Different drugs are used in different ways and produce different effects, so it’s not always easy to spot if a loved one is using drugs or developing an addiction. Understanding the most common types of drug abuse can help you recognise the signs, provide support and seek effective treatment. This article explores the various substances commonly abused, their effects on the body and mind and the potential dangers associated with each.
Drug abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, illicit drugs and prescription medications. It often leads to physical and psychological dependence, resulting in negative consequences for the individual’s health, relationships and overall well-being. Drug abuse can take many forms and its impact can vary depending on the substance involved, the frequency of use and the individual’s health and circumstances.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances worldwide and is legal in most countries; only 10 have outlawed alcohol. Excessive consumption of alcohol, or dependence on alcohol, is known as alcoholism and affects millions of people around the world.
Alcohol abuse can cause all sorts of health issues, including liver disease, arrhythmia of the heart, brain damage, fertility problems, a weakened immune system and a higher risk of developing cancers in the mouth, throat, stomach, bowel, breast and liver. Excessive alcohol consumption also impairs judgment and motor skills, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries and risky behaviours.
Heroin is a highly addictive illegal opioid that comes from morphine. This drug can be injected, snorted or smoked and comes with significant risks. While it quickly produces a feeling of intense euphoria, followed by a sense of relaxation, the dangers include overdose, severe physical dependence and the risk of infectious diseases (due to needle sharing).
Long-term use can lead to collapsed veins, organ damage and a higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The withdrawal symptoms from heroin are particularly intense, making it difficult to stop using heroin without professional help.
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that is often snorted, smoked or injected. It provides a short-lived, intense high, characterised by increased energy, euphoria and alertness. The rush lasts only briefly, from as little as a few minutes to an hour, but its effects linger.
Chronic use of cocaine can cause problems with the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs (especially for people who smoke crack cocaine), and it can also affect the brain and cause death by overdose. People who use cocaine over a prolonged period of time have trouble with regular brain functions including memory, decision-making and attention.
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, grass, weed, 420 and Mary Jane (to name just a few), is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs around the world, although a few countries have legalised its sale and use. Despite this, there are still risks to the drug as it alters the perception of those who use it.
Marijuana is mostly thought of as being smoked but it can also be taken via edibles, topicals and tinctures, and as well as its perception-altering abilities, it also produces a sense of relaxation. Although it’s often thought of as being less addictive than other drugs, heavy usage can lead to dependency, cognitive issues and mental health issues including psychosis.
Prescription drug abuse is using legally prescribed drugs (designed to help with a range of conditions) improperly; either by taking higher doses, taking the drug for longer than it should have been used for, or by taking drugs that weren’t prescribed for the person taking them. It’s best to always take medicine responsibly.
Commonly abused prescription drugs include analgesics (painkillers), hypnotics (sleep aids) and over-the-counter medicines that contain codeine or other opiates. Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction and serious health problems including respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, mental health disorders and in severe cases, overdose and death.
Hallucinogens, such as LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and PCP (phencyclidine), are substances that are typically used for their mind-altering effects, which can include hallucinations (in both vision and sound), changes in thought patterns and a distorted sense of time.
While under their influence, hallucinogens can alter the user’s perception, mood and brain functions, causing severe anxiety, paranoia and flashbacks. In the long term, hallucinogen abuse can lead to persistent psychosis or other long-term mental health issues.
Inhalants refer to a broad category of substances that are inhaled to produce mind-altering effects, with commonly abused inhalants including household products like glue, paint thinners and aerosol sprays.
The effects of inhalants are typically short-lived but can be extremely dangerous. Inhalant abuse can cause sudden sniffing death syndrome, a fatal heart condition, as well as long-term damage to the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. Chronic use can lead to cognitive impairments, neurological disorders and severe physical dependence.
Rehabilitation centres, like ANA Treatment Centres, offer professional help when it comes to the recovery journey. We provide treatment for people who have issues with substance abuse as well as support and information for those affected. Get in touch today to find out how ANA Treatment Centres can help.
