About Drugs

What is Cannabis?
Short-term effects
Long-term effects
Addiction and withdrawal

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a flowering plant that includes three species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.

Cannabis is a plant native to Central Asia that has now spread all over the world and is probably the most widely used recreational and usually illegal drug in the world.

It was mainly found in Central Asia, and South Asia, but nowadays, it is a plant that is grown ALL over the world, from outdoor to indoor species and varieties.

Cannabis has long been used for fiber (hemp), for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a recreational drug.

The main psychoactive molecule found in the plant is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it is the molecule that produces the “high” associated with Cannabis.

It is found and used in two main forms:

-Marijuana: that consists of dried flowers of plants selectively bred to produce high levels of THC and other psychoactive chemicals. It has the consistency of dried leaves, green or brownish.

-Hashish: or “Hash”, that is composed by the compression of the resin glands of the cannabis buds. It looks like a brown greenish sticky paste.

A Hashish oil is also produced from the plant and is usually highly concentrated in THC, but is not very common on the drug market.

Since the beginning of history, Cannabis was already used by the old Asian population, as a medicinal product, and as a hallucinogenic plant. Thousands of old manuscripts all over the continents show that shamans and indigenous people used it since the beginning of times, To communicate with the spirits, to heal, to see demons,… in the old Indian pharmacopeia it was used to “Release us from anxiety”, it made it through history until recently in the 60s and 70s with the hippies that used a lot of cannabis along with other drugs, as a “Peace” drug. It was even considered as a “Soft Drug” until very recently, in the last 5 to 10 years, when research and trials all over the world proved otherwise, and put it in the same basket as all illegal drugs.

In the United-States, it is legal for some people to grow cannabis, only with a medical prescription, to be used for medicinal purposes, for anxiety and pain treatment.

Lebanon is a country known for its good quality of Cannabis and Hashish production, as an example, the “Red Lebanese” is one of the most expensive and quality hashish found in Amsterdam Coffee shops.

It has been grown in the Bekaa Valley for the last century. The crops are planted and the production of hashish starts in September to October of every year.

Since the years 2003-2004, the new trend consists of planting Cannabis in the city, in equipped indoor spaces, to produce plants with high THC levels, which are sold in the marijuana form.

Usually, in every story of any drug addict all over the world, Cannabis is the First drug they ever try, before passing to stronger and harder drugs.

It is nowadays very common to find school students smoking cannabis during the week-ends, and the age of the consumers is getting lower and lower with time.

Cannabis is consumed most notably by inhalation. It is smoked in rolled cigarettes called ?Joints?. Marijuana is usually smoked alone, while Hashish is mixed with tobacco first, to be able to roll it in a paper and smoke it. It can also be inhaled through a pipe; a water-pipe called “Bong”, and even cooked in pastries like cookies and cakes. (Space-cookies)

Short-term effects

“If a man wishes to rid himself of a feeling of unbearable oppression, he may have to take hashish” Friedrich Nietzsche

The effects of Cannabis are caused mainly by the THC molecules. The higher the concentration in the product used, and the stronger the effect. The duration of the high goes from 30min to 8 hours, depending on the products.
The short-term effects of marijuana or hashish are usually very subjective, but they start with a relaxing and sedative effect, as well as mild euphoria and a change in perception. Sounds, light and images are perceived in a state of a higher conscience. An increased appreciation of music, art, social relations, sensuality, increased libido…

While normally an anti-anxiety drug, 20 to 30% of users experience acute panic-attacks under the effect of THC.

In the short-term somatic effect, we observe dry mouth, red eyes, an increased heart rate, the person becomes thirsty…

Once the effects start decreasing, the subject experiences a strong sensation of hunger, and can eat very large quantities of food, especially sweets, with an increased attraction and highly stimulated senses. This state is called “the munchies”

Car accidents are very common under the effect of THC, due to the change in perception, the hallucinogenic effect, and the slow reactivity of the subject.

THC in marijuana is strongly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. In heavy chronic users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

Long-term effects

First of all, following long-term use of cannabis, People who smoke marijuana often have the same respiratory problems as cigarette smokers. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. They are also at greater risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia, and lung cancer.

