Caffeine - The most widely consumed drug can be found naturally in foods like chocolate, coffee, and tea; is added to many brands of soda pop and energy drinks, and is a common additive in some medications. While you may reach for a caffeinated drink to wake up in the morning, consuming it later in the day can disrupt your ability to fall asleep, resulting in drowsiness and irritability the next day.
If you are trying to cut back or cut caffeine out entirely, be aware of caffeine withdrawal so that you aren’t caught off guard and can successfully make the change without suffering.
Avoid mixing high levels of caffeine (or any stimulant) with alcohol as this can create a false sense of sobriety and potentially lead to serious negative outcomes.
Cocaine
Cocaine - Derived from the cacao bean, cocaine is an illicit stimulant. Cocaine is highly addictive and can cause serious negative health outcomes such as high blood pressure, stimulant psychosis, heart disease, and heart attack.
Heroin
Heroin - Produced by synthesizing a compound found in the opium poppy plant, heroin acts as an opioid (pain killer) in the human body and is of increased concern due to the opioid epidemic causing some people to turn to heroin use in lieu of prescription opioids. It is highly addictive and lethal.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used for the medical treatment of pain. The most dangerous aspect of fentanyl today is that it is being mixed into other drugs including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy). It is also being put in fake pills sometimes referred to as "fentapills" which are meant to resemble legitimate prescription medications.
Psychedelics/Hallucinogens - a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their own thoughts and feelings. Hallucinogens naturally occur in certain plants and can also be synthetically produced.
Common hallucinogens - LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly), Psilocybin mushrooms, Peyote, Ayahuasca, Ibogaine, PCP, Ketamine, Salvia
Health Risks - Chronic use of meth can cause paranoia, hallucinations, repetitive behavior, and delusions of parasites or insects crawling under the skin that can lead to obsessive scratching. Long-term use, high dosages, or both can bring on psychosis usually coupled with extreme paranoia. Methamphetamine use can also cause severe dental problems, convulsions, changes in brain structure, strokes, heart attack, and death.
Kratom
Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects. Symptoms of psychosis have been reported by users. Additional side effects include constipation, upset stomach, lethargy, anxiety, irritability, depression, or insomnia.
Kratom is illegal and products are unregulated. It is NOT FDA approved and lacks clinical trials to test the safety and any perceived medical benefits.
Ketamine is a dissociative hallucinogenic and anesthetic used for both humans and animals. Its effects cause a person to feel detached from reality.
Ketamine can result in experiences that involve a terrifying feeling of almost complete sensory detachment that is likened to a near-death experience often referred as the “K-hole.” Low-dose intoxication from ketamine results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory. In high doses, it is known to cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is a treatment that can be used to help treat conditions including trauma, anxiety, and depression. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy must be conducted by a licensed and trained psychiatrist.