In the first "Beer,
Booze and Books" site, I included a very brief page on the other
drugs. The response by many of students was, “Jim, you need to
have more about the other drugs.” In meeting the suggestions
of those students, I have now included a brief overview of many of
the more popular drugs used by some college students. I hesitate to
offer more than this brief overview due to the broad scope of the
issues that need to be addressed. Hundreds of sites and books are
available regarding drugs and their unique qualities and dangers.
One of the best books available for information regarding the pharmacological,
psychological and emotional concerns regarding drug use is Buzzed.
Another excellent resource for information on the other drugs is Uppers,
Downers, All Arounders.
Here are some of the popular drugs and the pertinent information about
their use.
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COCAINE
Type of Drug:
Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant.
Historical Perspective:
Processed cocaine is derived from the leaves of the cocoa shrub
which is generally found in the mountainous regions of Central and
South America. In leaf form it has been used for centuries by the
indigenous people of that area as a mild stimulant and tonic for dealing
with the rigors of mountain living.
Addiction Potential:
High to extreme depending on the form and method of delivery.
The intensity of the high as well as the immediate and extreme withdrawal
following use, especially if smoked, contribute to the extreme addictive
nature of cocaine.
Method of Delivery:
Cocaine can be inhaled, smoked or injected depending on the form in
which it is used. It can also be used, although rarely, intravenously.
Medicinal
Use: Many people in Central and South America chew the leaves
of the cocoa plant for its mild stimulating effects. It is also used
by inhabitants of the mountains as a medicinal elixir to relieve the
debilitating effects of altitude. Since it will cause a numbing effect
when inhaled and acts as a vasoconstrictor, it can also be used by
surgeons for nasal and throat surgery.
Acute Effects: Once ingested, usually by either sniffing or
smoking, cocaine will create a mild feeling of euphoria accompanied
by an increase in the user’s heartbeat, rate of breathing, and
blood pressure creating a perceived energy surge and alertness. Other
physical symptoms include an increase in core body temperature, sweating,
dilated pupils and pallor. It decreases the appetite of the user while
also increasing blood sugar. Heavier dosages could lead to violent,
bizarre and erratic behavior
Short Term Dangers:
Cocaine will contribute to irritability, restlessness, and sleeplessness.
It can also cause a seizure, heart attack or stroke with just one
dose. And, this dose does not need to be an overdose to be deadly!
Some users combine alcohol or depressant drugs to mitigate some of
the extreme restlessness caused by cocaine. This combination can also
cause severe and possibly fatal reactions.
Effects of Long Term Use:
Initially, frequent users will develop prolonged coldlike symptoms.
Over a longer period of time, if inhaled regularly, cocaine can contribute
to erosion of the nasal septum. Heavy users who sniff the drug have
been known to develop an actual hole in their septum. Since it is
an appetite suppressant, frequent users and addicts often suffer from
malnutrition. Long term cocaine users and addicts usually suffer from
many of the same problems that those addicted to other drugs experience
including, severe psychological, social, biological and financial
problems,
Other
Concerns:
Sexual problems can develop including erectile dysfunction, low sperm
count and male infertility. As with any drug available on the street,
you never know the exact strength of the dosage used. One time it
may contain a high degree of additives and be about 50 percent pure.
Another time it could be 95 percent pure and extremely deadly. Also,
procaine, benzocaine or amphetamine may be used as additives or substitutes
thereby contributing to further dangers.
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ECSTASY
Type of Drug:
Ecstasy is unique in that it is both a stimulant and an hallucinogen.
This combination is what makes it so appealing and yet so dangerous.
Historical Perspective:
Relatively speaking, ecstasy is new to the drug scene. It was
originally developed as an appetite suppressant in the 1930s, however,
recreational use did not emerge until the 1960s and 1970s. The misperception
of ecstasy as a so-called “safe” drug has contributed to
a dramatic increase in ecstasy use in the 1990s and will probably
continue until prevention specialists are able to convince the public
of the extreme dangers associated with this drug.
