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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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