About Chemical Dependency

Alcohol

• Liquid distilled product of fermented fruits, grains and vegetables
• Used as solvent, antiseptic and sedative
• Moderate potential for abuse

• Intoxication
• Sensory alteration
• Anxiety reduction

• Staggering
• Odor of alcohol on breath
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech, dilated pupils
• Fetal alcohol syndrome (in babies)
• Nerve and liver damage

• Sweating
• Tremors
• Altered perception
• Psychosis, fear, auditory hallucinations

• Confusion, disorientation, loss of motor nerve control
• Convulsions, shock, shallow respiration
• Involuntary defecation, drowsiness
• Respiratory depression and possible death

• Booze, Juice, Brew, Vino, Sauce

• Relaxation
• Sociability
• Cheap High

• Alcohol is a depressant that decreases the responses of the central nervous system
• Excessive drinking can cause liver damage and psychotic behavior
• As little as two beers or drinks can impair coordination and thinking
• Alcohol is often used by substance abusers to enhance the effects of other drugs
• Alcohol continues to be the most frequently abused substance among young adults

Cannabis

• Hemp plant from which marijuana and hashish are produced
• Hashish consists of resinous secretions of the cannabis plant
• Marijuana is a tobacco-like substance

• Euphoria followed by relaxation; loss of appetite; impaired memory / concentration / knowledge retention; loss of coordination; more vivid sense of taste, sight, smell, hearing
• Stronger doses cause fluctuating emotions, fragmentary thoughts, disoriented behavior, psychosis
• May cause irritation to lungs, respiratory system
• May cause cancer

• Fatigue, lack of coordination, paranoia, psychosis

• Insomnia, hyperactivity, sometimes decreased appetite

• Animated behavior, loud talking, followed by sleepiness
• Dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes
• Distortions in perception; hallucinations
• Distortions in depth and time perception; loss of coordination

Marijuana

• Pot, Grass, Joints, Roaches, Reefer, Weed, Mary Jane

• Relaxation
• Euphoria

• Marijuana may cause impaired short-term memory, a shortened attention span and delayed reflexes
• During pregnancy, marijuana may cause birth defects
• Marijuana may cause a fast heart rate and pulse
• Repeated use of marijuana may cause breathing problems
• Possession of marijuana is illegal in all 50 states
• Marijuana may cause relaxed inhibitions, disoriented behavior

Depressants

• Drugs used medicinally to relieve anxiety, irritability, tension
• High potential for abuse, development of tolerance
• Produce state of intoxication similar to that of alcohol
• Increased effects/risks when combined with alcohol

• Sensory alteration, anxiety reduction, intoxication
• Small amounts cause calmness, relaxed muscles
• Larger amounts cause slurred speech, impaired judgement, loss of motor coordination
• Very large doses may cause respiratory depression, coma, death
• Newborn babies of abusers may show dependence, withdrawal symptoms, behavioral problems, birth defects

• Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils
• Weak and rapid pulse, coma, death

• Anxiety, insomnia, muscle tremors, loss of appetite
• Abrupt cessation or reduced high dose may cause convulsions, delirium, death

• Behavior similar to alcohol intoxication (without odor of alcohol on breath)
• Staggering, stumbling, lack of coordination, slurred speech
• Falling asleep while at work, difficulty concentrating
• Dilated pupils

Hallucinogens

• Drugs that produce behavioral changes that are often multiple and dramatic
• No known medical use, but some block sensation to pain and use may result in self-inflicted injuries
• "Designer Drugs," made to imitate certain illegal drugs, are often many times stronger than drugs they imitate

• Rapidly changing feelings, immediately and long after use
• Chronic use may cause persistent problems, depression, violent behavior, anxiety, distorted perception of time
• Large doses may cause convulsions, coma, heart/lung failure, ruptured blood vessels in the brain
• May cause hallucinations, illusions, dizziness, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, loss of control
• Delayed effects—"flashbacks" may occur long after use
• "Designer drugs"—one use may cause irreversible brain damage

• Longer, more intense "trip" episodes, psychosis, coma, death

• No known withdrawal syndrome

• Extreme changes in behavior and mood; person may sit or recline in a trance-like state; person may appear fearful
• Chills, irregular breathing, sweating, trembling hands
• Changes in sense of light, hearing, touch, smell, and time
• Increase in blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar

• Fun
• Stimulation or depression
• Behavioral changes

• One use of LSD or PCP can cause multiple and dramatic behavioral changes
• Large doses of hallucinogens may cause convulsions, ruptured blood vessels in the brain and irreversible brain damage
• Many hallucinogens cause unpleasant and potentially dangerous "flashbacks," long after the drug was used
• Most hallucinogens cause "hallucinations," i.e., changes in perception of time, smell, touch, etc.

