Substance abuse

By Health Education Department ASPC Florence

Substance abuse refers to the excessive use of a substance, especially alcohol and illegal drugs. Prescription drug abuse may be just as dangerous as street drug use. This abuse may have both physical and mental affects.

Different drugs have different effects. What many drugs have in common, though, is over-stimulation of the pleasure center of the brain. With time, the brain’s chemistry is actually altered to the point where not having the drug becomes extremely uncomfortable and even painful. While high, the drug may affect the entire body, from blood pressure to heart rate. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine “amp up” the body, increasing blood pressure, metabolism and reducing the ability to sleep. Drugs like opiates and barbiturates slow down the body, reducing blood pressure, breathing and alertness to sometimes dangerously low levels.

Hallucinogens: LSD, PCP, acid, peyote, ecstasy and “shrooms,” to name a few, are all hallucinogens. Physical effects of hallucinogen use include- -Dilated pupils, sweating, insomnia, loss of appetite, and tremors along with increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Methamphetamines: Dexedrine, Methamphetamine or “Crystal,” “Crank,” and “Speed” increase alertness and physical activity. Amphetamines are psychologically and physically addictive. Physical effects of amphetamines include-
- Increased heart and breathing rates and blood pressure, dilated pupils and decreased appetite. Other effects may include sweating, dry mouth, blurred vision, insomnia, loss of appetite, and dizziness. Amphetamine overdose can also cause cardiac arrhythmias, headaches, convulsions, hypeliension, rapid heart rate, coma and death.

Marijuana: Marijuana has more than 400 different chemical compounds and contains even more cancer-causing agents than are found in tobacco, according to some studies. Marijuana use may cause- -Short-term memory loss, decreased sperm and testosterone production in men and in women may disrupt the menstrual cycle and may cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

Alcohol: Alcohol is classified as a depressant because it slows down the central nervous system, causing a decrease in motor coordination, reaction time and intellectual performance. Long -term alcohol abuse could lead to-
-Cirrhosis of the liver, fatty liver, heart disease and some cancers, just to name a few. At high doses, the respiratory system slows down drastically and may cause a coma or death.
__________________________________________________
As you can see, substance abuse is a major health concern. Substance abuse causes more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities than any other health problem today. Drug abuse is also linked to risky behaviors like needle sharing and unsafe sex. The combination greatly increases the likelihood of acquiring HIV-AIDS, hepatitis and other infectious diseases.

If you have further questions about substance abuse and the health effects, submit a HNR to see your Health Planning Consultant today.

Submitted by: Joseph Chiappetta, Jr.