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Drug Use & Abuse

Why are drugs so dangerous? Get the facts.

Teens Participating in the Summer Wellness Programs

Teens Participating in the Summer Wellness Programs

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Anushka Das

Anushka Das

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Taking drugs can be dangerous – not only because of the physical impact it can have on your body, but because drugs can hinder your ability to set limits, be aware of your environment and realize when you’re in danger.

Many drugs are manufactured in home labs with no quality control standards. At the very least, this means dose levels may vary from tablet to tablet, and additional harmful ingredients may be added. In addition, there’s very little research on the long-term effects of taking new drugs.

Drugs you may encounter include:

  • Club and date rape drugs
  • Mood-altering drugs
  • Hallucinogens
  • Marijuana
  • Narcotics, including opioids

Because of the risks involved with using drugs, get the facts now so you can make an informed decision before you’re in a situation where you have to choose to take a drug or turn it down.

What Really Happens

Why are drugs so dangerous? Because they may result in a chemical process that you can’t control.

Your brain produces a chemical, called dopamine, that helps you feel happy. Some drugs produce a “high” that is similar to dopamine, but it can be extreme. This makes a person want to experience it again and can make typical joy and happiness feel less adequate.

As you take more drugs, your brain takes over and encourages more use, to the point that using the drug and feeling the high can feel like the most important (if not only) thing in the world. This is addiction.

The Big Question

There’s no way to predict how drugs will affect you. It depends on your body’s unique chemistry, your family history, whether or not you have experienced any adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and who your social supports are.

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, up to 75 percent of drug users become addicted. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?

Find out about drugs and more from the Drug Guide provided by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and the Center for Addiction.

Last reviewed: February 2020

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