The Deadly Truth About Illegal Drugs

Drugs are everywhere, offering a variety of highs that can make you feel invincible, but often times lead to addiction, or a deadly end. In this in-depth post, we’ll take a look at the deadliest illegal drugs on the market, and explore which one is the #1 killer in America.

The Allure and Dangers of Cocaine

Let’s start with one of the most well-known and widely used illegal drugs – cocaine. Derived from the coca plant native to the Andes Mountains, cocaine was once viewed as a wonder drug, used as an anesthetic, added to cough medicine, wine, cigars, and even non-alcoholic beverages.

In the 19th century, European scientists isolated the active ingredient in coca leaves, giving birth to cocaine as we know it today. Cocaine induces temporary feelings of euphoria and confidence, as well as increased alertness and energy. However, it also comes with a host of unpleasant side effects:

• Dilated pupils
• Nausea
• Heightened senses
• Restlessness
• Irritation
• Constriction of blood vessels leading to headaches, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeat

As cocaine use spread, it soon became apparent that the drug was highly addictive. In fact, the addictive nature of cocaine was a key reason why Arthur Conan Doyle had Sherlock Holmes quit using it in 1904.

But cocaine isn’t just addictive – it can also be deadly. Unlike many other drugs, cocaine doesn’t have a clearly defined lethal dosage threshold. The amount that can cause an overdose, or “cocaine toxicity,” can vary widely from person to person depending on factors like medical history, drug tolerance, and the purity of the cocaine itself.

A severe cocaine overdose unfolds in three stages, each more dangerous than the last:

1. Stage 1: Headaches, nausea, vertigo, irregular heartbeat, rapid and shallow breathing, increased body temperature, paranoia, and aggression.
2. Stage 2: Brain damage, seizures, hypertension, steadily climbing body temperature, and heart arrhythmia.
3. Stage 3: Loss of reflexes, hypotension, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure – potentially leading to a heart attack, suffocation, or coma and death.

Cocaine can be even more dangerous if it’s been cut with other drugs, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly common. This makes it even harder for users to gauge the potency and risks.

The Dangers of MDMA/Ecstasy

Another party drug that’s become quite popular is MDMA, also known as Ecstasy or Molly. This synthetic psychoactive triggers a release of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain, producing a rush of pleasure and excitement.

However, an overdose of MDMA can cause some serious issues:

• Increased heart rate and arrhythmia
• Dysregulated body temperature
• Severe overheating
• Muscle breakdown
• Kidney failure
• Seizures

The environments where MDMA is most commonly used, like poorly ventilated clubs or music festivals packed with dancing crowds, can exacerbate these dangers. Excessive sweating from heightened body temperature and vigorous dancing, combined with electrolyte-poor water intake, can lead to a potentially lethal lack of sodium in the blood (hyponatremia) and brain swelling.

According to experts, any dose of MDMA higher than 120mg can be very dangerous. But the trouble is, most people take it in the form of a pill, with no way of knowing the actual dosage. In recent years, the average strength of MDMA tablets has increased significantly, with some containing as much as 300mg in a single pill.

So if you or your friends are partying with MDMA, be mindful of the dosage, stay hydrated with electrolyte-rich drinks, and keep an eye out for any signs of trouble.

The Devastation of Methamphetamine

Moving on from the “fun” drugs, let’s talk about something much more sinister – methamphetamine, or meth. This is a drug that has been linked to nearly 33,000 deaths in the United States in 2021 alone.

Meth works by stimulating the central nervous system and increasing the output of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which is linked to the brain’s reward pathways. The result is increased alertness, physical activity, elevated mood, and decreased appetite.

However, the long-term consequences of meth use are truly horrific:

• Aggression and mood swings
• Tooth decay and malnutrition
• Psychosis, including the delusion of bugs crawling under the skin

But perhaps the most devastating aspect of meth is the risk of overdose. There are two types:

1. Chronic Overdose: Results from meth use over time, often leading to death from organ failure. Symptoms include tooth loss, mental health issues, and cognitive decline.
2. Acute Overdose: Happens suddenly in first-time users who take too large a dose. Can cause immediate organ damage, heart attacks, strokes, and death.

Warning signs of an acute meth overdose include:

• Sudden, dangerous spikes in body temperature and blood pressure
• Chest pain
• Confusion and anxiety
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid eye movement
• Vomiting and nausea
• Trouble breathing
• Convulsions

The scariest part is that it’s incredibly difficult to determine the exact amount of meth that will trigger an overdose. It can be affected by a person’s age, weight, metabolism, pre-existing conditions, and the method of ingestion. The best advice? Don’t even try it.

The Dangers of PCP and “Bath Salts”

PCP, also known as “Angel Dust,” is another highly dangerous drug. It was first developed as an anesthetic and pain reliever, but quickly gained popularity as a recreational drug for the feelings of sedation and euphoria it induced.

PCP is unique in how long it stays in the system – it has a half-life of 21 hours and can remain in the liver and kidneys even longer. Overdose symptoms include catatonia, sudden onset schizophrenia and psychosis, involuntary movements, high blood pressure, and seizures.

Incredibly, the lethal dose of PCP is only around 20 milligrams – about the weight of a single grain of rice. Anything past that point is almost a guarantee of seizures, coma, and death.

Another drug that made headlines for its bizarre and violent effects is “bath salts.” These synthetic stimulants, which produce a high similar to meth, were infamously linked to a 2012 incident in Miami where a man attacked and ate parts of another man’s face.

While the “face-eating zombie” connection was likely exaggerated, bath salts are still extremely dangerous. Overdose symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, seizures, strokes, and cardiovascular collapse. Experts warn that any consumption of bath salts at all could potentially lead to an overdose, as dose and purity are so difficult to determine.

The Scourge of Heroin and Fentanyl

When it comes to street drugs, it’s hard to name one that has ruined more lives than heroin. An estimated 1 million people in the US have a heroin use disorder, and around 10,000 die from heroin overdoses every year.

Heroin is an opiate derived from morphine, and it’s known for inducing intensely pleasurable feelings and a sensation of weightlessness. But it’s also extremely easy to overdose on – a lethal dose is only about 30mg if the heroin is pure.

The effects of a heroin overdose are devastating. The blood pressure lowers to dangerous levels, triggering a pulmonary edema and potentially a heart attack. One of the most dangerous symptoms is intense drowsiness – the user may simply fall asleep and stop breathing entirely, as the body forgets how to keep breathing on its own.

But as bad as heroin is, there’s an even deadlier opioid that has fueled the current overdose crisis – fentanyl.

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, with a lethal dose of only 2 milligrams – not even enough to cover the surface of a dime. It’s so potent and cheap to manufacture that it’s being used to cut a wide variety of other drugs, from heroin and meth to Xanax and cocaine.

The CDC has declared fentanyl the leading cause of death among US adults aged 18-45. Signs of a fentanyl overdose include pinpoint pupils, shallow or no breathing, blue/grayish lips or fingernails, and a lack of response to stimuli.

Fortunately, there is a way to potentially save someone from a fentanyl overdose – the drug naloxone, or Narcan, can be administered to buy time until emergency medical care arrives. But the best defense is knowledge and awareness of just how deadly fentanyl can be.

Staying Safe and Informed

Drugs are everywhere, and their allure can be powerful. But the harsh reality is that many illegal drugs, from cocaine to meth to fentanyl, can be deadly – even with a single use. The risks of overdose, addiction, and long-term health consequences are simply not worth it.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources and support services available, and recovery is possible.

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