Drugs that are Abused or Misused

Drugs that are Abused or Misused

There are many drugs that are intentionally abused or misused and are either not used for their original intent or are not perceived as drugs such as tobacco and alcohol.

Drugs that are typically abused or misused are: tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, methamphetamine, marijuana, ecstasy, crack cocaine, heroin, steroids and inhalants.

An estimated 46.5 million adults in the U.S. alone smoke cigarettes even though smoking cigarettes is known to be responsible for more than 400,000 deaths each year.

Tobacco-related disease cost more than $75 billion in medical care and over $80 billion in indirect cost to society. There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

Smokeless tobacco products also contain nicotine and other toxins. Nicotine reaches your brain in only 10 seconds after inhaling when using a cigarette.

Pipe smokers and cigar smokers, typically do not inhale the smoke, so for them, nicotine is absorbed more slowly through the mucosal membranes of the mouth. 

Alcohol is a legalized depressant. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the type of alcohol used in alcoholic beverages.

In moderate use, alcohol may not become a problem. In fact, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that those who drink in moderation are less likely to die from one form of heart disease than those who do not drink any alcohol or those who drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol. 

There are some individuals who should not drink at all as alcohol can harm them including those who are pregnant, plan to drive or participate in activities where being alert is mandatory for safety. Those wh are taking over-the-counter medications, those with medical conditions that are made worse by consuming alcohol, recovering alcoholics, and those individuals under age 21. 

Alcohol can impaired your judgment, your coordination, can impair your vision, and cause a delayed reaction time.

Alcohol consumption is related to birth defects, long-term health problems such as liver and heart disease and cancer. 

Narcotic (analgesic) drugs are the most commonly misused of prescription drugs. 

Prescription drugs that are often misused are in one of three categories: narcotics, depressants, and stimulants.

Narcotics such as oxyContin, Vicodin and percocet; depressants such as Xanax, Valium, and Librium; stimulants such as ritalin, dexedrine, and meridia are often prescribed for health reasons but can be misused by those who they are prescribed for or family members. 

Methamphetamine is a stimulant used in treating obesity. It can have an affect on the central nervous system (CNS) such as increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hypethermia, and euphoria as well as irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and also aggressiveness.

If hyperthermia and convulsions are experienced they can result in death.

Prednisone Drugs They can be in the form of an enema, creams, lotions, and ointments or by applicator. The medication can be a semi-solid, or a suppository. Drugs and Medicine

 

Marijuana is a schedule I controlled substance. The marijuana plant contains delta-9-tetrhydrocannabinol (THC), which produces psychoactive effects.

The use of marijuana is controversial as some use it for medical benefits. Medical benefits that may be helpful to treat nausea, glaucoma, pain, and also multiple sclerosis.

Medications Drugs There are three categories of drug interactions that include: Two or more drugs reacting to each other such as taking a sleeping pill and an allergy pill at the same time Another interaction can be between a drug you are taking and a beverage such as alcohol having an effect on certain drugs that will make you sleepy The last category is when a medical condition has a potentially harmful effect on the medication such as experiencing an increase in blood pressure when taking a certain decongestant that could make someone with high blood pressure be in a harmful condition Drugs and Medicine

Marijuana does pose health risks such as impaired thinking, increased problem-solving difficulties and loss of memory. It can also cause a reduced balance and coordination, increase your risk for heart attack, and give you a heightened risk of chronic cough and respiratory infections as well as have a potential risk for hallucination and withdrawal symptoms.

Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke does. 

MDMA also known as ecstasy is abused by teenagers and young adults and is often used with alcohol and other drugs which compounds the danger.

It is marketed as a "feel good" drug because it eliminates anxiety and fosters positive feelings and empathy for others. It can also suppress the need to eat, drink, or sleep. 

Crack cocaine is a form of cocaine. Crack rocks can be 75% to 90% pure cocaine.

Smoking crack is a popular way to feel the euphoric effects of cocaine. Cocaine is very addictive.

In 1983 5.8 million Americans admitted to being addicted to cocaine. Cocaine usage can lead to health risks for increased temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Can create restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and long term use can create violence and paranoia.

Smoking cocaine can lead to respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, chest pains and lung trauma and bleeding in the lungs. 

Heroin is another highly addictive drug, which is an illegal opiate drug, which is known on the streets as smack, junk, brown sugar, dope, horse, and skunk. 

The most often abused steroid is anabolic steroid used by weight lifters, body builders, cyclists and long distant runners. The drug promotes muscle growth and is sold at gyms, competitions and by way of mail order. 

Health consequences of abusing steroids are shrinking testicles, painful urination, baldness and irreversible breast enlargement in males.

In females usage of steroids can decrease body fat and breast size, deepen the voice, and create excessive body hair as well as loss of scalp hair.

Abusers who used before the end of adolescent growth spurts can anticipate being shorter than they would have been if they had not used steroids.

Fatal liver cysts and liver cancer as well as an increased risk for heart attack and stroke are also possible with steroid usage. 

Inhalants include common household and workplace substances that are sniffed or huffed in order to receive a "head rush" or high. 

Just one time using inhalants can put your health at risk including asphyxia, visual hallucinations, severe mood swings, numbness and tingling of hands and feet, loss of muscle control, slurred speech, headache, muscle weakness and abdominal pain.

Nsebleeds, hepatitis, violent behavior, irregular heartbeat, liver, lung and kidney impairment as well as brain damage are all possible when using inhalants.