Illegal substances - drugs and alcohol
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Physical Effects/Symptoms
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Dangers
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Alcohol
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Absorbed directly into bloodstream, enters every
organ of the body and depresses the central nervous system; results in intoxication, dizziness, slurred speech, unsteady walk, relaxation, relaxed inhibitions, impaired coordination and slowed reflexes.
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Addiction: accidents, impaired ability, coordination and judgment; memory loss; vision disturbance; reduced ability to concentrate; heart and liver damage; nausea; vomiting; other physical damage; and death.
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Cocaine
(AKA: Crack) |
Decreased appetite, increased heart rate/temperature/blood pressure, slowed breathing, brief intense euphoria, restlessness, excitement, and a feeling of well-being followed by depression. |
Addiction: heart failure, ulcers in nose, seizures, lung damage, severe depression and sudden death. |
| Marijuana/Cannabis |
Altered perceptions, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, reduced fertility, red eyes, dry mouth, reduced concentration and coordination, euphoria, laughing and hunger. |
Panic reaction, impaired short-term memory, addiction, lack of motivation, anxiety/panic, impaired coordination and lung damage. |
Hallucinogens
(AKA: Acid, angel dust, but- tons, cactus, hog, killer weed, magic mushrooms, microdot, PCP, LSD, red dragon, sugar cubes, white lightning) |
Altered mood and perception, focus on details,
anxiety, panic, nausea, synaesthesia (ex. smell
colors, see sounds), illusions, hallucinations, dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, and sleeplessness; repeated heavy use can lead to increased heart rate/blood pressure. |
Unpredictable behavior, emotional instability, convulsions, coma, heart/lung failure, inability to feel pain, disorientation, flashbacks, ruptured blood vessels in the brain, tremors, violent behavior (with PCP), can cause the appearance of schizophrenic-like psychosis. |
Inhalants
(AKA: Aerosol sprays, bolt, cli- max, huff, laughing gas, locker room, poppers,
snappers, solvents, whippets) |
Nausea, dizziness, headache, lack of coordination and control, rapid pulse, loss of appetite and
involuntary passing of urine or feces. |
Unconscious, suffocation, nausea and vomiting, permanent damage to brain and central nervous system, hepatitis or brain damage, electrolyte imbalance and muscle fatigue, violent behavior, suffocation and sudden death. |
Narcotics
(AKA: Big H, codeine, darvon, demerol, dolophine, heroin, horse, junk, lomotil, methadone, morphine, mud, opium, pectoral syrup, smack) |
Euphoria, drowsiness, insensitivity to pain, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, runny nose, slow shallow breathing, clammy skin and convulsions. |
Addiction, lethargy, weight loss, contamination from utensils (hepatitis, AIDS), accidental overdose, coma, death, premature or stillborn infants and severe withdrawal. |
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Stimulants other than cocaine
(AKA: Black beauties, crank, crystal meth, diet pills, ice, pep pills, speed, uppers)
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Alertness, talkativeness, wakefulness, increased heart rate/blood pressure, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, headache, dizziness, dilated pupils,
heavy sweating and shaky hands; repeated use
can lead to brain damage/ulcers/malnutrition. |
Fatigue leading to exhaustion, addiction, paranoia, depression, confusion, possibly hallucinations, anxiety/panic and violent behavior. |
Depressants
(AKA: Amytal, barbs, blue devils, downers, librium, ludes, miltown, nembutal, quaaludes, red devils, seconal, serax, valium, yellow jackets) |
Depressed breathing, slow heartbeat, intoxication, drowsiness and uncoordinated movements. |
Possible overdose (combination with alcohol can multiply the effect), muscle rigidity and addiction; withdrawal and overdose require medical treatment; high doses can result in coma and death. |