Marijuana, hashish, and other cannabis-containing substances

People use cannabis by smoking, eating, or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis usually precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.

• A sense of euphoria or feeling "high."
• A heightened sense of visual, auditory, and taste perception
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Red eyes
• Dry mouth
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Slowed reaction time
• Anxiety or paranoid thinking
• Cannabis odor on clothes or yellow fingertips

Alcohol

Heavy drinking can seriously damage the liver, stomach, heart, brain, and nervous system. It also increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), and esophagus. Women are at higher risk of developing breast cancer and osteoporosis. In addition, people who drink heavily may not eat adequately, often resulting in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

• Bleeding in the stomach and esophagus
• Impotence
• Permanent nerve and brain damage
• Inability to coordinate movements
• Forgetfulness, blackouts, or problems with short-term memory

Inhalants

Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids, and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death. Signs and symptoms of use can include:

• Possessing an inhalant substance without a reasonable explanation
• Brief happy excitement
• Behaving as if drunk
• Reduced ability to keep impulses under control
• Aggressive behavior or eagerness to fight
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeats
• Tremors

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens can produce different signs and symptoms, depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP).
LSD use may cause:

• Hallucinations
• Significantly reduced perception of reality
• Impulsive behavior
• Rapid shifts in emotions
• Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
• Tremors

Meth, cocaine, and other stimulants

Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others), and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis). They're often used and misused in search of a "high" to boost energy, improve performance at work or school, lose weight, or control appetite.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

• A feeling of happy excitement and too much confidence
• Increased alertness
• Increased energy and restlessness
• Behavior changes or aggression
• Rapid or rambling speech
• Larger than usual pupils, the black circles in the middle of the eyes
• Confusion, delusions, and hallucinations
• Irritability, anxiety, or paranoia
• Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature