You are becoming familiar with the vastly different effects that substances of abuse have on the body, as well as their varied processes of addiction.

This week, you will examine the addictive properties of substances in three additional classifications and compare the physiological and psychological effects of two of them. You also will examine how cross-tolerance to substances occurs and consider issues related to poly-substance abuse, with a focus on contemporary drug trends.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this week, you should be able to:
• Compare the physiological effects, psychological effects, and addictive properties of substances
• Analyze the risks and implications of poly-substance abuse
• Explain the process of cross-tolerance
Please proceed to the Learning Resources.

Hallucinogens, Inhalants, and Steroids

Understanding the classifications of substances and the differences in their effects on the body will help give you clarity on the nature of addiction and broaden your knowledge base about the common addiction issues you may encounter when working with substance abusers.

In this Discussion, you will continue your examination of common substances of abuse and their properties and effects on the body, as well as their processes of addiction.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the properties, physiological and psychological effects, and processes of addiction of hallucinogens, inhalants, and steroids.

• Consider the properties of the various substances, their physiological and psychological effects on the body, and the process of addiction that occurs with each.

• Review the DVD segment, “Substances and Addictions,” with Dr. Tom Cargiulo, focusing on the information Dr. Cargiulo discusses about hallucinogens (psychedelics).

• Select two substances to compare, one each from two of the three following categories: hallucinogens, inhalants, and steroids.

• Reflect on how the substances are similar to and different from one another in terms of both physiological and psychological effects.

With these thoughts in mind:

Write a comparison (similarities and differences) of the physiological effects, psychological effects, and addictive properties of two substances (one each from two of the three following categories: hallucinogens, inhalants, and steroids).

Note: Put the names of the two substances you are comparing in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to the posting of a colleague who compared at least one substance that you did not.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Learning Resources
This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of the assigned resources for this week. To view this week’s media resources, please use the streaming media player below.
Readings
• Course Text: Substance Abuse Counseling
•
o Chapter 3, “The Major Substances of Abuse and the Body” (pp. 79–92 and 96–97 only)
• Article:Lankenau, S. E., & Clatts, M. C. (2005). Patterns of polydrug use among ketamine injectors in New York City. Substance Use & Misuse, 40(9–10), 1381-1397.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Funk, D., Marinelli, P. W., & Lê, A. D. (2006). Biological processes underlying co-use of alcohol and nicotine: Neuronal mechanisms, cross-tolerance, and genetic factors. Alcohol Research & Health, 29(3), 186–192.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Stone, A. L., Storr, C. L., & Anthony, J. C. (2006). Evidence for a hallucinogen dependence syndrome developing soon after onset of hallucinogen use during adolescence. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 15(3), 116–130.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.