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Below are some
of the more common drugs and their effects. It
is assumed here that people know the positive
effects they are looking for, but frequently
ignore or are ignorant of the probable negative
side effects. Everyone who uses drugs does so
for the positive "feel good," but no drug comes
without negatives and anyone who takes drug long
enough will eventually run up against the
negatives. |
Effects of
Methamphetamine:
Methamphetamine use is associated with many
serious physical problems. The drug can cause
rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and
damage to the small blood vessels in the
brain--which can lead to stroke. Chronic use of
the drug can result in inflammation of the heart
lining. Overdoses of methamphetamine can cause
hyperthermia (elevated body temperature),
convulsions, and death.
Individuals who abuse methamphetamine also may
have episodes of violent behavior, paranoia,
anxiety, confusion, and insomnia.
Methamphetamine also can produce psychotic
symptoms that persist for months or years after
an individual has stopped using the drug.
Methamphetamine abusers who inject the drug
expose themselves to additional risks, including
contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne
viruses. Chronic users who inject
methamphetamine also risk scarred or collapsed
veins, infections of the heart lining and
valves, abscesses, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and
liver and kidney disease.
Effects of Cocaine:
Powdered cocaine is a powerful central nervous
system stimulant. Individuals who use the drug
may become restless, irritable, and anxious. Use
of powdered cocaine also can result in
constricted blood vessels and increased
temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Heart attack, respiratory failure, stroke, and
seizure also may result from cocaine use. Using
cocaine at the same time as alcohol is consumed
is particularly dangerous because it heightens
the cocaine's euphoric effect and potentially
increases the risk of sudden death.
Cocaine is a very addictive drug. Chronic users
risk developing tolerance to cocaine's effects.
Many addicts report that as tolerance develops
they fail to achieve the positive effects they
experienced when they first began using the
drug; thus, they begin to use cocaine with
greater frequency and in larger doses.
Cocaine users who inject the drug expose
themselves to additional risks, including
contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne
viruses.
OxyContin:
Individuals who abuse OxyContin risk developing
tolerance for the drug, meaning they must take
increasingly higher doses to achieve the same
effects. Long-term abuse of the drug can lead to
physical dependence and addiction. Individuals
who become dependent upon or addicted to the
drug may experience withdrawal symptoms if they
cease using the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms associated with OxyContin
dependency or addiction include restlessness,
muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea,
vomiting, cold flashes, and involuntary leg
movements.
Individuals who take a large dose of OxyContin
are at risk of severe respiratory depression
that can lead to death. Inexperienced and new
users are at particular risk, because they may
be unaware of what constitutes a large dose and
have not developed a tolerance for the drug.
In addition, OxyContin abusers who inject the
drug expose themselves to additional risks,
including contracting HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis B and C, and
other blood-borne viruses.
Effects of Prescription Drugs:
The risks associated with prescription drug
abuse vary depending upon the drugs that are
abused. Abuse of opioids/narcotics/pain
relievers can result in life-threatening
respiratory depression (reduced breathing).
Individuals who abuse depressants, including
benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, barbiturates,
and sedatives, place themselves at risk of
seizures, respiratory depression, and decreased
heart rate. Stimulant abuse can cause high body
temperature, irregular heart rate,
cardiovascular system failure, and fatal
seizures. It can also result in hostility or
feelings of paranoia. Individuals who abuse
prescription drugs by injecting them expose
themselves to additional risks, including
contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus),
hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne
viruses.
Adapted from DOJ National Drug Intelligence
Center
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