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The Top 10 Most Common Drugs of Abuse
- Drugs of abuse can include anything illicit or illegal.
- Drug abuse can lead to drug dependence and a myriad of other devastating effects.
- Recovery from drug abuse is possible with appropriate treatment.
Mariya Rizwan
Pharm D
Drugs of Abuse
Drug abuse is the illegal use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used or consuming them in excessive amounts. Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems.
Drugs of abuse help obtain pleasurable effects on the brain. They have very harmful effects on the body, and the most common side effect they have is dependence.
Here we will review the brand names or street names, route of administration, effects of intoxication, and health consequences of 10 drugs of abuse.
Amphetamine
Brand names: Adderall and Dexedrine
Street names: bennies, black beauties, hearts, speed, truck drivers, uppers
Route of administration: injection, snorted, or smoked
Effects of Intoxication: the effects of amphetamine intoxication are;
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Increased body temperature and metabolism
- Increased energy and mental alertness
- Tremors
- Reduced appetite
- CNS effects such as irritability, anxiety, panic, violent behavior, and psychosis
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of abusing amphetamines can be;
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Cardiovascular complications
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Addiction
- Tremor and irritability
Barbiturates
Brand names: Nembutal, Seconal, and Phenobarbital
Street names: barbs, reds, phennies, yellows, yellow jackets
Route of administration: injection and oral
Effects of intoxication: the effects of barbiturates intoxication are;
- Reduction of pain and anxiety
- Feeling of well-being
- Lowered inhibitions
- Slowed pulse
- Labored breathing
- Hypotension
- Poor concentration
- Sedation
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of barbiturates abuse can be;
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Impaired coordination, memory, and judgment
- Respiratory depression
- Addiction
- Depression
- Unusual excitement
- Fever
- CNS effects such as irritability, slurred speech, and dizziness
Benzodiazepines
Brand names: Ativan, Librium, Valium, Xanax
Street names: candy, downers, tranks, Xannies, Xannie bars
Route of administration: oral
Effects of intoxication: the effects of benzodiazepines intoxication are:
- Reduction of pain and anxiety
- A feeling of well-being
- Lowered inhibitions
- Slowed pulse
- Labored breathing
- Hypotension
- CNS effects such as poor concentration; sedation, and drowsiness
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of benzodiazepines drug abuse can be;
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Impaired coordination, memory, and judgment;
- Respiratory depression
- Addiction
- Depression
- CNS effects such as irritability, slurred speech, and dizziness
Bupropion
Brand names: Wellbutrin
Street names: poor man’s cocaine
Route of administration: oral
Effects of intoxication: the effects of bupropion intoxication are;
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Increased mental alertness and feel euphoric
- Exhilarated and energetic
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of bupropion drug abuse are;
- Seizures
- Tachycardia or arrhythmias
- Loss of consciousness
Cocaine
Street name: Blow, bump, candy, coke, crack, rock, snow, toot
Route of administration: injection, smoked, and snorted
Effects of intoxication: the effects of cocaine intoxication are;
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Increased metabolism and energy
- Increased mental alertness
- Tremors
- Reduced appetite
- Irritability
- Anxiety and panic
- Violent behavior and psychosis
Health consequences: the health consequences of cocaine drug abuse are;
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Cardiovascular complications,
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Addiction
- Nasal damage from snorting
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Headaches
- Malnutrition
Codeine
Brand names: Fiorinal with codeine, Tylenol with codeine
Street names: Captain Cody, schoolboy, loads, pancakes, and syrup
Route of administration: injection and oral
Effects of intoxication: the effects of codeine intoxication are;
- Pain relief
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of codeine drug abuse are;
- Respiratory depression or arrest
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Sedation
- Unconsciousness or coma
- Tolerance and addiction
Flunitrazepam
Brand name: Rohypnol
Street name: forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies
Route of administration: oral and snorted
Effects of intoxication: the effects of flunitrazepam intoxication are;
- Sedation
- Muscle relaxation
- Confusion and memory loss
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
- Reduced pain and anxiety
- A feeling of well-being
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of flunitrazepam drug abuse are;
- Addiction
- Confusion
- Fatigue and memory loss
- Respiratory depression
Gabapentin
Brand name: Lyrica, Neurontin
Street name: gabbie
Route of administration: oral
Effects of intoxication: the effects of gabapentin intoxication are:
- Self-treatment of alcohol, cocaine, or opioid craving
- Euphoria and relaxation
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of gabapentin drug abuse are:
- Diarrhea
- Double vision
- Drowsiness and lethargy
- Slurred speech
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate or GHB
Street names: Georgia home boy, grievous bodily harm,
liquid ecstasy, goop, liquid X
Route of administration: oral
Effects of intoxication: the intoxication effects of GHB are:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and headache
- Disorientation
- Loss of coordination
- Memory loss
Health consequences: the potential health effects of GHB drug abuse are:
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Coma
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
Heroin
Street names: Smack, brown sugar, dope, junk, white horse, China white
Routes of administration: injection, smoked, and snorted
Effects of intoxication: the effects of heroin intoxication are;
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness and impaired coordination
- Dizziness
- Confusion,
- Nausea
- Sedation
- A feeling of heaviness in the body
- Labored breathing
Health consequences: the potential health consequences of heroin drug abuse are;
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Sedation
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Addiction
The Bottom Line
If you are a resident of the U.S., you have the right to bodily autonomy and in most cases, there are various employment opportunities that do not require any proof of vaccination.
We strongly recommend that you do not seek, produce, or distribute fake vaccine cards – it is not only a danger to those around you, but it could cost you your career and so much more.
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