The Influence of Drugs: the Most Preventable Cause of Death in the United States - Research Paper Example

Narcotics are highly addictive, both physically and psychologically (Colvin, 2007). Withdrawal may be accompanied by panic, muscle tremors, cramps, vomiting, chills and sweating. These also serve a legitimate and highly useful medical purpose when used under proper supervision. Primarily sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants and antianxiety agents, they are taken orally. More often obtained by prescription rather than through the black market, the major groups are barbituates, including Nembutal, Seconal, Tuinal and Phenobarbital, and the benzodiazepines, which include Dalmane, Diazepam, Librium, Xanax and Valium (Oakley and Charles 2005).

Hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline and peyote are relatively benign. Sometimes referred to as psychedelic drugs, they may occasionally induce depression, but more often produce excitation and euphoria lasting six to 12 hours (Colvin, 2007). They distort the perception of objective reality and may disorient the perception of direction, distance and time. They enhance the appreciation of colour, light and sound and may also produce pleasurable delusions or hallucinations. Inexperienced users may experience the panic of a "bad trip" but can usually be "talked down" by a reassuring voice.

However, LSD is thought to be capable of activating latent psychosis requiring long-term psychiatric care (Colvin, 2007). The primary medical uses of stimulants are weight control and treatment of attention deficit disorders in children. Amphetamines, such as Dexedrine, constitute the most well-known group. Administered orally when used under medical supervision, stimulants used for illegitimate purposes are sometimes injected.