Drug Information

On this page we address some of the basics about addiction, recreational drugs, their effects, risks, and health & safety information you should know.

Definitions

Addiction – is the compulsion to use a substance or behave in a certain way, even though you know you face certain harm by going through with it.

Dependency (mental) – Refers to associations that develop in your mind between specific events (triggers) and emotional and physical urges to use the substance or take part in the addictive behavior.

Dependency (physical/spiritual) – Physical dependency does not require thinking.  It’s simply related to the physical effects of the addictive substance on specific brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.  Certain neurotransmitters get altered by the substance.  The brain adjusts, it tolerates the drug.  You take the substance and the substance takes you!

Chemically dependent person –  One whose drug use has an adverse effect (often unrecognized) on any one or more of his/her relationships, school, job performance, physical or emotional well being.  Chemical dependency is a primary disease.  It was declared a disease in 1956 by the American Medical Association.  It is progressive (ongoing), it is chronic (sickly), and can be fatal.  However it is also treatable.

More Commonly Used Recreational Drugs

We monitor the internet and frequently make updates to the information seen below.  Use this section as a guide to assist you to be fully informed.  In addition, we’ve provided helpful links at the bottom of this page for more detailed information.

2C-B

WHAT IS 2C-B?  

  • 2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine) is a psychedelic drug first synthesized in 1974 by the chemist, Alexander Shulgin.
  • 2C-B is considered both a psychedelic and an entactogen. “Entactogen” is a term used by psychiatrists to classify Ecstasy (MDMA) and related drugs. It literally means “touching within.”
  • 2C-B is a white powder usually found in pressed tablets or gel caps. It is almost always taken orally (swallowed).

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  • At lower doses (5-15mg), 2C-B produces a more entactogenic effect, with little or no hallucinations. Users report feeling “in touch” with themselves and their emotions. Erotic sensations and feelings of being “in one’s body” are also commonly reported.
  • With higher doses (15-30mg), 2C-B produces intense visual effects. Moving objects leave “trails” behind them. Surfaces may appear covered with geometric patterns, and may appear to be moving or “breathing.” Colors may appear from nowhere.
  • Music can effect the 2C-B visual experience, causing the patterns, colors and movements to change. Users often say they can “see” the music. This blending of sight and sound is called “synesthesia.”
  • The visual effects of 2C-B can be much more intense than those produced by LSD or mushrooms, yet most users report a relatively clear “head space” as compared to other psychedelics.

DANGERS!  

  • 2C-B is very dose sensitive. A few milligrams more can produce a tremendous difference in the effect. It is often impossible to know the dose level present in an illicit tablet or capsule.
  • While most people find 2C-B easier to handle than other psychedelics, the potential for a bad trip still exists, especially with higher doses.
  • In some people, 2C-B can cause nausea, trembling, chills, or nervousness.
  • Very little is known about 2C-B’s pharmacological effect. While nobody has died from taking 2C-B, clinical studies
Alcohol

WHAT IS A STANDARD DOSE? 

  • A standard drink is defined as 12 oz. (341 ml) of beer, 5 oz (142 ml) of table wine, or 1.5 oz (85 ml) of liquor.
  • It is the amount of alcohol you drink, not the type of drink that affects you. It’s always good to know the alcohol content of whatever you are drinking.
  • Alcohol affects some people more or less strongly than others, and can affect the same person differently at different times. This depends on body weight, metabolism, tolerance from prior use, food in the stomach, and other factors.
  • There really isn’t a standard dose of alcohol. Know your own limits and pace yourself. A standard drink is metabolized out of your system in approximately 1.5 hours.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL?

Low to moderate amounts can produce feelings of relaxation, lowered inhibitions, and increased sociability.

Larger amounts can cause dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, slower reflexes, sleepiness, bad judgment, dehydration and a hangover the next day.

Overdoses can cause loss of motor control, black-outs, temporary coma (passing out), and in extreme cases, death.

 DANGERS! 

