Every year, drug and alcohol abuse costs of $245 billion, causes over half a million visits to the emergency rooms, and kills thousands. In this country about 14.8 million people are current users of illicit drugs, and about 8.2 million people are dependent on alcohol.
Being familiar with the names and effects of common drugs is the critical first step in preventing or reducing drug abuse.
Cannabis, marijuana or hashish, is the most widely used illicit drug. Its main active chemical is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Today, much of the marijuana tested has THC levels over 20 times higher than in the 1960s. Marijuana is psychologically addictive and long-term use leads to Amotivational Syndrome.
Drug: Marijuana
Common Names: Weed, pot, grass, bud, joints, bong hits |
Drug: Hashish
Common Names: Hash, hash oil |
Methods of Use: Smoked or ingested
Psychological/Physical Effects: Poor concentration; short-term memory loss; anxiety; increased appetite.
Long-Term Effects: Psychological addition; impaired memory; low motivation; lung or oral cancer.
Overdose: No single use of cannabis will cause overdose. Damage occurs over time. |
Depressants slow down the central nervous system and all body functions. Depressants cause euphoria and calm, and they decrease inhibitions. Some depressants are used medically as tranquilizers and anti-convulsants. Depressants can cause addition with painful withdrawal.
Drug: Alcohol
Common Names: Beer, wine, distilled spirits
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Drug: Benzodiazepines
Common Names: Xanax, Valium, Halcion, BZDs, benzos
Method of Use: Ingested |
Drug: Barbiturates
Common Names: Luminal, Seconal, Barbs, downers
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Drug: Rohypnol
Common Names: Roofies, forget-me pill
Methods of Use: Ingested or Snorted |
Drug: GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate)
Common Names: Grievous bodily harm, G, liquid x
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Psychological/Physical Effects: Disorientation; poor coordination; slurred speech; headache; nausea; vomiting and diarrhea; unconsciousness.
Long-Term Effects: Addiction; sleep disturbances; brain damage; heart disease; liver disease; cancers; death.
Overdose: Unconsciousness; slowed heart rate; brain damage; liver failure; coma; seizures; death. |
Stimulants speed up the brain and the body. Stimulants cause temporary excess energy, a false sense of power, and erratic behavior. They are rapidly addicting. Stimulants include cocaine (both powder and crack), prescription amphetamines, and methamphetamine. Ecstasy (MDMA) is a stimulant with hallucinogenic properties.
Drug: Cocaine/Crack
Common Names: Coke, blow, crack, rock
Methods of Use: Snorted, Smoked, or Injected |
Drug: Amphetamines
Common Names: Speed, uppers, cross-tops
Method of Use: Ingested |
Drug: Methamphetamine
Common Names: Meth, crystal, speed, crank, ice
Methods of Use: Snorted, Smoked or Ingested |
Drug: MDMA (methylene dioxymethamphetamine)
Common Names: Ecstasy, X, XTC, the club drug, the love drug, rolls, Adam, the hug drug, lovers' speed
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Psychological/Physical Effects: Increased alertness; false sense of power; hallucinations (MDMA); itchy skin; compulsive tooth grinding; nausea; insomnia.
Long-Term Effects: Addiction; nasal damage (Cocaine); tooth decay; heat stroke (MDMA); liver and kidney damage; brain damage; heart failure.
Overdose: Elevated body temperature; dehydration (MDMA); hallucinations; heart failure; stroke, death. |
Narcotics, also called opioids, are derived from the opium poppy. This group includes heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine. Except heroin, narcotics are used medically as pain killers. Narcotics block pain, produce euphoria, and are highly addictive. Heroin is now found in snortable and smokable forms. Heroin-related emergency room visits have increased over 50% in the last two years.
Drug: Heroin
Common Names: Dope, smack, stuff, horse, junk
Methods of Use: Snorted, Smoked, or Injected |
Drug: Morphine
Common Names: Roxanol, duramorph, M, Miss Emma
Method of Use: Injected, Ingested, or Smoked |
Drug: Prescription Pain Relievers
Common Names: Vicidin, codeine, Percodan, Dermerol, OxyContin, oxy, oxycotton, percs, hillbilly heroin.
Methods of Use: Injected, Ingested, or Snorted |
Psychological/Physical Effects: Confusion; drowsiness; blocked pain messages; slowed breathing and heart rates; nausea and vomiting; itching; constipation.
Long-Term Effects: Addiction; insomnia; arthritis; increased risk of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis; possible death.
Overdose: Loss of consciousness; tremors; slow, shallow breathing; clammy skin; convulsions; coma death. |
Hallucinogens, or psychedelic drugs, cause users to see, hear, and sense things that do not exist. The most common hallucinogen is LSD or "Acid." Others include psilocybin mushrooms, peyote/mescaline, Ketamine, and PCP. Today's hallucinogen users include young teens, high school students, and "rave" dance party-goers.
Drug: LSD (lysergic acide diethylamide)
Common Names: Acid, microdot, blotter, tabs
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Drug: Ketamine
Common Names: Special K, vitamin K, cat tranquilizers
Method of Use: Ingested, Snorted, or Injected |
Drug: Mescaline/Peyote
Common Names: Buttons
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Drug: PCP (Phencyclidine)
Common Names: PCP, angel dust, super weed, killer weed
Methods of Use: Ingested, Smoked, or Injected |
Drug: Psilocybin/Psilocyn Mushrooms
Common Names: Mushrooms, shrooms
Methods of Use: Ingested |
Psychological/Physical Effects: Sensing imaginary things; anxiety; nausea; sense of indestructibility (PCP); chills and sweating; trembling; elevated body temperature.
Long-Term Effects: Depression; memory loss (PCP); speech difficulties (PCP); flashbacks; violence; psychosis; amnesia.
Overdose: Depression; irrational behavior; violence; psychosis; delirium; amnesia. |
Inhalants include hundreds or ordinary household products and medical gases. Abusers concentrate their fumes and inhale them to feel intoxicated. Abusers tend to believe that the products are safe. Actually, they cause major organ and tissue damage and are responsible for Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, which can kill on the first use.
Drug: Adhesives, solvents, aerosol sprays, medical gases
Common Names: poppers, snappers, huffing, glue, whippets, laughing gas, rush
Methods of Use: Sniffing or Inhaling |
Psychological/Physical Effects: Headaches; nausea and vomiting; red or blistered nose and mouth; limb spasms; lost control of bladder and bowels.
Long-Term Effects: Damaged senses; muscle weakness; nerve damage; blood disease; damage to brain, liver, and kidneys.
Overdose: Death by asphyxiation/suffocation; death by sudden heart failure. |
Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids are related to the male hormone testosterone. The anabolic effects enhance muscle repair, endurance, and strength. The androgenic effects make females more masculine and make males for feminine. Steroids are addictive, cause major organ damage, and lead to emotional disturbances.
Drug: Anadrol, Depo-Testosterone, Equipoise, and many others
Common Names: Roids, juice, sauce, slop, gym candy, stacking
Methods of Use: Injected, Ingested, or Applied to Skin |
Psychological/Physical Effects: Poor concentration; aggression; acne and rashes; headaches; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; bone pain and muscle cramps.
Long-Term Effects: Aggression; poor blood clotting; heart attacks; liver and kidney cancer; stunted growth; deformed genitals.
Overdose: Swelling; elevated blood pressure; convulsions. |
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