Video

Types of Drugs

Drug abuse is a very common problem in most countries so it seemed like a good topic for a list. This is a list of ten of the most abused drugs and the effects they have on people.

 1. Heroin

Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy. It was originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine. Upon crossing the blood-brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream, heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being; the characteristic euphoria has been described as an “orgasm” centered in the gut. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous injection.

For the last 4 months, my partner and I have been recreationally using heroin. H became our weekend ritual. Lighting candles, playing music, brie and wine and grapes, reading tarot and finally fucking… for hours on end, the most intense beautiful technicolor sex. Each time we did it we got closer to each other. And each time we did it, we wanted to do it again, and again. We tried saying we’d only do it once every two weeks, but that lasted 6 days. We have rules about how much we do in one night, how late we stay up and so on. So far the rules have kept us safe from addiction. Unless you consider the nagging i-don’t-wanna-go-a-weekend-or-have-sex-without-it feelings. We’ve never run out, although, once we were down to our last little bit and I left the vial open on the night stand. I was reaching for the lube when I heard the most sickening sound, the vial falling over. Turns out, I was mistaken, I had remembered to put the cap back on. But in those few seconds of uncertainty, my girl and I shot each other a look we had never seen before.. Fear. 

2. Cocaine

Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours, depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Sexual interest and pleasure can be amplified. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.

The cocaine arrived and we agreed to use it at a time that translated to three and a half hours after I arrived. It cost $60 for what I was told was an eighth of a gram. This seemed rather expensive, but I was assured that it was ‘high quality product.’ I took the line up my left nostril. After about ninety seconds, I felt my heartbeat increase. It was definitely kicking in. I began to worry a bit, as I could feel my heart pounding and my pulse increasing. I finally felt as if it had reached a plateau. My heartbeat became level, albeit still very high. Many people say that one feels euphoria – being invincible and/or the desire to clean the house. I did not feel either of these (and I did remember to think about these things). For me, the positive effects of cocaine came directly from knowing that I had reached a plateau and I was going to be fine. I felt invigorated, yet also very comfortable.

One of the best treatment for drug addiction is to consult with cocaine rehab centers for recovery.

3. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamime, popularly shortened to meth or ice, is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction. Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving.

We first smoked meth on New Year’s Eve because we heard it was great for sex. I had to work the next day and so saved some to smoke before work in the morning. When I got home another g was waiting for me and I smoked every day but one until I finally quit three months later. For three weeks we smoked meth with little consequence, then my skin became fragile and in addition to breaking out, started to swell. I was really worried because I was constantly thirsty and drinking water, but I rarely urinated. Then my kidneys started hurting. I had lost twenty pounds in two months and my husband had lost thirty, and we’d read somewhere that rapid weight loss can cause kidney failure. I slept every three or four days for an hour or so and woke feeling rested. I was an hour late for work everyday. My husband wrecked the truck three times. One day I forgot to feed my son. Everything was either the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, no in between existed anymore. We were banned from the sauna at our apartment complex because no one else could use it. Our sweat smelled so strongly of ammonia it burned the eyes, it was caustic, and it burned our skin too. My husband and I haven’t done any drugs at all for four weeks, and things are slowly going back to normal. But I still want it. I can’t sleep tonight because I want it. I wrote this in all honesty mostly to help myself, to remind myself why I don’t want it. And still I want it.

4-Ecstasy

Ecstasy (MDMA) is a semisynthetic psychedelic entactogen of the phenethylamine family that is much less visual with more stimulant like effects than most all other common “trip” producing psychedelics. It is considered mainly a recreational drug that’s often used with sex and associated with club drugs, as an entheogen, and a tool in use to supplement various types of practices for transcendence including in meditation, psychonautics, and illicit psychedelic psychotherapy whether self administered or not. The primary effects of MDMA include an increased awareness of the senses, feelings of openness, euphoria, empathy, love,happiness, heightened self-awareness, feeling of mental clarity and an increased appreciation of music and movement. Tactile sensations are enhanced for some users, making physical contact with others more pleasurable. Other side effects, such as jaw clenching and elevated pulse, are common.

