Facts About Substances - COPAY, Community Organization for Parents and Youth, Inc.

A drug is any chemical substance legal or illegal which affects an individual in such a way as to bring about a physiological, emotional or behavioral change. Here are some facts on the more commonly used substances.

Marijuana | Alcohol | Methamphetamine (“Speed”)
Cocaine and Crack | Hallucinogens | Inhalants

Marijuana

Most widely used illicit drug in the United States. It blocks the messages going to your brain and affects perceptions, emotions, vision, hearing and coordination.

Long Term Effects:

Enhanced cancer risk
Decreases sperm count in men
Increased risk of infertility in women
Diminished sexual desire
Psychological dependence

Alcohol

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking behavior that results in health problems, or impairment in social functioning. Alcoholism is a disease or a metabolic disorder. It affects roughly 10% of the population in the United States. Alcoholism is characterized by alcohol seeking behavior, impaired functioning and loss of control over drinking.

Long Term Effects:

Loss of appetite
Vitamin deficiency
Stomach ailments
Skin problems
Impotence
Heart and liver damage
Memory loss

Methamphetamine (“Speed”)

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug. Other names for it are “speed” and “meth.” It comes in pill form or in powdered form and could be snorted or injected. Those who use this drug by injection and share needles place themselves at risk for contracting AIDS or HIV.

Long Term Effects:

Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Insomnia
Convulsions, cardiovascular problems which can lead to death
Irritability, tremors
Anxiety, paranoia and violent behavior
Can cause irreversible damage to the brain producing strokes

Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine is a stimulant drug which can be snorted or injected intravenously. Crack is a smoke version of cocaine which has been chemically altered and is highly addictive. These drugs are so addictive that they may completely dominate a person’s life leaving the users depressed and edgy when the drug is not being used.

Long Term Effects:

Heart attacks, strokes and respiratory failures
Hallucinations or cocaine induced psychosis
when a person loses touch with reality
Decreased immunity to infections
Confusion, anxiety, loss of interest in food or sex

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens distort a persons perceptions and include drugs known as PCP, angel dust, LSD or acid, mescaline or mushrooms. Under the influence of a hallucinogen an individual loses sense of distance, direction and is disoriented. The drugs effects are unpredictable (having a “bad trip”) making it dangerous to the user who may suddenly become violent and/or prone to injury.

Long Term Effects:

Increased heart rate and tremors
Lack of muscular coordination
Decreased awareness of touch and pain
Convulsions, risk of coma or heart failure
Violent behavior
Paranoia, anxiety confusion

Inhalants

Inhalants refer to substances that are sniffed to give the user an immediate high. This includes various chemical consumer products such as aerosols and cleaning solvents. Using inhalants is risky as it can cause serious physical problems and can result in death due to sudden suffocation. Using inhalants even one time can kill you!

Long Term Effects:

Headaches, shortness of breath, abdominal pain
Decreased sense of smell
Nausea, nosebleeds
Liver, lungs and kidney damage
Nervous system or brain damage
Involuntary passing of urine or feces



	Community Organization for Parents and Youth, Inc. Home Page COPAY Services Latino Family Resource Program Message from the Executive Director Substance Abuse Facts Frequently Asked Questions Links Contact COPAY COPAY breaks the cycle of addiction and heals the whole family. Professional Services in English & Spanish COPAY is licensed by: New York State Department of Mental Hygiene Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services COPAY is supported, in part, and is a member of the Great Neck United Community Fund, United Way of Long Island and The Hispanic Federation. Culturally Competent Family Treatment, Youth Prevention and Leadership Development	Facts About Substances A drug is any chemical substance legal or illegal which affects an individual in such a way as to bring about a physiological, emotional or behavioral change. Here are some facts on the more commonly used substances. Marijuana \| Alcohol \| Methamphetamine (“Speed”) Cocaine and Crack \| Hallucinogens \| Inhalants Marijuana Most widely used illicit drug in the United States. It blocks the messages going to your brain and affects perceptions, emotions, vision, hearing and coordination. Long Term Effects: Enhanced cancer risk Decreases sperm count in men Increased risk of infertility in women Diminished sexual desire Psychological dependence Alcohol Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking behavior that results in health problems, or impairment in social functioning. Alcoholism is a disease or a metabolic disorder. It affects roughly 10% of the population in the United States. Alcoholism is characterized by alcohol seeking behavior, impaired functioning and loss of control over drinking. Long Term Effects: Loss of appetite Vitamin deficiency Stomach ailments Skin problems Impotence Heart and liver damage Memory loss Methamphetamine (“Speed”) Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug. Other names for it are “speed” and “meth.” It comes in pill form or in powdered form and could be snorted or injected. Those who use this drug by injection and share needles place themselves at risk for contracting AIDS or HIV. Long Term Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure Insomnia Convulsions, cardiovascular problems which can lead to death Irritability, tremors Anxiety, paranoia and violent behavior Can cause irreversible damage to the brain producing strokes Cocaine and Crack Cocaine is a stimulant drug which can be snorted or injected intravenously. Crack is a smoke version of cocaine which has been chemically altered and is highly addictive. These drugs are so addictive that they may completely dominate a person’s life leaving the users depressed and edgy when the drug is not being used. Long Term Effects: Heart attacks, strokes and respiratory failures Hallucinations or cocaine induced psychosis when a person loses touch with reality Decreased immunity to infections Confusion, anxiety, loss of interest in food or sex Hallucinogens Hallucinogens distort a persons perceptions and include drugs known as PCP, angel dust, LSD or acid, mescaline or mushrooms. Under the influence of a hallucinogen an individual loses sense of distance, direction and is disoriented. The drugs effects are unpredictable (having a “bad trip”) making it dangerous to the user who may suddenly become violent and/or prone to injury. Long Term Effects: Increased heart rate and tremors Lack of muscular coordination Decreased awareness of touch and pain Convulsions, risk of coma or heart failure Violent behavior Paranoia, anxiety confusion Inhalants Inhalants refer to substances that are sniffed to give the user an immediate high. This includes various chemical consumer products such as aerosols and cleaning solvents. Using inhalants is risky as it can cause serious physical problems and can result in death due to sudden suffocation. Using inhalants even one time can kill you! Long Term Effects: Headaches, shortness of breath, abdominal pain Decreased sense of smell Nausea, nosebleeds Liver, lungs and kidney damage Nervous system or brain damage Involuntary passing of urine or feces Community Organization for Parents and Youth, Inc. 21 North Station Plaza, Great Neck, NY 11021 Phone: 516.466.2509 \| Fax: 516.482.3146
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