Q: What are the signs and effects of substance abuse?

• Signs
• Effects
• Effects by Type

Drug Type	Effects of Drug Use
Alcohol	Tolerance, physical and psychological damage Permanent liver, heart, and brain damage Liver cancer High blood pressure Death from overdose
Cocaine/Crack	Tolerance, psychological damage Personality changes and violent behavior Unreasonable fear of people and things (paranoia) Hallucinations, confusion, depression Permanent lung damage, such as lesions Holes and ulcers inside nose Convulsions, death possible from single use
Depressants (such as barbiturates, tranquilizers)	Tolerance, physical and psychological dependence Confusion, loss of coordination Hallucinations Chest infections Death if used in combination with alcohol
Hallucinogens (such as LSD, PCP)	Permanent mental problems Permanent brain, heart, and lung damage Permanent speech problems Permanent memory loss Hallucinations, panic Fear of people and things (paranoia) Memory loss Flashbacks Suicide
Heroin and Other Narcotics (such as morphine, codeine)	Tolerance, physical and psychological dependence Lethargy, apathy, loss of judgment and self-control Malnutrition, infection, hepatitis Death from overdose or poisonous addition to heroin
Inhalants (such as spray can products, lighter fluid, paint thinner)	Psychological dependence Loss of coordination, confusion, hallucination Permanent damage to lungs, brain, liver, bone marrow Convulsions, death possible from single use
Marijuana and Hashish	Tolerance, psychological dependence (possibly physical as well) Memory loss Heart and lung damage, including lung cancer Depressed immune system Confusion, lack of coordination Damage to male and female sexual systems
Nicotine	Physical and psychological dependence Emphysema, lung cancer Heart disease Mouth and throat cancer Stomach ulcers High blood pressure Diminished sense of taste, smell Death, and increased deaths in combination with other diseases
Stimulants (such as amphetamines)	Tolerance, psychological and sometimes physical dependence Hallucinations Permanent brain, heart, and lung damage Hallucinations Quick mood changes Severe depression Malnutrition, death