HEALTH RISKS: Commonly Abused Substances

Category

Drug

Dependence Potential

Common Complications

Possible Effects

Alcohol

Beer, wine, liquor

Yes

Severe impairment of all physical and mental functions; high risk of choking or injury from falls or accidents; loss of consciousness; coma; death due to anesthesia of brain centers controlling breathing and heart rate.

Muscle relaxation; impaired motor control, memory and judgment; depression; intoxication.

Cannabis

Marijuana, hashish, hashish oil

Yes

Fatigue; reactions ranging from mild anxiety to panic and paranoia; confusion, disorientation; hallucinations and distortion of sense perceptions.

Altered sense of time and visual perception; euphoria; memory interference; reduced coordination and reflex response capacity.

Hallucinogens

LSD (acid), psilocybin, peyote, mescaline, many other natural and synthetic hallucinogens

Unknown

Impaired judgment leading to impulsive actions; paranoia; rapid mood swings; "bad trip" - fear, anxiety, paranoia, panic, and hallucinations to match; exhaustion after use; depression; fears - often of death, of one’s mind not working right, or flashbacks.

Altered sense of time, space, and visual perception; disorientation; hallucinations; nausea; dilated pupils; cross sensory perceptions; dizziness; increased temperature, blood pressure and heart rate; sweating and chills.

Narcotics

Heroin, codeine, morphine, opium, percodan, percocet, fentanyl, oxycontin

Yes

Shallow and slow breathing; dizziness; vomiting; sweating; convulsions; coma; possible death.

Euphoria; drowsiness; nausea; respiratory depression.

Nicotine

Cigarette, cigar, pipe smoking; chewing tobacco

Yes

Increased risk of: heart attack; cardiovascular disease; mouth, throat and lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases.

Increased heart rate and blood pressure; irritation of eyes, nose and respiratory tract; shortness of breath; decreased sensitivity to taste; depression.

Sedatives

Barbiturates, tranquilizers, methaqualone, other depressant drugs

Yes

Shallow respiration; weak and rapid pulse; coma; possible death from depression of central nervous system functions.

Drowsiness; slurred speech; disorientation; impaired coordination.

Steroids

Anabolic steroids

Yes

Aggressive behavior; rage; psychosis; reduced fertility; stroke; liver damage; increased cancer risk.

Acne; aggressive behavior; anger management problems; cholesterol imbalance; impotence; psychosis.

Stimulants

Cocaine, crack, speed, amphetamines, diet pills, and many other natural and synthetic stimulant products

Yes

Agitation; irritability; dizziness; confusion; tactile or visual hallucinations; seizure; convulsion; stroke; possible death. After effects of exhaustion and depression.

Increased alertness; increased pulse and blood pressure; euphoria; pupil dilation; insomnia; loss of appetite. Fatigue and some depression after effects wear off.

“Club Drugs”

GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine, Ecstasy

Yes for some in this category

Nausea, vomiting, dehydration, impaired coordination, confusion, muscle spasms, blurred vision, dizziness, slurred speech, hallucinations, unconsciousness, amnesia, aggressive behavior, rapid mood swings.

These drugs are often associated with sexual assaults due to their amnesia inducing and intoxication like effects. Partial or complete amnesia; intoxication effects similar to alcohol. Ketamine can create hallucinations.