The Dangers of Drug Use: Side Effects of Commonly Used Drugs

Updated: August 6, 2019

Although not classified as a disease, substance abuse is a very destructive addiction that all too often ruins lives. Unfortunately, despite the risks associated with drug use, large numbers of individuals continue to experiment and regularly use one or several forms of dangerous substances. Being informed about the most commonly used drugs and their long-term effects can be useful.

Mood Altering Drugs: The Stimulants

Cocaine, heroin, and crank cocaine are mood altering drugs that belong to the “stimulants” drug classification. These stimulants work by increasing neural activity in the brain, causing the user to feel confident and euphoric.

Cocaine:

Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the cocoa plant and mixed with a variety of other chemicals to form a white powder. When cocaine is absorbed by the body, a variety of pleasurable neurochemicals are released into the system. Dopamine, one such chemical, produces such euphoria that a great number of first-time users want to repeat the experience. Cocaine addiction is prevalent due to its highly addictive nature. See cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

image of cocaine Long-term physical and psychological effects: It is not uncommon to overdose on cocaine when high doses are taken. An overdose of this drug can cause a heart attack or stroke, kidney failure, or brain hemorrhage. Long-term effects may include: depression, aggressive or violent behavior, hallucinations, tumors, sleeplessness, tremors and muscle pain.

Heroin:

Heroin is processed from morphine which is a naturally occurring substance taken from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. On the street Heroin is commonly known as skag, H and junk. The drug is usually injected, snorted, or smoked. It is so highly addictive that it is possible to get hooked after just one use.

the picture of heroin Long-term physical and psychological effects: Heroin addiction is not easily overcome. The drug is related to infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, infection of heart lining and valves, arthritis, collapsed veins and abscesses. See heroin withdrawal symptoms.

Crank Cocaine:

Crack is the name that is given to cocaine that has been processed using baking soda or ammonia and then transformed into a more powerful rock form. It is highly likely that a user will become addicted to the drug after one use. Crack cocaine is generally smoked, but it is possible to inject or snort the drug.

Long-term physical and psychological effects: Crank cocaine can cause severe depression, mood disturbances, aggressive and paranoid behavior, psychosis, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, respiratory failure, brain seizure, sexual dysfunction, reproductive damage and death.

Club Drugs

The term “club drugs” refers to a number of drugs that are commonly used at all-night parties such as raves and in dance clubs and bars. The most common ones include LSD or Acid, ecstasy and methamphetamine. These drugs are no less dangerous than cocaine and heroin, and often have the same destructive effects.

LSD:

Also known as tabs, trips or sugar cubes, LSD is the most commonly used hallucinogen and one of the most powerful mood and behavior altering chemicals on the market. LSD is usually found on blotter paper and taken orally.

The long-term physical and psychological effects: Most chronic users of LSD experience intense flashbacks after prolonged exposure to the drug. In addition, the user may see trails of light or color even when not using the drug. The drug has the ability to significantly increase heart rate and can cause damage to their heart.

Methamphetamine:

Commonly called speed, meth or chalk, this is an incredibly powerful and addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The drug can be made quite easily in illegal home laboratories, using inexpensive, over-the-counter ingredients. Methamphetamine is odorless and colorless and is taken orally or smoked.

The long-term physical and psychological effects: Extreme fatigue, increased appetite, mental illness, suicide, hallucinations, aggressive and violent behavior, brain damage, behavior similar to paranoid schizophrenia are related to the use of methamphetamine. See cocaine methamphetamine symptoms.

Ecstasy:

Also known as E, Roll and X, ecstasy is a synthetic drug with amphetamine and hallucinogenic-like properties. The drug is officially classified as a stimulant and can be taken in pill form.

The long-term physical and psychological side-effects: Prolonged use of ecstasy may cause sleeplessness, depression, and anxiety. Repeated use of the drug will eventually damage or destroy the cells that produce serotonin which helps to regulate mood, appetite, pain, learning and memory.

Alcohol and Nicotine are Addictive too!

Much time has been spent educating people on the dangers of drug use, but it should not be forgotten that alcohol and nicotine are also addictive and can have life-threatening side effects.

Alcohol addiction can cause severe liver damage, often resulting in death. For people who are unable to stop drinking on their own, alcohol rehabilitation may be the only way to quit this potentially fatal habit.

Nicotine, one of the most addictive drugs on the market, can cause lung cancer and emphysema.

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