The Wide World of Drugs

With so many possible drugs available today, is it any wonder that 1 in every 12 people has had, is having or will have a problem/addiction. Obviously there is wide variety of street drugs. However, often overlooked is the misuse/abuse of prescription drugs, which, according to recent studies, has become an extreme danger throughout society. As a matter of information, the material below is a basic list of drugs that are commonly being abused all of which can become physically and/or emotionally addicting and all of which may lead to medical complications and withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol
Comes in many forms such as beer, wine and hard liquor.
Obviously, alcohol is the most readily available drug and it ranks third in the United States as a cause of death. It is classified as a depressant and can negatively impact the brain, vision, hearing and muscle coordination. Alcoholism is impacting millions of Americans and their families each and every day, and among teenagers and college students, binge drinking has reached near epidemic proportions.

Marijuana
Also known as 'pot', 'weed', 'grass' and can come in other forms such as 'hashish' or 'hash'.

It's not the marijuana of the 60s and 70s any more. Its potency has increased by nearly 700 percent over the years. It can produce effects on the nervous system such as loss of energy, decreased coordination, loss of memory and questionable judgment or reasoning.

Heroin
Also known as 'smack', 'horse', 'H', 'tar' and 'China White', and sometime misspelled as "heron" and "heroine."

In its street version, this drug has been used for centuries to promote a sense of well being and to relieve pain. However, it also creates a very fast physical */dependency/* that is extremely difficult to break. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, synthetically produced opiates are manufactured primarily as pain relievers. Used judiciously, they have value. Abused, and they become just as dangerous as their street cousin heroin. Some of the more common prescription drugs in this category are Morphine, */Oxycontin/*, Vicodin, */Lortab/Loratab, Dilaudid, Darvon, Percocet, Percodan, Demerol, Hydrocodone/* and */Codine/Codeine/*. Methadone has also been used as a pain reliever and as a medication to ease withdrawal symptoms from heroin. However, there are some newer alternatives such as buprenorphine and soboxin (which is a combination of buprenorphine and moloxin to prevent misuse) that have been found to be quite effective without some of the drawbacks of methadone.

Cocaine
Also known as 'coke', 'blow', 'powder', 'snow' and 'nose' candy' or, in the case of 'crack', 'rock' or 'base'.

Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs available today. It offers an intense immediate rush lasting for 15 to 30 minutes with lesser euphoria for a few hours. However, as tolerance builds, more and more cocaine or switching to crack is needed to sustain the result. Negative complications from cocaine use are quite severe and can include respiratory problems, loss of ambition and efficiency, and time distortion. In addition, chronic use can result in near permanent brain impairment.

Methamphetamine Amphetamines
Also known as 'speed', 'meth', 'crystal', 'crank', 'uppers' and 'bennies'.

Pharmaceutical versions include Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert. These are very potent stimulants often used by people who want to stay awake and active for extended periods of time. Other than the pharmaceuticals, which can also lead to problems, meth is usually cooked in home-based laboratories with devastating results on the end user. The chemicals are commonly available in grocery and drug stores. However, when combined to make meth, they are quite volatile and can lead to explosions. The residue is also very dangerous and hazardous to the health of those who are exposed. Meth is quite addictive and those who are cut off from their supply can become violent and paranoid.

Sedatives Benzodiazepine
Also known as 'yellow jackets', 'ludes', roofies and reds and include those pharmaceutical drugs such as barbiturates and tranquilizers such as Xanax, Librium, Ativan and Valium among others.

Because of the availability of these drugs through prescription, these drugs are very easily abused, usually over a long period of time. As a result, the long-term, negative implications can be quite severe.

Club Drugs
Including 'Ecstasy' (also known as 'E', 'extasy', 'X, 'XTC' and essence');
'GHB' (also known as 'liquid ecstasy' and 'G'); 'Ketamine' (also known as 'K', 'Kat', 'Special K' and 'Vitamin K'); 'PCP' (also known as 'Angel Dust');
and 'LSD' (also known as 'acid').

Ecstasy combines the properties of methamphetamine and mescaline offering not only a rush, but also hallucinogenic qualities. Heavy doses can have wide ranging negative consequences. GHB and Rohypnolare commonly used to relax the user. However, they are often used for the purpose of gaining submission over the user without their knowledge, thus resulting in the name 'Date Rape drugs'. A large enough dose of GHB can also result in coma and death. Ketamine and PCP are veterinary anesthetics. Large enough doses can cause delirium, high blood pressure, amnesia and respiratory problems as well as a tendency toward violence. LSD was the hallucinogenic drug of choice in the 70s and is still readily available. Its use often results in delusions and a total loss of reality. It can also cause the user to suffer delusional flashbacks long after the last dose was taken.

