Illegal Substances

Drug use and abuse is something that you may have learned about or even come across in conversations with your peers, parents, and teachers. As you grow into adulthood, you may even have friends or acquaintances who abuse drugs and alcohol. Even though teenagers use adolescence as a time to experiment and test boundaries, many drugs are still illegal in most states. To make the best decision, educate yourself on illegal substances and the effects they can have on your mind and body. Some of these effects should certainly make you think twice about snorting, smoking, or inhaling any illegal substance. The consequences of using illegal substances can be harsh and land you in the hospital or jail.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a mind-altering stimulant. It can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. It is usually considered a “club drug” and is taken in pill form.

Also called: E, go, MDMA, Adam, and disco biscuit

Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that has the most rapid effect on the body after it is injected into the bloodstream. Heroin is a depressant that disrupts the brain’s ability to feel pain.

Also called: black tar, hell dust, and smack

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It produces large levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in areas of the brain that cause feelings of pleasure. It is highly addictive and has harsh effects on the body that can cause physical changes to one’s appearance.

Also called: meth, crank, chalk, speed, trash, tweak, crystal, and poor man’s cocaine

Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant most commonly seen in a powdered form that is usually snorted. Its effect on the body and mind is an alertness, restlessness, and excited irritability.

Also called: coke, crack, snow, and flake

Marijuana

Marijuana has been called a gateway drug, which means that, for some, frequent marijuana use leads to experimenting with other drugs. It is a mind-altering drug that is often smoked or eaten.

Also called: pot, hash, weed, bud, dope, and reefer

Prescription Drug Abuse

Drugs prescribed by a doctor are given for a reason. They are drugs that your doctor thinks need to be monitored in order for the doctor to help you. Overdosing on prescription drugs can cause severely adverse effects to your body or result in fatality. Every day in the United States, 2,000 teens illegally use prescription drugs for the first time. In 2012, the “Monitoring the Future” survey (www.monitoringthefuture.org) showed that prescription drugs are among the substances (behind alcohol and marijuana) most commonly abused by young adults.

Prescription drug abuse is illegal and dangerous. Most commonly abused prescription drugs are pain relievers, stimulants, and depressants. Over-the-counter medications are also misused and can have effects and consequences similar to those of prescription drugs.

• Pain relievers are opioids or narcotics that are taken in capsule or tablet form. The most commonly abused pain relievers are codeine, oxycodone, Percocet, and Vicodin.
• Stimulants are abused recreationally and to enhance performance. Commonly used drugs are Adderall and Concerta, which are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Abusing stimulants can lead to strong mood swings, depression, and fatigue. Common street names for these are addys, speed, and uppers.
• Depressants slow the central nervous system and treat seizures, sleep disorders, and panic attacks. Commonly abused drugs are Xanax, Valium, and Ambien. They may be referred to as tranks, downers, zombie pills, or barbs.
• Cough medicine or dextromethorphan (DXM) is also abused by ingesting it in large doses. DXM is an anesthetic and hallucinogen that can have extremely harmful effects on the body. Abusing cough medicine can cause nausea, chronic liver failure, and temporary psychosis, which can range from delusions to violent outbursts.

A common misconception about prescription drugs is that they’re safer than illegal drugs. Just because they are regulated and made in a controlled area, does not make them safe. If used as intended to treat a disorder, the medications are helpful. However, like illicit drugs, prescription drugs can have seriously negative effects on your mind and body if taken incorrectly.