Legal & Illegal Substance Abuse

Substance abuse refers to the harmful use of psychoactive substances, according to the World Health Organization, and can occur with either legal or illegal drugs. In 1996, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse revealed that 13 million people in the United States used illicit drugs. Drug abuse can lead to deadly overdoses and dependence syndrome, or addiction, characterized by a series of behavioral, physical and mental occurrences that develop after repeated use.

Cigarettes and Alcohol

• Cigarettes and alcohol are legal in the United States but are the most widely abused substances, according to eMedicine. Twenty-five percent of Americans smoke, and 10 percent are dependent on or abuse alcohol. Cigarettes contain the highly addictive substance nicotine as well as thousands of other health-damaging--including cancer-causing--chemicals. Dangers of cigarette use include heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, peptic ulcer disease and stroke. Smoking kills 500,000 people every year and costs the U.S. $100 billion annually in direct and indirect health care costs.

  Alcohol is a depressant linked with enlargement of the heart, cancers of the esophagus, pancreas and stomach, and is the most common cause of liver failure in the U.S. In severe cases, withdrawal can be lethal. Alcohol is associated with half of all fatal motor accidents and its abuse cost the nation $150 billion in 1992 alone.

Marijuana

• Marijuana, which comes from the cannabis plant, is legal in 14 states for medical use as of 2010. It is, however, the most commonly used federally illegal drug. Its intoxicating ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which can produce relaxation, impaired coordination and impaired memory. Marijuana is a controversial drug that has solicited much debate over its possible benefits and risks for conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, anxiety and glaucoma. While some health organizations link marijuana with possible cancer risks, other studies suggest it may benefit cancer patients.

Heroin and Cocaine

• According to eMedicineHealth, approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. abuse cocaine. The drug's effects include pleasure, increased alertness and paranoia. Risks of use include the constriction of blood vessels, heart damage, irregular heart beat, stroke, brain, lung and kidney damage and death.

  A 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse concluded that 24 million in the U.S. abused heroin. Effects include drowsiness, pleasure and slowed breathing. Dangers include heart valve destruction, infections such as HIV/AIDS, tetanus and botulism from contaminated needle use and death. Withdrawal is often severe, requiring medical supervision.

Methamphetamines and Club Drugs

• Methamphetamine is a strong stimulant that produces increased alertness, appetite and pleasure. Dangers include weight loss, teeth degeneration, heart damage, heart attacks, strokes, dangerously high blood pressure and death.

  Club drugs refer to a series of drugs popular at raves, including Ecstasy (or MDMA), GHB, Rohypnol ("roofies"), ketamine ("special K") and PCP ("angel dust"). Effects of these drugs range from complete lack of pain (leading to severe injuries), amnesia, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, coma and death. GHB and Rohypnol, in particular, are associated with rape.

Global Facts

• The World Health Organization states that worldwide, 76.3 million people have alcohol-use disorders, 15.3 million have drug-use disorders, and 136 countries have drug users who inject themselves--which may lead to HIV/AIDS. For every $1 spent on drug treatment efforts, $7 are saved in social and health costs.