Sitting comfortably in our cosy living room, Café del Mar and similar CDs playing in the background, we began at 8 pm. I swallowed one white tablet with water. Over the next hour nothing much happened except that I found myself talking quite openly and confidently with the others, moving very easily into interesting conversations. This was a little unusual for me as I am normally quite shy and overly self-conscious in social situations and it takes me a while to loosen up. The next thing I experienced was a striking shift in my visual perception. I don’t mean a hallucination or a distortion, but a wonderful step up in the aesthetic quality. For a moment it was like being in one of those nostalgic TV ads where the world looks all gold and sepia. ‘Everything’s gone amber!’ I blurted. But then I found that my vision was becoming beautifully enhanced. It made my normal visual experience seem like cheap, fuzzy CCTV footage in comparison. Now I was seeing the world anew in sharp, lush, top-quality Technicolor! I also began to move in time to the music. The music! Oh, the music! Wow! It sounded so good, so organic! The uplifted state stayed with me and took a long time to fade — at least a couple of weeks. It had unleashed in me a rush of joy that was still accessible when I focused on it weeks later.

5.Opium

Opium is a resinous narcotic formed from the latex released by lacerating (or “scoring”) the immature seed pods of opium poppies (Papaver somniferum). It contains up to 16% morphine, an opiate alkaloid, which is most frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. Opium has gradually been superseded by a variety of purified, semi-synthetic, and synthetic opioids with progressively stronger effect, and by other general anesthesia. This process began in 1817, when Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner reported the isolation of pure morphine from opium after at least thirteen years of research and a nearly disastrous trial on himself and three boys.

I remember that what I smoked was much easier to smoke than marijuana. There was no burning in my throat nor in my lungs. I took a very large, smooth hit. Smoking it like marijuana, I held it in for about 10 or 15 seconds and let it out. It didn’t taste like marijuana, I remember the taste being rather faint. It actually tasted and smelled like incense. I was very surprised to suddenly find myself on the floor, in the dark, with a crowd of people surrounding me. Apparently I had fainted and fallen to the ground, but I hadn’t noticed. The high itself is rather hard to describe. It was much more intense than marijuana. It felt heavy, like my whole body was being impacted… but it also felt very clear and refined at the same time. As I made my way towards the bathroom the drug began to kick in again. My steps kind of faded away and it felt like I was just floating over to the bathroom. The scary thing was though, that I was having trouble seeing. My vision was fading. Distinct figures melted into shadows and everything had a sparkle to it. All of a sudden, everything felt really good. I couldn’t stop smiling. Everything was profound in a very positive way, especially the music since it resonated everywhere. It was a very abstruse experience. I imagine that I was coming down at this point, an hour had surely past by because the band was building a climax to end their first set. I went along with the crowd and made my way outside. The fresh air was wonderful. The cool air seemed to wrap around my body. A slight breeze on the back of my neck sent chills that rapidly multiplied throughout my body.

6-Marijuana

Cannabis, known as marijuana in its herbal form, is a psychoactive product of the plant Cannabis sativa. Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory, although in the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and medicinal purposes. It is estimated that about four percent of the world’s adult population use cannabis annually. It has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed, usually by smoking or ingestion. The minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The state of intoxication due to cannabis consumption is colloquially known as a “high”; it is the state where mental and physical facilities are noticeably altered due to the consumption of cannabis. Each user experiences a different high, and the nature of it may vary upon factors such as potency, dose, chemical composition, method of consumption and set and setting.

