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Alcohol

Health hazards associated with the excessive use of alcohol include:

dramatic behavioral changes;
impairment of motor skills, reasoning and rational thinking;
higher incidence of accidents and accidental death;
Prolonged alcohol abuse may cause these permanentphysical changes:
damage to the bone marrow, heart, testes and ovaries;
intestinal bleeding and liver damage;
nerve and brain damage;
psychotic behavior;
loss of memory and coordination;
vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Drugs

The frequent use of illicit drugs may cause more sudden and severe changes than alcohol; however, unlike alcohol, many drug-induced physical problems may be reversed with abstinence.

Cocaine

A stimulant that is most commonly inhaled as a powder. It can be dissolved in water and used intravenously. The cocaine extract (freebase) is smoked. Users may progress from infrequent use to dependence within a few weeks or months.

Physiological and behavioral changes include:
•   elevated blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate;
•   hallucinations and psychotic behavior;
•   social isolation and irritability;
•   memory problems.

Overdose may produce convulsions, delirium and result in cardiac arrest.

Crack Cocaine

A stimulant that is smoked. The effects include:
•   increased pulse rate, elevated blood pressure and dilated pupils;
•   insomnia, loss of appetite and seizures;
•   paranoia and tactile hallucinations.Dangers include extreme addiction; death caused by disruption of brain’s control of the coronary and respiratory functions.

Amphetamines (speed, love drug, ecstasy)

Patterns of use and associated effects are similar to cocaine.

Severe intoxication may produce:
•   confusion, rambling or incoherent speech, and ringing in the ears;
•   anxiety, psychotic behavior and hallucinations;
•   intense fatigue and depression;
•   irreversible brain damage;Large doses may result in convulsions and death from cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Heroin and Other Opiates

These drugs are injected, inhaled or ingested. Designer drugs similar to opiates include Fentanyl, Demerol, China White, and CHIVA. Addiction and dependence develop rapidly. Use is characterized by impaired judgement, slurred speech, and drowsiness.

Overdose of opiates is manifested by:
• coma, shock, and depressed respiration;
• possibility of death from respiratory arrest.

Withdrawal problems include sweating, diarrhea, fever, insomnia, irritability, nausea and vomiting, and muscle and joint pains.

Hallucinogens or Psychedelics

These include LSD, mescaline, peyote, and phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust).

The use of these drugs may:
• impair and distort one’s perception of surroundings;
• result in visual hallucinations and bizarre mood changes.

Discontinuation may result in flashbacks. Withdrawal may require psychiatric treatment for a persistent psychotic state. Suicide is not uncommon.

Solvent Inhalants

Fumes from these substances, e.g. glue, lacquers, plastic cement cause problems similar to alcohol. Incidents of hallucinations and permanent brain damage are more frequent.

Marijuana (Cannabis)

Mari-juana is usually ingested by smoking.

Prolonged use can lead to:

• alteration of depth perception and sense of time;

• impaired judgment and coordination;

• disconnected ideas;
• psychological dependence.

Damage from intravenous drug use

In addition to the adverse effects associated with the use of a specific drug, intravenous drug users who use unsterilized needles or who share needles with other drug users can develop AIDS, hepatitis, tetanus (lock jaw), and infections in the heart. Permanent brain damage may also result.

The Alcohol and Other Drug Program at The University of Texas at Dallas is administered by the Student Counseling Center and Health Education.