EMT- Week 6- Drugs

Pick 2 different abused drugs and list the signs and symptoms associated with them.  What are some of the effects of the drugs to the patient?  Will all patients show the same signs and symptoms? Also respond to 2 other students posts.

When I was reading through Chapter 23 I came across Downers and Narcotics and became interested. I thought they were the same type of drug, but I read more and understood the difference. The book didn’t give enough information, in my opinion, to fully understand the chemical process of how Downers and Narcotics effect the body so I researched these drugs some more. Here’s what I found:

Downers are sedation drugs that act through inhibiting muscle, mental, and emotional action. So, it’s easy to say Downers slow down the central nervous system and brain function, but obviously it’s not that simple. This type of drug falls into two categories; tranquilizers and sedative-hypnotics. Tranquilizers depress physical and emotional stress while Sedative-Hypnotics induce sleep.

Three types of downers include opiates/opioids, sedative-hypnotics, and alcohol. Skeletal muscle relaxants, antihistamines, over-the-counter sedatives and lookalike sedatives are considered downers, as well. It is actually a pretty common type of drug and is easy to overdose on. A family friend died at 26 from overdosing on sleeping pills which is a type of downer. Rapists may use a downer called Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) or “Roofies” as an odorless, tasteless, colorless date rape drug that can easily be slipped in a drink. According to Jim Parker, author of Downers: A New Look at Depression Drugs, Downer Drugs are one of the top used and abused drugs in two countries; USA(600 million prescriptions for minor tranquilizers) and Canada mainly, but addiction still continues around the globe. While it sounds like they can be used as a simple answer to relaxation, the action of the drug can be harmful. In the process, Downers are obstructing inhibitions, dulling reflexes, and slowing coordination. Continued use of this drug can lead to permanent “dull thinking, reduce judgment, and interfere with memory, all serious liabilities on the road, at work, or other settings that call for clear thinking and fast reactions.” It’s not a day at the spa using this drug although it may sound like it on the label. In reality, the drug has side-effects relative to a Sunday morning hangover. Since the drug is centering towards the part of the brain that focuses on slowing motor skills, nearby, it is also influencing respirations which can be really scary if an overdose was to occur. Hallucinations can occur due to the production of euphoria by the downer drug, GHB (Gamma- Hyroxybutyrate) aka: Georgia Home Boy or goop. The body eventually learns to depend on the drug and may not become as effective as the primary first use so that is why people are more likely to OD on downers. Obviously, not everyone reacts the same with different drugs, but most suffer the same symptoms and effects. Here’s a link for more information on Downers:

http://www.doitnow.org/pages/137.html

Narcotics, on the other hand, relieve pain and act as a sleep inducer. They are directed towards relieving the central nervous system that are experiencing stress to induce a more relaxed, drowsy state. Oxycodone (used for chronic pain) and Heroin (used as an illegal narcotic) are the most commonly abused modern day drugs, not to mention marijuana, too. Signs and symptoms of an overdose of narcotics include a coma, super miosis (aka: pinpoint pupils/tiny pupils), and respiratory dysfunction. Symptoms include Analgesia (feeling no pain), sedation, euphoria (feeling high), respiratory depression, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, itching or flushed skin, and constipation. Do you still want to take this drug? The list keeps going…

You can classify Downers and Narcotics as Opiates. Opiates are used to treat pain by depressing different parts of the brain and nervous system. Chemically, opioids attach to proteins called opioid receptors inducing a type of relief and relaxed state. Opioid receptors are found all over the body like in the gastrointestinal track, spinal cord, etc. Once the opiates attach to the opioid receptors, then the body creates a new perception of pain which sends a message to the brain communicating that the pain is gone.