Misuse of common drugs can be responsible for the majority of fatalities. Drug abuse can lead to addiction, a chronic relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of an overdose as well as what kinds of drugs are commonly misused. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you should watch out for when it comes to drug usage.
1) Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that can be deadly when abused. Alcohol poisoning can occur when a person drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time. This can cause the person to stop breathing, have a heart attack, or go into a coma.
Alcohol misuse can lead to liver damage. It can also cause high blood pressure and heart disease. Additionally, alcohol use can lead to cancer – and even fetal damage when pregnant people drink. It also increases the risk of injuries, aggressive behavior, suicide, and motor accidents. And, of course, drinking too much alcohol can also be fatal.
2) Antidepressants
Antidepressants are medications that are used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain.
It is important to be aware of the risk of overdosing on antidepressants, as they are commonly prescribed medications. Cymbalta, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft are all antidepressants that have been linked to fatal overdoses.
When antidepressants are abused, they can cause a person to feel high. They can also lead to addiction. Additionally, when used in combination with other drugs, antidepressants can cause serious health problems.
3) Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a type of medication that is used to treat anxiety and other mental health conditions. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This anxiety medication is very popular and has a high prescription rate. However, they also have a high risk of deadly respiratory depression.
The combination of benzodiazepines with other drugs can have serious negative consequences. For example, the combination of benzodiazepines with alcohol can lead to impaired motor function and memory and can even be deadly.
4) Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that is often used recreationally. It can cause a feeling of euphoria and increased energy. However, it can also cause anxiety and paranoia.
When used in a long-term capacity, you can experience serious issues such as:
- Unhealthy weight loss
- Heart disease
- Organ failure
- Stroke
- Seizures
- etc.
5) Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug that can quickly lead to dependence. It can cause a wide range of health problems, including respiratory depression, collapsed veins, and infection of the heart lining and valves.
Misuse can also lead to serious health complications, such as tissue damage inside the nose, collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining, lung complications, gastrointestinal abscesses, and kidney disease.
When people overdose on heroin, their breathing may slow or stop altogether. Some variants of heroin are also stronger than others, which can cause an accidental overdose – even for people trying it for the first time.
Conclusion
Drug misuse can have a number of dangerous consequences, including addiction, psychosis, and death. It is important to be aware of these dangers and to take appropriate precautions to avoid them.
If you believe that you or someone you know might be abusing drugs, get professional assistance. The American Addiction Institute of Mind & Medicine is one of the best addiction treatment centers in Orange County that can give you the help you need. Get in touch with us today to get started.