After taking that first hit, and not feeling the effects within a minute (holding it in for a minute, and then waiting a little bit after exhaling) I decided, well I better hit this again, harder if I can. I took just as large of a hit, and again held it in for longer than a minute. I let my brother know I was really starting to feel something now and I don’t think I liked it all. It snuck up on me really bad, and I still had no idea what to expect. I wanted him to be quiet. Laying down was not helping, so I got back up. I went back to the garage and tried to explain to everyone ‘I am totally fucked up. This is scary!’ I was rationalizing everything tremendously, but it was SO intense! And it was only getting more intense faster! I didn’t know what to expect, I was sinking within myself, accelerating downward like into the depths of my own oblivion. I was a novice, I had no idea what to expect, and the world had become out of synch, the talking of my brothers, his friend, all ridiculous and extremely annoying. I became amazingly irritable and wanted them to leave me alone or not talk in my presence. They did not understand or appreciate my fear, and they began to get loud again. I ran upstairs to my parents bed and laid down with some wistful hope that I could wait out this storm.

7-Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms (also called psilocybian mushrooms) are fungi that contain the psychedelic substances psilocybin and psilocin, and occasionally other psychoactive tryptamines. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being magic mushrooms or ‘shrooms. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down to produce psilocin, which is responsible for the hallucinogenic effects. The intoxicating effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last anywhere from 3 to 7 hours depending on dosage, preparation method and personal metabolism. The experience is typically inwardly oriented, with strong visual and auditory components. Visions and revelations may be experienced, and the effect can range from exhilarating to distressing. There can be also a total absence of effects, even with large doses.

I had acquired about 8 grams of dried mushrooms and some liquid psilocybin equivalent to another 5 grams of powdered mushrooms. I swallowed the liquid first, on an empty stomach of course. I could feel a slight sensation after about 10-15 minutes. Then I added the powder to some water in a mug and swallowed that also. I then sat by the camp fire, listening to the wind in the trees while I contemplated what was about to happen. After about 45-50 minutes I heard a ‘voice’ calling to me. It wasn’t audible in the normal sense – it came from inside my own mind! Then I was gone – out of this world. I escaped into what I perceived to be the outer boundaries of my mind or my imagination. This placed presented itself as a natural forest with low light. Here I met the owner of the aforementioned voice – the Mushroom Goddess. She took the form of a white, strapless, ankle-length dress, standing side-on from me. For about the next two hours I dialoged with her, becoming totally bewitched by her charm, her wit, her intelligence, her knowledge, her unconditional affection for me and her seemingly infinite perspective. I have come to think of her as my other-worldly girlfriend.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT DRUGS

HEROIN

What is Heroin?
Heroin is a morphine derivative, and
morphine is opium’s most potent active
ingredient. First synthesized in 1874,
heroin was widely used in medicine in
the early part of the 20th Century, until its
addictive potential was recognized. Pure
heroin is a white powder with a bitter
taste. Street heroin may vary in color
from white to dark brown because of
impurities or additives. There is a dark
brown or black form of the drug, as
dense as roofing tar or coal, known as
"black tar."
Known on the street as smack, horse, H, junk, or scag, heroin is the most
commonly abused of narcotics. Narcotic drugs (also called opioids) are
derivatives of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) or chemically similar
synthetics.


How is Heroin Taken?
When prescribed, narcotics are most often taken by mouth. Heroin, however, is
generally inhaled or injected, although it may also be smoked. Heroin can be
mixed with tobacco or marijuana and smoked in a pipe or cigarette. It may also
be heated and burned, releasing fumes that users inhale ("chasing the dragon").
Users who choose injection, generally inject directly into a major vein
("mainlining"), although some may start by injecting under the skin ("popping").
Heroin abusers often use other drugs as well. They may "speedball," taking
cocaine or methamphetamine with heroin, or use alcohol, marijuana, or
tranquilizers to enhance the high and blunt effects of withdrawal.


