Alcohol is considered a legal type of drug, since it has effects on the body and brain but can be obtained easily by anyone of legal drinking age. Alcohol and other drugs, both legal and illegal, can be abused or become addictive, although some hold more dangers than others. Drug and alcohol detoxification programs and support groups can help someone addicted to drugs stop using and reintegrate into society after treatment.
Types
Drugs can be classified into a few different types. Depressants such as alcohol and opium slow down the body and relax the user. Stimulants, including nicotine, cocaine and methamphetamine, speed up the activity of the body and make the user feel alert and energetic. Stimulants often cause feelings of depression or fatigue after they wear off. Hallucinogens cause the person to see or hear things that aren't there. LSD, PCP and psychogenic mushrooms are examples of hallucinogens.
Legality
Many drugs are illegal in the U.S., including cocaine, heroin, opium, methamphetamine, marijuana and LSD. Nonetheless, many people obtain these drugs through illegal channels, and drug use is considered a major problem in many communities, especially in urban areas. Other substances are legal for people who show proof that they are of legal age to buy the product, including alcohol and nicotine, in the form of cigarettes, cigars and loose tobacco. Many other drugs are available via prescription and are legal when used as directed for a specific condition but illegal for those without a prescription to use. Common examples include the pain relief medication codeine and the ADHD drug Ritalin.
Abuse
Drug abuse occurs when someone uses an illegal drug or overuses a legal drug. Someone who binge drinks, consuming many alcoholic beverages in a short period of time, may have a problem with alcohol abuse. Some individuals begin using a drug or alcohol in non-abusive ways but start to abuse the drug later. An example would be someone who initially takes pain medication to relieve pain after surgery but later acquires prescriptions of this pain medication for use as a sleep aid or to simply to experience the effects of the drug when they are not experiencing pain.
Addiction
An addiction to drugs or alcohol develops when a person craves the substance and becomes increasingly unable to function without it. Some drugs are more addictive than others, and there may be a genetic component that predisposes people to addiction. Addiction often affects relationships, since the individual may develop financial problems when attempting to pay for ever increasing amounts of the drug and may behave differently when using the drug. Someone who is addicted will generally require treatment to stop using the drug.
Dangers
The dangers of alcohol and drugs comes not only in addiction, but also in the direct effects on the body from these drugs. Many drugs, including alcohol, can damage internal organs over time, especially when used frequently or used in large quantities at one time. Some drugs, including marijuana and PCP, can have psychological effects such as causing delirium or paranoia. Other drugs may act on the heart, slowing or speeding the heartbeat to dangerous levels. Overdoses of some drugs, such as cocaine, heroin or alcohol, can cause death.
