<unk>  increases alertness, feelings of well-being, euphoria, energy, sociability, and sexuality. The former are some of the desired effects of<unk> . Not having the normal use of mental faculties by reason of the introduction of<unk>  is defined drug<unk>  by the laws in America, Europe, and most of the rest of the World, and it is a serious crime in specific contexts (e.g., in drug-impaired driving). Mild adverse effects include anxiety, increased temperature, paranoia, restlessness, and teeth grinding. With prolonged use, the drug can cause chronic complications like insomnia, weight loss, anorexia, persistent tachycardia, heart failure, kidney failure, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. Depression with suicidal ideation may develop in heavy users. Finally, a loss of vesicular monoamine transporters, neurofilament proteins, and other morphological changes appear to indicate a long-term damage to dopamine neurons. Chronic intranasal usage can degrade the cartilage separating the nostrils (the nasal septum), which can eventually lead to its complete disappearance. Studies have shown that<unk>  usage during pregnancy triggers premature labor and may lead to abruptio placentae. In cases of severe acute<unk> , potentially lethal adverse effects include prolonged episodes of arrhythmia (i.e., a group of abnormal heart rhythms that also include tachycardia), heavy hypoglycemia, tremors, convulsions, hyperthermia (i.e., markedly increased core temperature), untreated uremia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden cardiac arrest. Overdose US yearly overdose deaths involving<unk> . synthetic opioids.<unk>  can be snorted, swallowed, injected, or smoked. Most deaths due to<unk>  are accidental but may also be the result of body packing or stuffing with rupture in the gastrointestinal tract. Use of<unk>  causes abnormally fast heart rhythms and a marked elevation of blood pressure (hypertension), which can be life-threatening. This can lead to death from acute myocardial infarction, acute respiratory failure (i.e., hypoxemia, with or without hypercapnia), stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, and sudden cardiac arrest.<unk>  overdose may result in hyperthermia as stimulation and increased muscular activity cause greater heat production. Heat loss is also inhibited by the<unk> -induced vasoconstriction.<unk>  and/or associated hyperthermia may cause muscle cell destruction (rhabdomyolysis) and myoglobinuria resulting in kidney failure. Individuals with<unk>  overdose should be transported immediately to the nearest emergency department, preferably by ambulance in case cardiac arrest occurs en route. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 14,600 deaths occurred in the US in 2017 due to an overdose where<unk>  was somehow involved in any capacity, defined or undefined. Because of the increase in heart rate,<unk>  users can be prone to elevated body temperatures, tremors, chest pains, and subject to nausea and vomiting. Some psychological symptoms due to an overdose include paranoia, delirium, anxiety as well as panicked feelings. Some signs of an overdose of<unk>  are difficulty breathing, loss of urine control, bluish color of the skin, loss of awareness or surroundings, and high blood pressure. Although not as common, death can be caused from an over<unk>  of<unk> . Most severe overdoses occur when users combine<unk>  with other substances like alcohol or heroin, which increase the effects and heighten the chances of having a dangerous overdose. Treating an overdose can be done by bringing back blood flow to the heart, and restoring the body with oxygen rich blood, especially for the brain to reduce the risk of stroke.<unk>  overdoses have fluctuated over the years. From 2006 to 2010 there has been a decline in the number of reported cases. Though, from 2010 to 2015 there has been an increase in the reported cases involving over<unk> . Males appear to have a much higher chance of overdosing than females. The ratio of male to female<unk>  overdoses is 3:1. Withdrawal<unk>  withdrawal isn't as severe as the withdrawal from other substances. For example, substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines can involve severe physical withdrawal symptoms while<unk>  results in mostly psychological symptoms. Physiological changes caused by<unk>  withdrawal include vivid and unpleasant dreams, insomnia, hypersomnia, anger, increased appetite, weight gain, psychomotor retardation, agitation, depression, and anxiety. According to a study done by Gawin and Kleber in 1986, there are three phases in the withdrawal process. They observed the behavior of 30<unk> -dependent individuals. Phase one, the crash, is characterized by acute dysphoria, irritability and anxiety, increased desire for sleep, exhaustion, increased appetite, decreased craving to use. Phase two, withdrawal, is characterized by increasing craving to use, poor concentration, some irritability and some lethargy, which persisted for up to 10 weeks. Lastly, phase three is characterized by the intermittent craving to use in the context of external cues.<unk>  and its metabolites are completely eliminated from the body by 3 days. There are not any FDA-approved medications that specifically help treat<unk>  withdrawal, however, there are some useful medications that could possibly help individuals overcome their addiction. One example is propranolol. Propranolol is a beta blocker that has been approved to treat hypertension, angina, anxiety, and other related psychological problems. Buprenorphine and naltrexone are two substances that act as an effective treatment in the earlier stages of withdrawal.
Cocaine intoxication
Hypertensive encephalopathy
Carbamate poisoning
Benzodiazepine overdose
Nicotine withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Opioid overdose