The use of illicit drugs is more common among certain age groups, but Americans of all ages have experience with the disease of drug addiction. There are many different types of drugs that are prone to abuse, but it’s good to know about the most common ones so that you can make better decisions regarding what you put into your body.
If you or someone you care about needs an opioid addiction treatment program in Atlanta, GA, it’s never too late to get help. Opioids continue to ravage communities across the country, and many are already aware of the signs and symptoms of their use. However, this is just one of many types of drugs that a person may encounter. Drug use disorder is a condition that needs treatment, and willpower is often not enough to get an individual through the distressing withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting. Getting help at a drug rehab facility greatly increases a person’s chances of success in recovery.
Commonly Abused Drugs
1. Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most widely available and heavily used psychoactive substances in the world. Despite its legal status, it has numerous negative health effects when consumed in excess, such as:
- Increased risk for cancer
- Liver damage
- Mental health issues
- Addiction
- Death
In addition to these risks, alcohol has been linked to an increase in violent behavior due to its intoxicating effects on the brain. Alcohol-related deaths account for tens of thousands of deaths per year in the United States.
2. Prescription and Illicit Opioids
Opioids are some of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States. Opioids are extremely powerful and highly addictive substances that can wreak havoc on a person’s physical and mental health. They have become so popular because they provide an intense high that is almost immediately felt when taken. This high is accompanied by feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and pleasure.
Unfortunately, these effects are short-lived, and those who use opioids often find themselves needing to take more of the drug to achieve the same level of effect. The use of prescription opioids has increased significantly over the past two decades. This is due to a number of factors, including the ease of availability and the fact that doctors have been more willing to prescribe them for chronic pain management. Unfortunately, this has led to a rise in opioid misuse and abuse. The increased potency of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl has made them very profitable for street dealers, at the expense of the people taking this extremely powerful drug.
Opioid addiction is very difficult to overcome without help. If you know someone who needs a fentanyl or heroin rehab in Georgia, seek professional intervention immediately.
3. Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug made from coca leaves that increases alertness and energy levels while reducing feelings of fatigue. However, it can quickly become addictive due to its short-term effects on dopamine production in the brain’s reward system. Its long-term use can lead to physical dependence along with other severe side effects such as anxiety attacks or paranoid delusions. In addition to its dangerous risks for addiction or overdose, cocaine has been linked to a range of cardiovascular issues, including heart attack or stroke, due to its ability to constrict blood vessels throughout the body.
People addicted to cocaine are at high risk for relapse, even after long periods of abstinence from the drug. Luckily, there are many options for cocaine addiction treatment in Georgia, with centers that accept insurance and offer a variety of payment options for treatment.
Recovery Is Just a Phone Call Away
All forms of drug abuse have serious consequences, not just on an individual level but also on a communal level. Substance abuse often leads people down paths that hurt themselves as well as others around them. The opioid epidemic has proven that the well-being and future prospects of entire neighborhoods and communities can be affected by drug abuse. Thankfully, treatment programs exist to help those struggling with addiction. By finding the right treatment center for their needs, a person can receive the necessary support to regain control over their lives.
