2. Agenda
• Introduction
• Anonymous Survey
• Overview of Tobacco, Alcohol, &
Drugs
• Case Scenarios
• Q & A / Survey
3. Introduction
• Grace C. Bauer, RN, MSN, CNS,
CCRN (MSN, CRNA 2015)
• Michael R. Cruz, RN, BSN, PhN,
CCRN (MSN, CRNA 2015)
4. Nurse Anesthesia
A nurse anesthetist is a nurse who specializes
in the administration of anesthesia. A certified
registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who
has acquired graduate-level education and has
board certification in anesthesia.
5.
6.
7. Tobacco
• Tobacco is a leafy plant grown around the world.
The main ingredient in tobacco is nicotine which
can lead to addiction.
• How does it work?
• Nicotine increases dopamine (a chemical in
the body which makes you feel good)
• Why does it matter?
• Cancer, lung disease, heart problems
• Highly addictive
8. Alcohol: What’s the big deal?
• Impaired judgement leads to poor
choices
• Drunk driving, being a passenger of a
drunk driver
• Unsafe sex, HIV/ AIDS, lifetime
consequences
• Addiction is a major concern
9. Cocaine
• Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug
made from the leaves of the coca plant native to
South America.
• How does it work?
• Cocaine prevents dopamine reuptake in the
nerve synapse, resulting in feelings of elation
• Why does this matter?
• It disrupts our natural ability to feel happy
• Heart problems, strokes, seizures
10. Methamphetamines
• A synthetic pill, powder, or rock.
• How does it work?
• It is a highly addictive stimulant that rapidly
increases dopamine in the brain, resulting in
a “rush” of elation
• Why does this matter?
• This leads to conformational changes in your
brain, often leading to psychosis, memory
problems, “meth mouth”
• YOU CAN DIE- Meth can increase your body
temperature to a dangerous level.
13. Marijuana
• Marijuana is composed of dried and shredded leaves,
stems, seeds, and flowers of the plant Cannabis Sativa
• How does it work?
• THC acts on cannaboid receptors in the brain causing
dopamine release
• Why does this matter?
• Learning and memory- IQ drop!
• Decline in coordination
• Poor judgement and risky behavior
14. MDMA
• MDMA is a chemically made drug to produce
euphoric, hallucinogenic, and energizing effects
• How does it work?
• Increase in serotonin levels causing mood-lifting
effects or hyperactivity
• Why does this matter?
• No medical benefit, can lead to depression,
decrease memory/attention, hyperthermia and
death
15. Bath Salts
• Bath salts are a manmade drug related to
canthinone, an amphetamine like stimulant
• How does it work?
• Increase in dopamine, similar to meth, but
10x stronger
• Why does this matter?
• Brain damage, psychosis, death
16. Prescription Drugs
• When someone takes a medication that is prescribed
to someone else to get “high”
• How does it work?
• Opioids, depressants, and stimulants if abused
lead to increased levels of dopamine and
serotonin
• Why does this matter?
• Abuse can lead to respiratory depression, heart
problems, death
18. Scenario 1
You used to play baseball with a friend
who quit the team and started hanging
out with the “wrong” crowd. This
particular crowd always gets “high”
You’ve drifted apart from this person, but
one day that person approaches you and
asks for help.
19. Friend in need
“I feel so helpless. I can’t talk to
my folks about any of this. I’m
lying and stealing to get high
everyday. The less I feel, the
better it seems. But I need help.”
21. What would you do?
• Do you:
• Tell them to get lost (You don’t know that
person anymore!)
• Tell them it’s normal because everyone is
doing it anyways. It’s just a phase so don’t
worry about it!
• I want to help somehow, I just don’t know
how.
22. Scenario 2
You notice a friend cutting class. You
used to talk about what college you want
to go to or what major you’d like to go
into. Now that person misses a lot of
class, and when they do show up, they
seem to have lost interest in almost
everything.
24. What would you do?
• Loudly badger them over why they aren’t ever in
class anymore. Don’t they know they are headed
to being a high school dropout?
• Say hello, stay kind, ask how they are. Offer
your notes if they want help.
Remember, we don’t ever really know what other
people are going through. They don’t need more
judgement and pressure. They might not be doing
drugs, but they might need HELP.
25. Some thoughts
• Information is better received if someone
approaches you for help. This is to provide
information should you be in the position to
share it!
• Be alert to signs that someone is trying to ask
for help but may be too embarrassed to say it
outright. Try to maintain neutrality with an
attitude of non-judgement.
• Assess the situation: Stay out of danger.
26. Do you need help NOW?!
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
27. Links to more resources
• http://teens.drugabuse.gov
• http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• http://www.helpguide.org/
