Substance Abuse

Continuing with Substance Abuse and the breakdown of each and what they involve.

Today we are going to start off by talking about Cannabis, Cocaine, and Amphetamines and what each one of these addictions consists of. Let us start off with Cannabis first and work our way down the list.

Understanding Cannabis Addiction or also known as Marijuana addiction:

Marijuana is a drug acquired from the cannabis plant. The plant is typically dried out, ground up and smoked (in paper like a cigarette or in a pipe like tobacco).

Marijuana also comes in the form of “edibles.” Edibles are foods, such as baked goods and candies, that contain the active ingredient in Marijuana, Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, and produce the same effects as smoking it.

Some people consume a resin-like substance concentrated from the plant that produces a far more intense high. This substance often referred to as “dabs,” may be a viscous liquid, a wax-like substance, or a hard, crystallized material similar to hard candy that is typically vaporized and inhaled.

Other names for dabs include:

•  Wax
• Budder
• Shatter

Dabs are made in several ways, most commonly with:

•  Butane
• isopropyl alcohol (Both of which can be extremely dangerous)

Liquid, wax-like substance, or hard, crystallized material like hard candy typically vaporized and inhaled

Marijuana is legal in some states and illegal in others. In some states, only medical use is legal, while some others have also legalized recreational marijuana. Medically, marijuana is used for stress and pain relief and to increase appetite. Recreationally, marijuana is used for its calming effects and to achieve the notorious “high.” Street names for marijuana include pot, dope, ganja, grass, Mary Jane, reefer, and weed.

Psychological addiction is often the hardest part to overcome, although there are undeniable physical symptoms of addiction as well. Someone who uses cocaine frequently will develop a dependence on it, meaning they need it to feel normal. Once dependence has developed, a tolerance will develop, and withdrawal symptoms will occur when stopping use.

Marijuana has a long history of legislation for and against its use. Fueled by mixed feelings and misinformation, confusion about the existence and risks of marijuana addiction is still around today. However, it is widely accepted that both marijuana addiction and withdrawal are real.

Marijuana Effects and Abuse:

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that alters perception. Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical compound that causes the drug’s effects. The effects of marijuana may be different for everyone and depend on how it is consumed. Smoking marijuana produces a faster, shorter-lived high than taking it orally. The effects of dabs can be immediate and last for hours due to their concentrated amounts of THC.

The effects of marijuana include:

• Feelings of happiness

• Mild hallucinations

• Increased appetite

• Reduced anxiety

While there is virtually no risk of overdosing, marijuana comprises the second highest rates (after cocaine) of emergency room visits caused by abusing an illicit substance. These hospital visits are mostly attributed to accidents that occurred when individuals were intoxicated.

Increasing THC in Marijuana:

The THC content of marijuana has increased as much as 300 percent since the 1960s, which affects marijuana abuse and tolerance. The higher doses of THC in today’s marijuana can contribute to increased intoxication-related risks and an increased risk of dependence.

Addiction to Marijuana:

Marijuana addiction can be clinically diagnosed and has a negative impact on the person’s life. People can develop a psychological dependence on marijuana in the same way other addictions develop.

When an individual uses marijuana, cannabinoid receptors in the brain are activated by a neurotransmitter called Anandamide. THC mimics and blocks the actions of natural neurotransmitters like Anandamide, to the point where the body no longer produces sufficient Anandamide on its own.

The user’s brain gets reprogrammed to need marijuana just to feel normal. When the user stops bringing more THC into the body, they often experience withdrawal symptoms because of the resulting lack of Anandamide. Wanting to quit using marijuana, but being unable to do so, is a strong indication of an addiction.

There are also risks of using marijuana that can affect someone’s personal life. These risks can manifest into more immediate consequences such as:

• Legal complications

• Falling behind in school

• Having problems at work

• An impaired ability to learn and remember things

Marijuana has long been recognized as a gateway drug because experimentation with it often leads to use of harder drugs like cocaine. The perception of marijuana as a gateway drug is most often related to teenage marijuana use because teens are more likely to experiment with other drugs.

As marijuana abuse continues to rise in the United States, teenagers are smoking more than ever. Teens who smoke marijuana are at a higher risk of developing an addiction — to marijuana or something harder — later in life.

