Even with drug abuse prevention and increased education regarding illicit drugs, an estimated 55.6% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 have used an illicit drug. The harmful long-term side effects are often over looked in exchange for short-term highs.
Alcohol Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. Alcohol affects college students in many ways, even those who choose not to drink. Alcohol's effects vary greatly on the person and the amount of beverage consumed, but some short term side effects include: dizziness, a mild euphoria, a feeling of relaxation, impaired vision, slowed reaction time and nausea or vomiting. Balance and motor skills can also be affected. While moderate alcohol use has been found to reduce the risk of some types of heart disease, other harmful long-term effects of alcoholism include liver disease, cancer, heart disease and pancreatitis. Heavy drinkers are also at risk for hypertension and stroke.
Tobacco Short term effects of the nicotine found in tobacco products causes increased blood pressure and heart rate, and causes the arteries to narrow. The carbon monoxide in the tobacco decreases the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. There are many long-term negative side effects of tobacco use. Chronic lung disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and numerous types of cancer are all directly linked to tobacco smoke.
Cocaine Cocaine takes two forms: Crack, which takes the form of chips, chunks or rock and cocaine, or coke, which is a white crystalline powder. Crack is most often smoked and cocaine is often inhaled or injected. Immediate effects of cocaine include dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, insomnia, feelings of anxiety, restlessness and irritability. Increased mental clarity, reduced fatigue and increased energy are reasons many try this drug. This drug is extremely addictive and long term users face many side effects. High doses or long term use can trigger paranoia; smoking crack cocaine can cause the user to become aggressive and paranoid. Prolonged cocaine snorting can cause ulceration in the mucous membrane of the nose. Addicted users who attempt to quit also face depression and many other problems.
Methamphetamines Methamphetamines or meth can be taken orally, smoked, injected or snorted. This highly addictive drug causes an intense pleasurable rush after being smoked or injected. Snorting or swallowing meth produces a feeling of euphoria which lasts longer than the rush. Immediately following a rush the individual often becomes highly agitated and even violent. Other possible immediate effects include lack of appetite, increased wakefulness and insomnia, irritability, aggression, anxiety, nervousness, convulsions or heart attack. Meth is highly addictive, and users build up a tolerance quickly. This tolerance leads users to need larger amounts to achieve the same high. Some users "binge" and go for days without eating, using the drug until they run out. Chronic use can cause paranoia, hallucinations, repetitive behavior (such as obsessive cleaning, grooming, assembling or disassembling objects) and feelings of bugs or insects crawling under the skin. Users may obsessively scratch off their skin to attack the "insects". Long term use or high dosages can also cause toxic psychosis in which extreme aggressive and violent behavior is coupled with extreme paranoia. Meth can also cause strokes and death.
Heroin Heroin, which is derived from a form of Morphine, provides users with an initial intense rush and feeling of pleasure. Chronic users can quickly become addicted and are then faced with many negative long term effects. Infection of the heart lining and valves, liver disease, pneumonia, clogging of blood vessels which lead to the brain, liver, lungs or kidneys can result in death. These are just a few of the harmful after effects which heroin can cause. Ecstasy Ecstasy, taken in pill form often at raves or parties, provides users with increased self confidence, energy, feelings of peacefulness and acceptance. Users often have a desire to touch others and be touched in return. Other immediate side effects include involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, nausea, chills, sweating. The possibility of seizures also exists. When ecstasy is coupled with long periods of dancing, severe dehydration, muscle breakdown, hyperthermia or kidney, liver or cardiovascular failure may occur. After effects can include sleep problems, depression or anxiety. If the short term effects were not risky enough, long term Ecstasy use is also known to cause problems with memory and production of serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in one's mood, memory, appetite, pain and learning.
Steroids Anabolic steroids, sometimes taken illegally by athletes, are known to cause increases in lean muscle mass and strength and the ability to train longer and harder. However, anabolic steroid use can also cause liver tumors, jaundice, high blood pressure, shrinking of the testicles, infertility, baldness and many other unwanted physical effects. Short term steroid use is very harmful to the body although long term side effects are largely unknown.
Inhalants Any common household item can become an inhalant if used improperly. Inhalants provide users with an immediate feeling of intoxication, similar to that of alcohol. Nausea and vomiting are other common side effects. Lightheadedness, hallucinations and delusions may also be experienced. Long term users can experience compulsive use and a mild withdrawal syndrome. Weight loss, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, irritability and depression can also be side effects of long term use. Abusers who continue to inhale the drug over a period of several hours, to increase and prolong their high, are at risk for loss of consciousness and even death.
Marijuana This drug is the most frequently used illicit drug in the United States causing distorted perception of time, touch, sights and sounds. It may also cause a dry mouth and throat and red blood-shot eyes. Long-term users are at risk for many of the same problems as tobacco smokers. Although many myths about marijuana smoke not being hazardous to your health are filtering around, marijuana contains many of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations.
Prescription Drugs Prescription drug abuse can include pain relievers such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, Codeine and Percocet, sedatives such as Xanax and Valium or stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin. Taken exactly as prescribed these drugs effectively treat pain, attention deficit disorder, sleep disorders and many other disorders and disease. However, when taken illegally and in larger quantities, users may become addicted to the drugs and many harmful side effects may be experienced. Seizures, heart attack and risk of overdose and death are only a few of the negative consequences that can be experienced. In the case of prescription drugs, it is best to listen to what your doctor or pharmacist tells you, and to not share prescriptions with friends or family.
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