Drug Abuse - Street, Designer and Prescription Drugs

Drugs have been used for thousands of years to produce a mind-altering affect for use in religious rituals and ceremonies. Since the 1960s, however, millions of Americans have used them to relax, reduce mental or physical pain, or to relieve anxiety, depression and other uncomfortable emotions. 

The medical and mental health community is increasingly recognizing that there is a great deal of overlap between mental illness and substance use. Approximately one-third of individuals with a mental illness are also addicted to drugs or alcohol. 

Chemical addiction is a life long, chronic condition. The key characteristics of an addiction are the repeated use of the chemical substance, the loss of control over how much or how often, and the continued use despite the consequences. 

Cocaine and crack cocaine use remains high. marijuana remains the most common illegal drug on college campuses. LSD and heroine use is growing among high school youths. Elementary students are now experimenting with drugs. Well over ten million individuals in the United States use drugs to the point that their lives are highly compromised, and millions more become high on a regular basis. 

There is a growing reform in the country around the sale and use of marijuana.  Some states have legalized it and others are looking to pass legislation.   It is discussed often on radio and television.  Studies point to its use being less destructive than alcohol and cigarettes.  Time will tell on its destructive properties, but it appears that marijuana use is viewed as less destructive than the corruption of the sale and cost of incarceration.

Drugs of Abuse

Amphetamines - Long-term risks include chest pain; heart arrhythmias; seizures; ulcers; depression; paranoia; brain damage; sexual dysfunction; stroke; heart failure and violent behavior.
Cannabis (marijuana and hashish) - Long-term risks include impaired thinking, perception, coordination and memory; increased heart rate; high blood pressure; depressed immunity; bronchitis and lung cancer.
Cocaine and Crack Cocaine - Long-term risks include extreme suspiciousness; violence; damage to blood vessels; seizures; high blood pressure; chest pain; heart attacks; stroke; intracranial hemorrhage; hepatitis; HIV disease and heart infection.
Hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline) - Long-term effects include disturbing flashbacks and delusional disorder.
Inhalants - Long-term effects include hepatitis; liver failure; kidney failure; respiratory impairment irregular heartbeat; destruction of the bone marrow, and stupor and coma.
Opioids (opium, morphine, heroin, synthetic narcotics) - Long-term effects include malnutrition; lowered immunity; infection of heard lining; hepatitis; HIV disease; liver disease; coma and fatal overdose.
Phencyclidine (PCP) - Long-term effects are psychosis; increased danger of injury or harm to others due to impulsively, aggressiveness and violence; coma; convulsions; heart and lung failure; ruptured blood vessels in the brain; suicide and death.
Sedative-hypnotic and anti-anxiety drugs (prescription drugs) - Long-term effects include stupor; coma; fatal overdose or fatal reaction to sudden withdrawal. 

Symptoms of drug abuse are:  

• Uses more of an illegal drug or a prescription medication or uses longer than intended
• Repeatedly and unsuccessfully tries to cut down or control drug use
• Takes drugs to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
• Continues to use drugs even though they cause or worsen social or personal problems
• Uses drugs in dangerous ways
• Gives up or reduces social, work, or recreational activities because of drug use
• Spends too much time seeking drugs, getting drugs, taking drugs or recovering from using drugs
• Being high or feels so bad after using drugs that a normal life-style can't be maintained
• Experiences drug related legal problems