Illegal and Schedule 2 drugs are the most popular forms of drug use. In this article, I will discuss the risks and benefits of Benzodiazepines, Cannabis, and other legal drugs. While legal drugs carry no criminal penalties, they still have the potential to cause addiction, accidental death, and long-term health problems. Tobacco, a legal drug for people aged 18 and up, is the deadliest drug in America. Smokers die ten years earlier than nonsmokers. Tobacco use is the most common preventable cause of death in the United States, accounting for 1 out of 5 deaths each year. Tobacco use is linked to 20% of all cancer deaths and accounts for 30% of all deaths.
Illegal drugs
We've all heard the saying, "Illegal drugs are dangerous". But what exactly are these illegal drugs, and are they actually harmful? Essentially, they're chemicals that change the body's functions. You probably know about some of them if you've ever taken medicine. But what about those that don't have prescriptions? And what about those that can be used as an anesthetic? If you haven't, you should know that some medicines are extremely harmful if used improperly.
The effects of illicit drugs on a growing number of people are not immediately apparent, but they can be harmful to the fetus. Research has shown that illicit drugs are teratogens at certain stages of fetal development. However, some drugs have adverse effects throughout pregnancy. The first 10 weeks of pregnancy are important because most organs develop during this time. Therefore, illicit drug use before the 20th week of pregnancy can cause a miscarriage or have no effect. Moreover, if a woman uses illicit drugs after the 10th week of pregnancy, she risks miscarriage, delays in the nervous system, premature birth, and intrauterine growth restriction.
Schedule 2 drugs
The federal government categorizes substances according to their danger and potential for abuse. The ranking of substances is based on a variety of factors including their medicinal value, potential for abuse, and overall safety. Schedule 1 drugs are generally classified as illegal and have no medical value. By contrast, schedules two and five are classified as having some medical value but are also harmful to the public. The classification of drugs is based on scientific evidence.
All drugs fall into one of five classes: Schedule I and II narcotics, stimulants, anabolic steroids, and depressants. Unlike Schedule I and II, Schedule III substances may have moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Common examples of Schedule III narcotics are Tylenol (with codeine), buprenorphine (Suboxone), and benzphetamine.
Benzodiazepines
Despite their legitimate therapeutic uses, benzodiazepines can cause harm to users, especially when combined with other drugs. Benzodiazepines are often part of polydrug use patterns, which often involve alcohol and illicit drugs. As a result, prescribing guidelines can be inconsistent and often fail to catch abusers of these drugs. This is particularly problematic in those suffering from depression, which are often accompanied by mood disorders.
It is important to note that physical dependence does not always indicate addiction. While benzodiazepines do affect the brain, their use can cause physical dependence. People with benzodiazepines may experience seizures after several weeks of consistent use. While it is unlikely that these drugs are addictive, the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting them can be uncomfortable and even life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to keep the medication out of the reach of children and teens.
Cannabis
Despite the widespread use of recreational drugs and the resulting public health problems, Australia's criminal justice system is still heavily involved in drug-related offences. In 2016-17, law enforcement made 154,650 drug-related arrests. As a result, harm-reduction advocates have pushed for legalisation of certain drugs and the removal of criminal penalties for their use. Despite widespread public support, drug laws do not reflect relative risk.
The most commonly abused psychoactive drugs in Canada are alcohol and tobacco. These two drugs have the highest number of harms compared to cannabis, which is legal. However, cannabis causes relatively few harms compared to alcohol and tobacco, despite their popularity. In terms of direct harm, alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine cause more harm than cannabis. These drugs are more prevalent among high-risk populations, such as injectors, poor people, and Indigenous people.
Benzodiazepine addiction
Benzodiazepines have addictive properties and can become addicted when mixed with other drugs and alcohol. These drugs can increase the chance of withdrawal reactions, resulting in more serious side effects. It is therefore important to discuss any other medications you are taking with your doctor, as benzodiazepines can increase the effects of other drugs. Symptoms of withdrawal may occur as soon as four to six weeks after stopping benzodiazepines.
While benzodiazepines are generally considered safe, they can have negative effects if misused. A person who becomes addicted to benzodiazepines may become obsessed with finding a new fix and engaging in doctor shopping, which is when they visit several physicians to obtain the same prescription. They may even steal prescriptions to buy the drugs on the dark web. Benzodiazepines are highly addictive and easily available in the market.
Benzodiazepine dependence
There is a growing body of evidence pointing to the dangers of benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. These drugs are widely prescribed but often misused. Misuse of benzodiazepines can lead to significant health risks, including impaired mental health, increased mortality, and other consequences. Here's what you need to know about this drug-dependence problem.
Abuse of benzodiazepines causes structural changes in the brain. They are capable of causing seizures if used for a long period of time. When these changes occur, they can be reversed after the drug-free period. While the risk of benzodiazepine abuse increases significantly, if you stop taking benzodiazepines suddenly, you could experience unpleasant and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
