Inhalants and Other Drugs More information is available at www.theantidrug.com www.family.samhsa.gov www.drugfree.org If you or someone you know is having problems with drugs, help is available at: Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Helpline 800-562-1240 Crisis Clinic Resource Hotline 360-586-2800 True North-Student Assistance Services 360-791-3221 Providence St. Peter Chemical Dependency Center 800-331-0465

Inhalants Inhalants are a diverse group of chemicals that are found in consumer products such as aerosols and cleaning solvents. Inhalant use can cause a number of physical and emotional problems, and even one-time use can results in death. Some of the more common are: Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas), Amyl Nitrite (Poppers or Snappers), Butyl Nitrite (Rush, Bolt, Bullet, Locker Room and Climax), Chlorohydrocarbons (Aerosol sprays or cleaning fluids), Hydrocarbons (Cans of aerosol propellants, gasoline, glue, paint thinner). More than 1,000 common products are potential inhalants that can injure and kill, including: Glue Freon Correction fluid Computer agents Deodorizers Markers Paint products Gases (whippets, butane, propane) Gasoline Fire extinguishers Nail polish remover Lighter fluid Hair spray Cleaning agents Possible negative effects of using inhalants include: Dizziness, headache, muscle weakness, abdominal pain Visual hallucinations and severe mood swings Numbness and tingling of hands and feet Nausea, nosebleeds, coughing, sneezing Irregular heartbeat Violent behavior, suffocation, sudden death Liver, lung and kidney damage Brain and nervous system damage Dangerous chemical imbalances in the body Involuntary passing of urine and feces Long-term use of inhalants has been associated with irreversible brain damage. When inhalant use continues over a period of time, a user will probably develop a tolerance to inhalants. This means that the user will need more frequent use and greater amounts of the substance to achieve the effects desired. This, in turn, increases the risk of suffering possible negative effects. Physical dependence can also result, causing hallucinations, headaches, chills, tremors and stomach cramps when the user tries to give up the habit. Cocaine and other Stimulants The word "cocaine" refers to an illegal drug in both a powder (cocaine) and crystal (crack) form. In slang it is referred to as "Coke, Dust, Toot, Snow, Blow, Sneeze, Powder, Lines, Rock (Crack)." Cocaine stimulates the central nervous system, causing a short-lived high that is immediately follow by intense feelings of depression, edginess and a craving for more of the dug. It can be snorted as a powder, injected as a liquid, or smoked in crystal form. Physical effects include dilated pupils and increased blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature which can cause muscle spasms, convulsions, cardiac arrests, or respiratory failure. Occasional use by snorting can cause a stuffy or runny nose, while long term use can permanently damage the nasal tissue. Injecting cocaine with contaminated equipment can cause AIDS, hepatitis, and other diseases. Cocaine is expensive and extremely addictive. Preparation of freebase can result in death or injury from fire or explosion. Other stimulants are Amphetamines (Speed, Uppers, Black beauties, Pep pills, Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Football, and Biphetamines), Methamphetamines (see our resource page for Methamphetamines) , Ritalin, Cylert, Preludin, Didrex, Pre-State, Veranil, Sandrex and Plegine. They come as capsules, pills, or tablets, and are taken orally or injected, and in some cases, inhaled. In addition to the physical symptoms described above, users may feel restless, anxious and moody. Persons who use large amounts of amphetamines over a long period of time can develop hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Like cocaine, all stimulants carry risk of addiction, and cause sleeplessness, weight loss, and anxiety. Hallucinogens Hallucinogens change the way the brain perceives time, reality and the environment. They affect the way you move, think, hear and see. Time and body movement are slowed down. They may cause the user to feel confused, suspicious and disoriented. Hallucinogens include Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, Acid, Blotter), Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms), and Phencyclidine ( PCP, Angel Durst, Bost, Ozone, Wack), and Ecstasy (E, X,XTC). The use of hallucinogens leads to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. If affects muscle coordination, dulls the senses, and causes difficulty with speech. In later stages of chronic use, it can produce paranoia and violent behavior. Large does may produce convulsions and coma. Other effects include: Depressions Weakness and lack of muscular coordination Anxiety or paranoia Trembling Nausea Dizziness Facial flushing Dilated pupils Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety and loss of control. Delayed effects or flashbacks can occur even when use is discontinued. Depressants The major depressants are Barbiturates (Downers, Barbs, Blue Devils, Red Devils, Yellow Jacket, Seconal, Amytal), Methaqualone (Quaaludes, Ludes, Sopors), and Tranquilizers (Valium, Librium Miltown, Serax, Equanil, and Tranxene.) Barbiturates come in red, yellow, blue or red and blue capsules Quaaludes come as tablets Tranquilizers can be capsules or tablets All are swallowed. Small amounts produce calmness and relaxed muscles, but larger doses can cause