On another hand, Marijuana or hashish affects memory, judgment and perception. Learning and attention skills are impaired. Research proved that marijuana use among young people showed lower achievements than the non-users, more acceptances of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends.

It has also been shown that long-term use of hashish creates depression, paranoia, panic-attacks; it can exert aggressive behavior, and agora-phobia.

The drug that used to help the person become more social and less stressed ends up putting him in a depressive state, often escaping from society, and losing all will of living and ambition.

Most cannabinoids are compounds that easily store in fat, thus having a long elimination half-life relative to other recreational drugs.

The THC molecule, and related compounds, is usually detectable in drug tests from 3 days up to 10 days according to Redwood Laboratories, heavy users can produce positive tests for up to 3 months after ceasing cannabis use.

Addiction and withdrawal

Considered as a “Soft Drug” that does not cause dependency and addiction for a long time, it has been discovered in the last decade that cannabis is a “Strong” and addictive drug.

As it does not cause very concrete physical withdrawal symptoms like other drugs, it was not treated before, and the cannabis users where thought to be able to stop alone, whenever they wanted to.

Now, we know better. In fact, if a long-term, heavy hashish or marijuana smoker wants to stop, he often goes through a rough phase, with insomnia, irritability, depression, aggressive behavior, problems with sleep, appetite, concentration, and even periods of cravings for the drug, responsible for the relapse and use again.

Extensive psychotherapy as well as a medical follow-up with anti-anxiety and anti-depressive drug prescriptions when necessary is of great help for anyone who wants to stop cannabis use. The withdrawal symptoms as well as the physical and mental tension usually peak at around seven days after the stopping and usually decrease to totally disappear after 2 months maximum.

What is cocaine?
Short-term effects
Long-term effects
Addiction and withdrawal

What is cocaine?

Cocaine is extracted from the coca plant, which grows in Central and South America. The substance is processed into many forms for use as an illegal drug of abuse. In Lebanon, the cocaine market is mainly based on importations from Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and other Latin American countries. The drug arrives in its powder final form, or sometimes in it?s “Base” form and is processed and transformed to its final stage here, mainly in the “Bekaa” Valley. Cocaine presents itself as a whitish crystalline powder.

Coca leaves chewing was practiced in south America since 3000B.C. it was used by the Incas at the beginning, they considered it like “a gift from god”. Later on, in the 1500th, it was mainly given to the mine workers to help them stay alert and be more productive in their jobs. The pharmaceutical company MERCK was the first to extract cocaine from the leaves. In 1870, “Mariani Wine”, Red wine containing cocaine, was exported all over Europe. The Pope was one regular user, and said a lot of good about it. Cocaine was then used in the medical field, especially as an anaesthetic. It is only in 1901, that coca-cola stopped using cocaine in their drink and in 1914, that the united-States considered cocaine to be illegal. In 1974, the Freebase cocaine first developed (probably in California).

Cocaine is usually sniffed/snorted, but can sometimes be injected. Free base cocaine is the normal cocaine molecule, freed from its acid, which makes it possible to be smoked. Its effect is an immediate, more intense, and more short-lived high compared to the one of cocaine. Free-Base or Crack comes in off-white chunks or chips called “rocks”. In Lebanon, sodium bicarbonate is the most used base to transform cocaine into Crack.

Street cocaine is often “cut” with other substances. Most of the time, the sold powder contains less then 20% pre cocaine. Ephedrine is very commonly used cut substance in Lebanon. During the July 06 war, some dealers sold pure ephedrine presenting it as if it was cocaine.

On of the biggest problems that occur with cocaine use is the heavy drinking. All cocaine users mention a big tolerance to alcohol while using the drug, which leads them to exaggerated drinking while under the effect.

Short-term effects

Cocaine is dangerously addictive, and users of the drug experience a “high”?a feeling of euphoria or intense happiness, along with hyper vigilance, increased sensitivity, irritability or anger, impaired judgment, and anxiety. The users describe this feeling saying “I feel like the king of the world, Very smart, very present and alert”.

