Drug abuse is the use of illicit drugs and overuse of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some of the common categories of drugs that are abused include stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, opioids and cannabinoids. Each of these categories and the associated drugs has unique health risks.
Stimulants
Cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamines are some of the common types of stimulants. Cocaine use increases the risk for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and neurological diseases and disorders. According to the "European Journal of Neurology," cocaine can cause headaches, seizures and movement disorders. Research published in "Medical Clinics of North America" reports that cocaine and amphetamine use increases the risk for heart attacks, weakening of the heart muscle, irregular heart beats, stroke, and bleeding within the brain.
Cocaine use also increases risks for infections. The use of crack cocaine increases the risk for syphilis, herpes simplex-2, chlamydia, AIDS and hepatitis C infections, according to research published in the "International Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS." The risks for sexually transmitted diseases is mainly due to unprotected sex with multiple partners, and the risk for hepatitis C is due primarily from shared needles.
According to research published in the "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs," gay and bisexual men with methamphetamine dependence accompanied by depression and anxiety have increased risk for infectious disease, particularly HIV, syphilis and gonorrhea.
Depressants
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are common depressants. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some of the common health risks associated with abuse of these drugs includes death, cessation of breathing, low blood pressure, confusion and impaired memory and coordination. These drugs are highly addictive and have severe withdrawal symptoms if their dose is not tapered down over the course of a few months.
Hallucinogens
LSD and mescaline are common hallucinogens. These drugs have severe health risks that include increased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, and a lasting effect of perception disorder that involves flashbacks. These drugs also increase the risk for mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Opioids
Heroin, opium, morphine and codeine are common opioids. People abuse these drugs for pain relief and euphoric feelings. Cessation of breathing, unconsciousness, coma and death are some of the health risks associated with these drugs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. These drugs can also be highly addictive and their effects can be difficult to recover from after quitting.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids, such as marijuana and hashish, are used for recreation and medical purposes. People like these drugs for their effect to relax and slow things down. Yet, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these drugs can increase heart rate and respiratory infections, cause anxiety, impair balance and coordination, impair memory and learning, and become addictive.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Commonly Abused Drugs
- "European Journal of Neurology"; Neurological Complications of Drug Abuse; Neiman, J.,; Nov 2000
- "Medical Clinics of North America"; Cerebrovascular Cardiovascular Drug Abuse; O'Connor; Nov 2005
- "International Journal of STD and AIDS"; Sexual Risk Drug Abuse Crack Cocaine; Ross, M.W.; Nov 2002
- "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs"; Psychiatric Substance Dependence STD, Gay Men; Shoptaw, S.; May 2003
