Dr. E or DRE? Physiology, Drug Use, and the Difference Between Impairment and Medical Conditions (Drug Recognition Experts Only)

Participants will take an in-depth look at the major systems of the human body and examine how each is affected by acute and chronic drug use. Through hands-on demonstrations and visualizations of neurotransmitters and brain function, attendees will gain a clearer, more practical understanding of what is happening inside the body--particularly the brain--during substance use. Complex physiological processes will be broken down into accessible, real-world concepts directly applicable to the field. Drawing from real DRE experience, this session also addresses one of the most significant--and often unspoken--concerns: How do we confidently distinguish between drug impairment and legitimate medical conditions? Misidentifying a medical emergency as drug impairment can have serious consequences.

• Identify all major systems and describe how drug use affects each one
• Understand neurotransmitter activity and its role in impairment and long-term substance abuse
• Recognize physiological signs that may indicate medical conditions rather than drug impairment Apply practical strategies to differentiate substance abuse from medical emergencies in the field