When cocaine is sniffed; the peak effects of the drug are usually felt within 5 to 10 minutes. The high is usually accompanied by sexual arousing, a feeling of warmth, sweat and heat, Rapid heart beats and hyperventilation. As for Crack, it has an immediate effect when smoked, an instant high followed by a down a few minutes later. It is on of the most addictive drugs. Some studies showed that some people become addicted to free-base after only one time use.

Long-term effects

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. An appreciable tolerance to cocaine’s high may develop, with many addicts reporting that they seek but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did from their first experience. Some users frequently increase their doses to intensify and prolong the euphoric effects. While tolerance to the high can occur, users can also become more sensitive to cocaine’s anaesthetic and convulsing effects, without increasing the dose taken.

Cocaine use on a regular basis leads to a state of increasing irritability, restlessness, and paranoia. This may result in a full-blown paranoid psychosis, in which the individual loses touch with reality and starts experiencing hallucinations. Over time, the user falls deeper and deeper into depression.

In addition to these psychological problems, cocaine leads to sleep, mood, and sexual disorders, heart and respiratory problems, and at its final stages, total delirium, delusions and hallucinations.

Addiction and withdrawal

Cocaine addiction is mainly a psychological kind of addiction. But that?s what makes it very hard to heal and overcome.

If at the beginning cocaine helped the person feel more comfortable with himself, increased his self esteem, his sexual performance and helped him feel good in society, over time, the user starts having paranoiac feeling, especially around people. His self-esteem lowers to the point of delusions; he loses touch with reality and starts living a very intense and violent internal life that can end in dementia.

The dependent person also experiences cocaine withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms develop within hours or days after cocaine use has been abruptly stopped. The symptoms include irritable mood: fatigue, nightmares, difficulty sleeping or too much sleep, elevated appetite, agitation (restlessness), or slowed physical movements. The onset of withdrawal symptoms can cause a person to use more cocaine to avoid these painful and uncomfortable symptoms. The dependent person uses larger amounts of cocaine for longer periods of time than intended. He or she cannot cut back on the use of the substance, often has difficult time resisting cocaine when it is available, and may abandon work or school to spend more time acquiring and planning to acquire more cocaine. The individual continues to use the cocaine despite the negative effects it has on family life, work, and school.

To treat the addiction to cocaine, the person must follow a psychological and social rehabilitation program that can help him make the difference between reality and his delusions. Treatment is possible, and the person can get over its addiction, but must know that the road can sometimes be hard, and needs persistence and patience.

What is speed?
Short-term effects
Long-term effects
Overdose and tolerance
Addiction and withdrawal

What is speed?

“Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.”
Hunter S. Thompson

Amphetamines are synthetic drugs, commonly known as designer drugs, which mean that they are totally man-made, using only chemical precursors, with different chemical reactions, usually manufactured in clandestine illegal laboratories. This family of drugs includes Amphetamines and Methamphetamine, and are commonly known as speed. Speed presents it-self in white crystalline powder chunks or crystals that are white or off-white. Normally, speed is considered to be the poor man’s cocaine, because its stimulant effect is likely to mimic cocaines effect, and is usually lots cheaper then cocaine. But weirdly, in Lebanon, speed is a very expensive drug (between 100$ and 120$ for a gram). The Lebanese speed market expended these last three years. It is mainly manufactured in small kitchen laboratories, mostly in Beirut. The precursors used and the chemical reactions are not very professional ones, which leads to a very “dirty” final product, containing different kinds of amphetamines, and sometimes very harmful substances.

Amphetamine was first synthesised by Edeleano in Germany in 1887, but it only entered clinical medicine in the late 1920s when its psycho stimulant effect was recognised. So in 1932, Smith, Kline introduced the famous Benzedrine Inhaler.
Amphetamine sulphate was used in the medical field for asthmatics, epilepsy, obesity (because of its anorexic effect), narcolepsy, and children with hyperactive disorders (ADHD – mostly Ritalin).

The first amphetamine epidemic occurred during World War II. Amphetamines were used to counteract fatigue in pilots and combatants. Soldiers on both sides consumed millions of amphetamine tablets. This practice sometimes caused states of quasi-psychotic aggression in the combatants. It was the main product used by Japanese kamikazes. From 1942, Hitler received daily methamphetamine injections from his quack doctor Morell. This corrupted his judgement, undermined his health and probably changed the course of the War.
Ever since, amphetamines are still used in some pharmaceutical products, but are being banned over the years. They are considered an illegal substance all over the world, unless part of a medical prescription.

