The Health Effects of Commonly Used Drugs

One of the myths floating around about drug abuse is if it can be or usually is used as a medication, it's not harmful. Contrary to what some believe, the abuse or nonmedical use of any drug can have long-lasting effects on your health.

Besides alcohol (which has its own set of health effects), the following are the most commonlyabused drugsin the United States, in order of popularity, and how they can affect your health.

Marijuana

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. When smoked, it begins to affect users almost immediately and can last for one to three hours. Users claimthat smoking marijuanais not harmful, butscientific evidenceproves otherwise.

Prescription Drugs

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the second mostpopular drugsof abuse in the U.S. are psychotherapeutics includingpain relievers, tranquilizers,stimulants, andsedatives. This involves the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and drugs that may be manufactured illegally, such as methamphetamine and ecstasy.

• The Effects of Oxycontin
• The Effects of Methamphetamine
• 狂喜的影响(MDMA)
• The Danger of Sedative Overdose

Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

Approximately 2.1 million people in the U.S. use cocaine, making it the third most abused category of drug. Cocaine can be snorted, injected and even smoked in some forms of the drug. In all cases, cocaine is a strong central nervous system stimulant which affects the brain.

• The Health Effects of Cocaine
• Effects of Cocaine

Hallucinogens

Each month, more than a million people in the U.S. use hallucinogens such as LSD, PCP, Ketamine, and DMX, according to NSDUH. Hallucinogens disrupt a person's ability to think and communicate rationally, or even to recognize reality, sometimes resulting in bizarre or dangerous behavior.

• The Effects of LSD
• The Effects of PCP
• The Effects of Ketamine
• The Effects of Dextromethorphan (DMX)

Heroin

Of all the illicit drugs available on the market today, heroin is the least commonly abused, with only an estimated 200,000 current users in theUnited States. That's probably because it is the most addictive of allthe street drugs. Whether injected, snorted or smoked, heroin will begin to affect the body'scentral nervous systemalmost immediately after it is used.

• The Health Effects of Heroin
• Short-Term Effects of Heroin
• 长期的影响Heroin

Has Your Health Been Affected?

If you believe that your health has been affected by your use ofillicit drugs或者那些滥用处方或over-the-coun的行为ter drugs, seek medical attention immediately. If you need help trying to stop taking drugs there are many help and support resources available.