Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug, the most widely usedof all the addictive drugs and the
number one drug of abuse. Alcohol and marijuana are sometimes called gateway
drugs because their use provides a gateway to the use of cocaine, heroin,
methamphetamines, and other synthetic drugs. Understand Alcohol and Drug
Addiction, by Merlin O. Baker
Marijuana
Marijuana containes more tar and cancer causing chemicals than cigarette
smoke. The most striking effects of marijuana are on the user's brain.
Learning is slowed, and concentration and short-term memory are hampered.
Marijuana makes users stupid and lazy. Pot users often lose the capacity
to care. Pot smokers become listless and apathetic, not just when using
the drug but all of the time. It robs the user of the desire to grow and
improve, often making heavy users settle for what is left over in life.
Marijuana is the most insidiousdrug. Its effects are both profound and
subtle. Understand Alcohol and Drug Addiction, by Merlin O. Baker
Methamphetamine
Meth is a synthetic drug that mimics the effects of cocaine. Meth produces
effects for many hours after a single use. Users will frequently "chase"
the high by increasing use to the point where they are smoking "ice"
for days or weeks with little food or sleep. Meth use can cause tremors,
dizziness, nausea, and rapid hearbeat. One serious danger is the psycho-emotional
meltdown of toxic psychosis, the symptoms of which include halucinations,
panic, paranoia, and irrational, and even violent behavior. Meth is the
most chemically toxic of all the synthetic drugs. It affects all systems
of the body. It often takes years for the body to recover from its harmful
effects. Understand Alcohol and Drug Addiction, by Merlin O. Baker
Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a stimulant closely related to methamphetamine. Ecstasy users
pupils dilate, making them very sensitive to light. Jaw-clenching and
tooth grinding are also observable effects. Users display overt signs
of affection. Rave party dancers are at risk of hyperthermia and heat
stroke due to the combination of the drug's stimulant effect. Ecstasy
causes confusion, depression, sleep problems, and paranoia during and
sometimes weeks after taking the drug. Ecstasy creates psychological dependence
or addiction causing severe depression and anxiety. Ecstasy does have
negative long term health effects.like brain damage, memory loss, impaired
thought processes, it disrupts normal mood, memory , sleep, and appetite.
Ecstasy causes long-lasting and possibly permanent, damage to nerve endings
in the brain that are critical for thought and memory.
|