Drug Abuse
Use and abuse of drugs or medicines may lead to addiction or dependence. You may hear drug abuse or addiction called substance use disorder. Examples of illegal drugs include amphetamines (also known as speed or crank), methamphetamines (meth), cocaine, heroin, bath salts, and hallucinogens (such as MDMA, ecstasy, PCP, mescaline, and LSD).
Xylazine is a sedative and pain reliever approved only for animals. It's not approved or safe for people. It's known by the street name tranq. Xylazine has been found in street drugs, especially heroin and fentanyl. It has been linked to overdoses and death. Severe side effects from xylazine include slow heart beat and breathing, low blood pressure, skin sores, and coma.
In some states, marijuana is an illegal drug. Medicines include prescription medicines, sedatives, and sleeping pills.
Social and personal problems
Once addiction or dependence happens, you are at greater risk for social and personal problems, including:
-
Craving for the drug and not being able to stop using even though you think you want to stop (psychological addiction).
-
Drug withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug (physical dependence).
-
Loss of friends and family.
-
School or work problems.
-
Arrest, conviction, and jail sentence for possession of an illegal substance or for driving under the influence.
Health problems
Drug use and abuse also increase your risk of serious health problems, including:
-
Stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure.
-
Accidental injuries to yourself or others while you are under the influence of a drug (in a car or at home).
-
HIV infection. This is a much greater risk if you use IV drugs.
-
Skin infections.
-
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
-
Severe and fatal infection of the heart valves if you use IV drugs.
-
Hepatitis B or C.
-
Dementia, mood disorders, persistent hallucinations (particularly with hallucinogens).
-
Dental problems from methamphetamine abuse.
-
Death from overdose.
Home care
The following suggestions can help you care for yourself at home:
-
Admit you have a drug problem. Ask for help from your family and close friends.
-
Get professional help. This could be one-on-one therapy or counseling. There are also outpatient, inpatient, and residential drug treatment programs.
-
Join a self-help group for drug abuse.
-
Stay away from friends who abuse drugs or tempt you to continue abusing drugs.
-
Eat a balanced diet and start a regular exercise program.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised. Contact one of the resources below for help:
Call 911
Call 911 right away if any of these occur:
-
Seizure
-
Hard time breathing or slow, irregular breathing
-
Chest pain
-
Sudden weakness on 1 side of your body or sudden trouble speaking
-
Very drowsy or trouble waking up
-
Fainting or loss of consciousness
-
Fast heart rate
-
Very slow heart rate
When to get medical care
Call your health care provider if you have:
-
Agitation, anxiety, or are unable to sleep.
-
Unintended weight loss. This means more than 10 to 15 pounds over 3 months.
-
Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.
-
Shortness of breath.
-
Cough with colored sputum.
-
Redness, swelling, or tenderness at an injection site.
-
You think counseling or drug rehabilitation services are needed to prevent additional drug use.