Addiction Potential:
The potential for physical addiction to ecstasy is moderate.
Method of Delivery:
Ecstasy is usually taken orally.
Medicinal Use:
Due to its ability to increase empathic feelings in the user, it had
originally been used in therapy, in particular, couples therapy. I
believe, along with most professionals in the alcohol and other drug
field, the potential psychological, emotional and physical dangers
involved in the use of this drug far outweigh any therapeutic value.
Acute Effects:
The euphoric feelings generated by this drug are usually accompanied
by mild hallucinations. It is referred to as the “love drug”
or the “hug drug” due to the increased empathy and the enhanced
sensuality that it creates. Some users report increased stimulation
while others report a mild relaxation effect.
Short Term Dangers:
Some of the more uncomfortable effects include dilated pupils, nausea,
muscle tension and grinding teeth. One of the most serious dangers
resulting from the use of ecstasy is dehydration. This acute dehydration
can cause kidney failure and possible death. Since it is a stimulant,
the increased heart rate could also be deadly for those with heart
problems. Unlike many of the other drugs, ecstasy can cause brain
damage with just one use however the damage done is not noticeable
initially.
Effects of Long Term Use:
Many users believe, or should I say want to believe, that ecstasy
is not dangerous. It is hard for them to believe that something that
could make us feel so good could be so dangerous. The most current
research reveals that this is an extremely dangerous drug. Although
uncommon, not only can ecstasy kill someone with the very first use,
but brain damage can occur with just one use or over a period of time
and occasional use. Researchers now believe that continued exposure
to ecstasy destroys the brain cells responsible for providing us with
feelings of pleasure. So, although this drug can provide an intense
short term pleasurable feeling, overtime, we may be able to generate
only limited feelings of pleasure without the assistance of some drug.
Other
Concerns:
As indicated, this drug is known for its ability to increase sensuality.
However, the interesting irony is that, if in fact a sexual encounter
does develop, ecstasy will most likely contribute to sexual dysfunction.
Male users may not be able to achieve an erection and, if they are
capable, ecstasy can easily cause an inability to ejaculate. Female
users experience greater difficulty in achieving an orgasm. If in
fact sexual activity does take place, it is likely that it well be
unprotected due to the dis-inhibiting nature of the high.
Dentists report a growing concern for the dental health of users.
The grinding effect produced by the drug has many users wearing away
the enamel on their teeth resulting in serious tooth decay. One other
concern is the fact that ecstasy is usually made by nonprofessionals.
As with many street drugs, you never quite know the exact dosage you
are taking nor do you know what other ingredients have been included
or excluded. An inaccurately mixed dosage has been seen to produce
Parkinson’s Disease-like symptoms in some users.
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GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyric
Acid)
Video
GHB video(892k)
Type of Drug:
Sedative
Historical Perspective:
Along with Rohypnol, GHB is sold in foreign countries as an aid to
sleep disorders. It had been sold in health food stores in the United
States in the 1980s as an alternative to steroids but as the number
of people dying due to its use rose, the federal government banned
it in 1990.
Addiction Potential:
The addiction potential for GHB is not currently known however, since
it is a sedative drug, for the regular user tolerance and withdrawal
are probable.
Method of Delivery:
Clear, somewhat salty liquid usually mixed with a drink.
Medicinal Use:
GHB has been used in foreign countries for treatment of sleep disorders,
narcolepsy and alcoholism. It has also been used as a surgical anesthetic.
Acute Effects:
GHB produces a number of effects similar to Rohypnol including mild
euphoria, nausea and dizziness. This can be combined with memory loss
and/or loss of consciousness. When combined with other drugs such
as cocaine or alcohol its effects can be extremely dangerous and deadly.
Short Term Dangers:
GHB can slow down the central nervous system so much so that the user
can become comatose. Most users come out of the coma but some still
remain in a coma today. Others have died.
Long Term Effects:
Presently there is little known about the long term effects. Given
that it is a sedative drug, the long term effects are probably similar
to, if not more toxic, than other sedative drugs.
