It is a fact that heroin is particularly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly. With heroin, the rush is usually accompanied by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and severe itching.

One study showed that 40% of alcoholic women attempted to commit suicide, compared to 8.8% of non-alcoholic women.

Some argue that rebound insomnia is itself a sign of physiological dependence on benzodiazepine hypnotics (e.g., Morgan, 1990). Others insist that dependence is shown only when withdrawal from a drug leads to symptoms other than a rebound of the original problems. In general, psychological dependence on benzodiazepines can develop rather rapidly. After only a few weeks, patients who attempt to discontinue the medication may experience restlessness, disturbing dreams, paranoid ideas and delusions, and feelings of tension or anxiety in the early morning. Withdrawal following moderate-dose usage may include dizziness, increased sensitivity to light and sound, and muscle cramps. Withdrawal following high-dose usage may result in seizures and delirium. The syndrome of withdrawal from benzodiazepines may be slowin onset because these drugs remain in the body for relatively long periods. Withdrawal appears to be most severe in patients who used benzodiazepines that are absorbed rapidly and have a rapid decline in blood serum levels (alprazolam, lorazepam, and triazolam). In patients who abused both benzodiazepines and alcohol, a delayed benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome may complicate withdrawal from alcohol. Patients who are high-dose abusers of benzodiazepines usually require inpatient detoxification.

GHB and Rohypnol are inexpensive, which has made them increasingly popular at raves and with younger users.

Kentucky is a major source of domestically grown marijuana.

Predatory drugs in southeastern Kentucky are limited in availability and usually confined to cities where colleges and/or universities are located.

The commonwealth of Kentucky consistently ranks as one of the top three, marijuana producing states.

Primary suppliers of methamphetamine in Kentucky are Mexican DTOs.

The Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program destroyed 492,615 marijuana plants in Kentucky in 2007.

The abuse of prescription drugs, primarily hydrocodone and oxycodone (Lortab, Lorcet, Vicodin® and Oxycontin), remain one of, if not the, largest drug problem in southeastern Kentucky.