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Health and Wellness

Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Other Drug Use

Numerous health risks have been identified with substance abuse (use of illicit drugs and excessive use of alcohol). Abusers can lose resistance to disease, develop heart problems, contract infections, or become malnourished, physically exhausted, and even die.

Reality is often distorted, reactions may be slower, and the risk of accidents can increase. Extended substance abuse can cause coma, respiratory arrest, and convulsions. Injected drugs increase the risk for infectious diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS. Body systems are affected. The liver, lungs, and heart are damaged.

For women, there is an increase in birth defects associated with use during pregnancy. The Student Services office located in the College Welcome Center (CWC) has more in-depth information on the inherent health risks related to substance abuse.

Adapted from U.S. Department of Justice-publication Drugs of Abuse (website September 2009)

Dependence

Narcotics

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
Heroin Substance I Diamorphine, Horse, Smack, Black tar, Chiva, Negra (black tar) None in U.S., Analgesic, Antitussive High High Yes 3-4 Injected, snorted, smoked

Euphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea

Slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, possible death

Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, tremors, panic, cramps, nausea, chills and sweating

Morphine Substance II MS Contin, Roxanol, Oramorph SR, MSIR Analgesic High High Yes 3-12 Oral, injected
Hydrocodone Substance II, Product III, V Hydrocodone w/ Acetaminophen, Vicodin, Vicoprofen, Tussionex, Lortab Analgesic, Antitussive High High Yes 3-6 Oral
Hydromorphone Substance II Dilaudid Analgesic High High Yes 3-4 Oral, injected
Oxycodone Substance II Roxicet, Oxycodone w/ Acetaminophen, OxyContin, Endocet, Percocet, Percodan Analgesic High High Yes 3-12 Oral
Codeine Substance II, Products III, V Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin or Promethazine w/Codeine, Fiorinal, Fioricet or Tylenol w/Codeine Analgesic, Antitussive Moderate Moderate Yes 3-4 Oral, injected
Other Narcotics Substance II, III, IV Fentanyl, Demerol, Methadone, Darvon, Stadol, Talwin, Paregoric, Buprenex Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Antitussive High-Low High-Low Yes Variable Oral, injected, snorted, smoked

Depressants

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid Substance I, Product III GHB, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Sodium Oxybate, Xyrem® None in U.S., Anesthetic Moderate Moderate Yes 3-6 Oral

Slurred speech, disorientation, drunken behavior without odor of alcohol, impaired memory of events, interacts with alcohol

Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, possible death

Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, delirium, convulsions, possible death

Benzodiazepines Substance IV Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan, Restoril, Rohypnol (Roofies, R-2), Klonopin Antianxiety, Sedative, Anticonvulsant, Hypnotic, Muscle Relaxant Moderate Moderate Yes 1-8 Oral, injected
Other Depressants Substance I, II, III, IV Ambien, Sonata, Meprobamate, Chloral Hydrate, Barbiturates, Methaqualone (Quaalude) Antianxiety, Sedative, Hypnotic Moderate Moderate Yes 2-6 Oral

Stimulants

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
Cocaine Substance II Coke, Flake, Snow, Crack, Coca, Blanca, Perico, Nieve, Soda Local anesthetic Possible High Yes 1-2 Snorted, smoked, injected

Increased alertness, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate & blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite

Agitation, increased body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death

Apathy, long periods of sleep, irritability, depression, disorientation

Amphetamine/
Meth-amphetamine
Substance II Crank, Ice, Cristal, Krystal Meth, Speed, Adderall, Dexedrine, Desoxyn Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, weight control Possible High Yes 2-4 Oral, injected, smoked
Methylphenidate Substance II Ritalin (Illy's), Concerta, Focalin, Metadate Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Possible High Yes 2-4 Oral, injected, snorted, smoked
Other Stimulants Substance III, IV Adipex P, Ionamin, Prelu-2, Didrex, Provigil Vasoconstriction Possible Moderate Yes 2-4 Oral

Hallucinogens

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
MDMA and Analogs Substance I (Ecstasy, XTC, Adam), MDA (Love Drug), MDEA (Eve), MBDB None None Moderate Yes 4-6 Oral, snorted, smoked  Heightened senses, teeth grinding and dehydration Increased body temperature, electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrest Muscle aches, drowsiness, depression, acne
LSD Substance I  Acid, Microdot, Sunshine, Boomers None None  Unknown Yes 8-12 Oral