Drug Identification ~ Additional Stimulants ~ Ritalin

Other Names: Ritalin, Cylert, Preludin, Didrex, Pre-State, Voranil, Sandrex, and Plegine
What It Looks Like: Pills or capsules
How it's Administered: It's taken orally or injected.
Effects on User: Loss of appetite, fevers, convulsions, severe headaches, irregular heartbeat and respiration, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
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Drug Identification ~ Methamphetamines

Other Names: Crank, Crystal meth, Crystal methadrine, and Speed
What It Looks Like: White powder, pills, rock that resembles a block of paraffin
How it's Administered: It's taken orally, injected or inhaled.
Effects on User: During the "up" time: Extra energy, cheerfulness, confidence, prevents sleep, reduces appetite, speeds up breathing and heart rate, widens the pupils. During the "down" time (about eight hours after use): Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, anxiety, anger.
Other Info: These drugs have a high risk of psychological dependence and regular users may develop delusions, hallucinations and feelings of paranoia that can progress into permanent paranoid psychosis.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Amphetamines

Other Names: Speed, Uppers, Ups, Black beauties, Pep pills, Copilots, Bumblebees, Hearts, Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Footballs, Bennies, Dexies, Jollies, Wake ups, and Biphetamine
What It Looks Like: Capsules, pills, tablets
How it's Administered: It's taken orally, injected or inhaled.
Effects on User: During the "up" time: Extra energy, cheerfulness, confidence, prevents sleep, reduces appetite, speeds up breathing and heart rate, widens the pupils. During the "down" time (about eight hours after use): Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, anxiety, anger.
Other Info: These drugs have a high risk of psychological dependence and regular users may develop delusions, hallucinations and feelings of paranoia that can progress into permanent paranoid psychosis.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

Cocaine
Other Names: Coke, Snow, Nose Candy, Flake, Blow, Big C, Lady, White and Snowbirds
What It Looks Like: White crystalline powder
How it's Administered: It's inhaled or injected
Effects on User: A "high" feeling of supremacy, constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, aggression, respiratory arrest, seizures, death.
Other Info: Cocaine is a powerfully addicted drug, and addicted individuals may become depressed when they stop using the drug.



Crack Cocaine
Other Names: Crack, rock, freebase
What It Looks Like: White to tan pellets or crystalline rocks that look like soap
How it's Administered: It's smoked.
Effects on User: Same as cocaine, but users may be particularly aggressive and paranoid.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Chlorohydrocarbons and Hydrocarbons

Chlorohydrocarbons
Other Names: Aerosol sprays or cleaning fluids
What It Looks Like: Like aerosol paint cans
How it's Administered: Its vapors are inhaled.
Effects on User: Double vision, loss of coordination, weakness, severe headaches, nausea or vomiting, numbness, irregular heartbeat, suffocation.


Hydrocarbons
Other Names: Solvents
What It Looks Like: Cans of aerosol propellants, gasoline, glue, paint thinner
How it's Administered: Its vapors are inhaled.
Effects on User: Hallucinations, stomach cramps, rashes around the nose and mouth and inflamed eyes, light headedness, dizziness and drowsiness, loss of control or unconsciousness, kidney damage, liver damage, heart failure, suffocation.
Other Info: All of the inhalants (nitrous oxide, amyl and butyl nitrite, chlorohydrocarbons and hydrocarbons) carry similar risks and can be deadly.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identiication ~ Amyl Nitrite and Butyl Nitrite

Amyl Nitrite
Other Names: Poppers or Snappers
What It Looks Like: Clear yellowish liquid in ampules
How it's Administered: It's vapors are inhaled.
Effects on User: A "high" feeling, dilates blood vessels, makes the heart beat faster.
Other Info: Amyl Nitrite is sold in a cloth-covered sealed bulb (so it can be crushed without hurting your fingers). When the bulb is broken, it makes a snapping sound and users inhale the vapors.



Butyl Nitrite
Other Names: Rush, Bolt, Bullet, Locker Room, and Climax
What It Looks Like: In small bottles
How it's Administered: Its vapors are inhaled.
Effects on User: A "high" feeling, increased blood pressure, followed by an increased heart rate, flushed face and neck, dizziness and headache.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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