain to think and judge. A healthy mind enables a person to make logical judgement before he acts.

A person with a healthy mind will show characteristics such as positive thinking, independent, caring and responsible.
A person with unhealthy mind will not have self esteem, be short-tempered, feels worry easily and find it difficult to control his emotions.

Factors that affect the mind

External factors Internal factors Brain injury caused by disease or accident. Disease like gastritis or joint pain can interfere with mental healthy. Hormone imbalances in the body like lack of hormones from thyroid gland retard the mental development in children. Drug abuse causes a person to hallucinate and his brain does not function well.

Social factors like family and peers. Environment conditions like weather and temperature. Mental stress caused by sad experiences like the death of someone close.

The importance of a healthy and sound mind

We are endowed with a healthy and sound mind, so we must take good care of it.

A sound and healthy mind can increase ones efficiency and productivity. These are important for the economy, prosperity and peace of a country.