Cocaine not only affects the emotions, but also disrupts the brain's control of heartbeat and breathing and causes high blood pressure. Single or multiple uses have resulted in fatal seizures. Using PCP also can lead to heart and lung failure or ruptured blood vessels in the brain, any of which may be fatal. Drugs can destroy an individual's ability to think and act responsibly and to perform well at school, at work or at home. When taking drugs becomes more important to the individual than dealing with reality, the continued drug abuse can destroy family relationships, friendships, outside interests, values and goals.
Many substances cause physical and psychological dependence.
Regular drug abusers find they need to take larger doses to get the same effect. PCP, heroin and other drugs can alter the body's chemistry. When the user stops taking the drug, the body rebels with unpleasant and often painful symptoms of withdrawal. There is no such thing as safe and responsible use of an illegal drug, or harmless misuse of alcohol or prescription medications. Abusing drugs can lead to lifelong consequences, such as loss of memory, high blood pressure, mental illness, heart failure, stroke, lung damage and coma.