In 2008 453,000 Americans age 12 and older used heroin at least once reports the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA and according to Hartwick College, cocaine is one of the fastest growing drugs of abuse because of its accessibility in the form of "crack". The health risks of drug abuse are significant.
Alcohol
Dependency and physical addiction occur with repeated use of alcohol. According to MayoClinic.com alcoholic hepatitis from binge drinking can be life threatening. Long term abuse of alcohol can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. The liver is the detoxifier of the body and drugs and alcohol pass through the liver in order for the "toxins" to be removed. When the amount of alcohol exceeds the liver's capacity to process, the liver cells called hepatocytes, become damaged. This leads to an inflammatory response which can be fatal. Long term abuse of alcohol can also adversely affect nutrition and cause alcoholic encephalopathy, a type of brain damage.
Cocaine
Crack cocaine is highly addictive and is a pure form of cocaine formed into a rock that is smoked. Cocaine's effects are immediate; increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature as well as an immediate euphoria, according to Hartwick College. Cocaine can produce seizures, hallucinations, paranoia, loss of appetite and stroke. Violent psychotic states can be induced by long term use of cocaine and cocaine in any form, but particularly crack cocaine, can cause fatal heart attacks.
Marijuana
Long term use of marijuana can damage the lungs and airways. According to DrugFee.com smoking five joints a week may equal inhaling the same amount of cancer causing agents as someone who smokes a pack a day of cigarettes. Using marijuana impairs cognition and short term memory. It causes blood shot eyes, dry mouth and an increase in appetite. Sense of time may be altered and the ability to drive or use other machinery may be impaired. Marijuana produces a sense of euphoria that can impair motivation and produce a psychological dependence. Users who are psychologically dependent focus only on getting more and more of the drug.
Amphetamines or Speed
Amphetamines can cause fatal arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. They increase the heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Users sweat and they can experience dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia. Long term use of amphetamines can produce psychotic hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Use of large doses of amphetamines can cause physical collapse.
