Drugs

Abuse of drugs is a growing, nationwide problem. The following drugs are the most commonly abused:

Marijuana
One of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the United States; marijuana is the leaf of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in marijuana is THC, which produces a physiological high when smoked or eaten.

Inhalants
Breathable chemical vapors that produce mind-altering effects, inhalants are drugs that include common household and office products, such as spray paints, glues and cleaning fluids.

Methamphetamines
Methamphetamines, the drugs also known as speed, meth or crystal, are an addictive stimulant that strongly activates certain systems in the brain.

Cocaine/Crack
Ingested by inhalation, injection or smoking, cocaine and crack are powerfully addictive drugs. While cocaine is processed with ether, "crack" is the street name given to cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking.

Prescription Drugs
The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids (morphine, codeine, OxyContin, Vicodin and Demerol), amphetamines and depressants.

LSD/Acid
A potent hallucinogenic, LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. Commonly referred to as "acid," LDS is taken in tablet, capsule and liquid form, usually found on squares of paper or sugar cubes.

Club Drugs
MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine, which produce hallucinations, euphoria, altered mood and relaxation, are drugs commonly taken in pill or capsule form by people at dance clubs or parties.

Heroin
Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant, and produces extreme euphoria and disconnection from reality.

The common denominator for each of these very different drugs is simple: they are illegal and highly addictive, psychologically and/or physiologically. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from drug abuse, please contact Treatment Referral today to find out more about your treatment options.