  • Alcohol is highly addictive and tolerance develops quickly with severe withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, tremors, seizures and hallucinations.
  • Long term use can damage the liver, brain and other organs, and can result in severe mental and physical problems.
  • Consuming too much alcohol at once can cause death through acute alcohol toxicity. Drinking games are especially dangerous as they can easily lead to overdoses.
  • Alcohol impairs vision and motor coordination. Driving drunk is illegal and endangers yourself and others.
  • If a woman drinks too often during pregnancy, her baby can have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
  • In the United States, it is illegal to purchase alcohol if you are under 21 years of age.

Mixing alcohol with over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or illegal drugs is dangerous and can lead to medical emergencies.

Cannabis (Marijuana)

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant (cannabis sativa). It grows wild in many of the tropical and temperate areas of the world. It can be grown in almost any climate, and is increasingly cultivated by means of indoor hydroponic technology. The main active ingredient in cannabis is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, commonly known as THC. This is the part of the plant that gives the “high.” There is a wide range of THC potency between cannabis products.

Cannabis is used in three main forms: marijuana, hashish and hash oil. Marijuana is made from dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. It is the least potent of all the cannabis products and is usually smoked or made into edible products like cookies or brownies (see Factsheet: Marijuana Edibles). Hashish is made from the resin (a secreted gum) of the cannabis plant. It is dried and pressed into small blocks and smoked. It can also be added to food and eaten. Hash oil, the most potent cannabis product, is a thick oil obtained from hashish. It is also smoked.

Cannabis is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (known as “joints”) or in special waterpipes (“bongs”). These pipes or bongs can be bought or made from things such as orange juice containers, soft drink cans or even toilet rolls. 

How Many People Use Cannabis?

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 7.3% of Americans aged 12 or older had used marijuana within the previous 30 days. The average age at first use was 17.9 years.

​Though use of marijuana among Washington state youth has remained relatively stable over the last several years (see Healthy Youth Survey), youth perception of harm from use of marijuana has been steadily decreasing (meaning: fewer adolescents believe marijuana use is harmful). Marijuana is the second most-commonly used substance among 12th graders (alcohol is the first), with 27% of high school seniors reporting current (past 30-day) use.

Other Names for Cannabis:

Cannabis is also known as marijuana, grass, pot, dope, Mary Jane, hooch, weed, hash, joints, brew, reefers, cones, smoke, mull, buddha, ganga, hydro, yarndi, heads and green.

Why Do People Use Cannabis?

Most people who use cannabis do so to experience a sense of mild euphoria and relaxation, often referred to as a “high.” Cannabis causes changes in the user’s mood and also affects how they think and perceive the environment, e.g. everyday activities such as watching the television and listening to music can become altered and more intense.

What Are the Short-Term Effects of Cannabis?

​The short-term effects of using cannabis may include:

  • Feeling of well-being

  • Talkativeness

  • Drowsiness

  • Loss of inhibitions

  • Decreased nausea

  • Increased appetite

  • Loss of co-ordination

  • Bloodshot eyes

  • Dryness of the eyes, mouth, and throat

  • Anxiety and paranoia

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cannabis?

There is limited research on the long-term effects of cannabis. On the available evidence, the major probable adverse effects are:

Cocaine

WHAT IS COCAINE?

  • Cocaine Hydrochloride (“coke,” “blow”) is a white powder derived from the leaves of the coca plant, which grows mainly in South America.
  • Coca Cola used to contain cocaine (hence the name), and so did many other over-the-counter food and medicine products.
  • Cocaine is usually sold is small baggies by the gram.
  • Crack cocaine is made by chemically altering cocaine powder into crystals or “rocks” which are easily smokable.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF COCAINE?

  • Cocaine is a stimulant drug like speed, but much shorter acting.
  • It causes a sudden increase in heart rate, blood pressure and breathing.
  • It also leads to feelings of confidence, alertness and euphoria.

DANGERS!

  • Cocaine and crack are very short-acting. This can lead to using too much or too often.
  • Many users become compulsive in their use of cocaine, which can lead to physical or psychological addiction.
  • The after-effects can include depression, agitation, anxiety and paranoia.
  • The intensity of these effects depend on how much and how often cocaine is used, and are more intense when cocaine is smoked as crack.
  • High or frequent doses have caused seizures, strokes or heart attacks in some people.
  • Repeated snorting can damage the membranes of the nose.
  • Cocaine is illegal and getting caught with it in your possession can result in long prison sentences. Giving cocaine to someone else, even if no money was exchanged, can result in even longer sentences.
Ecstasy

WHAT IS ECSTASY?

  • Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Slang or street Names: Ecstasy, XTC, X Adam, Clarity, Lover’s Speed, “E” is a stimulant and a hallucinogen. It started out as a club drug and has moved into the non-alcohol circuit at so-called Raves.

  • Ecstasy is MDMA, or 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It belongs to a family of drugs called “entactogens,” which literally means “touching within.” Other drugs in this category include MDA, MDE and MBDB.

  • Before it was made illegal in 1985, MDMA was used by psychiatrists as a therapeutic tool. Studies are currently underway in Spain and Israel assessing MDMA’s effectiveness in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  • MDMA is a “mood elevator” that produces a relaxed, euphoric state. It does not produce hallucinations.

  • MDMA takes effect 20 to 40 minutes after taking a tablet, with little rushes of exhilaration which can be accompanied by nausea. 60 to 90 minutes after taking the drug, the user feels the peak effects.

  • Sensations are enhanced and the user experiences hightened feelings of empathy, emotional warmth, and self-acceptance.

  • The effects of ‘real’ ecstasy subside after about 3-5 hours.

  • Users report that the experience is very pleasant and highly controllable. Even at the peak of the effect, people can usually deal with important matters.

  • The effect that makes MDMA different from other drugs is empathy, the sensation of understanding and accepting others.

IS ECSTASY ADDICTIVE?

  • Ecstasy is not physically addictive. However, the drug can often take on great importance in people’s lives, and some people become rather compulsive in their use. Taken too frequently, however, MDMA loses its special effect.

  • MDMA releases the brain chemical serotonin, elevating mood and acting as a short-term antidepressant. Compulsive users may be unconsciously trying to self-medicate for depression. Effective treatments for depression are available with the proper diagnosis by a qualified physician.

DANGERS!

  • Ecstasy is illegal and a conviction for possession can carry long prison sentences.
  • Frequent or high doses have been linked to neurotoxic damage in laboratory animals. It is still unknown whether such damage occurs in humans or, if it does, whether this has any long-term, negative consequences.
  • Some people experience depression after taking MDMA. This is caused by MDMA’s action on certain brain chemicals.
  • There have been some deaths associated with MDMA. Usually these have been a result ofheatstroke from dancing for long periods of time in hot clubs without replenishing lost body fluids.

  • Much of what is sold as “ecstasy” on the black market actually contains other drugs, some of which can be more dangerous than MDMA, like PMA, speed, DXM and PCP.

  • Mixing ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of adverse reactions.

Fentanyl

WHAT IS FENTANYL?

  • Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug that is similar to morphine but much stronger.
  • It is often used medically for pain relief, especially for severe pain, such as that associated with cancer or surgery.
  • Fentanyl is also sometimes used illicitly as a recreational drug, particularly in the form of counterfeit pills or mixed with other drugs like heroin.
  • Fentanyl can be administered in various forms, including patches, lozenges, injections, and nasal sprays.
  • Fentanyl is a controlled substance in most countries and is tightly regulated due to its potential for abuse and overdose.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  • Because of its potency, fentanyl has a high risk of overdose and can be lethal even in small doses, especially if taken by people without opioid tolerance.
  • Fentanyl works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body, resulting in pain relief, sedation, and feelings of euphoria.
  • Fentanyl use can cause various side effects, including nausea, constipation, confusion, respiratory depression, and in severe cases, coma or death.

IS FENTANYL ADDICTIVE?

  • It is a powerful synthetic opioid that is highly addictive.
  • Long-term use of fentanyl can lead to physical dependence, which can cause withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued

DANGERS!