Illusions and hallucinations, altered perception of time and distance

(LSD) Longer, more intense "trip" episodes None
Phencyclidine and Analogs Substance I, II, III PCP, Angel Dust, Hog, Love boat, Ketamine (Special K), PCE, PCPy, TCP Anesthetic (Ketamine) Possible High Yes 1-12 Smoked, oral, injected, snorted

Unable to direct movement, feel pain, or remember

Drug seeking behavior
*Not regulated

Other Hallucinogens Substance I Psilocybe mushrooms, Mescaline, Peyote Cactus, Ayahuasca, DMT, Dextromethorphan* (DXM) None None None Possible 4-8 Oral

Cannabis

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
Marijuana Substance I Pot, Grass, Sinsemilla, Blunts, Mota, Yerba, Grifa None Unknown Moderate Yes 2-4 Smoked, oral

Euphoria, relaxed inhibitions, increased appetite, disorientation

Fatigue, paranoia, possible psychosis

Occasional reports of insomnia, hyperactivity, decreased appetite

Tetrahydrocannabinol Substance I, Product III THC, Marinol Antinauseant, Appetite stimulant Yes Moderate Yes 2-4 Smoked, oral
Hashish and Hashish Oil Substance I Hash, Hash oil None Unknown Moderate Yes 2-4 Smoked, oral

Anabolic Steroids

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
Testosterone Substance III Depo Testosterone, Sustanon, Sten, Cypt Hypogonadism Unknown Unknown Unknown 14-28 days Injected

Virilization, edema, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, acne, aggressive behavior

Unknown

Possible depression

Other Anabolic Steroids Substance III Parabolan, Winstrol, Equipose, Anadrol, Dianabol, Primabolin-Depo, D-Ball Anemia, Breast cancer Unknown Yes Unknown Variable Oral, injected

Inhalants

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
Amyl and Butyl Nitrite   Pearls, Poppers, Rush, Locker Room Angina (Amyl) Unknown Unknown No 1 Inhaled Flushing, hypotension, headache Methemoglobinemia Agitation
Nitrous Oxide   Laughing gas, balloons, Whippets Anesthetic Unknown Low No 0.5 Inhaled

Impaired memory, slurred speech, drunken behavior, slow onset vitamin deficiency, organ damage

Vomiting, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, possible death

Trembling, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiency, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions

Other Inhalants   Adhesives, spray paint, hair spray, dry cleaning fluid, spot remover, lighter fluid None Unknown High No 0.5-2 Inhaled

Alcohol

Drugs CSA Schedules Trade or Other Names Medical Uses Physical Psycho-logical Tolerance Duration (Hours) Usual Method Possible Effects Effects of Overdose Withdrawal Syndrome
Beer, wine, liquor None High High Yes 1-3 Oral

Impaired memory, slurred speech, drunken behavior, slow onset vitamin deficiency, organ damage

Vomiting, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, possible death

Trembling, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiency, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions

Tobacco/Nicotine

Brief Description:

Through the use of tobacco, nicotine is one of the most heavily used addictive drugs and the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the U.S. Cigarette smoking accounts for 90% of lung cancer cases in the U.S., and about 38,000 deaths per year can be attributed to secondhand smoke. Cigarettes and chew tobacco are illegal substances in most U.S. states for those under 18; a handful of states have raised the age to 19.

Effects:

Nicotine is highly addictive. The tar in cigarettes increases a smoker's risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. Pregnant smokers have a higher risk of miscarriage or low birthweight babies. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children.

Statistics & Trends

In 2008, nearly 71 million Americans age 12 and older had used a tobacco product at least once in the month prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 6.8% of 8th graders, 12.3% of 10th graders, and 20.4% of 12th graders had used cigarettes and 3.5% of 8th graders, 5.0% of 10th graders, and 6.5% of 12th graders had used smokeless tobacco at least once in the month prior to being surveyed. And while rates of smoking have continued to decline to historically low levels the overall rate of smoking by Americans remains unacceptably high. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site)