Illicit drug use
Illicit drug use refers to the non-medical use of a variety of drugs that are prohibited by laws across the world. These drugs are often associated with a high potential for addiction and harm, and include substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and certain prescription drugs used without a prescription.
Types of Illicit Drugs[edit | edit source]
There are several types of illicit drugs, each with their own effects and risks. These include:
- Stimulants: These drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, increase the activity of the nervous system and can lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness. They can also cause anxiety, paranoia, and seizures.
- Depressants: These drugs, including heroin and certain prescription drugs, slow down the activity of the nervous system. This can result in feelings of relaxation and drowsiness, but can also lead to respiratory depression and overdose.
- Hallucinogens: These drugs, such as LSD and psilocybin, alter perception and can cause hallucinations. They can also lead to panic attacks and psychosis.
- Cannabis: While legal in some jurisdictions, cannabis is still considered an illicit drug in many parts of the world. It can cause feelings of relaxation and euphoria, but can also lead to memory impairment and mental health problems.
Effects of Illicit Drug Use[edit | edit source]
Illicit drug use can have a range of physical and mental health effects. These can include overdose, addiction, mental health problems, and physical health problems such as liver disease and HIV/AIDS from sharing needles. Illicit drug use can also have social effects, including problems with relationships, employment, and the law.
Prevention and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Prevention of illicit drug use often involves education and community programs. Treatment for illicit drug use can involve a combination of medication, counseling, and support groups. It is important for individuals struggling with illicit drug use to seek help from a healthcare professional.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
