The abuse of drugs of all kinds is a serious public health issue that has grown in magnitude over the last several decades. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 40 million illnesses or injuries are attributed to drug abuse in the United States each year. Drug abuse has been tied to violence in the streets and within families, in automobile accidents, in unemployment and in homelessness. Drug abuse can destroy families and ruin the lives of those who abuse them. There are many ways to abuse drugs and some common drugs are often abused.
Tobacco
Tobacco is probably the most commonly abused drug. Nicotine, found in tobacco smoke, is tied to increased incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure and various types of cancer. Tobacco is easily accessible to teenagers, who regularly use tobacco. Nicotine is a stimulant that has an effect on the brain and can become addictive. Many people try every year to quit smoking and then relapse.
Alcohol
Alcohol is another commonly abused substance. Alcohol is toxic to the body and does great damage to the liver. Even small amounts of ingested alcohol can change a person's behavior and decrease his ability to reason and think clearly. Many people use alcohol socially and don't realize when their drinking behavior has become a problem and begins to put themselves and others in danger. According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2008 an estimated 31 million people reported driving under the influence of alcohol at least once.
Illicit Drugs
Generally, when people think of drug abuse they think of abusing illicit or illegal drugs. There is a variety of illicit drugs and each has a different effect on the body. Cocaine is a powerfully addictive substance and is a stimulant that can make a user feel euphoric, but using large amounts can lead to bizarre and erratic behavior. Death from cocaine overdose is generally due to cardiac arrest. Heroin is a drug derived from morphine and is also a very highly addictive stimulant. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. It too, is a stimulant that affects brain function, giving the user a high. Methamphetamines are highly addictive and stimulate the central nervous system. They cause cardiovascular distress, such as rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure.
Prescription Drugs
Abuse of prescription drugs, most commonly pain killers and sedatives, has become increasingly common. Most people who actually need prescription painkillers for sedatives do not abuse them. This type of drug abuse is dangerous and can lead to serious illness or death. According to Mayo Clinic, more than 15 percent of high school seniors in America have abused prescription drugs.
