Alcohol is a drug that has been consumed throughout the world for centuries. It is considered a recreational beverage when consumed in moderation for enjoyment and relaxation during social gatherings. However, when consumed primarily for its physical and mood-altering effects, it is a substance of abuse. As a depressant, it slows down physical responses and progressively impairs mental functions.
Description
Generic/Chemical Names (Representative): Beer (about 4.5% alcohol), wine (about 14 to 20% alcohol), distilled spirits or liquor (about 50% alcohol).
Alternative Sources: After-shave lotion, cough medicine.
Common Street Names: Booze, juice, brew, grain, shine, hooch.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Pure ethanol (sold in some States as "Grain Alcohol") is a colorless liquid with a distinctive odor and taste. It has a cooling effect when rubbed on the skin. Most commonly, however, alcohol is consumed as the component of another beverage, and grain alcohol, itself, is normally diluted with juices or other soft drinks by the consumer. Depending upon the concentration of alcohol in the beverage, the aroma of alcohol may serve as indicator of the presence of alcohol in a beverage. Since the sale and distribution of all products containing more than a trace amount of ethanol are regulated by Federal and State governments, the best guide to whether a specific beverage contains alcohol will be label information if the original container is available.
Paraphernalia: Liquor, wine, after-shave, or cough medicine bottles; drinking glasses; cans of alcohol-containing beverages; can and bottle openers. Paper bags are sometimes used to conceal the container while the drink is being consumed.
Method of Intake: Alcohol is normally exclusively consumed by mouth. It is infrequently consumed as pure (grain) alcohol. It is, however, frequently consumed in the form in which it is sold (e.g. cans of bear, "straight" liquor, glasses of wine. Similarly, alcohol is often consumed in combination with other beverages (mixers) either to make it more palatable or to disguise from others that alcohol is being consumed.
Duration of Single Dose Effect: alcohol is fully absorbed into the blood stream within 30 minutes to 2 hours depending upon the beverage consumed and associated food intake. The body can metabolize about one quarter of an ounce (0.25oz.-roughly half the amount in a can of beer) of alcohol per hour.
The effects of alcohol on behavior (including driving behavior) vary with the individual and with the concentration of alcohol in the individual's blood. The level of alcohol achieved in the blood depends in large part (although not exclusively) upon the amount of alcohol consumed and the time period over which it was consumed. One rule of thumb says that in a 150 pound person, each drink adds 0.02% to BAC and hour that passes removes 0.01% from it.
Generally speaking, alcohol is absorbed into the blood relatively quickly and metabolized more slowly. Therefore, the potential exists for alcohol concentrations to build steadily throughout a drinking session. The table below shows some general effects of varying levels of blood concentration:
BAC Behavioral Effects
0.02-0.09% Loss of muscular coordination; impaired senses; changes in mood and personality.
0.10-0.19% Marked mental impairment, further loss of coordination, prolonged reaction time.
0.20-0.29% Nausea, vomiting, double vision.
0.30-0.39% Hypothermia, blackouts, anesthesia.
0.40-0.70% Coma, respiratory failure, death.
Detection Time: The detection time for alcohol depends upon the maximum level of BAC achieved and varies by individual. Since under FHWA regulations alcohol concentrations as low as 0.02% (under USDOT testing procedures, breath alcohol concentration is used as a proxy for blood alcohol concentration), require employer action and current technology can reliably detect this level, a driver who had achieved a moderate level of intoxication (i.e., 0.10% BAC) would be detectable approximately 8 hours after achieving that level (note: this is detectability after achieving this level and not after commencing or stopping drinking).
Dependency Level: The chronic use of alcohol can produce dependence in some individuals manifested by craving, withdrawal, and tolerance. Despite the fact that many individuals consume alcoholic beverages (over 90% of Americans at some point during their lives), relatively few of them (only about 10% of drinkers) develop psychological and physical dependency on it.
