Drug abuse is a very common problem all across the country. Based in Portland, Maine, Liberty Bay Recovery provides detoxification services for people who have been struggling with substance abuse or addiction. We can help you safely recover from all types of drug abuse with effective, lasting results.
Any medication, drug, or substance that induces either altered states of euphoria, consciousness or both has the potential for abuse and addiction. The types of drugs that people abuse include the entire spectrum of compounds and their corresponding effects. This includes both legal and illegal drugs.
Legal drugs are often prescription medications. Users can get them from doctors and purposely take more than they need. Often, there are patients who become addicted to medications accidentally. For example, a doctor prescribes benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Klonopin, to a patient with panic attacks. She may take them as needed. However, she should not take them for more than a few weeks straight. If she does anyway, the body can become tolerant, thus causing addiction to the medication.
In general, abused drugs fall into three categories: narcotics, sedatives, and stimulants. The federal government is strict on regulating the prescription criteria for all classes of medication. The government rates drugs according to their potential for abuse, which specifies its onset and intensity of the euphoria the drug induces, as well as its potential to generate tolerance and dependence.
Regardless of what type of drug you’re abusing, legal or illegal, Liberty Bay Recovery is here to help you get through it. We offer treatment for all types of drug abuse in Portland Maine.
Common Types of Drug Abuse
The following are the 9 most common types of drug abuse in Portland Maine and across the country, as well as how they can affect users:
1. Heroin
Heroin is a very destructive opioid and is increasingly becoming one of the most common types of drug abuse in Portland Maine. Abuse can cause psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. Additionally, injecting heroin can spread diseases such as hepatitis or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Heroin can cause serious health problems when abused because this drug interferes with the receptors in the brain. You can become physically dependent on heroin very quickly. It requires you to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve a high. Unfortunately, taking too much can also lead to a fatal overdose. People taking heroin always need professional detox treatment because withdrawal symptoms can be severe and possibly life-threatening.
2. Crack
Crack is a potent form of cocaine that users generally smoke. It creates a sudden and intense euphoric sensation for a short period of time. Crack has become a problem because it is very inexpensive, so it is easy to purchase and use. Abusing crack can lead to addiction often immediately. Crack abusers are at risk of strokes and heart attacks each time they use the drug. Long-term abuse can lead to lung, kidney, and liver damage. Withdrawal from crack is dangerous, and it is necessary to do it in a medical detox facility.
3. Cocaine
People abuse cocaine because it is a stimulant. It is also incredibly dangerous, even when abused in smaller amounts. Cocaine accelerates your heart rate, increases your blood pressure, and creates a sense of euphoria. It can lead to a deadly heart attack or stroke. Cocaine abuse often leads to many physical, legal, and financial problems. The severity of this drug calls for immediate, professional attention from a detox facility.
4. Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens include substances such as phencyclidine (PCP), peyote, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). These drugs cause you to see, hear, and feel things that might not be there, or what professionals call hallucinations. You lose touch with reality and enter a disconnected state of mind as if the mind and body are not working together properly. Some people taking PCP or LSD even enter a violent state of psychosis. While hallucinating on these drugs, you can seriously injure yourself and others. Hallucinogens can even cause permanent neurological damage when repeatedly abused. These types of drugs are not easy to withdraw from. Thus, you need professional detox treatment.
5. Amphetamines
Amphetamines accelerate both your mind and your bodily functions. A person abusing amphetamines can go into “manic” periods of distress. These are often accompanied by extreme paranoia, delusions, and inexplicable behaviors. Some people abusing amphetamines become excessively violent and unintentionally attack loved ones. Amphetamine abuse can lead to irreversible brain damage, nerve damage, and even permanent changes in physical appearance. This harsh and dangerous drug needs medical attention and a safe detox by a professional facility.
6. Marijuana
Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug. Many people start using marijuana socially as a recreational drug. This can lead to abuse and eventual addiction. Marijuana can be very destructive over time by affecting physical coordination, mental functioning, and memory. It has the potential to lead users to lose their jobs, homes, and relationships when abused. This drug is easy to abuse but not so easy to stop using. Getting professional help is very important.
7. Alcohol
Alcohol abuse is one of the most common types of drug abuse in Portland Maine. This type of abuse can lead to physical, social, and psychological problems. It can destroy friendships, relationships, and marriages. Many people who abuse alcohol will drink too much to the point the body cannot handle it, sometimes requiring hospitalization due to alcohol poisoning. Long-term abuse can lead to permanent liver and heart damage. Alcohol abuse can also result in issues with the law, including arrests for public intoxication or driving under the influence. Withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal because of a symptom known as delirium tremens, which can trigger a stroke or heart failure. It is also not easy to stop drinking if it has become a habit due to both physical and mental issues, so it is necessary to seek professional help during this process.
8. Inhalants
Although not technically in the narcotics category, people can abuse inhalants and become addicted over time. Inhalants include nitrous oxide, spray paint, or butane that people inhale to get high. The substances cause numb and euphoric feelings for a brief period of time, making repeated use very common. Abusing inhalants is incredibly risky and can lead to sudden death. Inhalants can also cause permanent brain damage. It is important to get away from this drug before it leads to this.
9. Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused substance. This includes many types of drugs from sedatives to anti-anxiety medications, anti-seizure medications, or drugs intended to treat ADHD. It is also very common for people to abuse prescription painkillers, such as Oxycodone or Vicodin while recovering from an injury. Prescription drug abuse can be very dangerous if not treated quickly.
Find Hope at Liberty Bay Recovery
All categories of drugs (legal and illegal) can become dangerous if you don’t involve professional help. Withdrawal can be very hard to deal with, and the abuser struggles greatly during this time. Success is also less likely if not done correctly. Liberty Bay Recovery in Portland, Maine can provide detoxification services that include supervision by medical professionals to get you through this tough time. If you have decided that you want to stop abusing drugs for any reason, then contact us today for more information about our high-quality treatment plans. Our offerings include:
There are endless reasons to enter rehab and stop the destructive cycle of addiction – a cycle that wreaks havoc on not only the individual, but also the individual’s loved ones.
It doesn’t matter what type of insurance you have — we can help you. We offer many affordable self-pay options as well. If left untreated, addiction can, and will, take everything from you. Fortunately, we offer comprehensive treatment for all types of drug abuse. Call us today at 855-607-8758 for more information on how Liberty Bay Recovery can help.
