Possible Effects of Substance Abuse

Possible Effects of Substance Abuse

SUBSTANCE	POSSIBLE EFFECTS
Alcohol	Toxic Psychosis, Neurological and Liver Damage, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Marijuana	Bronchitis, Conjunctivitis, Possible Birth Defects Amphetamines Loss of Appetite, Delusions, Hallucinations, Toxic Psychosis
Nonprescription Stimulants	Hypertension, Stroke, Heart Problems
Cocaine	Loss of Appetite, Depression, Convulsions, Nasal Passage Injury, Heart Attack, Stroke Seizure
Cocaine Free Base	Weight Loss, Depression, Hypertension, Hallucinations, Psychosis, Chronic Cough
Barbiturates	Severe Withdrawal Symptoms, Possible Convulsions, Toxic Psychosis
Methaqualone	Coma, Convulsions
Heroin	Addiction, Constipation, Loss of Appetite
Analog of Synthetic Narcotics	Addiction, MPTP Induced, Parkinsonism
Morphine	Addiction, Constipation, Loss of Appetite
Codeine	Addiction, Constipation, Loss of Appetite
Oxycodone	Addiction, Constipation, Loss of Appetite

All drugs, including alcohol, can produce serious side effects. This is true of even prescription or other legal drugs when used as prescribed, but their risks are weighed against their benefits by medical professionals in the therapeutic context. Prescription drugs used without a prescription and medical supervision can pose a serious threat to the well-being of the user. Because the drugs listed below impair the mind, they increase likelihood of accidents and violent behavior.
The many health risks associated with alcohol use are well documented. Small amounts may affect judgement and coordination, impairing performance or even simple routine tasks. The repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence, with multiple physical, emotional, and psychological complications. Effects of the prolonged use of alcohol may include damage to the central nervous system; malnutrition and anemia; damage to the heart, lungs, and liver; mental disorders; and death.

Health risks associated with the seven categories of illicit drugs may include:

Marijuana: impaired memory, lung and pulmonary damage, chronic emphysema, cancer.
Stimulants: paranoia, hallucinations, dizziness, headaches, abdominal cramps, malnutrition, overstimulation of the central nervous system, seizures, stroke, heart failure, death.
Depressants: initial effects similar to alcohol inebriation, slowed reflexes, unstable mood, loss of memory, coma, death.
Hallucinogens: distortion of reality, including illusions and hallucinations, injury of self or others, convulsions, brain damage, coma, death.
Opiates (narcotics): skin abcesses, respiratory damage, malnutrition, pneumonia and hepatitis, heart disease, diabetes, coma, death.
Inhalants: fatigue, weight loss, permanent damage to the nervous system, hepatitis, organ failure.
Designer drugs: psychosis, instant paralysis and brain damage, death.

In addition, “the date-rape drugs” Rohypnol and GHB may cause a weakened or unconscious state often followed by amnesia.
Drugs and alcohol abuse can reduce the body’s resistance to infections and bring malnutrition, organ damage, and mental illness. Overdoses of almost all these substances can cause psychosis, convulsions, coma, and death.

Mount Aloysius College

Possible Effects of Substance Abuse

Mount Aloysius College