Substance Abuse - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Substance Abuse - Dallas/Ft. Worth

Substance abuse is the dangerous use of psychoactive substances like drugs and alcohol. This substance abuse can result in dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioral, cognitive and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use. A person has trouble controlling its use despite dangerous consequences. The desire for the drugs or alcohol overtakes daily activities and obligations and control a person’s life and often destroys personal relationships.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 76.3 million people struggling with alcohol abuse around the world. At least 15.3 million people worldwide are dealing with an addiction to drugs. Intravenous drug use is reported in 136 countries, according to the World Health Organization. Of that figure, 93 countries have HIV as a significant health crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that for every dollar spent on drug treatment, 7 dollars are saved in social and health expenditures.

Alcohol affects every system in the body and can damage a developing fetus. Intoxication can harm brain function and motor skills. Heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of some cancers, stroke and liver disease. Alcoholism is a disease characterized by an intense craving for alcohol and or a continued use despite harm or personal injury.

Drug abuse can include illegal drugs, like cocaine or heroin, or prescription medications like OxyContin or Vicodin. In 2008, 15.2 million Americans older than 12 had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant or sedative for nonmedical reasons at least once in the year before being surveyed.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2008, 5.3 million Americans had abused some form of cocaine and 1.1 million people had abused crack at least once in the year before answering the survey. Cocaine is an addictive central nervous system stimulant that is smoked, injected or snorted. Crack cocaine is a powder that has been processed to form a rock crystal that is then usually smoked. Cocaine abusers risk heart attacks, strokes, respiratory failures, seizures and death.

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is made from morphine and comes as a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance. It is injected, snorted or smoked. Heroin use depressed respiration and overdoses can be fatal. Since its primary method of use is intravenous, the risk of HIV and hepatitis is dramatically increased for abusers.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug similar to amphetamines. It is long lasting and poisonous to dopamine nerve terminals in the central nervous system. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder taken orally or by snorting or injection, or a rock “crystal” that is heated and smoked.

Methamphetamine increases heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Use of methamphetamine causes an irregular heartbeat and long-term use can cause mood disturbances, violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia and severe dental problems. All methamphetamine users risk infection of HIV and hepatitis.

Club drugs are primarily used by teenagers and young adults. These drugs are popular at bars, nightclubs, concerts and rave parties. This class of drugs includes GHB, ketamine, ecstasy and Rohypnol. The street names are special K, vitamin K or jet (ketamine), liquid ecstasy, soap (GHB) or roofies (Rohypnol). Club drugs can create dangerous problems for users. Ketamine distorts a person’s perception and produces feelings of detachment from surroundings and self. GHB and rohypnol provide a sedative effect. Abuse of GHB can cause coma and seizures. Ketamine can cause amnesia and delirium. Rohypnol is often known as the “date rape drug” because it can incapacitate users and cause amnesia. When rohypnol is mixed with alcohol, it can be fatal.

A 2008 study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed that 0.5 percent of eighth graders, 0.4 percent of tenth graders and 1.3 percent of high school seniors had abused Rohypnol. GHB users were similar – 1.1 percent of eighth graders, 0.5 percent of tenth graders and 1.2 percent of high school seniors. The NIDA study showed that 1.2 percent of eighth graders used ketamine, 1 percent of tenth graders used the drug, and 1.5 percent of high school seniors.

Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that users deliberately inhale because of the chemical’s mind-altering effects. Abused substances are often common household products that have volatile solvents, aerosols or gases. These substances are readily accessible to users. Most inhalants produce a quick high that is similar to alcohol intoxication. If enough of the inhalant is used, almost all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation and often unconsciousness. Irreversible effects of inhalant abuse can be hearing loss, arm and leg spasms, central nervous system or brain damage, or bone marrow damage. Sniffing high concentrations of inhalants can cause death from heart failure of suffocation. Inhalants displace oxygen in the lungs.

In 2008, 2 million Americans had abused inhalants. The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 8.9 percent of eighth graders, 5.9 percent of tenth graders and 3.8 percent of high school seniors had abused inhalants at least once in the year prior to answering the survey.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. It is composed from dried parts of the Cannibis sativa hemp plant. Short-term effects of marijuana use include euphoria, distorted pereceptions, memory impairment, and difficulty thinking and solving problems. In 2008, 25.8 million Americans had abused marijuana. A 2008 NIDA study showed that 10.9 percent of eighth graders, 23.9 percent of tenth graders and 32.4 percent of high school seniors had used marijuana, making it a significant problem in the fight against substance abuse.

This educational content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, home improvement or health advice. Content on this page is provided by Ask The Experts and not the featured advertiser.

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