  • Fentanyl can cause respiratory depression and lead to death.
  • It is often mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine, increasing the risk of overdose.
  • Fentanyl is extremely potent, with a much higher potency than other opioids like morphine or heroin, making it more dangerous to use.
  • Fentanyl use can also lead to tolerance, meaning that larger and more frequent doses are needed to achieve the desired effect, which can increase the risk of overdose.
  • Fentanyl use during pregnancy can lead to harm to the developing fetus, including neonatal abstinence syndrome, which can cause seizures, breathing problems, and other complications.
  • The illicit production and distribution of fentanyl pose a significant public health threat, as the drug can be mixed with other substances and sold as other drugs, increasing the risk of unintentional overdose.

 

GHB

WHAT IS GHB? 

  • GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate) usually comes as an odorless liquid, slightly salty to the taste, and sold in small bottles. It has also been found in powder and capsule form.

  • It is classified as a sedative-hypnotic, and was originally developed as a sleep-aid.

  • A similar drug, “GBL,” is often sold under different names and turns into GHB in the body, having the same effect.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  •  At lower doses GHB has a euphoric effect similar to alcohol, and can make the user feel relaxed, happy and sociable.
  • Higher doses can make the user feel dizzy and sleepy, and can sometimes cause vomiting, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.

  • Overdoses will always cause loss of consciousness (temporary coma), and will slow down breathing. Sometimes, and particularly if mixed with alcohol, GHB can slow breathing down to a dangerously low rate, which has caused a number of deaths.

DANGERS!

  • Mixing GHB with alcohol or other depressants is extremely dangerous and has caused many deaths due to respiratory failure.

  • Passing out on GHB by itself is also dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

  • Don’t drive on GHB. One dose can impair motor coordination by as much as six drinks of alcohol. Also, the effects come on fast and, unlike alcohol, cannot be controlled or paced.

  • Regular, daily use of GHB can cause physical dependency with harsh withdrawal symptoms.

  • GHB is illegal and possession can result in long prison terms

Heroin

WHAT IS HEROIN?

  • Heroin (“smack”, “junk”, “dope”) is made from the opium poppy. It belongs to a class of drugs known as opiates, along with opium and morphine.
  • Heroin can come in a white or brownish powder (sometimes grainy) or a dark brown substance (sometimes sticky) known as tar.
  • Heroin bought on the street almost always contains “cuts” (adulterants), and is rarely pure. Because Heroin has a street value of its own, it is not used as a “cut” for Ecstasy pills.

What are the Risks?

  • Addiction is a high risk of heroin use, whether you are snorting, “chasing”, or injecting.
  • Because purity and individual tolerance vary, overdose is a risk.
  • Sharing injection equipment runs the risk of HIV and Hepatitus infection.
  • Heroin injectors also run the risk of bacterial infection.
  • Possession and sale of heroin can carry stiff penalties including incarceration and loss of student aid.

What are the effects?

  • Heroin users often report feelings of warmth, well being, euphoria, and contentment.
  • Since opiates are painkillers, heroin can reduce or eliminate pain. It can also lead to unconsciousness.
  • Negative side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, itchiness, and slowed breathing.

DANGERS!

The biggest danger is using Heroin that contains Fentanyl, Ketamine, and Carfentanil which can lead to an overdose and death. Heroin often contains additives, such as sugar, starch, or powdered milk, that can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage. Also, sharing drug injection equipment and having impaired judgment from drug use can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis (see “Injection Drug Use, HIV, and Hepatitis”).

Inhalants

USING INHALANTS EVEN ONE TIME CAN PUT YOU AT RISK FOR:

  • sudden death
  • suffocation
  • visual hallucinations and severe mood swings
  • numbness and tingling of the hands and feet

PROLONGED USE CAN RESULT IN:

  • headache, muscle weakness, abdominal pain
  • decrease or loss of sense of smell
  • nausea and nosebleeds
  • hepatitis
  • violent behavior
  • irregular heartbeat
  • liver, lung, and kidney impairment
  • brain damage
  • nervous system damage
  • dangerous chemical imbalances in the body
  • involuntary passing of urine and feces

HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY DIE FROM USING INHALANTS?

  • According to medical experts, death can occur in at least five ways:
  • asphyxia — solvent gases ran significantly limit available oxygen in the air, causing breathing to stop;
  • suffocation — typically seen with inhalant users who use bags;
  • choking on vomits;
  • careless and dangerous behaviors in potentially dangerous settings; and
  • sudden sniffing death syndrome, presumably from cardiac arrest.