In addition to having direct health effects through physiological changes in the drinker's body, alcohol contributes significantly to health problems indirectly. While most of the medical consequences of alcohol use listed above result in chronic use, these other effects can often result from a single episode of acute use:
- One-half of all traffic accident fatalities are alcohol-related.
- The risk of a traffic fatality per mile driven is at least 8 times higher for a drink driver than a sober one.
- Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries in the U.S., and the second most common cause of fatal accidents. Estimates of the involvement of alcohol in these falls range from 20 to 80 percent. A BAC between 0.05% and 0.10% increases the likelihood of a fall by 3 times. Between 0.10 and 0.15% it increases by a factor of 10 and above 0.16% it increases by a factor of 60.
- Research indicates over 60 percent of those dying in nonvehicular fires (fourth leading cause of accidental death in the U.SA.) have BACs over 0.10 percent.
- Approximately 38 percent of those drowning (third leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.) have been exposed to alcohol at the time of their deaths.
- Between 20 and 36 percent of suicide victims have a history of alcohol abuse or were drinking shortly before their suicides.
- Alcohol also plays a significant role in crime and family violence including spousal and child abuse.
Effects on Driver Performance
The statistics reported above make it clear that alcohol can have a devastating effect on driver performance. By affecting vision, reflexes, coordination, emotions, aggressiveness, and judgement, alcohol deprives the professional driver of most of the tools he or she relies upon to perform safely.
Hangovers also present a risk to driver behavior as would other illnesses. The sick feeling associated with hangovers including headaches, nausea, and other symptoms can can distract a driver's attention and lead to accidents even though alcohol may no longer be detectable in the body.
Overdose Effects
Repeated use of alcohol results in tolerance with increasing consumption necessary to attain its characteristic effects. Alcohol at a given blood level produces less impairment in heavy drinkers than it does in less heavy drinkers. Alcohol is toxic by itself and coupled with the malnutrition common in alcoholics, can lead to kidney disease, deterioration of mental faculties, and psychotic episodes (the DT's) if the alcohol is withdrawn. The DT's are characterized by hallucinations and extreme fear, and their presence are a clear indication of alcohol dependence. Withdrawal and the associated DT's can be fatal.
Amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that speed up the mind and body. The physical sense of energy at lower does and the mental exhilaration at higher doses are the reasons for abuse. Although widely prescribed at one time for weight reduction and mood elevation, the legal use of amphetamines is now limited to a very narrow range of medical conditions. Most amphetamines that are abused are illegally manufactured in foreign countries and smuggled into the U.S. or clandestinely manufactured in crude laboratories.Description:
Generic/Chemical Names: Include Amphetamine and Methamphetamine. Trade Names include: Desoxyn; Dexapex; Fastin; Vasotilin; Dexedrine; Delcobese; Fetamine; Obetrol.
Common Street Names: Uppers; speed; bennies; crystal; black beauties; Christmas trees; white crosses; mollies; bam; crank; meth; ice; LA ice.
Distinguishing Characteristics: In their pure form amphetamines are yellowish crystals. They are manufactured in a variety of forms including pill, capsule, tablet, powder, and liquid. Amphetamines ("speed") is sold in counterfeit capsules or as white, flat, double scored "mini bennies". Methamphetamine is often sold as a creamy white, granular powder or in limps wrapped in aluminum foil or sealable plastic bags.
Paraphernalia: Needles, syringes, and rubber tubing for tourniquets, used for the injection method.
Method of Intake: The most common forms of amphetamines are pills, tablets, etc., which are ingested. The less frequent forms, liquid and powder, are injected or snorted.
Duration of Single Dose Effect: 2 to 4 hours.
Detection Time: 1 to 2 days after use.
Dependency Level: Psychological dependence on amphetamines is known to be high. Physical dependence is possible.
Signs and Symptoms of Use
Evidence of Presence of Amphetamines: Most frequently-pills, capsules, or tablets; envelopes, bags, vials for storing the drug. Less frequently-syringes, needles, tourniquets.
