Recognizing Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is occurring in epidemic proportions in our nation today. Seventy percent of all illegal drug users are employed and over half of all families are affected by substance abuse problems. Drug abuse accounts for $46.9 billion a year in direct and indirect costs to businesses and the economy. This amounts to over four times that of cancer and nearly a third greater than that of cardiovascular disease. The following information is designed to help you recognize the signs of drug abuse. It is difficult to know how to react when someone you care about uses drugs however; asking for help is a step in the right direction.

Alcohol is the number one drug problem in this country. It is estimated there are over 14 million alcoholics. Alcoholism is generally recognized as a multifaceted disorder involving psychological, environmental, biological and cultural factors.

Signs of alcohol use include memory loss, slurred speech, slowed reaction, depression, shallow respiration, nausea, cold and clammy skin, dehydration, decreased alertness, weepy or giggly.

Cocaine is a white crystalline powder derived from coca leaves. It is usually inhaled, creating a short-lived sensation of euphoria accompanied by feelings of mental alertness. Approximately six million Americans currently use cocaine.

Signs of cocaine use include extreme excitability, depression, loss of appetite, insomnia, dilated pupils, increased blood pressure and arrhythmias/palpitations.

Marijuana is the most widespread and frequently used illicit drug in the nation. Marijuana and hashish are both products of the cannabis plant, which contains the mind-altering cannabinoid THC. This collects in the fatty section of the body cells and organs, notably the brain and reproductive organs, and slowly leaks back into the bloodstream. Cannabinoids from one marijuana cigarette can take up to 21 days to leave the body entirely.

Signs of marijuana use include frequent mood changes, disoriented behavior, staring off into space, apathy, time distortion, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat, and short attention span and memory.

Narcotics are in the form of powder or pills. There are several types of narcotics: codeine, heroin, morphine and opium. Narcotics have been used both medically and non-medically for centuries.

Signs of narcotic use include drowsiness, euphoria, impaired coordination, stupor, pupils which are constricted and non-reactive to light, pallid complexion, craving for sweets and liquids, dry or clammy skin, watery eyes, yawning, chills, sweating, cramps and nausea.

Amphetamines (Uppers)

Amphetamines, usually in the form of capsules, have been widely used for their mood-altering effects. People use these drugs for a variety of non-medical reasons, such as to avoid sleep, to improve athletic performance and to experience the euphoric effects.

Effects of amphetamine use are not only exerted on the brain, but also the heart, lungs and other organs. Physical effects include dilated pupils, decreased appetite, agitation, excessive perspiration, restless behaviors and heart rate/blood pressure increase.

According to the Surgeon General, nicotine in tobacco products is an addictive drug comparable to heroin or morphine. Fifty million Americans smoke cigarettes, and approximately 320,000 people died this year as a result of tobacco products.

Long-term effects include lung cancer, cancers of the mouth and upper respiratory tract, bronchitis/emphysema and blockage of blood vessels in the heart muscle, the brain and the limbs.

Sedatives • Barbiturates • Depressants (Downers)

Barbiturates are medically helpful for sleep inducement and control of epilepsy. Many adults and teens abuse these drugs in an attempt to handle anxiety. Barbiturate doses larger than those usually prescribed may cause unconsciousness. Barbiturate overdose is a factor in close to one-third of all reported drug-related deaths, including suicides and accidental drug poisonings.

Signs of use are similar to those of alcohol intoxication: staggering, sleepiness, constricted pupils, slurred speech and slowed reactions.

PCP (Angel Dust)

PCP is a dry powder that can be smoked, sniffed, injected or taken orally.

The effects of PCP use include periods of prolonged anxiety, severe depression, drop in blood pressure and heart rate. These symptoms may be accompanied by loss of muscle control, sweating, dizziness, numbness, confusion, double vision, nausea, agitation, muscle rigidity and slurred speech.