Narcotics

• Drugs used medicinally to relieve pain
• High potential for abuse
• Cause relaxation with an immediate "rush"
• Initial unpleasant effects such as restlessness and nausea

• Euphoria
• Drowsiness, respiratory depression
• Constricted (pinpoint) pupils

• Slow, shallow breathing
• Clammy skin
• Convulsions, coma, possible death

• Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, cramps
• Loss of appetite, irritability, nausea
• Tremors, panic, chills, sweating

• Scars (tracks) caused by injections
• Loss of appetite
• Sniffles, watery eyes, cough, nausea
• Lethargy, drowsiness, nodding
• Syringes, bent spoons, needles, etc.

Stimulants

• Drugs used to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, feel stronger and more decisive
• Used for euphoric effects or to counteract the "down" feeling of tranquilizers or alcohol

• Increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils and decreased appetite
• High doses may cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, loss of coordination, collapse
• May cause perspiration, blurred vision, dizziness, a feeling of restlessness, anxiety, delusions

• Agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death

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

• Excessive activity, talkativeness, irritability, argumentative or nervousness
• Increased blood pressure or pulse rate, dilated pupils
• Long periods without sleeping or eating
• Euphoria

Cocaine

• Also known as: Coke, Dust, Snow, Flake, Blow, Girl

• Carefree Feeling
• Euphoria
• Relaxation
• Feeling of being in control

• A cocaine "high" lasts only about 5 to 20 minutes
• Cocaine use may cause severe "mood swings" and irritability
• You need more and more cocaine each time you want a "high"
• Cocaine increases your blood pressure and heart rate—particularly dangerous if you have a heart condition
• Just one use can cause death
• Possession and use are illegal and can result in fines and arrest

Crack

• Also known as Crack, Crack cocaine, Freebase, Rock cocaine

• Quick high
• Power
• Euphoria

• Crack is almost instantly addictive
• One use could cause a fatal heart attack
• Repeated use may cause insomnia, hallucinations, seizures, paranoia
• The euphoric effects of crack last only a few minutes
• Crack possession and use are illegal in all 50 states
• There are more hospitalizations per year resulting from crack and cocaine use than any other illicit substance

Methamphetamine

• Also known as Speed, Crystal Meth, Crank, Ice

• Temporary mood elevation
• Exhilaration (high)
• Increased mental alertness
• Increased wakefulness

• Ice is extremely addictive—sometimes with just one use
• Ice can cause convulsions, heart irregularities, high blood pressure, depression, restlessness, tremors, severe fatigue
• An overdose can cause coma and death
• When you stop using ice you may experience a deep depression
• Ice causes a very jittery high, along with anxiety, insomnia, sometimes paranoia

Inhalants

• Butyl nitrite
• Amyl nitrite (Gas in aerosol cans)
• Gasoline and Toluene vapors (correction fluid, glue, marking pens)

• Cheap high
• Quick buzz
• Fun

• Loss of muscle control
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
• Excessive secretions from the nose and watery eyes
• Brain damage and damage to lung cells

Steroids

• Synthetic compounds available legally and illegally
• Drugs that are closely related to the male sex hormone, testosterone
• Moderate potential for abuse, particularly among young males

• Increase in body weight
• Increase in muscle strength
• Enhance athletic performance
• Increase physical endurance

• Quick weight and muscle gains
• Extremely aggressive behavior or "roid rage"
• Severe skin rashes
• Impotence, withered testicles
• In females, development of irreversible masculine traits

• Significant weight loss
• Depression
• Behavioral changes
• Trembling

• Increased combativeness and aggressiveness
• Jaundice
• Purple or red spots on body; unexplained darkness of skin
• Persistent unpleasant breath odor
• Swelling of feet or lower legs

• Anabolic (male hormone)—steroids most frequently abused
• Cortical
• Estrogenic (female hormone)

• Increase strength
• Increase muscle size
• Help muscles recover

• Severe acne, rashes, stunted growth
• Sexual function problems
• Women to take on masculine traits, develop hairiness
• Behavioral changes, aggressiveness ("roid rages")
• Long-term effects, such as cholesterol increases, heart disease, liver tumors, cancer, cataracts and death