Physical Symptoms: Dilated pupils; sweating; increased blood pressure; palpitations; rapid heartbeat; dizziness; decreased appetite; dry mouth, headaches; blurred vision; insomnia; high fever (depending on the level of the dose).
Behavioral Symptoms: Confusion; panic; talkativeness, hallucinations, restlessness; anxiety; moodiness; false sense of confidence and power, "amphetamine psychosis" which might result extended use.
Effects of Amphetamine Use on the Individual
Physical Health Effects
- Regular use produces strong psychological dependence and increasing tolerance to drug.
- High doses may cause toxic psychosis resembling schizophrenia.
- Intoxication may induce a heart attack or stroke due to spiking of blood pressure.
- Chronic use may cause heart and brain damage due to severe constriction of capillary blood vessels.
- The euphoric stimulation increases impulsive and risk-taking behaviors, including bizarre and violent acts.
- Long-term heavy use can lead to malnutrition, skin disorders, ulcers, and various diseases that come from vitamin deficiencies.
- Lack of sleep, weight loss, and depression also result from regular use.
- Users who inject drugs intravenously can get serious and life-threatening infections (e.g., lung or heart disease, kidney damage) from non-sterile equipment or contaminated self-prepared solutions.
Effects on Mental Performance
Large doses over long period can result in
- Anxiety, restlessness
- Moodiness
- False sense of power
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Brain damage
Effects on Driver Performance
Amphetamines cause a false sense of alertness and potential hallucinations which can result in risky driver behavior and increased accidents. Drivers who fail to get sufficient rest may use the drug to increase alertness. However, although low doses will cause a short-term improvement in mental and physical functioning, greater use impairs functioning.
Overdose Effects
- Agitation
- Increase in body temperature
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
- Death
Withdrawal Syndrome
- Apathy
- Long-term periods of sleep
- Irritability
- Depression
- Disorientation
Workplace Issues
Since amphetamines alleviate the sensation of fatigue, they may be abused to increase alertness because of unusual overtime demands or failure to get rest.
Low-dose amphetamine use will cause a short-term improvement in mental and physical functioning. With greater use or increasing fatigue, the effect reverses and has an impairing effect. Hangover effect is characterized by physical fatigue and depression, which may make operation of equipment or vehicles dangerous.
Cocaine Fact Sheet Cocaine is used as a local anesthetic. It is abused as a powerful physical and mental stimulant. The entire central nervous system is energized. Muscles are more tense, the heart beats faster and stronger, and the body burns more energy. The brain experiences an exhilaration caused by a large release of neurohormone associated with mood elevations.
Description
Generic/Chemical Names: Cocaine Hydrochloride or Cocaine Base.
Common Street Names: Coke; crack; snow; blow; flake; "C"; toot; rock; base; nose candy; snort; white horse.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Cocaine is an alkaloid (organic base) derived from the coca plant. In its more common form, cocaine hydrochloride or "snorting coke" is a white to creamy granular or lumpy powder chopped fine before use. Cocaine base, rock or crack is a crystalline rock about the size of a small pebble.
Paraphernalia: Cocaine hydrochloride - single-edged razor blade; a small mirror or piece of smooth metal; a half straw or metal tube; and a small screw cap vial or folded paper packet containing the cocaine (used for snorting); needles, tourniquets (used for injecting). Cocaine base - a "crack pipe" (small glass smoking device for vaporizing the crack crystals); a lighter, alcohol lamp, small butane torch for heating the substance.
Method of Intake: Cocaine hydrochloride is snorted into the nose, rubbed on the gums, or injected into the veins. Cocaine base is heated in a glass pipe and the vapor is inhaled.
Duration of a Single Dose Effect: 1 to 2 hours.
Detection Time: Up to 2 to 3 days after last use.
Dependency Level: Research indicates possible physical dependence. Although there is insufficient evidence for humans, animal studies indicate "reverse tolerance", in which certain behavioral effects become stronger with repeated use of cocaine. Psychological dependence on cocaine is known to be high.
