Drug dependence and abuse both involve the misuse of one or more drugs. These can be prescription medicines and/or illicit drugs.
Drug dependence is addiction. A person keeps using a drug even though doing so results
in problems that affect the person's mind, physical health, and/or behaviors. Features
of drug dependence include:
Cravings for the drug
Need for increased amounts of the drug to
get the desired effect
Withdrawal symptoms
Drug abuse is the repeated use of a drug that results in distress and daily
living problems. Examples are:
Failure to fulfill work, school,
or home obligations
Legal problems such as getting arrested for
disorderly conduct
Physical harm that results from things such
as a car accident
Relationship problems such as arguments or
physical fights
A person can abuse a drug without becoming addicted to it. Addicts, however, usually have distress and the daily problems that result from drug abuse.
See chart below for facts on different drugs.
Drug Facts
Type
of Drug - |
Possible |
Dangers
of |
| Cocaine - Blow, crack, crank, "C", coke, nose candy, rock, white girl |
Increased alertness and energy, euphoria (followed by depression), increased pulse rate and blood pressure, decreased appetite, insomnia, irritability, paranoia | Severe depression, convulsions, heart attack, lung damage, hallucinations, coma, brain damage, risk of infection (hepatitis, AIDS) from using contaminated needles, death |
| Depressants - Alcohol (See Alcoholism), barbiturates, sedatives, tranquilizers, downers, ludes, reds, yellow jackets |
Drowsiness, slurred speech, drunkenness, memory loss, sudden mood shifts, depression, lack of coordination | Shallow breathing, dilated pupils, clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse, coma, possible death |
| Hallucinogens - Acid, LSD, PCP (angel dust), mescaline, designer drugs: DMT, MDA, STP, MMDA, MDMA, ecstasy, peyote |
Alter mood and perception of time and space, delusions, hallucinations. Can "see sounds" and "hear colors." Rapid mood swings. Feelings of loss of control, helplessness, panic. Elevation in body temperature, heartbeat, and breathing. Blurred vision, tremors, lack of coordination | Brain damage, behavior can be unpredictable, unstable (violent with PCP). Can have flashbacks and re-experience symptoms of past hallucinogen use even though not taking the drug at the present time. Psychosis (unconsciousness, seizure, coma possible with PCP) |
| Inhalants - Solvents such as gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, nail polish remover; aerosols such as hair sprays, vegetable cooking sprays; anesthetics such as ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), spray paints, especially gold and silver. {Note: These substances are known as inhalants when the vapors from them are used for the purpose of getting high.} |
Slow heart rate, breathing and brain activity. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, slurred speech, blurred vision. Euphoria, increased energy, bloodshot eyes, nosebleed | Suffocation, heart failure, unconsciousness, seizures, brain damage, possible death |
| Marijuana - Pot, grass, reefer, herb, jay, joint, smoke, weed and AMP (marijuana mixed with formaldehyde) |
Euphoria, relaxes inhibitions, increases appetite, dry mouth | Feelings of panic, impaired short term memory, decreased ability to concentrate, fatigue, paranoia, possible psychosis |
| Narcotics - Heroin (dope, horse, smack, brown sugar, schoolboy), codeine (also in prescription medicine such as Tylenol with codeine, Robitussin AC), opium (Dovers powder, paregoric), morphine, methadone, Darvon, Percodan, Demerol |
Slowed breathing, heart rate and brain activity. Increase in the body's tolerance to pain. Constipation, euphoria, relaxation, sense of peace. Impaired memory and/or attention span, slurred speech | Lethargy, weight loss. Risk of infection (hepatitis, AIDS) from using contaminated needles. Impaired judgment in social and/or work functioning. Convulsions, coma, possible death |
| Stimulants - Speed, uppers, crank, amphetamines |
Increased alertness, blood pressure, pulse rate. Elevates mood | Fatigue, confusion, agitation, severe anxiety, appetite, and/or weight loss. Hallucinations, convulsions, possible death |
Treatment
Using drugs can cause physical and emotional problems. Drug use and abuse
affects the users and their families, friends, and coworkers. It is also costly, not only
to the drug abusers and their families, but to their employers as well. If you are
drug-dependent or abusing drugs, get help. You can get help through:
Your doctor
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at
work
A drug treatment clinic
A mental health center or provider
Self-help groups such as Narcotics
Anonymous (NA). (See "Places to Get Information & Help" under Alcohol/Drug Abuse.)
The treatment for drug dependence and abuse varies, and depends on the drug(s) being
used and the person's needs. Types of treatment include:
Emergency medical care. This may
be needed for drug overdoses or for violent or out-of-control behaviors.
Medical treatment for physical problems due
to the use of a drug(s) and/or for proper care and supervision from drug 
withdrawal. Medical treatment can be given in
outpatient or inpatient settings. The goal for treatment is to get to the point where all
mood-altering chemicals are not used.