Speed can be sniffed, (but it is very harmful for the nose and bleeding is very common while snorting speed), ingested with any kind of liquid or in small capsules, or smoked in a base form, which is the most addictive route of administration and sadly the most used in Lebanon, due to the product found on the market; almost always in its base crystal form – Known as ICE.

Speed can be “cut” with an infinite number of substances. In Lebanon ephedrine is the most commonly used product. Being a natural stimulant found in plants of the genus Ephedra, Ephedrine is structurally similar to the family of Amphetamines, so it’s conceivable that it could serve as a precursor. It is used as a topical decongestant and as a bronchodilator in the treatment for asthma, and thus can be very easily found in a lot of pharmaceutical legal drugs. During the July 2006 war in Lebanon, some dealers sold pure ephedrine to their costumers, presented as speed.
Amphetamines are detectable in urine for 1-3 days after use. Methamphetamines stay in the system slightly longer, 3-5 days.

Short-term effects

Speed is a very powerful drug, it ‘speeds’ up your whole body. users can experience a rush of pleasure similar to orgasm or electric shock. Appetite is reduced. There is increased alertness, euphoria, excitement, creativity, and power.. Amphetamines make the user feel excited, confident and energetic. Some people use amphetamines to suppress their appetite, so they can go for a long time without eating. And speed is often described to give a Greater responsiveness to the outside world. Methamphetamine use is typically followed by prolonged depression and fatigue. In contrast to base cocaine, smoking speed will extend its effects for up to 24 hrs per ingestion. Depending on each person, some people can stay under the effect of one ingestion for days.

Long-term effects

Fact: Speed users reach a plateau where no pleasure is possible.

There are many health risks from taking speed. While under the effect, the user may become tense and anxious and it can leave them feeling depressed, paranoid and tired for days after. The main problem from a Long-term use is mental illness. On the long run, speed can cause feelings of extreme fatigue, hunger, depression, paranoia, distorted perceptions, and hallucinations. A methamphetamine “run” of three to five days can produce euphoria which is replaced by agitation on the second day, along with frightening visual images and exhaustion. An amphetamine “run” may produce psychosis, and users can experience a “crash” after long periods of usage. The crash can result in depression and suicidal ideas.

Usually, those symptoms should disappear two weeks after a regular user stops using speed. But depending on the person and on its past psychological state, speed can induce long-term depression and psychosis. But everything has a solution and can be medicate. With a strong will, good medical and psychological follow-up, any user can become free from his addiction.

Overdose and tolerance

It is possible to overdose on amphetamines, which can lead to permanent damage or death. Manifestations of over dosage with amphetamines include restlessness, tremor, rapid respiration, confusion, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and panic attacks. Fatal poisoning is usually proceeded by convulsions and coma.

The most usual cases of speed overdose occur after several days of partying and continual consuming. Due to the dehydration, lack of food and extra activity and different kind of drug mix up, the body crashes and leads to an overdose. In some cases, chlorpromazine antagonizes the central stimulant effects of amphetamines and can be used to treat amphetamine intoxication.

As for the tolerance for amphetamines it can build up quickly, so bigger doses are required for the same sort of hit.

What is heroin?

Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed of the Asian poppy plant. Heroin usually appears as a light powder, its colour goes from white to dark brown. In Lebanon, the most common kind is a very light brown powder (light beige). A few years ago, heroin was manufactured in the “Bekaa” valley, but nowadays, most of the products found on the market are imported from Turkey and Afghanistan.

Heroin was discovered in 1874. Commercial production first started in 1898 and big advertisement campaigns for the new pain and anti-cough drug were spread all over the world. The American pharmaceutical company BAYER was the one to launch the molecule as anti-cough syrup. Physicians remained unaware of its addiction potential for years. The first comprehensive control of heroin and its addiction risk occurred in 1914. Today, heroin is classified as an illicit substance all over the world.

Heroin can be injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. Injection is the most efficient way to administer low-purity heroin and the fasted way to feel the effects of the drug (the rush, the high). But the fear of infection by sharing needles made snorting and smoking the drug more common over the years.