Signs and Symptoms
Evidence of Presence of Cocaine: Small folded envelopes, plastic bags, or vials used to store cocaine; razor blades; cut-off drinking straws or rolled bills for snorting; small spoons; heating apparatus.
Physical Symptoms: Dilated pupils; runny or irritated nose; profuse sweating; dry mouth; tremors; needle tracks; loss of appetite; hyperexcitability; restlessness; high blood pressure; heart palpitations; insomnia; talkativeness; formication (sensation of bugs crawling on skin).
Behavioral Symptoms: Increased physical activity; depression; isolation and secretive behavior; unusual defensiveness; frequent absences; wide mood swings; difficulty in concentration; paranoia, hallucinations; confusion; false sense of power and control.
Effects of Cocaine Use on the Individual
Physical Health Effects
Research suggests that regular cocaine use may upset the chemical balance of the brain. As a result, it may speed up the aging process by causing irreparable damage to critical nerve cells. The onset of nervous system illnesses such as Parkinson's disease could also occur.
Cocaine use causes the heart to beat faster and harder and rapidly increases blood pressure. In addition, cocaine causes spasms of blood vessels in the brain and heart. Both effects lead to ruptured vessels causing strokes or heart attacks.
Strong psychological dependency can occur with one "hit" of crack. Usually, mental dependency occurs within days of using crack or within several months of snorting coke. Cocaine causes the strongest mental dependency of any known drug.
Treatment success rates are lower than those of other chemical dependencies.
Cocaine is extremely dangerous when taken with depressant drugs. Death due to overdose is rapid. The fatal effects of an overdose are not usually reversible by medical intervention. The number of cocaine overdose deaths in the U.S. has tripled in the last four years.
Effects On Mental Performance
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Hyperexcitability and overreaction to stimulus
- Difficulty in concentration
- Wide mood swings
- Withdrawal leads to depression and disorientation.
Effects on Driver Performance
Cocaine use results in an artificial sense of power and control which leads to a sense of invincibility. Lapses in attention and the ignoring of warning signals brought on by cocaine use greatly increase the potential for accidents. Paranoia, hallucinations, and extreme mood swings make for erratic and unpredictable reactions while driving.
The high cost of cocaine frequently leads to workplace theft and/or dealing. Forgetfulness, absenteeism, tardiness, and missed assignments can translate into lost business.
Overdose Effects
- Agitation
- Increase in body temperature
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
- Death
Withdrawal Syndrome
- Apathy
- Long period of sleep
- Irritability
- Depression
- Disorientation
Cannabinoids (Marijuana) Fact Sheet Marijuana is one of the most misunderstood and underestimated drug of abuse. People use marijuana for the mildly tranquilizing and mood-altering effects it produces.
Description
Generic/Chemical Name: Dronabinal, Marinol, and Nabilone.
Common Street Names: Pot, dope, grass, hemp, weed, hooch, herb, hash, joint, Acapulco gold, reefer, sinsemilla, Thai sticks.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Like tobacco, marijuana consists of dried, chopped leaves they are green to light tan in color. The seeds are oval with one slightly pointed end. Marijuana has a distinctly pungent aroma resembling a combination of sweet alfalfa and incense. Less prevalent, hashish is a compressed sometimes tar-like substance ranging in color from pale yellow to black. It is usually sold in small chunks wrapped in aluminum foil.
Paraphernalia: Cigarette papers, roach clip holders, and small pipes made of bone, brass, or glass are commonly found. Smoking "bongs" can easily be made from soft drink cans and toilet paper rolls.
Method of Intake: Marijuana is usually inhaled in cigarette or pipe smoke. Occasionally, it is added to baking ingredients (e.g. brownies) and ingested. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical detected in urinalysis, is released by exposure to heat.
Duration of Single Dose Effect: The most obvious effects are felt for 4 to 6 hours. Preliminary studies suggest that performance impairment lasts longer. The active chemical, THC, stores in body fat and is slowly metabolized over time.