Medical treatment involves the use of a number of things. These include:
An initial and ongoing evaluation
of the person's physical, mental, and social condition
Diagnostic and lab tests
"Detoxifying" the person of the
abused substance. In many cases, the only thing needed for "detox" is time. In
others, such as heroin addiction, another drug (in this case, methadone) is given to
replace the heroin so as to minimize withdrawal effects. The amount of methadone is slowly
reduced until the person no longer needs it. Some persons may need to be on methadone for
a long time.
Counseling. This can be individual, family,
and/or group therapy. Counseling helps the drug addict or abuser identify the needs for
drug use and helps the person set up life-coping skills. Counseling can be provided on an
outpatient basis or in inpatient settings.
Medical nutrition therapy from a registered
dietitian if the drug abuse has resulted in nutrient deficiencies.
Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous
(NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). (See "Places to Get
Information & Help" under Alcohol/Drug
Abuse.)
| Do you suspect the person has taken an overdose of
drugs? Is the person not breathing and has no pulse? {Note: See CPR.}  |
 |
| Is the person not breathing, but has a pulse? {Note: See Airway and Breathing.} |
|
| Is the person unconscious? {Note: See Unconsciousness.} |
|
| Is the person hallucinating, confused, convulsing,
breathing slow and shallow and/or slurring their words? |
|
| Is the person's personality suddenly hostile,
violent, and aggressive? {Note: Use caution. Protect yourself. Do not turn your back to the victim or move suddenly in front of him or her. If you can, see that the victim does not harm you or himself/herself. Remember, the victim is under the influence of a drug. Call the police to assist you if you cannot handle the situation.} |
|
Have 3 or more of the following applied to you in
the last 12 months due to drug use? You need more of a drug to
get intoxicated or reach a desired effect. You get withdrawal symptoms if you stop
taking or take less of the drug.Examples of
withdrawal symptoms include:  ShakingIrritability
Sleeplessness
DepressionHeadachesParanoia
Hallucinations
Anxiety
You have to take the drug or one similar to
it to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms. You take the drug in larger amounts often or
over a longer period of time than you intended. You have not been able to cut down or
control your use of a drug even though you want to. You spend a lot of time doing things
necessary to get the drug, use the drug, or recover from it's effects. You give up important social, work or
leisure activities or do them less often so you can use the drug. You continue to take the drug even though
you know it results in physical or psychological problems or makes these problems worse. |
 |
| Have you or someone else accidentally taken more
than the prescribed dose of a prescription or over-the-counter medicine? {Note: If physician is not available, call Poison Control Center. Follow instructions given.} |
 |
| Has 1 or more of the following taken place in the
last 12 months due to drug use? Failure to fulfill your
major duties at work, school, or home Taking part in situations that could cause
physical harm while under the influence of a drug, such as driving or operating a machine Legal problems, such as getting arrested for
drunk driving or disorderly conduct Relationship problems due to the effects of
the drug such as physical fights or arguments with others |
To Prevent Dependence on Prescription
Medication:
Use the medication only as
prescribed.
Discuss the effects of taking more than one
medicine and/or taking medicine with alcohol with your physician and pharmacist. Have your
prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. The pharmacist can check for harmful
interactions with all the medicines you take.
Don't increase the dosage or take it more
often than your physician tells you to. Consult your physician first.
Don't use medicine prescribed for someone
else.
Ask your physician about the risks of
addiction when he or she prescribes medicines, especially sleeping pills, tranquilizers,
and strong pain relievers. Find out how long you will need to take the medicine. Ask if
there are ways to treat your problem without medicine.
Find out how to gradually reduce the usage
of a medicine to avoid harmful side effects.
Ways to Lower the Chances of Letting Drugs
Affect Your Life or Someone Else's Life:
Learn as much as you can
about the harmful effects of drugs.
Contact your Employee Assistance Program
(EAP) person at work for information and suggestions.
Change your lifestyle. Try to stay out of
situations where drugs are available.
If your friends insist that you take drugs
in order to socialize with them, make it clear that you are serious about stopping.
Attend self-help group meetings for drug
users. Examples include Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA). (See
"Places to Get Information & Help" under Alcohol/Drug Abuse.)
Talk to persons who will listen to your
feelings and concerns without judging you. You will be less likely to turn to drugs to
"drown your sorrows."
Listen to calm music.
Do deep breathing exercises.
Do things that you know and do well in
order to feel confident. For example, learn and practice martial arts, sew, paint, take
part in volunteer work.
Get regular vigorous exercise such as
swimming, jogging, or walking.
Learn something new. Take a night school
course or community education class that you are interested in.
Realize that you are a role model for your
children. They learn what they see. When you take prescription drugs, do so responsibly.
Don't mix drugs with alcohol, driving, or
operating machines. These combinations can be fatal.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99