Other Concerns:
Because GHB can be manufactured on a kitchen stove with ingredient
readily available (mixture of chemicals normally used in cleaning
fluids such as lye), users can never be sure of the dosage or the
actual ingredients. The mild taste makes it easy to place in a drink
without the drinker knowing it.
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HEROIN
Type
of Drug:
Heroin is an opiate derived from opium which
is a product of the poppy plant. (The painkillers morphine and codeine
are also opiates.)
Historical Perspective:
The use of opiates as a pain killer and for other medicinal purposes,
dates back to prehistoric times. Heroin was first synthesized from
morphine and was originally considered to be non-addictive in the
late 1800s. Shortly after it’s development, the true addictive
nature of this drug was realized. In 1914, the Harrison Act established
licensing procedures for medicinal opiate use and non-medicinal use
was banned.
Addiction Potential:
Extreme. Although withdrawal from heroin addiction is extremely painful
and debilitating, it is not deadly like the withdrawal from addiction
to depressant drugs such as alcohol.
Method
of Delivery:
In the past heroin was usually injected. Recently snorting heroin
has become more popular probably due to the increased level of purity
and/or perhaps as a result of fear of AIDS due to the use of infected
needles. Smoking, also known as “chasing the dragon,” was
popular in the opium dens of the late 1800s and continues today.
Medicinal Use:
Heroin and its precursor morphine have been used as effective pain
killers.
Acute Effects:
Heroin injectors describe it as a rush of pleasure and a wave of relaxation.
It creates an intense euphoric, dreamlike state in the user followed
by drowsiness and sedation. Pain is also relieved by heroin.
Short Term Dangers:
The primary concerns for the user are similar to those concerns for
anyone using street drugs: lack of consistency in dosage and lack
of purity both potentially resulting in a deadly overdose. Overdosing
can cause respiratory depression, cardiac arrest, shock, coma or death.
There is also the danger of an allergic reaction to substances used
to dilute the drug. Vomiting and constipation often accompany heroin
use.
Effects of Long Term Use:
Dependency can develop within just a few weeks of daily use. Men may
suffer from a number of different sexual dysfunctions and women often
cease having menstrual cycles. Constipation and malnutrition are also
seen in long term users. Long term users may also suffer from brain
damage due to decreased levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxia). Surprisingly,
although many health problems do arise for the heroin user due to
his/her lifestyle choices, damage to the rest of the body specifically
caused by heroin is somewhat negligible.
Other Concerns:
The risk of AIDS and other infectious diseases is extreme when addicts
share needles.
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LSD (Lysergic Acid
Diethylamide)
Video
LSD Video(636k)
Type of Drug
Hallucinogen
Historical Perspective:
LSD was originally synthesized in the 1940s however hallucinogen use
dates back to prehistoric times. LSD use was most extreme in the late
1960s and into the 1970s. Contrary to media reports about LSD’s
loss of popularity, it remains one of the most commonly used hallucinogens
today.
Addiction Potential:
Low. Physical addiction is highly unlikely but psychological dependence
is easily developed.
Method of Delivery:
LSD is taken orally via sugar pills, blotter paper or small gelatin
pieces. It can also be ingested via teas or broths.
Medicinal Use:
LSD has had limited use in mental hospitals and laboratories to study
mental disorders.
Acute Effects:
The user’s personality, experience with drugs, expectations and
mood will trigger a variety of responses to LSD and other hallucinogens.
The setting in which they are taken and the people surrounding the
user will also have a dramatic impact on the acute effects of these
drugs. As the name suggests it induces hallucinations along with a
distortion of time and space perception as well as sensations of disconnectedness
with reality. Other acute effects include blurred vision, visual patterns,
feelings of increased personal insight and expansion of consciousness.
Short Term Dangers:
With the exception of possible acute anxiety reactions, LSD does not
seem to cause dangerous physical reactions. However, any hallucinogenic
experience can produce anxiety, paranoia or severe panic. Also, hallucinogens
sometimes add to an existing neurosis or character disorder. Although
uncommon, psychotic reactions can occur.
