ADDICTIONS

The newest synthetic drugs, often marketed as “bath salts” and being sold legally on the Internet and in drug paraphernalia stores.The powdered drugs are sold under such brand names as “Ivory Wave” or “Purple Wave.” These synthetic stimulants in them have made hundreds of users across the country sick already this year.

Cocaine is a powerful addictive stimulant abused by 3.6 million Americans and requires treatment at a cocaine rehab center. Coca leaves, the source of cocaine, have been ingested for thousands of years, but pure cocaine hydrochloride has only been abused for around one hundred years.

Ecstasy or “Molly”, the street name for the chemical MDMA is a stimulant that combines the properties of speed with mind-altering or hallucinogenic properties, and is extremely addictive, like cocaine and amphetamines.

With heroin abuse, addiction is rapid and severe, and often requires treatment at a rehab center. Heroin is made from morphine, which occurs naturally in the Asian poppy plant. Abuse of this drug comes from all backgrounds, cultures and ages. Purer forms are readily available to attract new customers and is especially dangerous because it can cause overdoses and addiction.

Marijuana is America’s most abused drug. The major active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The amount of THC determines the potency and, therefore, the mind-altering effects of marijuana.

Meth Addiction severely affects the central nervous system. Methamphetamine is made in illegal labs from easy to find ingredients. One of the greatest dangers of crystal meth abuse is the dangerously unpredictable, irrational, violence it can produce.

Methadone was originally made to use as a painkiller to treat severe pain. Methadone Hydrochloride is a synthetic opiate. Today, Methadone is primarily used for the treatment of narcotic addiction, aiding in detoxification of drugs such as heroin to counter withdrawal symptoms.

Oxycontin abuse has quickly become one of the most common forms of abuse and addiction in the past few years. Oxycontin is prescribed for chronic pain such as back pain, cancer, or arthritis. The active ingredient in Oxycontin is oxycodone. It also comes in capsule or liquid form.