Medical Health Encyclopedia

Drug abuse

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 addiciton 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.

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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.