An Inventory of Common Drugs that are Abused or Misused

Drugs are easily subject to abuse, when they are not used for their original intent. Some like tobacco or alcohol can also cause you to develop an addiction. Other drugs that tend to be missued include prescription drugs, marijuana, ecstasy, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, steroids and inhalants.

Alcohol. Feel depressed? Go for alcohol. It is a legalized depressant. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the type of alcohol used in alcoholic beverages. If not consumed excessively, alcohol should not pose a problem. Amazingly, 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.

However, certain groups of people are well advised to stay away from any drops of alcohol. They include those who are pregnant, plan to drive or participate in activities where being alert is required for safety reasons, those currently taking over-the-counter medications or who are ill, recovering alcoholics, and individuals under age 21.

The dangers of an alcohol addiction are many. They can impair your judgment, your coordination, lower your vision, and cause a delayed reaction time. Alcohol consumption has also been found to be related to birth defects as well as long-term health problems such as liver and heart disease and cancer.

Smoking. Many people pick up smoking due to their inability to cope with stress. While it is known that smoking can cause death, caution is thrown to the wind. An estimated 46.5 million adults in the U.S. alone smoke cigarettes. Smoking is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths each year. In terms of health costs, tobacco-related diseases make up more than $75 billion in medical care and over $80 billion in indirect cost to society.

The health risks of smoking are tremendous. There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Even smokeless tobacco products are not safe. They contain nicotine and other toxins. Damage occurs when nicotine reaches your brain in only 10 seconds after inhaling when using a cigarette. The risks to pipe smokers and cigar smokers, are typically lower since they do not inhale the smoke. For them, nicotine is absorbed more slowly through the mucosal membranes of the mouth.

Prescription Drugs. Prescription drugs that are often abused fall into one of three categories: narcotics, depressants, and stimulants. Narcotic (analgesic) drugs are the most commonly misused of prescription drugs.

Methamphetamine. In the desire to lose weight, many people have resorted to using the stimulant, Methamphetamine. Unfortunately, when subject to abuse, it has an effect on the central nervous system (CNS). The symptoms include irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, increased wakefulness, lowered appetite, increased respiration, hypethermia, and euphoria. In severe cases where hyperthermia and convulsions are experienced, death can occur.

Marijuana. Marijuana is a schedule I controlled substance. The marijuana plant contains delta-9-tetrhydrocannabinol (THC), producing psychoactive effects. Marijuana is often used for its medical benefits in treating nausea, glaucoma, pain, and multiple sclerosis.

However, it is recognised that it can also result in impaired thinking, increased problem-solving difficulties and loss of memory. It can also cause a reduced balance and coordination, increase risk for heart attack, and result in a heightened risk of chronic cough and respiratory infections, in addition to a potential risk for hallucination and withdrawal symptoms. Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke does.

Crack cocaine. This is a is a form of cocaine popular way to feel the euphoric effects of cocaine. Crack rocks can be 75% to 90% pure cocaine. Cocaine usage can cause health risks such as increases in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. It can also cause irritability, restlessness, anxiety. Long term usage can create violence and paranoia. Smoking cocaine also can impact your respiratory functions with shortness of breath, chest pains and lung trauma.

MDMA. MDMA also known as ecstasy is abused by teenagers and young adults. It is often used in combination with alcohol and other drugs, which then increases the danger. It is marketed as a “feel good” drug because it eliminates anxiety and aids in fostering positive feelings and empathy for others. Taking this drug can result in no appetite or an inability to go to sleep.

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.

Anabolic Steroids. These are often abused by athletes such as 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.

However, while they can add muscle bulk, they can also cause serious health consequences such as 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.

Those who use steroids before the end of their adolescent growth spurts can expect to become shorter in height 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. Inhalents are very easy to develop since they come from common household and workplace products. They are sniffed to get a “head rush”. Unfortunately, in the process, you can also develop severe mood swings, numbness, asphyxia, visual hallucinations, slurred speech, headache, loss of muscle control, muscle weakness and abdominal pain. Other symptoms may include violent behavior, irregular heartbeat,nosebleeds, hepatitis, as well as liver, lung, kidney and brain damage.