Called also substance abuse and psychoactive substance abuse. The stimulants affect the central nervous system, producing increased physical and mental activity, excitability, and prevention of sleep.
Amphetamines are dangerous because they alter judgment and obscure feelings.
Prolonged use of these drugs can lead to acute toxic psychosis accompanied by hallucinations and delusions. The depressant drugs favored by drug abusers are the barbiturates, tranquilizers, and alcohol. Sudden withdrawal from depressants can cause convulsions and even death. Combinations of barbiturates and alcohol, which compound the effect of each other, frequently lead to death. Another popular hallucinogenic drug is mescaline, which is derived from the peyote cactus.