There are a number of factors that drive a drug’s popularity – two of which are price and availability. As doctors and pharmacies in Florida crack down on issuing opiate analgesics such as OxyContin, those misusing the drugs are turning to cheaper and easier alternatives, such as heroin.

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In the course of medical history, opiates have lent considerable value in the treatment of chronic pain. At the same time, it also brings addictive qualities that sometimes present too much risk to the user. Now, prescription medications based on opiates are the most abused drugs in the market, accounting for more deaths each year.

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The United States as a nation is the largest single consumer of illicit drugs in the world. In addition to consuming the largest number of illicit substances overall, the U.S. is also either the largest or one of the largest consumers of each of the principle varieties of illicit drugs.

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Synthetic marijuana, also known as synthetic pot or synthetic cannabis, is the name given to a group of products made from a combination of natural plant material and any one of a number of different chemicals called synthetic cannabinoids. When they enter your brain, these chemicals produce an effect that closely mimics the effects of the natural cannabinoid in marijuana called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. In 2012, the U.S. government banned the production, sale and/or possession of the cannabinoids found in the most widely distributed forms of synthetic marijuana, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency followed up this new legislation with a nationwide raid on distributors of these products.

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Going through withdrawal from a drug or other substance is always unpleasant. It can range from mildly uncomfortable to so painful and potentially dangerous, that it should not be attempted without the supervision of a doctor or other professional. The physical symptoms of withdrawal frequently include sweating, tremors, nausea, muscle tension, racing heart or palpitations, and chest tightness. Less common but more severe symptoms may include grand mal seizures, delirium tremens, heart attacks, hallucinations, or strokes.

Withdrawal also involves negative emotional symptoms that can lead to a relapse or to other serious consequences if patients are not under care. These symptoms can include anxiety and depression, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, an inability to concentrate, and a feeling of social isolation.

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Synthetic drugs come with many names and just as many man-made chemicals, not all of which are safe for human consumption. As is proven in the multitude of emergency room visits, some of them contain chemicals that are toxic.

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With recent legalizations at the state level for marijuana use, some argue that it is only a matter of time before smoking pot will be as commonplace as tobacco or alcohol use. Even in some states that have declined to legalize the drug, the use or possession of marijuana has been downgraded to a lesser charge.

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The recent legalization of medical marijuana in Colorado provides an alternative pain treatment for those with chronic illnesses, such as cancer. Many believe that the use of marijuana should be extended beyond medical applications. While it has been argued that marijuana has certain benefits, research shows that marijuana can have dangerous effects, such as instances of psychosis among those with a history of marijuana use.

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