U S E A N D A B U S E

PRESCRIPTION, NON-PRESCRIPTION, AND

ILLEGAL DRUGS

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

• Substance Abuse is any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for non medical purposes.• Illegal Drugs are chemical substances that

people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell.• Illicit Drug Use is the use or sale of any

substance that is illegal or otherwise not permitted.

ILLEGAL DRUGS

• There are several illegal drugs out there. Marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, heroin, Ecstacy, and Meth are just a few.• These drugs have various effects and

consequences of use.

ALL DRUGS CAN BE ABUSED

• Many people think of things like crack, cocaine, or meth when they think of drug abuse. While illegal drugs are abused and dangerous, legal drugs that can be obtained with or without a prescription can be just as dangerous.

LEGAL DRUGS NOT TAKEN AS INTENDED

• Legal drugs are used for a variety of reasons. Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, treatment of conditions like ADHD, anxiety treatment, or treatment of common ailments like cough or cold.• The most abused fall into basic classes: Opioid

pain relievers, stimulants, depressants, and over the counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan.

HOW ARE THEY ABUSED?

• Taking medicine prescribed for someone else• Taking too much of the drug• Taking the drug for another purpose than

prescribed or labeled

WHY ARE THEY ABUSED?

• Illegal drugs are used with the purpose of obtaining a high or other pleasurable effect.• Legal drugs are abused for the same reasons.• Opioids have effects similar to heroin• Stimulants can act like cocaine• Depressants can produce effects like club drugs• Dextromethorphan can produce hallucinatory effects

HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOUR HEALTH

• Physical health there is a risk for an overdose or a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug. There is a risk of contracting hepatitis B or HIV with use of substances with a needle.• Mental health: may impair a person’s ability

to reason and or think. • Social health may also be altered, teens may

lose friendships with teens who choose to be drug free. Family relationships may also be strained.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEGAL DRUGS

• Besides addiction, drugs that are abused can cause many adverse effects on health• Stimulants can cause heart problems and

behavior can be affected• Opioids can cause constipation and depress

breathing (which can be dangerous)• Depressants can affect cognitive and physical

ability• Dextromethorphan can cause impairment of

motor function, heart issues, and brain damage.

SOURCES

• http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications