Alcohol and Drug Use Resources

Alcohol has a high potential for physical and psychological dependence and can often result in increased tolerance. Possible effects include impaired memory, slurred speech, drunken behavior, and organ damage. Overdose may result in vomiting, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and possible death. Withdrawal symptoms may include trembling, anxiety, insomnia, vitamin deficiency, confusion, hallucinations, and convulsions.

Cannabis includes marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and hashish or hashish oil. All can result in moderate psychological dependence, which could cause physical dependence. Cannabis may impair short-term memory, concentration, and physical coordination. It may also interfere with judgment, attention span, and overall intellectual performance. Overdose may result in fatigue, paranoia, and possible psychosis. Withdrawal may occasionally result in insomnia, hyperactivity, and decreased appetite.

Hallucinogens (including MDMA, LSD, phencyclidine, and others) are less likely to result in physical dependence, with the exception of phencyclidines and analogs, and vary in terms of psychological dependence, ranging from none to moderate (MDMA) to high (phencyclidine and analogs). Possible effects include heightened senses, teeth grinding, dehydration (MDMA and analogs), hallucinations, and altered perception of time and distance. Overdose may result in increased body temperature and cardiac arrest for MDMA and more intense episodes for LSD. Some hallucinogens may result in muscle aches and depression when in withdrawal (MDMA) or may result in drug-seeking behavior.

Stimulants (including cocaine, speed, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate) have a possible risk of physical dependence and a high risk for psychological dependence. The possible side effects include increased alertness, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia, and decreased appetite. Stimulants can cause cardiovascular system damage, including heart attack, brain damage, seizures, severe depression, paranoia, psychosis, and lung damage. Overdose may result in agitation, increased body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, and possible death.

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical compounds, many of which are known to cause cancer. Nicotine, which is a central nervous system stimulant, produces an increase in heart and respiration rates, blood pressure, adrenaline production, and metabolism. People can rapidly become physically and psychologically dependent on tobacco. Nicotine compromises the immune system.

Inhalants are a diverse group of chemicals that easily evaporate and can cause intoxication when their vapors are inhaled. They vary in their level of psychological and physical dependence. Most inhalants are central nervous system depressants and may cause hypotension, headache, impaired memory, slurred speech, drunken behavior, and organ damage. Overdose may result in vomiting, respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and possible death.

Depressants (including GHB or liquid ecstasy, valium, Xanax, Ambien, and barbiturates) have the potential for both physical and psychological dependence. The possible side effects include slurred speech, disorientation, the appearance of intoxication, and impaired memory. Overdose may result in shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroin, fentanyl, and various pain relievers that are available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. If misused, these drugs have a potential for both overdose and addiction. The use of these drugs during pregnancy could cause miscarriage, low birth weight, and/or neonatal abstinence syndrome. When combined with alcohol, heart rate, and breathing can be slowed, which could lead to coma or death.