Paying the Price of Heroin Use
The negative consequences of heroin use range from mild distress to lifethreatening
dangers and include:
 Dry, itchy skin and skin infections
 Constricted pupils and reduced night vision
 Nausea and vomiting (following early use or high doses)
 Constipation and loss of appetite
 Menstrual irregularity
 Reduced sex drive
 Scarring ("tracks") along veins and collapsed veins from
repeated injections
 Irregular blood pressure
 Slow and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
 Fatigue, breathlessness, and labored, noisy breathing due to
excessive fluid in the lungs ("the rattles")
 Injuries that result from engaging in any activity (such as
working, driving, or operating machinery) when incapacitated
by heroin use
 Dependence, addiction
 Hepatitis, AIDS, and other infections from unsanitary
injection
 Stroke or heart attack caused by blood clots resulting from
insoluble additives
 Respiratory paralysis, heart arrest, coma, and death from
accidental overdose


What is Heroin’s Behavioral Impact?
The behavioral impact of habitual heroin use is generally devastating. Most
habitual users are incapable of concentration, learning, or clear thought. Rarely
are they able to hold a job. They are apathetic, indifferent to consequences, and
unable to sustain personal relationships. For many, the inability to honestly earn
enough to meet their drug needs leads to crime. For the overwhelming majority,
compulsive use prompts behavior that is self-destructive and irresponsible, often
antisocial, and characteristically indifferent to the injury, pain, or loss it causes
others.


Can Heroin Addicts Recover?
Yes, they can. Treatment takes various forms, and detoxification may be needed,
by some, to manage the effects of withdrawal. The main thrust of treatment,
however, addresses underlying causes of drug abuse and helps recovering
abusers become more self-aware, self-reliant, responsible, and able to manage
stress without the "crutch" of drugs.

Drugs Addiction

Drugs addiction is a problem faced by many people of the world, it is a topic that interests many writers, and they wish to write an essay on drugs for this topic. Drugs are very harmful and keep the capability of dragging an individual towards death and destruction.
People all over the world want to eradicate the adverse situation of drug addiction from this world and this is the reason why they are busy in writing essays on drugs. Essays on drugs are of many types such as war on drugs essay, essay on performance enhancing drugs in sports, essay on drug abuse, essay on illegal drugs, essay on drug addiction, essay on drug use, essay on drugs and alcohol and essay on drug testing, etc. The essays on drugs should be initiated by bringing in the information related to the topic of the essay on drug. You should know what drugs are. In an essay on drugs, you will have to write about drugs, their affects and the reasons due to which people use them, you have to include the information about why the drugs are so famous and how harmful are they. A persuasive essay on drugs will be one, which will be according to the topic of the essay on drugs. It should have a full-fledged introduction, which should introduce the topic completely.
The introduction should also have a thesis statement that should be the main idea of the essay on drugs. A thesis statement should be based on the essay question to which your essay on drugs is an answer. A thesis statement of an essay on drugs can be one sentence or more than one sentence but it is suggested that it should be only one sentence. Essays on drug abuse or essays on drug addiction should be written by arranging the ideas in a format that should be understandable. You should divide your ideas in different paragraphs for an essay on drug abuse or for war on drugs essay. One paragraph should contain one idea and should not go towards a second idea, as it will reduce the comprehensiveness of the paragraph of essay about drugs.
The essays on drugs should be written by researching the topic of drugs thoroughly so that the writer can depict information knowledgably. If you feel disturbed by an exercise of writing an essay on drugs, you can also get plagiarism free essays on drugs from custom writing websites, which are there for your assistance and support in terms of writing essays on drugs.

Drug Types

Drugs change the way the body and the brain function. Sometimes the results are pleasant as in the case of prescription medications that are used to treat various conditions and diseases. However, sometimes, the results are monstrous and cause great harm to your body and well-being. But one thing remains the same: any addictive substance has the potential of changing your life-for good or for bad. 
That's why it's important when looking at the different types of drugs, not to demonize them nor presume they're always safe, but rather to recognize if you are addicted. For the drug addict, serious consequences can result from the use of almost all illicit drugs and prescription medications. 

Classifications of Drugs

One thing that's often misunderstood about drug abuse is that it only involves illegal substances, but that's simply not the case. Any drug can be abused, whether it be bought on a street corner or obtained from your doctor. 