ARE INHALANTS ADDICTIVE?

When inhalant use continues over a period of time, a user will probably develop a tolerance to inhalants. This means that the user will need more frequent use and greater amounts of a substance to achieve the effect desired. This, in turn, leaves a user at much greater risk of suffering from possible negative effects of the drug, such as liver, lung, and kidney impairment, brain damage, nervous system damage, and even death.

Physical dependence can also result, and when a user tries to give up the inhalant habit, withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, headaches, chills, delirium tremors, and stomach cramps may occur.

Ketamine

WHAT IS KETAMINE?

  • Ketamine hydrochloride (“Special K” or “K”) was originally created for use as a human anaesthetic, and is still used as a general anaesthetic for children, persons of poor health, and in veterinary medicine.

  • Ketamine belongs to a class of drugs called “dissociative anaesthetics,” which separate perception from sensation. Other drugs in this category include PCP, DXM and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). 

  • Ketamine usually comes as a liquid in small pharmaceutical bottles, and is most often cooked into a white powder for snorting.

 WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?  

  • At lower doses it has a mild, dreamy feeling similar to nitrous oxide. Users report feeling floaty and slightly outside their body. Numbness in the extremities is also common.

  • Higher doses produce a hallucinogenic (trippy) effect, and may cause the user to feel very far away from their body.

  • This experience is often referred to as entering a “K-hole” and has been compared to a near death experience with sensations of rising above one’s body. Many users find the experience spiritually significant , while others find it frightening.

  • While in a K-hole it is very difficult to move. People usually remain seated or lying down during the experience.

 DANGERS!  

  • While low doses of Ketamine can increase heart-rate, at higher doses it depresses consciousness and breathing and is extremely dangerous to combine with downers like alcohol, Valium or GHB.

  • Frequent use can cause disruptions in consciousness and lead to neuroses or other mental disorders.

  • Ketamine can cause a tremendous psychological dependence. The dissociation from one’s consciousness experienced with ketamine can be highly seductive to some people, and there are many cases of ketamine addiction.

  • Ketamine is illegal and possession can result in long prison terms.

LSD

WHAT IS LSD?

  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic or psychedelic drug.

  • It is usually found absorbed into tiny pieces of paper called “blotter,” but is sometimes found as a pure liquid or absorbed into a sugar cube. It is almost always swallowed.

  • LSD costs about $5 for a “hit.”

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  • The LSD experience is usually described as a “trip” because it is like a journey to another place. This experience may be broken up into four ‘phases’

  • The Onset – Approximately 30 minutes after ingestion, colors appear sharper, moving objects leave “trails” behind them, and flat surfaces may appear to “breathe.”

  • The Plateau – Over the second hour, the effects become more intense. Imaginary visions can appear from nowhere–from shapes in smoke, to lines on the palms of the hand.

  • The Peak – Time is slowed almost to a standstill. Users may feel like they are in a different world, or a movie. For some this is profound and mystical, but it can be very frightening for others.

  • The Comedown – 5 or 6 hours after taking the drug the sensations begin to subside. After 8 hours, the trip is usually over, although residual effects may last until after sleep.

 WHAT IF SOMEBODY IS HAVING A BAD TRIP?

  • Take the person to quiet surroundings where they feel comfortable.

  • Find a friend who can reassure them.

  • Stress to them that their panic is caused by the drug, and will wear off in a few hours, if not sooner.

  • If they become uncontrollable or hysterical and you cannot calm them down, you may want to call your local poison control center. They can provide you with “triage” information to help you decide whether the person needs to be hospitalized.

 DANGERS!

  • LSD can trigger underlying mental problems and produce delusions, paranoia and schizophrenia-like symptoms.

  • It can also produce extreme anxiety states or panic attacks, not only while under the influence of the drug, but for some time after (flashbacks).

  • In rare instances, LSD has caused a long-lasting perceptual disorder known as Post Hallucinogenic Perceptual Disorder (HPPD).

  • LSD can impair judgement. Users should not drive or operate machinery while under the influence of LSD.

  • LSD is illegal and possession can result in long prison terms. Supplying LSD to someone else (whether or not money was exchanged) carries even longer sentences.

Meth

WHAT IS SPEED?

  • Speed (amphetamine or methamphetamine) is a stimulant drug.
  • It produces alertness, confidence and raises levels of energy and stamina.
  • It reduces appetite and lessens the desire and ability to sleep.

IS SPEED ADDICTIVE?

  • Regular use can produce a need to increase the dose to get the same effect, and can lead to physical dependence on the drug.
  • Speed can produce a powerful craving for more of the drug.
  • Long-term use can result in serious mental and physical problems.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF INJECTING?

  • The dose reaches the brain almost immediately, increasing the possibility of overdose.
  • Impurities are introduced directly into the bloodstream and can cause septicemia and other infections.
  • Repeated injections damage the veins, leading to thrombosis and abscesses.
  • Sharing syringes can cause hepatitis and HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS.

 DANGERS!

  • The ‘comedown’ off speed can make you feel tired, lethargic and depressed. This may tempt users to take more, and can lead to dependency.
  • Speed users are at higher HIV and hepatitis risk through unsafe sex and needle sharing.
  • Although rare, speed can cause seizures, heart attacks, strokes, and death from overdose.
  • Many users become physically run down, which leaves them susceptible to a wide range of illnesses.
  • Extended use of speed can cause psychosis. The user may think that everybody is out to get them, or that they
Mushrooms

WHAT ARE MAGIC MUSHROOMS?

  • Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin. Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug with effects similar to those of LSD.

  • Psilocybin mushrooms have been used by many indigenous cultures to induce altered states of consciousness during religious rituals.

 WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  • At low doses, magic mushrooms produce feelings of relaxation, not dissimilar to those of cannabis.
  • Users often report laughing a lot and finding things funnier than they would normally.

  • At higher doses, the experience is closer to that of LSD, intensifying colors and producing visual hallucinations and feelings of euphoria.

  • A mushroom “trip” tends to last about four to five hours.

  • Users often report the mushroom experience to be more “earthy” than other psychedelics, increasing emotional awareness and causing less psychological confusion.

  • Many users find the mushroom experience to be spiritually significant while others find it frightening.

DANGERS!

  • The biggest danger associated with magic mushrooms is misidentification. Some mushrooms are poisonous and cause stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea and even death.

  • Some users report getting sick even after ingesting real psilocybin varieties.

  • Magic Mushrooms can impair judgement. Driving while under the influence of mushrooms is dangerous.

  • Magic mushrooms, like all hallucinogens, can trigger underlying mental disorders and cause schizophrenic-type symptoms.

Nitrous Oxide

WHAT IS NITROUS OXIDE?

  • Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is a gas that has been safely used as a mild anesthetic in combination with oxygen for over a century.

  • It is classified as a “dissociative anaesthetic.”

  • Nitrous is legally available for over-the-counter sale, although in many states it is illegal to sell nitrous to a minor. Some states also have laws against inhaling nitrous for intoxication purposes.

  • Nitrous is most commonly sold in small canisters for use in making whipped cream (“whippits”), although it can also be purchased in large tanks.

 WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

  • A lungful of nitrous oxide results in the temporary loss of motor control and a “dissociative” psychological effect, where sensations and perceptions become disconnected.

  • Users report a dreamy mental state, and may experience mild audio and visual hallucinations.

  • The effects come on immediately and usually last less than a minute. Repeated inhalations of nitrous can extend and intensify the experience.

DANGERS!

  • Nitrous produces an immediate loss of motor control. Stay seated if you are going to inhale nitrous. There have been many injuries and a few deaths from people who have fallen down after inhaling nitrous.

  • Your brain needs oxygen! Brain damage and suffocation can result from inhaling pure nitrous for an extended period of time.

  • Nitrous can be extremely cold when it comes out of the tank. Cold gas can burn the skin as well as the lips and throat. Dispensing the gas into a balloon and allowing it to warm up before inhaling it can reduce this risk.

