- Alcohol
Alcohol abuse and dependence can result in a number of significant family, social, professional, legal, and medical problems. Alcohol intoxication or its aftereffects (i.e. a “hangover”) may lead to declines in one’s occupational or academic performance or lead to the neglect of household responsibilities (i.e. child care, doing chores). Individuals who abuse alcohol may also encounter legal difficulties as the result of their drinking behaviors (i.e. arrests for drunk driving). After prolonged use, individuals may also experience symptoms of withdrawal symptoms if alcohol during periods when alcohol is not consumed, which include: sweating, racing pulse, insomnia, shaking, nausea, anxiety, and seizures.
- Amphetamines (Speed)
Amphetamines are a type of stimulant drug that cause increased wakefulness and focus as well as decreased need for sleep and food. Not only can long-term amphetamine dependence have a number of social and legal consequences, but often result in physical symptoms, including: malnutrition, tooth loss, and heart problems. Amphetamine abuse often leads to paranoia (i.e. the belief that one is being followed or watched). Treatment can involve inpatient or outpatient detoxification, substance abuse treatment, as well as individual and family psychotherapy.
- Caffeine
Caffeine is a common legal drug found in coffee, soft drinks, and energy drinks and is ingested by a large portion of the American population. However, like other drugs, excessive caffeine use can have some harmful side effects. Consuming more than 250 mg of caffeine (i.e. more than 2-3 cups of coffee) can lead to caffeine intoxication. Observable signs of caffeine intoxication include restlessness, nervousness, inability to sleep, upset stomach, racing heart, and muscle twitches. Heavy use of caffeine has also been associated with anxiety, mood, eating, psychotic, sleep, and other substance abuse disorders.
- Cocaine
Cocaine is a type of stimulant drug that is most commonly snorted or smoked by users. Street names for cocaine include coke, blow, nose candy, crack, and rock. Common observable symptoms of cocaine intoxication include: increased energy or excitability, increased talkativeness and laughter, dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, emotional instability, sweating, and hallucinations. Prolonged use of cocaine can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include: fatigue, vivid nightmares, insomnia or hypersomnia, increased appetite, restlessness, and depressed mood.
- Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms)
Hallucinogens are potent mind and mood-altering drug that can have a number of dramatic and unpredictable psychological effects, altering both perception (visual and auditory hallucinations) and mood (rapid mood swings ranging from euphoria to rage). There are a variety of different hallucinogenic drugs that occur naturally (mushrooms, peyote) and artificially (LSD, PCP, ketamine). Common street names for these drugs include: LSD, acid, blotter, ketamine (special-k, vitamin-k), shrooms, and PCP (angel dust). Hallucinogens are typically taken orally in the form of tablets, liquid, or absorbent paper, but can also be smoked. Overdose can result in seizures, coma, and even death. However, individuals that take hallucinogens are most often brought to emergency rooms due to accidental injury or suicidal behaviors resulting from the effects of the drug.
- Inhalants (paint, glue)
Inhalants include a number of over-the-counter gas, aerosol, or solvent products that are inhaled and absorbed by the lungs due to their intoxicating effects. This type of drug is typically abused by children/teenagers and other populations that have limited access to typical recreational drugs. Even short-term inhalant use can have a number of long term physical effects, including: brain damage, pneumonia, cardiac arrest, and death. Treatment involves medical treatment (depending on severity) and individualized psychotherapeutic intervention. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is important to evaluate the extent of brain damage resulting from inhalant use.
- Marijuana (Cannabis)
Marijuana, or cannabis, is the most frequently abused drug in the United States. Composed of the dried hemp plant, marijuana is smoked in cigarettes called joints, cooked in food, or brewed in tea. Hashish and hash oil are more concentrated forms of marijuana. The active ingredient in marijuana is THC, which quickly passes into the brain and binds to cannabinoid receptors and triggers intoxication. Getting “high” on marijuana can cause impairment in thinking, problem solving, coordination, learning and memory, emotional regulation, and coordination. Long-term use can additionally cause irritability, paranoia, interpersonal conflict, poor career performance, increased appetite, weight gain, decreased intellectual functioning, and is associated with episodes of depression, anxiety, suicide, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Continuous use of marijuana is addictive, and there is a known withdrawal syndrome associated with discontinuation of marijuana.
For more information about marijuana, please consult the following resources and check our YouTube site:
Langton, J. (2008) No need for weed: Understanding and breaking cannabis dependency.
NIDA:
www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
Marijuana Anonymous:
www.marijuana-anonymous.org
- Nicotine
While used by many throughout the world, nicotine (the drug found in tobacco products) is a highly addictive substance. While 80% of individuals who smoke or use other tobacco products express a desire to quit or have tried to quit, only 5% of those that make unaided attempts to quit are able to do so. Nicotine dependence is characterized by the development of tolerance with increased use and can lead to withdrawal symptoms when not taken in frequent intervals. Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include depressed mood, insomnia, irritability, anger, difficulty concentrating, and weight gain.
- Opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine, opium)
Opioids are a common recreational drug often used for reduction of pain and the calming and euphoric effects that they have on the human body. This classification of drug is highly addictive and can have a number of long-term physical and psychiatric consequences. Due to the potential for withdrawal symptoms, inpatient or outpatient detoxification is typically required. Following detoxification, treatment can involve participation in substance abuse rehabilitation, individual and family psychotherapy, and medication.
- Phencyclidine
Phencyclidine is a substance that is most commonly smoked, but can be taken intravenously or orally. Common street names for phencyclidine include PCP, Hog, Tranq, Angel Dust, and PeaCe Pill. Formerly used as a surgical anaesthetic agent, it became banned after patients displayed significant psychological effects from the drug. Phencyclidine has been known to alter mood states in an unpredictable fashion, causing some individuals to become detached, and others to become highly animated. Intoxicated individuals may act in an unpredictable fashion, possibly driven by their delusions and hallucinations, and euphoria. On some occasions, dangerours side effects have occurred, resulting in aggressive behavioral reactions. Individuals may feel severe changes in body image, depersonalization, or loss of boudaries. Other behavioral disturbances have resulted in self-injurious behavior and attacks on others or property.
- Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Antianxiety Drugs (Pain pills, sleeping pills, Xanax, Valium)
Commonly prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as anxiety and insomnia, the most commonly abused types of this drug classification are barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, and phenobarbital) and benzodiazepines (Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax). Most commonly ingested in pill form, these drugs are taken recreationally due to the pleasurable calming effects that they have on mind and body. Signs of intoxication include slurred speech, loss of coordination, stupor resembling drunkenness, and involuntary, rapid eye movement.