Marijuana Abuse Statistics:

• : Daily marijuana use among Americans increased by 2.3 million people from 2006 to 2012.
• 18% Drug of choice: Marijuana was the main drug of choice for 18% of people who entered rehabilitation programs in 2009.
• 14.8% Chose rehab: Approximately 14.8 percent of those who entered rehabilitation programs for marijuana did so of their own accord.

Some people who have been using marijuana frequently for a long-time struggle to stop using it on their own. Just like any other addiction, asking for help is the most effective way to quit.

Treatment options include inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, support groups, and therapy. All individuals seeking or considering treatment should meet with a substance abuse professional for an evaluation to determine the level of care that best meets their medical and psychological needs.

Cocaine Addiction:

Understanding Cocaine- Cocaine is a white powdery substance that reacts with the body’s central nervous system, producing energy and euphoria. It is most commonly snorted but can also be smoked (also known as “freebasing”) or dissolved in water and injected. Cocaine is also referred to as coke, blow, or powder. Although most people today recognize that cocaine is addictive, thousands are still drawn to it. As many as 1,800 Americans experiment with cocaine for the first time each day.

Cocaine Effects and Abuse:

Any use of cocaine is considered abuse because it is an illegal substance. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that affects the brain by stimulating elevated levels of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with pleasure and reward. Over time, Cocaine negatively affects every part of the body with the potential for severe long-term effects.

It can cause changes to genetics in brain cells, nerve cells and proteins, among other permanent effects.

Other effects of using cocaine include:

• Talkativeness

• Excitement

• Alertness

• Anxiety

• Overconfidence

How people use cocaine also alters the potency and duration of the effects. The effects of snorting it are short-lived, lasting approximately 15-30 minutes. Smoking or injecting cocaine is more intense but lasts for an even shorter period, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Most cocaine users will dose frequently to maintain the desired effects. Injecting the drug poses a higher risk of overdose than snorting.

Cocaine abuse is particularly dangerous because continued use can cause strain on the heart. The most common cause of death in frequent cocaine users is stroke or cardiac arrest. If you or someone you know is abusing cocaine.

Addiction to Cocaine:

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug, but it may be hard to recognize an addiction to it. Craving cocaine and ignoring the consequences that come with it are signs of an addiction.

Psychological addiction is often the hardest part to overcome, although there are undeniable physical symptoms of addiction as well. Someone who uses cocaine frequently will develop a dependence on it, meaning they need it to feel normal. Once dependence has developed, a tolerance will develop, and withdrawal symptoms will occur when stopping use.

Once someone becomes addicted to cocaine, it can be extremely hard to stop. This is because cocaine abnormally increases the level of dopamine in the brain, eventually reprogramming the brain reward system.

Although some people are able to quit on their own, many require therapy or rehab.

Cocaine and Other Drugs:

Many people who experiment with cocaine usually do so in environments where other substances are being used. For this reason, many people with a cocaine addiction may also have a dependence on other substances, such as alcohol or marijuana. This is known as poly-drug use and is especially dangerous, as it increases the risk of fatal overdose.

Cocaine and alcohol are frequently used together to recover cocaine users. For this reason, it is important to abstain from all drugs during recovery. Using heroin and cocaine together (known as a “speedball”) is arguably the most dangerous of all drug combinations that include cocaine.

Cocaine Statistics:

More people are admitted to emergency rooms for cocaine-related issues than any other illicit substance. Of those individuals, 68% had more than one drug in their system.

• 300.000 Became dependent- The number of people with a dependence on cocaine increased by approximately 300,000 people from 2011 to 2012.
• 600,000 First time users: In 2012, over 600,000 people tried cocaine for the first time. The average age at first use was 20 years old.
• 658,000 Received treatment: Approximately 658,000 people received treatment for cocaine addiction in 2012.

An addiction to cocaine can be hard to beat. However, help and resources are available for people who are ready to take their life back.

Amphetamines Addiction: What are Amphetamines?

Amphetamine is a central nervous stimulant. Its use results in an increase in certain types of brain activity, resulting in a feeling of higher energy, focus, confidence, and in a dose-dependent manner, can elicit a rewarding euphoria.

The term “amphetamine” refers to a group of chemically related stimulants. First synthesized in the 1880s, amphetamines originally were used as nasal decongestants, weight suppressants, and to help people stay awake. They have been prescribed to soldiers for alertness in all wars since their discovery. In 1965, the potential for rapid and serious addiction prompted the U.S. government to restrict access to the drug.

