Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol

In Arizona, alcohol is a legal drug.  Nonetheless, it is a depressant and is the leading drug of abuse in America.  Use of alcohol may affect judgment and decision-making abilities, slow down the central nervous system and brain function, and reduce coordination and reflex actions.  Alcohol use (even low doses) may increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including physical altercations, threats, and domestic abuse. Higher doses may cause marked impairments in mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses may cause respiratory depression and death.  Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, also can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

A 12-oz. can of beer, a 5-oz. glass of wine and a 1.5-oz. shot of hard liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.  Coffee, cold showers and exercise do not speed up the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol – only the passage of time will free the body from the effects of alcohol.

Marijuana

Marijuana is a derivative of the cannabis sativa plant and is illegally used for its intoxicating effects and dreamy state of relaxation and euphoria.  All forms of marijuana have negative physical and mental effects.  Long-term users of marijuana may develop tolerance levels requiring more and more marijuana to achieve the same “high”.  Prolonged use leads to dependence, and the drug can become the center of users’ lives.  The active ingredient in marijuana is Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Inhalants

Inhalants are mood-altering substances that are voluntarily inhaled.  Most substances used are commercial and household products, such as solvents and aerosols, which are easily obtained and are not harmful, if used for the purpose intended and as directed. Because they are common products, inhalants often are a young person’s first attempt at “getting high”.  Inhalants can severely impair judgment and driving ability.  They also cause severe disorientation, visual distortion and confusion.  There is evidence that tolerance to the effects of inhalants develops with continued use so, users need to increase use to obtain the same high.  Studies have shown that dependence on inhalants continues even when the user goes on to use other drugs.  Inhalants include: Nitrous Oxide, laughing gas, propellant aerosol cans, Amyl Nitrite, poppers, snappers in ampules, Butyl Nitrite, rush, bullet, climax, aerosol sprays, aerosol paint cans, containers of cleaning fluid, gasoline, glue and paint thinner.

Cocaine

Cocaine is the most potent stimulant of organic origin and the most widely used of the stimulants.  Although cocaine has been used in the past as a topical anesthetic, its therapeutic uses have almost been eliminated due to the development of safer anesthetics.  Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug leading to physical and psychological dependence.  Cocaine powder is sniffed or snorted.  Occasional use can cause a stuffy or runny nose, while chronic use can ulcerate the mucous membrane of the nose. Cocaine powder can also be injected into the bloodstream when it is mixed with water.  Preparation of freebase, which involves the use of volatile solvents, can result in death or injury from fire or explosion. Inhalation of cocaine fumes from freebasing produces effects that are very fast in onset, very intense and momentary in duration.  Crack is cocaine that is processed into tiny chips having the appearance of slivers of soap.  Crack has become a very popular form of cocaine, since it is inexpensive and relatively easy to use. It is smoked in a pipe or rolled with tobacco in a cigarette.

OTHER STIMULANTS

Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and excite bodily activity. Methamphetamine is one of the fastest growing drugs of abuse.  These drugs create less intense and less expensive cocaine-like effects in the body.  Persons who use large amounts of amphetamines over a long period of time can develop an amphetamine psychosis that includes hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. These symptoms usually disappear when drug use ceases.  Amphetamines can be swallowed in pills or capsules, smoked as “crank” and “ice” or injected. An amphetamine injection creates a sudden increase in blood pressure that can result in stroke, very high fever or heart failure.

Depressants

A depressant is a drug that depresses the central nervous system, resulting in sedation and a decrease in bodily activity.  Depressants, taken as prescribed by physicians, can be beneficial for the relief of anxiety, irritability, stress and tension.  The main classes of medical depressants are barbiturates and benzodiazepines. When regular users suddenly stop taking large doses, they can develop withdrawal symptoms ranging from restlessness, insomnia and anxiety to convulsions and death.  Babies born to mothers who abuse depressants during pregnancy may be physically dependent on the drugs and show withdrawal symptoms shortly after they are born. Birth defects and behavioral problems also may result.  Depressants are known as: barbiturates, downers and tranquilizers, such as Valium, Librium, Equanil, Serax, Tranxene and Xanax.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogenic drugs distort the senses and often produce hallucinations–experiences that depart from reality.  Some negative health effects may last six months to a year following prolonged daily use.  Phencyclidine (PCP) interrupts the function of the neurocortex, the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check, because the drug blocks pain receptors. Violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries.  Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline and psilocybin also are hallucinogens that cause illusions and hallucinations. It is common to have a bad psychological reaction to LSD, mescaline and psilocybin. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety and loss of control. Delayed effects or flashbacks can occur even after use has ceased.

Narcotics

Narcotic analgesics are the most effective compounds used for pain relief. Narcotic analgesics include Opium, Opiates (morphine, codeine, percodan, heroin and dilaudid) and Opioids (synthetic substitutes such as vicodin, darvon, demerol and methadone).  Narcotics can be smoked or eaten (opium), injected, taken orally or smoked (morphine), inhaled, injected or smoked (heroin).  Opiates also are known as: heroin, smack, horse, brown sugar and black tar.

Designer Drugs