HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
Drug awareness
1.
2. What is DRUG?
A drug is any substance (with the exception of food and
water) which, when taken into the body, alters the
body's function either physically and/or
psychologically.
Drugs may be legal (e.g. alcohol, caffeine and tobacco)
or illegal (e.g. cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin).
3. TYPES OF DRUGS
1. Depressants: Drugs that
decrease alertness by slowing
down the activity of the central
nervous system (e.g. heroin,
alcohol and analgesics).
5. TYPES OF DRUGS
2.Stimulants: Drugs that
increase the body's state of
arousal by increasing the
activity of the brain (e.g.
caffeine, nicotine and
amphetamines).
7. TYPES OF DRUGS
3. Hallucinogens: Drugs that alter perception and can
cause hallucinations, such as seeing or hearing
something that is not there (e.g. LSD and 'magic
mushrooms'). Other: Some drugs fall into the 'other'
category, as they may have properties of more than one
of the above categories (e.g. cannabis has depressive,
hallucinogenic and some stimulant properties).
10. Why do people use drugs?
People use drugs for a variety of reasons. Young people
often use drugs for the same reasons that adults do.
Some of these include
to have fun
to relax and forget problems
to gain confidence
to socialize
out of curiosity
11. Why do people use drugs?
as a form of escapism
to lessen inhibitions
to remove personal responsibility for
decisions
to celebrate or commiserate
to relieve boredom and stress
self-medication to cope with problems
22. PREVENTION
Get involved in some distracting activity. Reading,
a hobby, going to a movie, exercising (jogging, biking)
are good examples of distracting activities. Once you
get interested in something else, you’ll find the urges
go away. Another effective response to a drug craving is
eating (but be careful what you eat, as eating junk will
only add stress and inches to your waistline).
23. Talk it through. Talk to friends or family members
about craving when it occurs. Talking about cravings
and urges can be very helpful in pinpointing the
source of the craving. Also, talking about craving often
helps to discharge and relieve the feeling and will help
restore honesty in your relationship. Craving is
nothing to feel bad about.
24. Urge surf. Many people try to cope with their urges by
gritting their teeth and toughing it out. But some are
just too strong to ignore. When this happens, it can be
useful to stay with the urge until it passes. This
technique is called urge surfing. Imagine yourself as a
surfer who will ride the wave of your drug craving,
staying on top of it until it crests, breaks, and turns
into less powerful, foamy surf.
25. Challenge and change your thoughts. When
experiencing a craving, many people have a tendency
to remember only the positive effects of the drug and
forget the negative consequences. Therefore, you may
find it helpful to remind yourself that you
really won’t feel better if you use and that you stand to
lose a lot. Sometimes it is helpful to have these
benefits and consequences listed on a small card that
you keep with you.
