Are Drugs Safe
"One of the myths floating around about drug abuse is if it can be used as a medication, it's not harmful. Contrary to what some believe, the abuse or nonmedical use of any drug can have long-lasting effects on your health. The truth is even the "safest" drugs can have negative effects on your health and well-being if they are used too often or over too long a period of time."
All drugs alter the natural brain chemistry, some more permanently than others. Depending on the type of drug used, duration of use, frequency of use, and type of drug being used, changes may be more or less extensive and permanent damage may or may not result. It is often the frequency and duration of use that determines how much drug use is "harmful," however, some drugs can kill with first time use. Cocaine has been known to produce heart failure with the first use. At least one study with marijuana has shown some brain cell damage with somewhat regular use in as little as three years. Alcohol can kill at any time by "chugging" at a rate more than the body can metabolize, causing alcohol poisoning. In short, any drug use is "harmful" to the body because it alters the body's natural balance and natural production of chemicals and hormones. But let’s define the word "drug"- a substance that changes a person's physical and mental state. In such cases, overeating is a drug that is harmful; because food changes your physical and mental state. It makes you feel full and satisfied. Drugs are harmful when someone takes more than a prescribed dose of a drug, when someone takes another person’s drugs when they do not need it, and when someone becomes addicted to drugs, and when drugs have dangerous interactions, and when a drug taker experiences side effects.
The above quoted paragraph has been taken from the site (http://alcoholism.about.com/od/sa/a/drug_effects.htm)
All drugs alter the natural brain chemistry, some more permanently than others. Depending on the type of drug used, duration of use, frequency of use, and type of drug being used, changes may be more or less extensive and permanent damage may or may not result. It is often the frequency and duration of use that determines how much drug use is "harmful," however, some drugs can kill with first time use. Cocaine has been known to produce heart failure with the first use. At least one study with marijuana has shown some brain cell damage with somewhat regular use in as little as three years. Alcohol can kill at any time by "chugging" at a rate more than the body can metabolize, causing alcohol poisoning. In short, any drug use is "harmful" to the body because it alters the body's natural balance and natural production of chemicals and hormones. But let’s define the word "drug"- a substance that changes a person's physical and mental state. In such cases, overeating is a drug that is harmful; because food changes your physical and mental state. It makes you feel full and satisfied. Drugs are harmful when someone takes more than a prescribed dose of a drug, when someone takes another person’s drugs when they do not need it, and when someone becomes addicted to drugs, and when drugs have dangerous interactions, and when a drug taker experiences side effects.
The above quoted paragraph has been taken from the site (http://alcoholism.about.com/od/sa/a/drug_effects.htm)