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Alcohol
Alcohol use is a common and prevalent disorder. Individuals who misuse alcohol have a higher chance of facing liver disease, heart disease, cancer, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. According to the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use claims the lives of 95,000 Americans each year. Of those deaths, about half of them were due to binge drinking.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of those struggling with alcohol abuse. Some signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to; issues at work and/or school, engaging in dangerous and impulsive activities, legal issues, loss of relationships, withdrawing from society, etc.
Opioid / Heroin
Opioid and Heroin usage and overdose fatalities have risen considerably in the recent decade. Many individuals who begin to use heroin start from being prescribed an opioid for pain control by a doctor. The addiction forms and take root. Statistics have shown that as many as 94% of opioid addicts who move from opioid medications to heroin do so because prescription opioids have become much more costly and challenging to obtain. Many individuals begin using heroin to cope with depression, anxiety, and other forms of stress or to ease mental health concerns such as attention deficit disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of those struggling with opioid and heroin abuse. Some signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to; sudden weight loss, mood swings, issues at work and/or school, legal issues, loss of relationships, secretiveness, deceptive behaviors, etc.
Cocaine
Cocaine use is a very common occurrence in young individuals. About 2 million Americans are regular cocaine users, and 65 percent of them end up suffering from addiction. Individuals who misuse cocaine have a higher chance of facing cardiovascular damage, elevated blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and vasoconstriction in the brain and throughout the body, death, etc. Heart attack is the leading cause of death among people who abuse cocaine. One report shows it accounts for 25 percent of deaths among people ages 18-45 who have abused cocaine or crack cocaine.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of those struggling with cocaine abuse. Some signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to; agitation and irritability, temper outbursts, anxiety and paranoia, inability to sit still, irrational thoughts and actions, issues at work and/or school, engaging in dangerous and impulsive activities, etc.
Crack
Crack Cocaine use is a very common occurrence in young individuals. Individuals who use crack cocaine have a high chance of developing long term depression, permanent damage to blood vessels, cardiovascular damage, elevated blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and vasoconstriction in the brain and throughout the body, psychosis, reproductive damage, lung damage, liver damage, stroke, heart attack, death, etc. Heart attack is the leading cause of death among people who abuse crack cocaine. One report shows it accounts for 25 percent of deaths among people ages 18-45 who have abused cocaine or crack cocaine.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of those struggling with cocaine abuse. Some signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to; dilated pupils, agitation and irritability, temper outbursts, anxiety and paranoia, inability to sit still, irrational thoughts and actions, issues at work and/or school, engaging in dangerous and impulsive activities, burned or cracked lips or fingers, etc.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, “Benzos,” are a pharmaceutical drug prescribed for a spectrum of mental disorders and ailments. They are used to treat moderate to severe anxiety, panic attacks, epileptic seizures, and even withdrawal symptoms from other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, like alcohol. Seizures and coma are common symptoms of a Benzo overdose. Benzodiazepine overdose can slow breathing and heart rate until they stop completely, resulting in death.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of those struggling with benzodiazepines abuse. Some signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to; weakness, drowsiness, blacking out, mood changes, engaging in risky behaviors, impaired coordination, seizures, coma, death, etc.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, “Meth,” is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant drug that affects the entire central nervous system. The drug is highly addictive due to its influence on dopamine production in the body. The first euphoric feeling that methamphetamine provides individuals can never truly be repeated, leaving many users on a continual chase for a high that can never be experienced again.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of those struggling with meth abuse. Some signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to; rotting teeth, rapid weight loss, angry outbursts, paranoia, irritableness, constant scratching, convulsions, etc.