Addictive drugs can be legal or illegal. They may cause serious health problems over a period of time. Some drugs are considered harmless, but can still be abused. The more dangerous drugs can bring on severe damage and even death sooner than other drugs. It is important to stop using a drug or seek help when the drug becomes an addiction.
Nicotine
Smoking tobacco causes chemical and structural changes in the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. An increasing number of brain receptors become sensitive to nicotine and need more of it. This is what causes addiction and nicotine withdrawal when a person attempts to stop smoking, making it so hard for people to give it up.
Alcohol
The body can become dependent on alcohol when someone drinks regularly or heavily. Many people are predisposed to alcoholism because of heredity. But other factors are involved as well, including environmental causes and personality. People who cannot control how much they drink are showing signs of alcoholism.
Caffeine
Caffeine can cause problems if a person drinks several cups of coffee or other caffeinated drinks a day. Withdrawal symptoms may occur about 12 to 24 hours after quitting, according to U.S. News and World Report. Symptoms may include headache, depressed moods, lethargy, nausea and muscle pain or stiffness.
Marijuana
Marijuana produces pleasurable effects such as relaxation, increased hearing and taste or euphoria. However, panic reactions, paranoia, lack of coordination and difficulty performing tasks are among the negative effects, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Marijuana users have a difficult time quitting and may experience anxiety, irritability and insomnia during the withdrawal period.
PCP
Phencyclidine is known as PCP or angel dust. It creates euphoric feelings. It can also cause hallucinations and lead to such serious results as kidney failure, heart arrhythmias, seizures or death. PCP was developed as a painkiller not approved for use because of its mind-altering side effects. Many PCP users do not notice the dangerous effects because of its pain-relieving properties, the UMMC says.
Cocaine
Cocaine, like many other drugs, produces euphoric feelings. There is a feeling of increased energy, less inhibition and stimulation of the central nervous system. The drug can eventually cause social withdrawal, memory loss, mood swings and depression.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines were widely used in the 1960s to fight fatigue and treat mild depression, but amphetamines are very addictive. The drug is a stimulant that can be found in lower doses of over-the-counter medication, sometimes used as appetite suppressants or to help keep people awake. Abuse of amphetamines in high doses can cause regular users to suffer from irritability, restlessness and tremors.
Inhalants
The abuse of inhalants has been a problem among young people. Inhalants are contained in cleaning fluids, model glue, spray paints, gasoline and aerosol cans. The use of inhalants can cause brain damage, liver or kidney damage, convulsions, nerve damage and sudden death.
Heroin
Heroin brings a surge of euphoria, a relaxed state and leads to drowsiness. Heroin addicts may overdose, which can be fatal. Withdrawal from the drug must be done under professional care. It is often injected, so there is a major problem in the sharing of needles and contracting hepatitis, the HIV infection or AIDS, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone works as a prescription drug for people in pain. But it is often stolen or sold for people who become addicted to it. People can develop a tolerance to oxycodone and need more of it, according to Michael's House, a drug and alcohol rehab center. People addicted to oxycodone may experience bursts of energy but also suffer from depression or nervousness.