  • High pressure levels in the tank can shoot the gas out at a dangerously fast speed and damage the lungs.

OxyContin

What is OxyContin®?

OxyContin® is a brand name for a specific formulation of oxycodone, a prescription analgesic (pain reliever) that is derived from opium. Oxycodone is a cousin of morphine, a drug used for severe pain relief  — and abused by addicts — for almost 200 years.

In the past, oxycodone has been sold under the brand names Percodan®, Percocet®, and Tylox®.

OxyContin® is different from other varieties of oxycodone for three reasons: It contains no other active ingredients (such as aspirin or acetaminophen); it is available in 10, 20, 40, and 80 milligrams tablets, whereas the other common varieties are available in 2.5 and 5 milligram tablets; it has a timed-release coating that allows patients to take it only twice a day, avoiding many side effects. The drug is prescribed for patients with severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period, such as cancer patients.

A patient can take up to 80 milligrams of oxycodone in one dose, which enters the bloodstream gradually, over 12 hours. Other brands of oxycodone have about 5 milligrams per pill, so patients need more pills more often.

The timed-release coating, which makes OxyContin® convenient for real patients, is what Oxy abusers see as the “problem” with the drug.

Drug abusers can be creative. Whoever first decided to abuse OxyContin® learned how to “get around” the timed-release and got a large dose of oxycodone all at once. That person taught other drug abusers how to do it, and an epidemic was born.

 Addiction

The Mechanism of Addiction

The two primary markers of addiction are dependence and tolerance.

Dependence occurs after a period of using OxyContin®/oxycodone (or another opiate.) The brain’s function is adapted to its presence. The drug has been inhibiting the release of various neurotransmitters, and when the drug is taken away, the neurotransmitters are rapidly produced again. The sudden chemical imbalance in the brain leads to withdrawal.

Tolerance is the user’s progressive need to have more and more of the drug in order to feel the same effect. The reason for this seems to be that when the drug abuser’s brain is constantly exposed to a drug, it begins to “fight back,” releasing more of a certain neurotransmitter, for example, to counteract the effects of the drug. A user seeking a high will continue to increase his or her dose to get past the “set point” the brain has established and get to the high.

Withdrawal

When abusers try to quit using OxyContin®, they face a new enemy: withdrawal.  Opioid withdrawal is horrible.  About six hours after the last dose, the abuser has abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, sweating, and runny nose and eyes.  The body shakes and the legs ache terribly. The addict experiences extreme muscle cramps and spasms.  The person has chills and breaks out in goose bumps all over the body.  Depression sets in.  The person’s thoughts race wildly and every little sound drives him crazy.  Addicts in withdrawal will do anything to get more of the drug.

Steroids

What are Steroids?

  • Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. Both males and females have testosterone produced in their bodies: males in the testes, and females in the ovaries and other tissues. The full name for this class of drugs is androgenic (promoting masculine characteristics) anabolic (tissue building) steroids (the class of drugs).

  • Some of the most abused steroids include Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin, Equipoise, and Winstrol. The common street (slang) names for anabolic steroids include arnolds, gym candy, pumpers, roids, stackers, weight trainers, and juice.

  • The two major effects of testosterone are an androgenic effect and an anabolic effect.

  • The term androgenic refers to the physical changes experienced by a male during puberty. Androgenic effects would be similarly experienced in a female. This property is responsible for the majority of the side effects of steroid use. The term anabolic refers to promoting of anabolism, the actual building of tissues, mainly muscle, accomplished by the promotion of protein synthesis.

Why are they abused?

  • Anabolic steroids are primarily used by bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness “buffs” who claim steroids give them a competitive advantage and/or improve their physical performance. Also, individuals in occupations requiring enhanced physical strength (body guards, construction workers, and law enforcement officers) are known to take these drugs.

  • Steroids are purported to increase lean body mass, strength, and aggressiveness. Steroids are also believed to reduce recovery time between workouts, which makes it possible to train harder and thus improve strength and endurance. Some non-athletes also take steroids to increase their endurance, muscle size, and strength, and reduce body fat which they believe improves personal appearance.

 Where are Steroids obtained?

