Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant used in liquid form. Different types include beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is absorbed by the stomach and immediately enters into the bloodstream. The first and most common side effect is the loss of inhibitions, allowing the drinker to "relax" and feel "comfortable" in various social situations. When too much alcohol is consumed, the user experiences dizziness, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and most dangerously it impairs judgment and coordination. Alcohol is related to many traffic fatalities, as many users do not realize the full extent of their loss of ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Frequent use of alcohol over a long period of time can lead to addiction characterized by extreme cravings. When alcohol use is suddenly stopped, withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Long-term alcohol use can produce severe damage to the brain and liver. When a pregnant mother consumes alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome can occur. The child may suffer from mental retardation and physical abnormalities.


Crystal Meth

Crystal Methamphetamine is easily manufactured in homemade and unsafe labs. It is a seriously addictive substance and has become a growing epidemic. A study published by the National Association of Counties reports "Meth" users as typically 20 to 30 years old, ranging from college students to blue-collar workers. It affects men and women equally. Crystal Meth is now reported as the number one drug problem in many counties across the nation. In addition, it has become a growing problem in gay communities nationwide and is being linked to a recent rise in HIV infection rates.

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant affecting the central nervous system. The user experiences increased wakefulness, an increase in physical activity, a loss of appetite, and a feeling of euphoria. Snorting, injecting, or smoking may take the drug orally. Methamphetamine is known by many street names, including meth, ice, chalk, crystal, tina, crank, and glass.

Long-term side effects of use include behavioral changes, insomnia, and paranoia. Convulsions and death are possible. The drug can permanently destroy many of the brain's neurotransmitters, resulting in "holes" in the brain.

Methamphetamine use is increasing drastically. Arrests for use or production in so called "meth labs" have greatly risen. In response, the 12-step group Crystal Meth Anonymous has spread throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.


Marijuana

The marijuana smoked in the United States consists of the flower and dried top level of the flower and dried top leaves of the plant cannabis sativa. Unlike alcohol, relatively simple chemical, marijuana contains over 400 chemicals, 60 of which are unique to the marijuana plant. Marijuana, when lit, causes an additional 1,600 chemicals to be formed. As the pot smoker inhales, these chemicals invade every cell of the user's body. The ingredient that creates the "high" is Delta-9-THC, commonly referred to as THC. Like alcohol, marijuana is a central nervous system depressant. Pot, like most other drugs, wears down the motivation of users. It erodes the will to perform. Ambition is lost. The chronic marijuana user no longer cares about success and achievement. In addition to the unknown short- and long -term dangers of so many chemicals entering the user's body, THC has a particular characteristic that increases its harmfulness. THC is soluble in fat; THC is not soluble in water. Since our body gets rid of its waste through a water system using urine, feces, sweat and blood, THC cannot escape. It stays trapped in the body. In addition, THC finds it's resting place in fatty parts of the body. The most sensitive and critical are: the brain, the lungs, the liver and the reproductive system.


Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant, creating a quick, intense euphoria, accompanied by a decrease in hunger, indifference to pain and fatigue, and illusions of great physical strength and mental capacity. Crack is an extremely addicting form of cocaine that is smoked. Cocaine causes dramatic changes in the way brain cells operate. As a powerful stimulant, it causes the activity of the brain to speed up. The result can make the brain inoperative, unable to send its life supporting messages to the heart and lungs. A violent seizure and death will follow. Cocaine can also kill through heart attacks brought on by the extra strain forced on the heart. Cocaine constricts the blood vessels of the user placing a tremendous stress on the heart and circulatory system. Death can also occur by severe irregular heartbeat, a stroke or a brain seizure. Cocaine is a profound producer of mental depression. Cocaine causes other psychological problems including:

	Anxiety Attacks
	Intense Irritability
	Acute Paranoia
	Violent Behavior
	Suicide

Other deaths are caused by suffocation brought on by an unnaturally deep sleep or unconsciousness resulting from a cocaine binge. The anesthetized tissues in the back of the throat may block breathing. Cocaine is often mixed with other drugs, particularly alcohol, which increases the user's risks dramatically.

Opiates - Painkillers

Opiates come from the juice in the unripe seedpods of the opium poppy. These drugs are used medically to relieve pain, coughing and diarrhea. They also offer an intense euphoric effect for people seeking a high. Opiates give a brief dream-like sense of well being and relaxation. Their use results, very quickly, in addiction. Heroin accounts for a large percentage of opiate abuse. However, medicines such as morphine, meperidine, and cough medicines with codeine are also abused and can lead to addiction. Side effects of opiates include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, euphoria, mood swings and mental confusion. Over time, opiate users may develop infections of the heart lining and valves, skin abscesses and congested lungs.


Inhalants

Inhalants are breathable chemicals that produce mind-altering vapors. They include amyl and butyl nitrate, solvents such as glue and lighter fluid and aerosol products. They produce effects similar to anesthetics. High doses can cause unconsciousness. Inhalants can cause nausea, lack of coordination, loss of appetite, decreased heart and breathing rate, and tiredness. Loss of self-control, violent behavior, losing touch with one's surroundings and unconsciousness can result from deep breathing of vapors or using a lot over a short period. Death from use is not unusual. This can be caused by suffocation, depresses central nervous system response or aspiration from vomiting. Long-term use can result in weight loss, nervous system damage, liver, kidney, and blood and bone damage.


Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens, or psychedelics affect a person's perceptions, sensations, thinking and emotions. They include drugs such as LSD, mescaline, DMT and peyote. They are used in various ways from tablets to smoking to eating mushrooms. They cause intense physical and psychological effects on the body and mind. Heavy users develop brain damage such as impaired memory and attention span and confusion. Other effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, tremors and sleeplessness. Bad trips may result in panic, confusion, suspiciousness, and feelings of helplessness and loss of control. Flashbacks of experiencing the effects without taking the drug can occur. Mood swings and sense of time and self can change causing panic. Mental or emotional problems that were not apparent can be unmasked with use.


Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs cause a special danger to chemically dependent people. Often the abused drugs are taken initially for legitimate medical reasons: for example, to assist in reducing pain from chronic illness such as arthritis or headaches. Dependence on prescription drugs can occur over a few weeks or several years. Denial, because of the nature of the initial use, can be very high. When the patient attempts to stop using the prescription drug, the initial problem appears to re-emerge and new problems are often added. The addictive cycle has begun.

Chemically dependent people in recovery must take responsibility for monitoring the prescription drugs they use. Any mood-altering drug can lead to relapse and a return to chemical abuse. Your chemical dependency must be stated to your physician and pharmacist. Even then, a careful self-monitoring of prescribed medicines is important.


Suboxone

Suboxone (buprenophine/naloxone) is a partial opioid (eg. Oxycodone or heroin) agonist used for the treatment of opiate dependence in both the office-based and outpatient treatment setting. Suboxone has the ability to complement opiate treatment programs by decreasing illicit opiate use and improving treatment compliance.