L2 Life Orientation Module 8 Effects of substance abuse

Life Orientation: Life Skills NQF 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Describe the effects of substance abuse on a person & society Module 8 Downloaded from hlayiso.com *see terms and conditions

Think about it… • What are the symptoms of an addiction? • When does medicine prescribed by a doctor become dangerous? • How does an individual’s addiction affect society? Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Unit 8.1 Substance abuse & addiction Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

What is addiction? • When a person cannot stop using or doing something. • Some substance (e.g. drugs) = harmful from the start. • Other substances (e.g. sugar) = dangerous when abused. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

People most at risk of addiction • Some people are more likely to become addicted than others. • Those at risk include people who:  Want to fit in (peer pressure)  Want to try something “exciting” or risky  Want to escape reality. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Feel Are easily Suffer from low disconnected persuaded by self-esteem from parents their peers and family Feel unloved, unvalued or depressed Have parents, Characteristics of caregivers or those most at risk of friends who Feel like a experimenting with failure are (or were) substance addictive substances abusers Mistakenly think that “everybody Are rebellious Are bored & don’t does it” Have emotional keep themselves and/or mental constructively problems, such busy as an anxiety disorder Downloaded from hlayiso.com Figure 8.3: Characteristics of people who are most at risk of addiction

Signs & symptoms of addiction • Red eyes, tiredness & moodiness • Little/no interest in education/work • Changed behaviour • Sleeping much more or much less • No interest in appearance, hygiene & health. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Signs & symptoms of addiction • Withdrawing from normal activities • Having new “friends” • Having no concern for consequences • Being secretive/lying • Being disrespectful/aggressive • Feeling anxious/delusional • Experiencing health problems • Keeping drug-related items. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Signs & symptoms of smoking • Smell of smoke • Smoker’s cough • Frequent colds • Shortness of breath • Bad breath • Hoarse or raspy voice • Nicotine-stained fingers • Yellowed teeth. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Signs & symptoms of alcohol abuse • Smell of alcohol • Loud, slow or slurred speech • Bad coordination • Poor social judgement • Lowered inhibition • Pattern of heavy drinking • Regular drunkenness. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Signs & symptoms of drug abuse • Vary depending on substance & method used • Person seems excitable, overly talkative, hyperactive or manic • Physical symptoms (e.g. dilated pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth, headaches, tremors) • Overconfidence/false sense of control • Needle marks/raw nose (depends on method). Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Signs & symptoms of drug withdrawal • Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, depression, insomnia • Sweating, watery eyes, runny nose, muscle twitches, flushes • Cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea • Headache, pain • Increased heart rate & breathing • Severe cravings. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Signs & symptoms of legal medicine overuse • Sleepiness • Slow/irregular heartbeat • Difficulty breathing, blurred vision, headaches • Dizziness, falling • Depression • Vomiting • Overdose • Seizures, coma & death. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Other addictions • Compulsive behaviour: Eating disorders Gambling Pornography Sexual addictions Gaming Shopping/spending. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 8.1 Module 8 Assess whether you have any addictions by completing Learning activity 8.1 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Learning activity 8.2 Module 8 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 8.2 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Abuse of prescription medication • Prescription medication is:  Regulated by law.  Prescribed by a doctor. Figure 8.10: Pharmacists keep a record of all  Dispensed by medication they dispense a pharmacist. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Abuse of prescription medication • Misuse includes: Not following instructions Obtaining more than prescribed Not following treatment Using others’ medicine Using mismatched medication. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Abuse of prescription medication • Ignoring package inserts • Ignoring expiry dates • Developing resistance • Taking medication Figure 8.12: Medicine is often heavily for too long subsidised – wasting it wastes money that could have been used for another purpose • Wasting funds. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 8.3 Module 8 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 8.3 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Unit 8.2 Ripple effects of addiction Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Consequences of addiction • Addiction affects:  The body & mind  The family  The community  Your society. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Effects on the body & mind • As you’ve learnt, different substances affect the body & mind in different ways. • Your health & wellbeing, relationships, belongings & work are all at risk. Figure 8.14: Substance abuse will age you prematurely Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Effects of addiction Refer to Table 8.1 in your Student’s Book to see physical, emotional & mental effects of harmful substances. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Effects on the family • Stress, worry & conflict • Lack of trust & respect • Abusers may lie, steal & cheat • Causes financial problems • Causes neglect & abuse. Figure 8.16: Drinking and/or smoking during pregnancy will Downloaded from hlayiso.com harm the unborn child

Effects on the community • Drains community resources & medical care • May cause destruction through crime or violence • Bad examples for children • Loss of legal income. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Effects on society • Lost legal income • High costs of healthcare & rehabilitation • High costs to fight illegal drug trade & crime • Burden on healthcare • No positive contribution by abusers. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 8.4 Module 8 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 8.4 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Unit 8.3 Support services for addiction Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Table 8.2: Support services for substance abusers, addicts and their families Social networks of Family support Support by mental Support by friends, family groups in the local health, religious or community nurses & the faith community trauma counsellors & social workers community Psychologists & Medical doctors for Helpline numbers Assessment psychiatrists to diagnosis & to phone, email services by health deal with treatment of or text professionals behavioural physical illnesses problems Hospitals for severe Substance abuse Inpatient centres Outpatient centres illnesses or clinics or medical for rehabilitation for rehabilitation detoxification clinics & recovery & family counselling Aftercare Prevention Prevention Youth programmes programmes & education & education for fun, safe (after recovery programmes programmes in & uplifting activities & rehabilitation) in schools the community Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Accessing available support services • Outpatients: stay at home & go for treatment during the day. • Inpatients: live at the rehab centre for a few weeks to a year. • See Table 8.3 in your Student’s Book for examples of centres & clinics. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Table 8.4: Useful numbers for those affected by addiction Services Numbers Notes A 24-hour telephone LifeLine counselling service for all (Southern Africa’s 0861 322 322 forms of abuse, eating national helpline) disorders, suicide, bereavement & trauma LifeLine Aids Helpline 0800 012 322 HIV & Aids Substance Abuse 0800 12 13 14 (toll-free) A 24-hour helpline Helpline 32312 (SMS) Narcotics Anonymous 083 900 69 62 A 24-hour helpline Gambling Helpline 0800 006 008 (toll-free) A 24-hour helpline Childline 0800 055 555 (toll-free) A 24-hour helpline Crime Stop & 08600 10111 (call share) Report crime anonymously Crime Line 32211 (SMS) Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation (Life Skills) NQF Level 2

Learning activity 8.5 Module 8 Test your knowledge of this unit – and start preparing for Portfolio task 3 - by completing Learning activity 8.5 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Summative assessment Module 8 Test your knowledge of this module by completing the Summative assessment of Module 8 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 2

Portfolio task 3 Module 8 Complete Portfolio task 3 in your Student’s Book. This is a formal practical assignment. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation (Life Skills) NQF Level 2

Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation (Life Skills) NQF Level 2