Complications of acute and chronic use can include myocardial ischemia or infarction, stroke, pulmonary edema, and rhabdomyolysis. Amphetamines Acute intoxication with amphetamines presents with signs of sympathetic nervous system stimulation, tachycardia, hypertension, anorexia, insomnia, and occasionally seizures. Hallucinogens Different hallucinogens present with a variety of organ system effects. Anticholinergics have been associated with delirium, supraventricular tachycardia, hypertension, and seizures. Alcohol use reportedly has been on the decline in recent years.
Reports indicate that roughly two thirds of all adults drink alcohol occasionally.
In contrast to alcohol use, heroin use is rising. Estimates place the number of heroin users in the US at 750,000. Heavy cocaine use has remained fairly steady since its peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with an estimated 600,000-700,000 regular users. In assessing need for treatment, keep in mind that patients frequently underestimate their consumption. This underestimation may be attributed to denial, one of the hallmarks of the disease process of substance abuse.