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Drug
use is a serious reality that can have damaging consequences on
your health. Illegal drugs, or street drugs, have many harmful effects—but
they are also highly addictive. They can cause a chronic illness,
or chemical dependency, that will interfere with your ability to
function on a day-to-day basis. These drugs are illegal not only
because they are highly addictive, but also due to the health risks
associated (even for one-time users) and the unpredictability of
the chemical makeup of these drugs. With most drugs, you run the
risk of damaging parts of your brain, heart and nervous system with
each use. With stimulants such as cocaine, or with opiates like
heroine, you can overdose on your first try and even die. Psychotropic
drugs like acid and marijuana can cause serious often irreversible
emotional and psychological problems in users. Prescription drugs
for antianxiety, ADHD or pain relief are also highly addictive and,
if abused, can cause serious emotional problems as well as detrimental
health effects.
If you’re an adult, beyond “experimentation,”
and you’re still using illegal drugs, you have a problem.
Drug addiction and drug abuse seriously affect your lifestyle and
health, so it’s important to stop as soon as you acknowledge
that you have a problem. You might feel out of control or frightened
about seeking help. Although these feelings are natural, they are
also unfounded. So much help is available for you if you want to
stop a drug problem. Don’t feel afraid to talk to somebody.
You won’t get in trouble with the law if you come clean and
talk to a counselor about your drug use. Nobody can arrest you for
previous drug use. Talk to a family member or a trusted friend about
your problem first, or go directly to a trained professional for
help.
Read on to see the names and health effects
of some commonly abused drugs.
| Drug Category |
Also Known As |
Short-term Effects |
Effects from Prolonged Use |
| Cannabinoids |
Marijuana, pot, dope, ganja, reefer, weed,
dank nugs, chronic, hashish |
Confusion, slowed thinking and reaction time,
loss of coordination and balance, paranoia, dry mouth, loss
of sense of time, euphoria
|
Frequent respiratory infections, persistent
cough, learning and memory problems, persistent confusion, increased
heart rate, anxiety and panic disorder, tolerance and addiction
|
Barbituates
(Depressant) |
Phenobarbital, Nembutal, Seconal, Amytal, yellows,
reds, pills, downers, |
Calmness, reduced anxiety, lowered inhibitions,
low blood pressure, problems concentrating, fatigue, sleepiness,
dizziness, fainting, impaired judgment, slurred speech, fever
|
Fatigue, confusion, coordination problems,
addiction, depression, respiratory depression and arrest, irritability,
life-threatening withdrawal |
Benzodiazepines
(Depressant)
|
Ativan, Valium, Xanax, Librium, downers, sleeping
pills, tranks |
Sedation, drowsiness, dizziness |
Addiction and dependency, withdrawal symptoms,
depression, fatigue, confusion, irritability |
Flunitrazepam
(Depressant)
|
Rohypnol, roofies, R2, roofinol, The Date Rape
Drug |
Drowsiness, memory loss for the time under
the drug°s effect, urinary retention, visual and gastrointestinal
disturbances |
Addiction and dependency, withdrawal symptoms,
depression, fatigue, confusion, irritability |
Gamma Hydroxybutyrate
(Depressant)
|
GHB, G Liquid ecstasy |
Drowsiness, nausea/vomiting, headache, loss
of consciousness, loss of reflexes, seizures, coma, death |
Addiction and dependency, withdrawal, fatigue
and depression, impaired memory, seizures respiratory arrest
and death, coma |
Methaqualone
(Depressant)
|
Quaalude, Sopor, Parest, ludes |
Euphoria, reduced pain and anxiety, lowered
inhibitions, depression, poor reflexes, slurred speech, coma,
slowed pulse and breathing |
Addiction, memory loss, respiratory depression
and arrest, coma |
Ketamine
(Dissociative Anesthetic)
|
Special K, K, Vitamin K, cat tranquilizer |
Changes in heart rate and blood pressure, impaired
motor function, numbness, nausea/vomiting, delirium, depression,
respiratory arrest |
Depression, addiction and dependency, impaired
motor function and memory loss, respiratory depression and arrest,
coma, death |
Phencyclidine
(Dissociative Anesthetic)
|
PCP, angel dust |
Lower blood pressure and heart rate, panic
attacks, aggression and violence, loss of appetite, fatigue
|
Depression, addiction and dependency, memory
loss, impaired motor function, increased blood pressure, heart
disease, behavioral problems, coma and death |
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
(Hallucinogen)
|
LSD, acid, dose, microdots, blotters |
Altered state of reality and perception, increased
body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss
of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, paranoia and
panic |
Persistent mental disorders, tremors, flashbacks,
persistent perception disorder, insomnia |
Mescaline
(Hallucinogen)
|
Buttons, peyote, cactus, mesc |
Altered state of reality and perception, increased
body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss
of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, paranoia and
panic |
Persistent mental disorders, tremors, flashbacks,
persistent perception disorder, insomnia |
Psilocybin
(Hallucinogen)
|
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, shrooms, boomers,
magic mushrooms |
Altered state of reality and perception, increased
body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss
of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, paranoia and
panic |
Persistent mental disorders, tremors, flashbacks,
persistent perception disorder, insomnia |
Codeine
(Opiate)
|
Cody, Tylenol with Codeine, Robitussin A-C,
syrup |
Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, nausea,
confusion, constipation, sedation respiratory depression and
arrest, unconsciousness, coma |
Persistent confusion, fatigue, depression,
tolerance, addiction and dependency, respiratory depression
and arrest, death |
Heroin
(Opiate)
|
H, smack, junk, white horse |
Euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, constipation,
sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, unconsciousness,
coma, staggering gait |
Strong development of tolerance and addiction,
depression, fatigue, respiratory depression and arrest, coma,
death |
Morphine
(Opiate)
|
Roxanol, Duramorph, M, Monkey, white stuff
|
Euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, constipation,
sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, unconsciousness,
coma |
Tolerance and addiction, depression, fatigue,
respiratory depression and arrest, coma, death |
| Opium
(Opiate) |
Laudanum, paregoric, gum, hop, black
stuff |
Euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, confusion,
constipation, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, unconsciousness,
coma |
Tolerance and addiction, depression,
fatigue, respiratory depression and arrest, coma, death |
Oxycontin
(Opiate)
|
Oxy, O.C., killer |
Time-released pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness,
nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation, respiratory depression
and arrest, unconsciousness, coma |
Tolerance and addiction, depression, fatigue,
respiratory depression and arrest, coma, death |
Hydrocodone bitartrate, acetaminophen
(Opiate)
|
Vicodin, vike, Watson-387 |
Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, nausea,
confusion, constipation, sedation, respiratory depression and
arrest, unconsciousness, coma |
Tolerance and addiction, depression, fatigue,
respiratory depression and arrest, coma, death |
Amphetamine
(Stimulant)
|
Biphetameine, Dexedrine, speed, uppers, truck
drivers |
Loss of coordination, rapid breathing, delirium,
impulsive behavior, aggression, paranoia, panic, increased heart
rate, increased blood pressure, feelings of exhilaration, increased
mental alertness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced appetite
and weight loss, heart failure, nervousness and anxiety, sleeplessness
|
Increased blood pressure and heart disease,
unhealthy weight loss, panic disorder, persistent anxiety and
other mental disorders and psychosis, tolerance, dependency
and addiction, irritability, behavioral problems, heart failure
and death |
Cocaine
(Stimulant)
|
Blow, bump, coke, rock, snow, toot, crack |
Chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea, abdominal
pain, panic, impulsive behavior, aggression, paranoia, panic,
increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, feelings of
exhilaration, increased mental alertness, rapid or irregular
heartbeat, reduced appetite and weight loss, heart failure,
nervousness and anxiety, sleeplessness |
Increased blood pressure and heart disease,
unhealthy weight loss, panic disorder, persistent anxiety and
other mental disorders and psychosis, insomnia, tolerance, dependency
and addiction, irritability, behavioral problems, stroke, seizures,
headaches, heart failure and death |
MDMA
(Stimulant)
|
Ecstasy, E, X, lover's speed |
Mild hallucination, increased sensitivity and
sense of touch, emphatic feelings, impaired memory, learning
and concentration, altered perception of reality, hyperthermia,
cardiac toxicity, renal failure, liver toxicity |
Cardiac toxicity, renal failure, liver toxicity,
depression, numbness, persistent anxiety and other mental disorders
and psychosis, dependency and addiction, irritability, behavioral
problems |
Methamphetamine
(Stimulant)
|
Crank, crystal, meth, speed, glass |
Aggression, violence, psychotic behavior, memory
loss, paranoia, panic, increased heart rate, increased blood
pressure, feelings of exhilaration, increased mental alertness,
rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced appetite and weight loss,
heart failure, nervousness and anxiety, sleeplessness |
Cardiac and neurological damage, impaired memory
and learning, increased blood pressure and heart disease, un
healthy weight loss, panic disorder, persistent anxiety and
other mental disorders and psychosis, tolerance, dependency
and addiction, irritability, behavioral problems, heart failure
and death |
Methylphenidate
(Stimulant)
|
Ritalin, vitamin R, the smart drug, JIF |
Feelings of exhilaration and mental alertness,
energy, increased heart rate, change in blood pressure, irregular
heartbeat, psychotic episodes, digestive problems, loss of appetite,
heart failure |
Blood pressure increase, heart disease, digestive
problems, tolerance and dependency, irritability, behavioral
problems, psychosis, heart failure |
| Anabolic steroids |
Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, Depo-testosterone,
equipoise, roids, juice |
No intoxication affects:
Hostility and aggression, menstrual irregularities, development
of beard and other masculine characteristics, hypertension,
blood clotting, cholesterol changes, liver cysts and cancer,
kidney cancer, acne |
| Inhalants |
Nitrous oxide, laughing gas, glue, poppers,
whippets |
Stimulation, loss of inhibition, slurred speech,
nausea and vomiting, loss of coordination, wheezing, unconsciousness,
sudden death |
Depression, memory impairment, damage to cardiovascular
and nervous systems, sudden death |
If you have a drug problem or are in recovery, you should talk
to your healthcare provider about your situation. Your provider
needs to know what drugs you have been on, or are taking, in order
to get an accurate diagnosis. But your provider also needs to know
about your drug history in order to prescribe the right treatments.
Your drug abuse might have affected some of your medical treatments,
and that could explain certain symptoms you’re experiencing.
Furthermore, your provider will prescribe certain medications and
dosages depending on how these medications may interact with any
drugs you take as part of a recovery program or recreationally.
If you choose to continue to take illegal drugs, you should talk
to your provider about the health consequences of this choice. Your
provider won’t “turn you in,” but he or she can
advise you about your health, ways to stop if you have a dependency,
and options for counseling and support groups.
Click below to read about related topics.
Introduction
Alcohol
Smoking
Drugs
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