Adderall (a drug that is used to help people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a type of medication known as a prescription stimulant. It has been regularly misused by many individuals looking to improve their ability to concentrate, increase their level of productivity, or for weight loss. Misusing this drug for an extended period of time may result in the individual experiencing anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia, paranoia, and addiction.

Alcohol continues to be one of the most frequently abused substances in the United States. Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most dangerous when done without medical supervision. Chronic drinking may cause damage to the liver, heart, brain, and nervous system.

Benzodiazepines include medications such as Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines reduce the amount of chemical activity occurring within the central nervous system. They have historically been used to treat conditions associated with anxiety and panic. The prolonged use of benzodiazepine products can result in physical dependency, impaired memory, and may cause severe withdrawal reactions (including seizures).

Club drugs such as MDMA, ketamine, and GHB may contribute to increased risk-taking behaviors due to impaired judgment and long-term negative effects related to mood regulation, memory loss, and emotion control.

Cocaine is a highly potent central nervous system stimulant which creates intense periods of high energy and euphoria by producing rapid increases in dopamine in the brain. Due to its ability to rapidly create intense feelings of pleasure, it also has an extremely high potential for addiction. The repeated use of cocaine contributes to unstable moods, severe cardiovascular problems, and increased anxiety.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid estimated to be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is a major driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Even very small amounts can suppress breathing and become fatal, especially when mixed into other substances unknowingly.

Heroin is a very powerful and addictive substance which is capable of affecting both the brain’s reward system and pain systems. Repeated use can lead to severe physical dependence, dangerous withdrawal symptoms, respiratory depression, and an increased risk of overdose and infectious disease transmission.

Kratom is a substance derived from plants. At low levels, Kratom produces stimulant-like effects. However, at high levels, there are effects similar to those produced by opioids. Even though kratom is labeled “natural,” a large number of people have become dependent upon it. Once a person becomes addicted to kratom, they may experience withdrawal symptoms and a variety of mood conditions.

Marijuana today contains significantly greater amounts of THC (the primary psychoactive chemical compound in marijuana) compared to the amount present in marijuana products of the past. Frequent or heavy use of marijuana has been linked to significant side effects, including anxiety, loss of motivation, disrupted sleep patterns, and various forms of cognitive impairment.

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant. It can cause users to remain awake for extended periods (days) while greatly increasing the amount of dopamine released in the brain. Long-term methamphetamine use has been linked to paranoid thinking, psychotic episodes, severely damaged teeth, and many significant neurological effects.

Opioids interact directly with pain and reward receptors in the brain, producing both pain relief and intense feelings of euphoria. However, prolonged use of prescription opiates will generally result in a user becoming physically dependent on them. In addition, long-term use will require higher doses to achieve the same level of desired effects (tolerance), resulting in a significantly increased risk of overdose.

Sedatives like Ambien and Lunesta are prescribed for people who have trouble sleeping due to insomnia. These sedatives work by altering normal patterns of brain activity to induce sleep. While they are intended to be used short-term, there is a potential for misuse of these medications, leading to dependence. Dependence on these sedatives may lead to difficulties with short- and long-term memory and decreased coordination.