So really, there's no dividing line between prescription and so-called recreational drugs because they often include the same or similar ingredients just in different dosages. That's why prescription drugs are so often abused-it is merely the intent of use that divides them from illegally obtained substances, and even then, prescriptions can be abused. 

Common Drug Types

There are many different types of drugs you should be aware of. Some are prescribed, others are known as club drugs, illicit or illegal substances, and some are called designers drugs. They include:

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a prescription medication used to treat depression and mood disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and other anxiety problems. The problem is that some antidepressant drugs can actually carry serious side effects and when used in combination with alcohol or other depressant drugs, can actually make you more depressed. Likewise, discontinuing use suddenly can cause mild withdrawal symptoms.

Barbiturates

There are many different types of barbiturates out there, many of which are prescription, and work by depressing the central nervous system. This can cause sedation and anesthesia. While used to treat seizure disorders, insomnia and other problems, they can be abused. Users often build up a tolerance to them, requiring larger doses to achieve the same effects. Overdosing occurs often in those abusing "downers."

Cannabis

Cannabis is also known as marijuana and has psychoactive effects. It is taken into the body in the form of smoke or vapor and can even be consumed and mixed into food or steeped in a tea. While the jury's still out on whether or not marijuana is addictive, it is often believed to act as the "gateway" to other more serious substances. Learn more...

Find discussions started by community members in the Marijuana forum and Cannabis discussion board.

Depressants

Depressants are a type of drug that works by reducing the function of the central nervous system. Drugs often included in this category are barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Learn more...

Reach out to other members to talk about alcohol, GHB, Valium, Xanax, and other depressants in our forum.

Hallucinogens

While hallucinogens have been around for years in ceremonies and rituals, they play a role in modern society as well. They work by producing sensory hallucinations in users involving any of the five senses. Common substances that fall within this category include LSD, PCP and Peyote.

Inhalants

As their name would suggest, inhalants refer to a group of drugs that are inhaled in the form of a gas or solvent. Potential inhalants can be found just about anywhere and include common products like nail polish remover, gasoline, glue and aerosol cans. 

Narcotics

While the term "narcotics" is often used to refer to any illicit substance, it technically means a substance derived from opium (opiates) or its synthetic replacements. Examples of narcotics include cocaine, morphine and heroin, all of which are highly addictive. Learn more...

Got a question? Head over to the narcotics bulletin board to talk with other members.

Steroids

Anabolic steroids are not the same as the kind used in medicine for the reduction of inflammation. Rather, these substances are used to build muscle mass and strength. They typically consist of male sex hormones and can be very damaging when used without a prescription. 

The steroids forum contains questions and answers about steroid abuse and treatment for addiction.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a class of drugs that boost alertness and increase the activity of the central nervous system. Examples of this type of drug include amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine and nicotine, all of which are highly addictive. 

Have a question about using stimulants? Our members discuss stimulant use and abuse daily.

Tobacco

Tobacco is often smoked in the form of cigarettes or cigars or chewed and contains nicotine, which is a stimulant. It's a highly addictive substance and has been known to cause cancer and other diseases.  Learn more about tobacco addiction symptoms to recognize the signs of dependency. Find Local Treatment Centers Now 

Talk about cigarettes and smoking with other members who have kicked the habit in our forum.

Drug Abuse: Problems and Solutions

Drug Abuse: Problems and Solutions

Drug abuse is rife in many countries. Billions of dollars are spent internationally preventing drug use, treating addicts, and fighting drug-related crime. Although drugs threaten many societies, their effects can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the effects of drug use on society, and suggests some solutions to the problem. 
Drug abuse causes multiple problems for countries and communities. The medical and psychological effects are very obvious. Addicts cannot function as normal members of society. They neglect or abuse their families, and eventually require expensive treatment or hospitalization. The second effect is on crime. Huge police resources are needed to fight smuggling and dealing. Criminal gangs and mafia underworlds develop with the money from drugs. 
However, the menace of drugs can be fought. Education is the first battle. Children need to be told at home and in school about drugs. People need to be aware of the effects so that they can make avoid this problem. A second approach is to increase police manpower and powers to stop dealers and to enforce the law. However the main target should be the user. Families and counselors need to talk to children and people at risk. Parents need to look at their children and help them to Jobs are needed to give people a role in society.