Today, while many of these drugs are prescribed by licensed health care providers, the amphetamines available on the black market are generally produced illegally.

Amphetamines are known as “uppers” and “speed,” as they speed up the messages going between the brain and the body. Some types of amphetamines are legally prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (where a person has an uncontrollable urge to sleep). Amphetamines usually come in the form of pills.

Stimulants have been abused for both “performance enhancement” and recreational purposes (i.e., to get high). For the former, they suppress appetite (resulting in weight loss), increase wakefulness, and improve focus and attention.

The euphoric effects of stimulants are increased when the pills are crushed and then sniffed or injected. Some abusers dissolve the tablets in water and inject the mixture. Complications from this method of use can arise because some of the ingredients in illegal tablets do not dissolve and can block the small blood vessels.

Effects of Amphetamines:

• Ritalin, Concerta (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, and Concerta are brand names of the amphetamine product Methylphenidate. It may be legally prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Methylphenidate has been approved by the U.S. FDA to be used as prescribed under the careful supervision of medical professionals and for its intended purpose. The FDA has also issued several safety warnings about this medication, and Methylphenidate abuse is considered dangerous and life-threatening. Find out about how we treat Ritalin/Concerta abuse here.

The euphoric effects of stimulants are increased when the pills are crushed and then sniffed or injected. Some abusers dissolve the tablets in water and inject the mixture. Complications from this method of use can arise because some of the ingredients in illegal tablets do not dissolve and can block the small blood vessels.

Types of Amphetamines:

• Ritalin, Concerta (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, and Concerta are brand names of the amphetamine product Methylphenidate. It may be legally prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

Methylphenidate has been approved by the U.S. FDA to be used as prescribed under the careful supervision of medical professionals and for its intended purpose.

The FDA has also issued several safety warnings about this medication, and Methylphenidate abuse is considered dangerous and life-threatening. Find out about how we treat Ritalin/Concerta abuse here.

• Adderall is the brand name of a product that is a combination of the stimulant’s amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Adderall has been approved by the U.S. FDA to be prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD.

Many warnings have been issued by the FDA regarding the abuse potential of Adderall and other prescription stimulants if not used correctly under a qualified physician’s supervision. In several countries, warnings regarding possible cardiac/cardiovascular risks of using stimulants to treat ADHD use have been issued. Find out about how we treat Adderall abuse here.

• Ephedrine is a stimulant frequently used in products for the treatment of breathing problems, asthma, allergies, and sinus congestion. Ephedrine is a key ingredient in methamphetamine, which is illegal. It has also been used in various diet products, which have varying legal status in different countries.

Signs of Amphetamines Abuse:

All stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain — dopamine is a brain chemical (or neurotransmitter) associated with pleasure. The therapeutic effect of stimulants is achieved by a steady increase of dopamine, similar to the way that dopamine is produced by the brain.

The doses prescribed by physicians start low and increase gradually until a therapeutic effect is reached. However, when taken in doses other than those prescribed, amphetamines can increase brain dopamine in a rapid and uncontrolled manner disrupting normal communication between brain cells, producing a temporary sense of euphoria, and increasing the risk of addiction.

Amphetamines affect the brain, heart, lungs, and other organs. Users experience feelings of increased alertness, excitement, restlessness, and sometimes an unrealistic sense of power and euphoria. The physical effects include an increased breathing and heart rate, an increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, jaw clamping, and decreased appetite. These effects last six hours or even longer, in some cases.

Larger doses of amphetamines may result in fever, sweating, headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness. Extremely high doses may produce an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, tremors, loss of coordination, seizures, high fever, heart failure, strokes, and collapse and death from burst blood vessels in the brain.

Other signs of amphetamine abuse include aggression, mood swings, irritability, sleeping disorders, and cravings. Long-term symptoms include dysthymia, a mood disorder that features chronic depression or irritable mood. Other symptoms may include eating and sleeping disturbances, fatigue, and poor self-esteem, depression, mood swings, cravings, lethargy, and sleeping difficulties.

There is help for any addiction you or a loved one may face. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. If you need help and feel that you cannot confide in a friend or family, please call the SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357).