Street heroin is “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine, or other poisons that have a warming effect similar to the one heroin usually gives. Some dealers add “crumbled glass” to their powder; the glass causing the nose epidermis to tear and thus makes it easier and faster for the drug to reach the blood stream and cause the expected effects. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are constantly at risk of overdose or death, especially for the IV users. Heroin also poses special problems because of the risks from sharing needles, like HIV transmission, and other disease like type B or C hepatitis.

Short-term effects

Soon after injection (or inhalation), heroin crosses the blood-brain barrier. In the brain, heroin is converted to morphine and binds rapidly to opioid receptors, causing the surge of a pleasurable and euphoric sensation: the “rush.” Heroin users describe the rush like “an amazing warm feeling, better then an orgasm”. The intensity of the rush is a function of how much drug is taken and how rapidly the drug enters the brain. Intravenous users typically experience the rush within 7 to 8 seconds after injection. When heroin is sniffed or smoked, the peak effects of the drug are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes. The rush is usually accompanied by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe itching.

After the initial euphoria, the user experiences an alternately wakeful and drowsy state. Mental functioning becomes clouded due to the depression of the central nervous system. Cardiac function slows. Breathing is also severely slowed. In this state the user is mainly looking for the feeling of being “in a place where nothing can touch him, or make him feel hurt or sad”

Long-term effects

In addition to its extremely high addictive potential, long term effects of heroin can include collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, and liver disease, pulmonary complications and depressing effects on respiration. In addition to the effects of the drug itself, street heroin may have additives that do not really dissolve and result in clogging the blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain. This can cause infection or even death of small patches of cells in vital organs.

One of the most significant effects of heroin use is addiction. With regular heroin use, tolerance to the drug develops. Once this happens, the abuser must use more heroin to have the same intensity or feeling he is looking for. As higher doses of the drug are used over time, physical dependence and addiction to the drug develop. And over time, heroin doesnt bring to the user any euphoric feelings anymore, and the person ends up taking heroin just so he wont feel down, and to be able to keep functioning normally.

Overdose and tolerance

Heroin works on the central nervous system. The abuser’s heartbeat slows as well as their breathing, which may cause them to lose consciousness. Any of these effects can be fatal if the dose is too high. This is what is called an overdose. Death occurs because of the breathing and the heart beats that stop. However, with street heroin, there is no absolutely “safe dosage”. Overdose can occur when the dose taken is greater than that you’re used to. It is mainly due to the fact that the users, even the most regular ones, can never know the exact purity of the drug they purchase. So sometimes the same amount as the one usually used can lead the user to his death. A tolerable dose for an addict could be fatal to a first-time user. First-time users must never take more then of an addicts dose.

Tolerance to heroin in particular is quickly acquired. Even occasional weekend users need to take more of the drug to get the same effect over time. Tolerance can also quickly drop over time. Some users have overdosed on their “regular dose,” after just a few weeks of abstinence.

A heroin overdose is usually treated with an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone or naltrexone chlorhydrate, which has a high affinity for opioid receptors but does not activate them. This blocks heroin and other opioid antagonists and causes an immediate return of consciousness and the beginning of withdrawal symptoms when administered intravenously.

A common Lebanese “trick” used to treat an overdose on the spot is the intravenous injection of salted water.

Addiction and withdrawal

Heroin is the most addictive existing drug. Addiction to heroin is extremely fast to install itself and very intense and hard to overcome.

As with abusers of any addictive drug, heroin abusers gradually spend more and more time and energy obtaining and using the drug. Once they are addicted, the heroin abusers’ primary purpose in life becomes seeking and using drugs. The drugs literally change their brains and their behaviour.

Addiction to heroin is both physical and psychological.

With physical dependence, the body adapts to the presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly. Withdrawal may occur within a few hours after the last time the drug is taken. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhoea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”), and leg movements. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 24 and 48 hours after the last dose of heroin and subside after about a week. However, some people have shown persistent withdrawal signs for many months.

Each case is unique. Each person has its own way to overcome the addiction. Different treatments are nowadays proposed; both pharmacological (such as substitutes) and psychological (such as personal therapy).