Drug abuse

Drug abuse is the recurrent use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs with negative consequences. These consequences may involve Problems at work, school, home, or in interpersonal relationships Problems with the law Physical risks that accompany using drugs in dangerous situations Information MARIJUANA About 2 in 5 Americans have used marijuana at least once in their life. Marijuana comes from a plant called hemp (Cannabis sativa). This and other ingredients, called cannabinoids, are found within the leaves and flowering parts of the marijuana plant. Hashish may be a substance taken from the tops of female marijuana plants. It contains the highest amount of THC. If you inhale marijuana smoke (such as from a joint or pipe), you'll feel the consequences within seconds to many minutes. If you eat foods containing the drug (such as "hash brownies,") you'll feel the consequences within 30 - hours. Marijuana acts on your central nervous system.

Decreased ability to perform tasks that need coordination (such as driving a car) Decreased interest in completing tasks Delirium Firmly held false beliefs (delusions) Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations) Bloodshot eyes Increased pulse and vital sign Infections like sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma in heavy users Irritation of the airways causing narrowing or spasms Possibly weakening of the immune system Sore throat Trouble telling oneself from others Violence (may be related to marijuana that's laced with a drug called PCP) Regular users may have withdrawal effects once they stop marijuana use.
 These may include: Agitation Anxiety Insomnia Irritability MEDICAL MARIJUANA The medical use of marijuana is controversial, yet it's the active ingredient (THC) is legal for medical purposes in at least 16 states. (Whole marijuana is illegal, even for medical use.) PCP is an illegal drug that comes as a white powder, which may be dissolved in alcohol or water. PCP could also be smoked, shot into a vein, or taken orally. How quickly it affects you depends on how you take it. Smoked: the consequences begin within 2 - 5 minutes, peaking at 15 - half-hour. Taken by mouth: In pill form, or mixed with food or drinks, PCP's effects usually start within a half-hour. Different doses of PCP may cause different effects: Lower doses of PCP typically produce feelings of joy (euphoria) and fewer inhibition, almost like being drunk. Higher doses can cause numbness throughout the body, and perception changes that may lead to extreme anxiety and violence. Large doses may produce paranoia, "hearing voices" (auditory hallucinations), and other forms of psychosis, similar to schizophrenia.
 Massive doses, usually from taking the drug by mouth, may cause kidney failure, heart arrhythmias, muscle rigidity, seizures, and even death. Because of the pain-killing (analgesic) properties of PCP, users who get seriously injured might not feel any pain. LSD AND OTHER HALLUCINOGENS LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a strong hallucinogen. Only tiny amounts are needed to cause effects, like hallucinations. LSD use may cause: Anxiety Blurred vision Dilated pupils Seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations) Paranoia and other delusions Tremors Other commonly abused hallucinogens include: Psilocybin (mushrooms, "’ shrooms") Hallucinogens can cause extreme anxiety and loss of touch with reality, called "bad trips". These experiences can come as a "flashback," even without using the drug again. Such experiences typically occur during times of increased stress and have a tendency to occur less often and intensely after stopping the drugs.