  • Doctors may prescribe steroids to patients for legitimate medical purposes such as loss of function of testicles, breast cancer, low red blood cell count, delayed puberty, and debilitated states resulting from surgery or sickness.
  • Veterinarians administer steroids to animals for legitimate purposes such as to promote feed efficiency, and to improve weight gain, vigor, and hair coat. They are also used in veterinary practice to treat anemia and counteract tissue breakdown during illness and trauma.

  • For purposes of illegal use there are several sources — the most common illegal source is from smuggling steroids into the U.S. from other countries such as Mexico and European countries. Smuggling from these areas is easier because a prescription is not required for the purchase of steroids. Less often steroids found in the illicit market are diverted from legitimate sources (e.g. thefts or inappropriate prescribing) or produced in clandestine laboratories.

 Common Types of Steroids Abused

  • The illicit anabolic steroid market includes steroids that are not commercially available in the U.S. as well as those which are available. Steroids that are commercially available in the U.S. include fluxoymesterone (Halotestin), methyltestosterone, nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin), oxandrolone (Oxandrin), oxymetholone (Anadrol), testosterone, and stanozolol (Winstrol). Veterinary steroids that are commercially available in the U.S. include boldenone (Equipoise), mibolerone, and trenbolone (Revalor). Other steroids found on the illicit market that are not approved for use in the U.S. include ethylestrenol, methandriol, methenolone, and methandrostenolone.

 How are they taken?

  • Anabolic steroids dispensed for legitimate medical purposes are administered several ways including intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, by mouth, pellet implantation under the skin, and by application to the skin (e.g. gels or patches). These same routes are used for purposes of abusing steroids, with injection and oral administration being the most common.

  • People abusing steroids may take anywhere from 1 to upwards of a 100 times normal therapeutic doses of anabolic steroids. This often includes taking two or more steroids concurrently, a practice called “stacking.”

  • Abusers will often alternate periods (6 to 16 weeks in length) of high dose use of steroids with periods of low dose use or no drug at all. This practice is called “cycling.”

  • Another mode of steroid use is called “pyramiding.” With this method users slowly escalate steroid use (increasing the number of drugs used at one time and/or the dose and frequency of one or more steroids), reach a peak amount at mid-cycle and gradually taper the dose toward the end of the cycle.

  • Doses of anabolic steroids used will depend on the particular objectives of the steroid user. Athletes (middle or high school, college, professional, and Olympic) usually take steroids for a limited period of time to achieve a particular goal. Others such as bodybuilders, law enforcement officers, fitness buffs, and body guards usually take steroids for extended periods of time. The length of time that steroids stay in the body varies from a couple of days to more than 12 months.

Tobaco

WHAT IS TOBACCO?

  • Tobacco comes from a plant and contains the stimulant drug, nicotine.

  • It is usually smoked in cigarettes, cigars and pipes, but is also found in a powdered form called snuff (to be sniffed up the nose) and as chewing tobacco or dip.

 WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING?

  • Smoking kills more than 400,000 Americans each year.

  • More than 3,000 kids become regular smokers each day.

  • Smokers lose an average of 12 years of life due to their habit.

  • The chemical nicotine found in cigarettes and other tobacco products is an addictive drug, which is why it is so hard for people to quit using tobacco once they start.  Nicotine is also a deadly poison used in many bug sprays. It is so potent that one drop (70 mg) in its liquid form will kill an average adult.

  • Smoking turns your teeth and fingernails yellow, makes your hair, clothes and breath smell gross and causes premature wrinkling of your skin.

  • With every puff on a cigarette, you breathe 4,700 different chemicals, including ammonia, arsenic, cyanide, acetone, formaldehyde, toluene (a poisonous industrial solvent) polonium 210 (a highly radioactive element) and carbon monoxide.

  • Lung cancer, throat cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema are just some of the painful, life-threatening diseases linked with smoking.

  • 90% of men smokers are age 18 and younger.  The average smoker starts at age 12, and is addicted to nicotine by age 13 or 14.

  • Teen smokers are three times more likely to use alcohol, 8 times more likely to use marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine than non-smokers.

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