Effects of Long Term Use:
Flashbacks (experiencing hallucinations and other visual disturbances
in the absence of the drug) are fairly common in heavy LSD users.
Other visual disturbances experienced by the long term user indicate
the possibility of brain damage that will persist long after the cessation
of use.
Other
Concerns:
There are a number of other hallucinogens including psilocybin mushrooms,
Phencyclidine (PCP), Ketamine (Special K), mescaline and mescaline-like
drugs. These drugs place the user at risk for a number of adverse
reactions and dangers. Some of these reactions and/or dangers are
milder than those caused by LSD use while others are much more serious,
including death.
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MARIJUANA
Type
of Drug:
Hallucinogen/Narcotic
Historical Perspective:
Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant which has both psychoactive
properties and medicinal value as well as industrial applications.
Concrete evidence of marijuana use in China for its psychoactive properties
dates back to the first century BC and there is evidence that it was
probably even earlier. Evidence also suggests there was use of marijuana
during this time in Europe and Egypt as well.
Addiction Potential:
Low. (Much controversy surrounds the question of marijuana’s
addiction potential. Users can certainly develop a psychological dependence
on marijuana. Current research suggests that heavy users may also
experience symptoms of physical withdrawal in the absence of the drug
indicating physical addiction. However, these symptoms of withdrawal
are not as profound as withdrawal from other drugs such as heroin
or alcohol.)
Method
of Delivery:
Marijuana is usually smoked. It can be mixed with other ingredients
then cooked and eaten.
Medicinal Use:
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive metabolite
that is present in the bloodstream following the ingestion of marijuana
has unique pharmacological actions and numerous medicinal uses. It
can be used as an anti-nausea agent for cancer patients utilizing
chemotherapy. It can help relieve the introcular pressure in the eye
due to glaucoma. There are other drugs that deliver these same benefits
without the negative side effects of smoking marijuana such as its
psychoactive properties and the noxious chemicals also present in
marijuana smoke. Scientists are currently attempting to develop efficient
delivery methods which will not subject the patients to those negative
side effects. Other medicinal uses are currently under investigation.
Acute Effects:
More so than most other drugs, the acute effects of marijuana are
significantly impacted by the environment. Users may shift from extreme
laughter to quiet introspection. Some people are stimulated by marijuana
while others are sedated. The same people may experience different
effects at different times based on the quality of the marijuana,
the amount of the dose and the people surrounding the user. High grade
marijuana with elevated THC content and hashish (made from the resin
of the plant) can produce hallucinations. Other effects could include
time distortion and paranoia.
Short Term Dangers:
Due to the nature of the drug, overdose is virtually impossible. However,
injuries and death can occur due to poor judgment, lack of coordination
and other impairment complications. Contrary to what many students
claim, users do not drive better when stoned. Research indicates the
greater the THC level in the blood, the greater the impairment of
driving ability.
Long
Term Effects:
There are numerous negative effects resulting from long term use of
marijuana. However, the “marijuana trap” is that the nature
of these undesirable negative effects often renders these effects
unnoticeable by the user. It is only after the cessation of use that
the smoker notices how the marijuana had been impacting his/her performance.
Some of the more profound problems include:
- deficits in attention and recall
- impairment in the ability to shift attention
- deficits in verbal IQ and verbal learning
- diminished ability to respond to unique complex tasks
- inability to reject irrelevant sensory input
- impairment of short term memory
Even though many of the effects of long term use may be reversible
after a period of abstinence and there is no evidence of gross organic
change to the brain structure, marijuana use can have a significant
negative impact on the success of regular users. Yes, just like alcohol
use, there are those who can use heavily and be successful, more often
than not however, the regular marijuana user does not meet his/her
true academic potential and level of success.
The smoker is subjecting her/himself to numerous noxious and carcinogenic
chemicals including benzopyrene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide
and tar when smoking. The presence of these carcinogens in the marijuana
smoke suggests a greater risk for cancer in heavy smokers. Currently,
there seems to be no epidemiological evidence of an increase in other
diseases due to marijuana use other than respiratory disease. Debate
continues regarding the impact of marijuana on the immune system.