Detection Time: Traces of marijuana will remain in the urine of an occasional user for up to 1 week; and in the case of a chronic user, for 3 to 4 weeks.
Dependency Level: Evidence indicates moderate psychological dependence.
Signs and Symptoms of Use
Evidence of Presence of Marijuana: Plastic bags (used to sell marijuana); smoking papers; roach clip holders; small pipes of bone, brass, or glass; smoking bongs; distinctive odor.
Physical Symptoms: Reddened eyes (often masked by eye drops); stained fingertips from holding "joints", particularly for non-smokers; chronic fatigue; irritating cough, chronic sore throat; accelerated heartbeat; slowed speech; impaired motor coordination; altered perception; increased appetite.
Behavioral Symptoms: Impaired memory; time-space distortions; feeling of euphoria; panic reactions; paranoia; I don't care attitude; false sense of power.
Health Effects
General
When marijuana is smoked, it is irritating to the lungs. Chronic smoking causes emphysema-like conditions.
One joint causes the heart to race and be overworked. People with undiagnosed heart conditions are at risk.
Marijuana is commonly contaminated with the fungus Aspergillus, which can cause serious respiratory tract and sinus infections.
Marijuana smoking lowers the body's immune system response, making users more susceptible to infection. The U.S. government is actively researching a possible connection between marijuana smoking and the activation of AIDS in positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers.
Pregnancy Problems and Birth Defects
The active chemical, THC, and 60 other related chemicals in marijuana concentrate in the ovaries and testes.
Chronic smoking of marijuana in males causes a decrease in sex hormone, testosterone, and increase in estrogen, the female sex hormone. The result is a decrease in sperm count, which can lead to temporary sterility. Occasionally, the onset of female sex characteristics including breast development occurs in heavy users.
Chronic smoking of marijuana in females causes a decrease in fertility and an increase in testosterone.
Pregnant women who are chronic marijuana smokers have a higher than normal incidence of stillborn births, early termination of pregnancy, and higher infant mortality rate during the first few days of life.
In test animals, THC causes birth defects, including malformations of the brain, spinal cord, forelimbs, and liver and water on the brain and spine.
Offsprings of test animals who were exposed to marijuana have fewer chromosomes than normal, causing gross birth defects or death of the fetus. PediPediatricians and surgeons are concluding that the use of marijuana by either or both parents, especially during pregnancy, leads to specific birth defects of the infant's feet and hands. One of the most common effects of prenatal cannabinoid exposure is underweight newborn babies. Fetal exposure may decrease visual functioning and causes other ophthalmic problems. Mental Function Regular use can cause the following effects: Delayed decision-making Diminished concentration Impaired short-term memory, interfering with learning Impaired signal detection (ability to detect a brief flash of light), a risk for users who are operating machinery. Impaired tracking (the ability to follow a moving object with the eyes) and visual distance measurements. Erratic cognitive function. Distortions in time estimation. Long-term negative effects on mental function known as "acute brain syndrome" which is characterized by disorders in memory, cognitive function, sleep patterns, and physical condition. Effects on Driver Performance The mental impairments resulting from the use of marijuana produce reactions that can lead to unsafe and erratic driving behavior. Distortions in visual perceptions, impaired signal detection, and altered reality can make driving a vehicle very dangerous.
Overdose Effects
- Aggressive urges
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Fearfulness
- Hallucinations
- Heavy sedation
- Immobility
- Panic
- Paranoic reaction
- Unpleasant distortions in body image
Withdrawal Syndrome
- Sleep disturbance
- Hyperactivity
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Salivation, sweating, and tremors
Workplace Issues
The active chemical, THC, stores in body fat and slowly releases over time. Marijuana smoking has long-term effect on performance.
A 500 to 800 percent increase in THC concentration in the past several years makes smoking three to five joints a week today equivalent to 15 to 40 joints a week in 1978.
Combining alcohol or other depressant drugs and marijuana can produce a multiplied effect, increasing the impairing effect of both the depressant and marijuana.
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