STIMULANTS ("speed," "crack," "coke," "snow," "crank," "go," "speedball," "crystal," "cross-tops," "yellow jackets")

Cocaine

The abuse of cocaine increased dramatically in the late 1980s and early 1990s but is now on the decline.

Cocaine may be inhaled through the nose ("snorting") or dissolved in water and administered intravenously. When mixed with heroin for IV use, the combination is referred to as a speedball.

Through a simple chemical procedure, cocaine may be changed into a smokeable form known as freebase or crack. Smoking produces an instant and intense euphoria (sense of joy) attractive to abusers. Other effects include local numbness, powerful stimulation of the central nervous system, and feelings of increased confidence and energy, along with decreased inhibition.

Increased use and dependence to cocaine are probably related to its specific characteristics of producing an extremely pleasurable high that is very short lived. This encourages the user into more frequent or regular use to attain the desired effects.

Both tolerance and dependence may occur with chronic use of cocaine. Regular users may exhibit mood swings, depression, sleep problems, memory loss, social withdrawal, and loss of interest in school, work, family, and friends. Because heavy use may cause paranoia, cocaine users may become violent.

AMPHETAMINES

During the 1950s and 1960s, amphetamines were commonly prescribed for conditions such as fatigue, obesity, and mild depression. Such use has ceased as the drugs have a high potential for addiction and are now categorized as controlled substances.

Over-the-counter (OTC) amphetamine look-alike drugs are often abused. These drugs typically contain caffeine and other stimulant ingredients, and are marketed as appetite suppressants or stay-awake/stay-alert aids.

If taken in high doses, these OTC drugs may cause the same high and other effects associated with amphetamines. Regular users may exhibit irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbances, tremors, dilated pupils, skin flushing, and weight loss over time.

INHALANTS

Inhalant abuse became popular with young teens in the 1960s with "glue sniffing." Since then, a broader variety of inhalants have become popular. Inhalant use typically involves younger adolescents or school-age children and occurs primarily as experimental behavior within groups of peers.

Commonly abused inhalants include model glue, spray paints, cleaning fluids, gasoline, liquid typewriter correction fluid, and aerosol propellants for deodorants or hair sprays.

The chemicals are poured into a plastic bag or soaked into rags, then inhaled. The drugs are absorbed through the respiratory tract and an altered mental state is noted within 5-15 minutes.

Adverse effects associated with inhalant abuse include liver or kidney damage, convulsions, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), brain damage, and sudden death. Most inhalant use occurs amongst teens or preteens who do not have access to illicit drugs or alcohol.

OPIATES, OPIOIDS, AND NARCOTICS

Opiates are derived from opium poppies. These include morphine and codeine. Opioids refer to synthetically produced substances that have the same effect as morphine or codeine.

These include heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, propoxyphene, and methadone. All of these substances, natural or synthetic, are considered narcotics. Used as pain-killers, these drugs produce an altered interpretation of painful stimuli, decrease anxiety, and promote sedation.

Because heroin is commonly used intravenously, the associated health concerns specific to IV drug use and sharing needles or using contaminated needles (such as hepatitis, HIV infection, and AIDS) must be considered.

continue: Stages of Juvenile Drug Use

top . pages 1 2 3 4 . send to friend . addictions site map

Reviewed: 05/2004