slurred speech, staggering movements, and changed perception. Very large doses can cause respiratory depression, coma and death. When taken in combination with alcohol, the effects of both drugs is multiplied, making this an extremely dangerous practice. Regular use of depressants can result in addiction. People who suddenly stop taking large doses can experience withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, tremor, delirium, convulsions and death. Babies born to mothers who abuse depressants may also be physically dependent on the drugs and show withdrawal symptoms shortly after they are born. Birth defects and behavioral problems may also result. Narcotics Narcotics are: Heroin (Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown sugar, junk, black tar and Big H). It is inhaled. Codeine (Empirine with codeine, Tylenol with codeine, Codeine in cough white to dark-brown powder or tarlike substance, which is injected, smoked or medicine). It is a dark liquid, capsules, tablets. Taken by mouth or injected. Morphine (Pectoral syrup) It comes as white crystals, hypodermic tablets, or solutions, which are swallowed, injected or smokes. Opium (Paragoric, Dover’s powder, Parepectolin). It comes as dark brown chunks or powder that is smoked, eaten or injected. Mepeidine (Pethidine, Demerol, Mepergan). It is a white powder, solution or tablets that are swallowed or injected. Other (Percocet, Percodan, Tussionex, Fentanyl, Darvon, Talwin, Lomotil). It comes as tablets or capsules which are swallowed or injected. Narcotics first produce a feeling of euphoria, a high, that if often followed by: Drowsiness Nausea, and vomiting Constricted pupils, watery eyes and itching With an overdose; slow, shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma Tolerance to narcotics develops rapidly and dependence is likely. The use of contaminated syringes may result in diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. Addiction in pregnant women can lead to premature, stillborn, or addicted infants who experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Club Drugs Club Drugs refers to a variety of drugs often used at dance parties called "Raves" or concerts. A myth held by some users of these drugs is that they are "safer" than other drugs, however, no drug is safe. Combining them with alcohol makes them even more dangerous. Sometimes they are mixed with other drugs, which makes them more addictive. Because some club drugs ( GHB, Ketamine and Rohypnol) are colorless, tasteless, and odorless, they can be put in a drink without the person knowing it, and when incapacitated, the person can be raped. In addition, under Rohypnol, a person may not remember what happened to them, or what they said or did. MDMA-Ecstasy, E, XTC, X - is a stimulant. Effects can include: Muscle tension, teeth clenching Nausea Blurred vision Increases in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure Serious liver damage with regular use Depression, sleep and memory problems GHB-Liquid Ecstasy, G, Georgia Home Boy, Grievous Bodily Harm - is a depressant. At higher doses it can: Slow breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels leading to coma or death. Lead to an overdose – drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness, loss of reflexes, difficulty with breathing- and ultimately, death. Ketamine-Special K, K, Vitamin K, Cat Valiums - leads people to feel detached from their bodies. Higher doses can cause: Agitation Hallucinations Breathing problems Memory problems People may hurt themselves and not know it. Methamphetamine-Speed, Meth, Chalk, Ice, Crystal, Glass - is a powerful stimulant. Negative effects include: Addiction after only a few uses Irritability and anxiety Sleep difficulties Elevated heart rate and blood pressure leading to damage to the blood vessels, heart failure or strokes. Paranoia and/or violent behavior Deteriorating teeth LSD-Acid - is a hallucinogenic. Under it’s influence, users may hurt themselves in fear while having a "bad trip." Long-lasting effects which can happen include: Flashbacks Severe depression Other mental problems Anabolic Steroids Steroids are a group of powerful compounds closely related to the male sex hormone testosterone. Developed in the 1930’s, steroids are seldom prescribed by physicians today. Steroids are illegal to possess without a prescription from a licenses physician. They are only safe for use when a doctor monitors the person. Taken in combination with a program of muscle-building exercise and diet, steroids may contribute to increases in body weight and muscular strength. However, in addition to being illegal, steroid users subject themselves to more than 70 side effects. Unwanted negative effects that may occur are: Cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke even to athletes under the age of 30 Baldness, cysts acne and oily hair and skin Outbursts or anger, frustration, combativeness, and depression HIV/AIDS and hepatitis as a result of sharing needles or using dirty needles to inject Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) Withered testicles, sterility and impotence in males Growth of facial hair, deepened voice, and breast reduction in females Aching joints, and swollen feet or ankles Bad breath Mood swings and nervousness Trembling Some effects like heart attacks and strokes, liver cancer, and damage to the reproductive system may not show up for years. Slang terms for steroids: Arnolds, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Stackers, Weight Trainers, Juice.