




Facts
Methamphetamine affects your self-control. Meth is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause aggression and violent or psychotic behavior. Heroin commonly distributed in the western and southwestern regions of the United States is called Black Tar or Mexican Brown. These varieties are produced in Mexico and—because they're manufactured crudely—have an either hard black coal or sticky, tar-like consistency. Purity rates range from 20–80%. There has also been a dramatic increase in the use of the so-called harder drugs, like heroin, amphetamines, and LSD. Preliminary results from the 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that the United States is experiencing a heroin epidemic. The estimated number of current heroin users has jumped from 68,000 in 1993 to 216,000 in 1996, and many of these new heroin users are adolescents and young adults. Overall, adolescent use of heroin has nearly doubled since 1991, and 20% of 8th graders report that heroin is readily available to them. The increase in heroin use among adolescents has been associated predominantly with nasal use (snorting or sniffing) rather than use by injection. Global market forces have brought an increasingly higher purity of heroin to the streets, along with greater supplies and cheaper prices ($10 a dose). Heroin purity of less than 5% was the rule 25 years ago, but now purity of 80% to 90% is available. Therefore, nasal administration is effective and efficient, and needles are not necessary. Factors associated with injection drug use that might have kept adolescents away from heroin (needle phobia, social stigma, fear of infection with HIV and/or hepatitis) are not barriers to nasal heroin use. In addition, adolescents may be initially more likely to use nasal heroin because they mistakenly believe that it is safer and less addictive. However, heroin dependence can readily occur with only nasal use. Like nasal cocaine in the 1970s, nasal heroin has become trendy and glamorous. Images of actors, pop stars, and models who use heroin send potent messages ("heroin chic") to adolescents. Both first-time and experienced nasal users risk overdose and death because of the high but variable purity of today's heroin. Overdose may even be the first clinical presentation of a drug problem in a heroin-using adolescent. Amphetamines, like other stimulants, are generally abused in binges. People take the drug repeatedly for some period of time—usually every three or four hours for three or four days. Then, during a crash period, the user sleeps, eats, and takes no drug at all. As tolerance develops, the user takes higher doses. Stopping amphetamine use suddenly usually results in depression. Mood generally returns to normal within a week, although craving for the drug can last for months. There is little evidence for the development of physical dependence to the amphetamines. Although some experts view the crash—with low energy, depression, exhaustion, and increased appetite—that can follow the amphetamine binge as a withdrawal syndrome, others believe that the symptoms can also be related to the effects of chronic stimulant use. In other words, during the binge, users have not slept or eaten much, resulting in depression, exhaustion, and hunger when the binge ends. |
Alcoholism
Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a condition that includes craving and continued alcohol abuse despite repeated drinking-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It includes four major areas: Craving: - A strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Impaired control: -The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: -Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: - The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
Drug Overdose
A drug overdose occurs when you consume more drugs than your body can tolerate. Drug users are constantly flirting with the risk of a drug overdose. There is a
fine line between the high they're seeking and serious injury or death. While many victims of drug overdose recover without long term effects, there
can be serious consequences. Some drug overdoses cause the failure of major
organs like the kidneys or liver, or failure of whole systems like the
respiratory or circulatory systems. Patients who survive drug overdose may need
kidney dialysis, kidney or liver transplant, or ongoing care as a result of
heart failure, stroke, or coma. Death can occur in almost any drug overdose
situation, particularly if treatment is not started immediately.
Addict
An addict is an individual who has a compulsive urge to use drugs, to the point where they feel they have no effective choice but to continue use. An addict will continue their self destructive behaviors in order to feel good or to avoid
feeling bad. It can dominate their mind, and keep them coming back for more. The addiction can be
different for each addict, depending on their vice and the kind of person they
are.
Addiction
Addiction is one of the many consequences of so-called 'casual' drug and alcohol abuse. A loss of control over drugs and alcohol can be driven by physical or psychological factors, or sometimes both. Physical addiction takes place when the body comes to need a drug to function normally. If it is not taken, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur. The only way to avoid this is to take more of the drug. Psychological addiction takes place when an individual comes to rely on a drug to supply good feelings, such as relaxation, self-confidence, self esteem, and freedom from anxiety. This is not just a casual desire, it's a powerful compulsion.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal is what happens when a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol discontinues use. There are numerous symptoms that take place both physically and emotionally when an addicted individual stops using. Withdrawal can last a few days to a few weeks and may include nausea or vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety. Keep in mind; this only occurs if a person has regular, heavy use of a drug or alcohol. Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable without professional help. Treatment for withdrawal from alcohol or drugs may require a medical professional to be present. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is often the best way to overcome withdrawal and its symptoms as well as recovery from drug addiction.
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