Alcohol
Short-term effect:
- Distorted vision
- Changes to hearing
- Poor coordination
- Impaired judgement
- Altered perception
- Altered emotions
- Bad breath
- Hangover
- Accidents
- Falls
Long-term effects:
- Loss of appetite
- Vitamin deficiency
- Stomach upset
- Sexual impotence
- Liver damage and cirrhosis
- Pancreatitis
- Cancers
- High blood pressure
- Memory loss
- Poor vision
- Malnutrition
Amphetamines
Amphetamine use could cause:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Poor sleep
- Weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Violence
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Psychosis
- Skin picking
- Increased risk of infections
- Poor dentition
- Lung diseases
- Asthma symptoms
Withdrawal from amphetamines could present as:
- Tiredness
- Low energy
- Unstable mood
- Increased sleep
Benzodiazepines (Ativan, Valium, Xanax, Clonazepam, ....)
- Dependence
- Rebound anxiety
- Poor memory
- Poor balance
- Rebound insomnia
- Fall and hip fractures
- Accidents
- Overdose
- Ataxia
- Cognitive impairment
- Slow reaction time
Cocaine and Crack
Cocaine use could cause:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Sleep disturbance
- Reduced immune system
- Paranoid ideas
- Erratic behavior
- Violence
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Loss of interest
- Poor appetite
Withdrawal symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Low energy
- Mood swings
- Body pain
Hallucinogens
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Sleepiness
- Tremors
- Shakiness
- Increases senses of touch and pain
- Seizures
- Coma and death
- Heart failure
- Lung failure
- Feeling depressed
- Mood swings
- Confusion
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations
- Flashbacks
- Tiredness
Heroin, codeine, oxycontin, oxycodone, kratom
Regular use could result in:
- Dependence
- Sensitivity to pain
- Low blood pressure
- Low heart rate
- Decreased breathing
- Sleepiness
- Tiredness
- Low sex drive
- Low energy
- Constipation
- Fall
- Overdose and death
Withdrawal from opioids could present as:
- Sweatiness
- Sneezing
- Body pain
- Diarrhea
- Yawning
Marijuana
Short-term effects:
- Sleepiness
- Impaired judgement
- Red eyes
- Increased heart rate
- Poor coordination
- Loss of time track
- Social inhibition
- Low motivation
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Long-term effects:
- Increased risk of cancer
- Decreased testosterone levels in men and sperm count, low sex drive and infertility
- Increased testosterone levels in women and low sex drive and infertility
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Changes to body immunity
Mushrooms
Regular use of mushrooms could cause:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Chills
- Excessive sweating
- Weakness
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness
- Dry mouth
- Enhanced senses
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Reduced inhibitions
- Altered perceptions of time and reality
- Distortion of vision and hearing
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Sleeping problems
- Psychosis
- Depression and mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
- Flashbacks
- Overdose
Steroids
Regular use of steroids could cause:
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk of stroke
- Acne
- Obesity and increased fat tissue
- High cholesterol
- Hyperactivity
- Increased risk of blood clotting
- Gynecomastia
- Infertility
- Reduced immunity
- Liver diseases
- Mood swings
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts
- Aggressive behavior
References
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Important note:
This document is prepared by the “Mental Health for All” team. The general information provided on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider properly licensed to practise medicine or general healthcare in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Website and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program. Information obtained on the Website is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment.
