The physiological and psychological effects of illegal drugs or illicit drugs depend on the substance or drug that is used or taken in by an individual. (Yoslow, 1992) Marijuana has the following physiological and psychological effects: increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat, increased appetite, short-term memory loss, reduced concentration and coordination, paranoia and psychosis.
Cocaine has these following physiological and psychological effects: dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature, stuffy or runny nose, ulcerated mucous membranes of the nose, cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. Depressants are also being abused by teenagers. Here are the most described mental and physical effects of ingesting it: calmness and relaxed muscles, slurred speech, staggering gait, altered perception, respiratory depression, coma and death. Hallucinogens are also being abused by teenagers.
However, there is a low number of cases that are reported concerning the abuse of these types of illicit drugs. The excessive and uncontrolled take of them may cause the following: sense of distance and estrangement, mood disorders, dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, tremors, and heart and lung failure. Inhalants are the most abused drugs or substances that are used by teenagers, Effects of inhaling it are the following: shot-term memory loss, loss of smell, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, brain damage, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest nervous system damage and death.
As mentioned earlier, one of the most common drugs that was being used and abused by the teenagers in North America was the drug known as ketamine. (World Drug Report 2000, 2001) Its effects were the following: dream-like states, hallucinations, delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, numbness, vomiting, and fatal respiratory problems. On the other hand, alcohol abuse can also badly affect an individual’s physical and mental state.
Here are the ill-effects of taking in so much alcohol: hangovers, weight gain, high blood pressure, depressed immune system, cancer, liver disease, alcohol poisoning, and heart and respiratory failure. (Sales, 1999) In short, all the mentioned physiological and psychological effects of abusing drugs and alcohol can lead to deterioration of external and internal body system as well as can cause mental malfunction to the individuals. It is to be noted that the worst effect of drug and alcohol abuse with regards to the individual’s is the malfunctioning of the body systems that can lead to death.