Drug use and abuse is a wide-spread issue in modern society. For parents one of the biggest concerns they have for their children is they will begin to use either drugs or liquor. The use of drugs and alcohol by teenagers is a special concern and it has been growing steadily for a number of years. Being aware of the warning signs of someone who’s using drugs and the effects that the drugs might have on them is needless to say a big help. However getting reliable information that explains the warning signs and dangers of illegal drugs is often difficult to find.
Fortunately there are many of sources of information that you can turn to if you suspect that someone you know has been abusing drugs. The best place to check is of course on the net. There are a number of sites that you can use to find concise and clear advice without the hyperbole that often surrounds drug use. You should use these resources to geta much deeper understanding of the most widely used drugs and the negative effects they can have. Here’s a quick look at some of the most commonly used drugs and substances:
Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug like any other. Even though it is legal it can have a severe impact on health particularly in young people. Alcohol is probably the first drugs that many young people and teens will try mainly because it is easy to get hold of and widely available. Teenage and binge drinking has become a much more wide-spread in recent years and the number of young adults hospitalised due to drinking reached record numbers in 2010. Alcohol may have both long-term and short-term effects on health when it is not used sensibly.
After alcohol cannabis is the drug that the majority of young people are likely to encounter. While it is frequently seen as being comparatively harmless it can result in serious medical conditions. It could have a number of long-term implications for both mental and physical wellbeing. Extended use of the drug can result in disorders like paranoia, schizophrenia and can also impair the proper functioning of the immune system.
Amphetamines
These generally come asa powder and can be snorted, smoked or injected. The effects of the substance can differ from person to person but in most cases it creates a sense of euphoria, exhilaration and energy. Using amphetamines puts the body under a significant level of stress. In the short term it results in elevated heart rate and high blood pressure. Long term effects may include stroke, cardiovascular failure, paranoia and depressive disorder.
These are simply a few of the drugs widely available in Australia. If you are worried about drug use of someone you know it pays to be informed.