Other Concerns:
The nature of this site limits a comprehensive look at marijuana.
As you can see by the above information, marijuana remains a very
controversial drug. Although the occasional use of marijuana by fully
developed adults has minimal negative effects beyond the increased
risks for impairment problems, marijuana use can have a significant
negative impact on the physical, emotional and social development
of teens and young adults.
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NITROUS
OXIDE
Video
Nitrous Bust at Ozzfest Video(1.3mb)
Type
of Drug:
It is difficult to categorize nitrous oxide. It can best be described
as an anesthetic.
Historical Perspective: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide
has been abused to produce a high for more than one hundred years.
At least one nineteenth century scientist reported his own use of
nitrous to achieve its psychedelic effects.
Addiction Potential:
Low
Method of Delivery:
Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is inhaled from pressurized
tanks or capsules. When used medicinally, it is mixed with oxygen
and has a concentration of 60-80% nitrous oxide
.
Medicinal Use:
It is used medically to produce a mild but clinically useful level
of anesthesia. It is primarily used by dentists. It is also used as
a prelude for a variety of medical procedures.
Acute Effects:
The high from nitrous oxide lasts very briefly, and dissipates approximately
five minutes after acute inhalation. It produces feelings of euphoria
and a dream like state. Additionally nitrous oxide may produce a floating
feeling or a “coasting” sensation. Some people experience
negative feelings of uneasiness and anxiety.
Short Term Dangers:
The intoxication from nitrous oxide can contribute to unconsciousness,
memory loss and psychomotor impairment, resulting in injuries due
to accidents. Nitrous oxide can cause damage to the tissue it comes
in contact with including the mouth, trachea and lungs.
Long Term Effects:
Chronic use of nitrous oxide can contribute to a decrease in the production
of both red and white blood cells. This could lead to anemia and a
possible increased risk for infection. This could also exaggerate
any pre-existing immune system problem. Finally, regular users with
emphysema or asthma risk a severe decrease in blood oxygen level which
could have a disastrous result.
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ROHYPNOL
Type of Drug:
Sedative in the benzodiazepine family (Valium, librium and xanax are
also benzodiazepines.)
Historical Perspective:
Even though it is manufactured and used in Europe, the Asian Pacific
and Latin America, the manufacturers of Rohypnol, Hoffman LaRoche,
have never sought approval for its use in the United States. It is
not marketed legally in the United States but is commonly imported
illegally through Mexico and South America where it is legal.
Addiction Potential:
As with most sedative drugs rohypnol has a moderate to high addiction
potential.
Method of Delivery:
Rohypnol is usually taken orally in pill form.
Medicinal Use:
Rohypnol is prescribed by physicians overseas for people with sleeping
disorders.
Acute Effects:
Rohypnol intoxication is generally associated with impaired judgment
and motor skills, loss of inhibitions and slowed heartbeat. When mixed
with alcohol, narcotic drugs or any other central nervous system depressant,
the results can be life-threatening and fatal. Perpetrators of sexual
assault find this drug particularly effective because it can cause
extended memory loss (8-24 hours) especially when used in high dosages
or when mixed with alcohol.
Short Term Dangers:
In addition to the risk ofoverdose and death, "blackouts”
are a serious concern with the use of Rohypnol. The loss of inhibitions
are of major concern as well.
Effects of Long Term Use:
Like other sedative-hypnotics, rohypnol can produce physical dependence.
An abrupt cessation of use can cause anxiety, depression, insomnia,
intense dreaming, intense sensitivity to light and sounds, possible
seizure and possibly death.
Other Concerns:
Because the older form of rohypnol was odorless, colorless and tasteless,
it could easily be slipped into someone’s drink without their
knowledge. These qualities of rohypnol have fostered its use in “acquaintance
rapes.” As a result, the manufacturers are now producing it so
that when placed in a drink, it will turn the drink blue.
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