In conclusion, although the problem of drugs may seem impossible to eliminate, there are concrete steps that can be taken to weaken the hold of drugs on society. The danger from drugs is too great to ignore. 

BASIC FACTS ABOUT DRUGS: Cocaine and Crack

What are Cocaine and Crack?
Cocaine is a central nervous system
stimulant, the most powerful found in
nature. Most often seen in the form of a
white, crystalline powder, it is extracted
from the leaves of the coca plant.

What is Crack?
Crack is a smokeable, rapidly reacting form
of cocaine base, which is processed from
cocaine hydrochloride. It usually appears
as off-white chips, rocks, or chunks.

How Are These Drugs Taken?

The primary route of administration for cocaine powder is through inhalation, commonly

referred to as "snorting." This is often done in a ritualistic way; e.g., poured onto a mirror,

chopped, separated into "lines," and then "snorted" off a small "coke" spoon, or through

a straw or rolled-up currency. Some users dissolve the powder in water and inject it into

veins, though this is less common than "snorting."

Crack is smoked. This is easier than "snorting" and carries much less social stigma than

injection. Chips or chunks are usually placed in a pipe, often made of glass, or a similar

vessel and heated with a match or cigarette lighter. The user inhales the fumes.

How Do They Affect You?

Cocaine in all its forms stimulates the central nervous system. It causes the heart to beat

more rapidly and blood vessels to constrict. This results in the demand for a greater

supply of blood. But the narrowed blood vessels are unable to deliver the volume of

blood demanded, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular incidents or

strokes. Initially, use of these drugs reduces appetite and makes the user feel more

alert, energetic, and self-confident—even more powerful.

With high doses, users can become delusional, paranoid, and even suffer acute toxic

psychosis. Blood pressure increases, which can cause strokes or heart attacks. In some

cases these effects have proven fatal. As the drug’s effects wear off, a depression (often

called a "crash") can set in, leaving the user feeling fatigued, jumpy, fearful, and anxious.

Crack causes the same effects as powder cocaine. Because it is smoked, however,

onset is more rapid and intensity greater. Thus, the effects may be significantly

exacerbated. The depression following use is described as considerably deeper and

more profound. The likelihood of cocaine psychosis after binging on crack may be

greater and notably more intense. Crack use is associated with incidents of hyperactive

violence by users and is capable of doing significant harm to fetuses of pregnant users.

Paying the Price of Cocaine and Crack Use

A broad range of consequences include:

 Dependence and addiction

 Cardiovascular problems, including irregular heartbeat, heart

attack, and heart failure

 Neurological incidents, including strokes, seizures, fungal brain

infections, and hemorrhaging in tissue surrounding the brain

 Pulmonary effects, such as fluid in the lungs, aggravation of

asthma and other lung disorders, and respiratory failure

 Psychiatric complications, including psychosis, paranoia,

depression, anxiety disorders, and delusions

 Increased risk of traumatic injury from accidents and aggressive,

violent, or criminal behavior

 Other effects include: sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction,

diminished sense of smell, perforated nasal septum, nausea, and

headaches.

 Crack users often singe eyebrows or eyelashes with the flame of

matches or lighters. They also burn fingertips and other body parts

from contact with superheated vessels (e.g., glass pipes).

 Fetal cocaine effects include premature separation of the

placenta, spontaneous abortion, premature labor, low birthweight

and head circumference at birth, greater chance of visual

impairment, mental retardation, genitourinary malformations, and

greater chance of developmental problems.

 For intravenous (IV) cocaine users, there is increased risk of

hepatitis, HIV infection, and endocarditis.

 For addicts, whether they smoke, inject, or snort, promiscuous sexual

activity can increase the risk of HIV infection