Most Commonly Abused Street Drugs

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during addiction treatment group participants discuss most commonly abused drugs

Close to 10% of the United States population has experienced some form of a substance abuse problem. Alcohol and drugs are common in communities across the country. Knowing the most commonly abused drugs can help you identify substance abuse issues in yourself or a loved one. In turn, this can help you find appropriate treatment or a 12 step recovery program in Kemah, TX that will get you on the path to recovery.

Alcohol 

Alcohol is not only legal, but it is easy to get. It is likely that if you are over the age of 21, then alcohol is as easy to obtain as a candy bar. In most states, you can go to the corner store and purchase wine, beer, and sometimes spirits. The chronic and short term over-consumption of alcohol has adverse effects for anyone involved.

Additionally, alcohol is very addictive and creates many short-term and long-term adverse side effects. When you are drunk, alcohol impairs your motor skills, distorts your vision, and impairs your judgment. Many people report blacking out from alcohol and make poor decisions like drunk driving or fighting. This often causes legal issues. Additionally, alcohol poisoning can make you vomit or depress your breathing to dangerous levels.

Hangovers from alcohol cause diarrhea, dehydration, and headaches and can interrupt your responsibilities at school or work. Worse, long-term alcohol abuse can damage your organs, cause permanent cognitive effects, and damage your nervous system. Medical alcohol detox deals with the painful and dangerous withdrawal effects, so each individual can get clean and begin further treatment that targets the roots of addiction.

Marijuana

Many states have legalized marijuana for medicinal use, and some have even legalized recreational use as well. It actually has fewer dangerous side effect than alcohol, but it still is not good for you. However, doctors do prescribe the drug for people with terminal illness and cancer to help them to eat and to cope with pain.

For example, here are some of the adverse effects of marijuana:

  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Anxiety Attacks
  • Trouble Breathing

Prescription Opioids

Doctors typically prescribe opioids for severe pain. People that have incurred a recent severe injury and people that have chronic pain conditions are prescribed these drugs to help them manage their pain. Also, people take them for fun because they also induce feelings of euphoria and can be very addictive. Opioid addiction treatment involves a detox period to cope with withdrawal and therapy to provide stronger coping skills for each individual’s recovery.

So you can see, here are some of the adverse side effects of prescription opioids.

  • Constipation
  • Brain Damage
  • Liver Damage
  • Overdose
  • Chronic Nausea

Cocaine

Cocaine, a stimulant, is widely enjoyed by the population in a couple of different ways. The drug comes as powder cocaine or crack cocaine. Both forms can be injected, snorted, eaten, or smoked. Cocaine makes people have a lot of energy and feel euphoric. It is highly addictive, and there is a very unpleasant crash when people stop using the substance. Cocaine addiction treatment helps with withdrawal while therapy helps each individual understand addiction.

In fact, here is a list of adverse side effects:

  • Vertigo
  • Tremors
  • Raised Body Temperature
  • Racing Heart
  • Paranoia

Prescription Tranquilizers

These are medications like Valium, Xanax, and sleeping pills. They are usually meant for short term use because they do have harmful side effects when used for long periods. These types of drugs are usually prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. Doctors do not often address the fact that these medications should not be relied on for long periods with their patients and patients end up addicted, or worse, they overdose. Treatment, especially benzodiazepine addiction treatment, must deal with the intense and often life-threatening withdrawal effects brought on by these drugs.

For example, here is a list of side effects:

  • Dizziness
  • Overdose
  • Cognitive Decline
  • Memory Loss
  • Loss of Balance

Finding Help for the Most Commonly Abused Drugs 

In conclusion, if you or a loved one are having problems with any of the most commonly abused drugs think about contacting a drug and alcohol rehab center. Kemah Palms Recovery®, located near Houston, Texas, is here to help you get through your addiction and live the life that you deserve. Give us a call today today.