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DRUG ABUSE - STREET, DESIGNER AND PERSCRIPTION DRUGS

Drugs have been used for thousands of years to produce a mind-altering affect for use in religious rituals and ceremonies. Since the 1960s, however, millions of Americans have used them to relax, reduce mental or physical pain, or to relieve anxiety, depression and other uncomfortable emotions.

The medical and mental health community is increasingly recognizing that there is a great deal of overlap between mental illness and substance abuse. Approximately one-third of individuals with a mental illness are also addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Chemical addiction is a life long, chronic condition. The key characteristics of an addiction are the repeated use of the chemical substance, the loss of control over how much or how often, and the continued use despite the consequences.

Cocaine and crack cocaine use remains high. Marijuana remains the most common illegal drug on college campuses. LSD and heroine use is growing among high school youths. Elementary students are now experimenting with drugs. Over ten million individuals in the United States use drugs to the point that their lives are highly compromised, and millions more become high on a regular basis.

Drugs of Abuse

Amphetamines - Long-term risks include chest pain; heart arrhythmias; seizures; ulcers; depression; paranoia; brain damage; sexual dysfunction; stroke; heart failure and violent behavior.

Cannabis (marijuana and hashish) - Long-term risks include impaired thinking, perception, coordination and memory; increased heart rate; high blood pressure; depressed immunity; bronchitis and lung cancer.

Cocaine and Crack Cocaine - Long-term risks include extreme suspiciousness; violence; damage to blood vessels; seizures; high blood pressure; chest pain; heart attacks; stroke; intracranial hemorrhage; hepatitis; HIV disease and heart infection.

Hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline) - Long-term effects include disturbing flashbacks and delusional disorder.

Inhalants - Long-term effects include hepatitis; liver failure; kidney failure; respiratory impairment irregular heartbeat; destruction of the bone marrow, and stupor and coma.

Opioids (opium, morphine, heroin, synthetic narcotics) - Long-term effects include malnutrition; lowered immunity; infection of heard lining; hepatitis; HIV disease; liver disease; coma and fatal overdose.

Phencyclidine (PCP) - Long-term effects are psychosis; increased danger of injury or harm to others due to impulsively, aggressiveness and violence; coma; convulsions; heart and lung failure; ruptured blood vessels in the brain; suicide and death.

Sedative-hypnotic and anti-anxiety drugs (prescription drugs) - Long-term effects include stupor; coma; fatal overdose or fatal reaction to sudden withdrawal.

Symptoms of drug abuse are:

Uses more of an illegal drug or a prescription medication or uses longer than intended
Repeatedly and unsuccessfully tries to cut down or control drug use
Takes drugs to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
Continues to use drugs even though they cause or worsen social or personal problems
Uses drugs in dangerous ways
Gives up or reduces social, work, or recreational activities because of drug use
Spends too much time seeking drugs, getting drugs, taking drugs or recovering from using drugs
Being high or feels so bad after using drugs that a normal life-style can't be maintained
Experiences drug related legal problems

Alcohol Abuse

Drug Abuse

Dual Diagnosis -substance
abuse & Mental Illness

Anxiety

Depression

Eating Related Disorders

Manic Depresion/Bi-Polar

Mental & Emotional Issues
in Elders

Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder

Panic Disorder

Phobia

Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder - PTSD

Schizophrenia

Chronic Illnesses &
Medical Problems

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Copyright © 2001 InnerWisdom, Inc. All rights reserved.

		DRUG ABUSE - STREET, DESIGNER AND PERSCRIPTION DRUGS Drugs have been used for thousands of years to produce a mind-altering affect for use in religious rituals and ceremonies. Since the 1960s, however, millions of Americans have used them to relax, reduce mental or physical pain, or to relieve anxiety, depression and other uncomfortable emotions. The medical and mental health community is increasingly recognizing that there is a great deal of overlap between mental illness and substance abuse. Approximately one-third of individuals with a mental illness are also addicted to drugs or alcohol. Chemical addiction is a life long, chronic condition. The key characteristics of an addiction are the repeated use of the chemical substance, the loss of control over how much or how often, and the continued use despite the consequences. Cocaine and crack cocaine use remains high. Marijuana remains the most common illegal drug on college campuses. LSD and heroine use is growing among high school youths. Elementary students are now experimenting with drugs. Over ten million individuals in the United States use drugs to the point that their lives are highly compromised, and millions more become high on a regular basis. Drugs of Abuse Amphetamines - Long-term risks include chest pain; heart arrhythmias; seizures; ulcers; depression; paranoia; brain damage; sexual dysfunction; stroke; heart failure and violent behavior. Cannabis (marijuana and hashish) - Long-term risks include impaired thinking, perception, coordination and memory; increased heart rate; high blood pressure; depressed immunity; bronchitis and lung cancer. Cocaine and Crack Cocaine - Long-term risks include extreme suspiciousness; violence; damage to blood vessels; seizures; high blood pressure; chest pain; heart attacks; stroke; intracranial hemorrhage; hepatitis; HIV disease and heart infection. Hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline) - Long-term effects include disturbing flashbacks and delusional disorder. Inhalants - Long-term effects include hepatitis; liver failure; kidney failure; respiratory impairment irregular heartbeat; destruction of the bone marrow, and stupor and coma. Opioids (opium, morphine, heroin, synthetic narcotics) - Long-term effects include malnutrition; lowered immunity; infection of heard lining; hepatitis; HIV disease; liver disease; coma and fatal overdose. Phencyclidine (PCP) - Long-term effects are psychosis; increased danger of injury or harm to others due to impulsively, aggressiveness and violence; coma; convulsions; heart and lung failure; ruptured blood vessels in the brain; suicide and death. Sedative-hypnotic and anti-anxiety drugs (prescription drugs) - Long-term effects include stupor; coma; fatal overdose or fatal reaction to sudden withdrawal. Symptoms of drug abuse are: Uses more of an illegal drug or a prescription medication or uses longer than intended Repeatedly and unsuccessfully tries to cut down or control drug use Takes drugs to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms Continues to use drugs even though they cause or worsen social or personal problems Uses drugs in dangerous ways Gives up or reduces social, work, or recreational activities because of drug use Spends too much time seeking drugs, getting drugs, taking drugs or recovering from using drugs Being high or feels so bad after using drugs that a normal life-style can't be maintained Experiences drug related legal problems	Alcohol Abuse Drug Abuse Dual Diagnosis -substance abuse & Mental Illness Anxiety Depression Eating Related Disorders Manic Depresion/Bi-Polar Mental & Emotional Issues in Elders Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Panic Disorder Phobia Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD Schizophrenia Chronic Illnesses & Medical Problems

		Back To Top Home \| About InnerWisdom \| Programs & Services Aspects of The Self \| Mental Health Topics The Wellness Philosophy \| Professional Outreach "My Precious Child" Workbook \| Contact Us \| Site Map If you have any questions or comments about our site, please contact the webmaster Copyright © 2001 InnerWisdom, Inc. All rights reserved.