Hooked on medicines and on a high
	New Delhi: It could be your cough syrup, the pills that help you catch your forty winks, and it could also be drugs like cocaine or marijuana. All of these can give a similar effect if taken in excess can cause similar effects. They could cause substance abuse. Substance abuse in other words is chemical dependency. When your body gets used to a particular chemical and craves for it. And although nicotine, alcohol and other party drugs are the common addictions, what could be equally harmful in the daily run, are some of the clinically prescribed medicines like sleeping pills and painkillers. But what exactly do these do to you? These set of drugs actually interfere with the chemicals in the brain and alter its working. Most people experience what they call a "high", a feeling that relaxes them and throws them into a state of euphoria. Persistent use of such does can make you psychologically dependent on it. But these could also harm your memory, concentration, sleep, pain and motor skills causing anxiety and depression. In fact some of these drugs act as aphrodisiacs. Many drugs like cocaine can be fatal when taken in combination with alcohol. Ecstasy can cause hallucinations, paralysis, and shows symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. The problem sets in when you start self-medication and do not stop popping the pill even after your physician puts you off them. First up, are sleeping pills and tranquilisers which have a calming effect on your nerves but if used over a long time. They are very difficult to withdraw from and an overdose could be fatal. In addition, they also cause a number of drug interactions. Second are cough syrups, an addiction is very commonly found in children. They are easily obtainable, and are frequently used. But if abused, they can cause dizziness, hallucinations, high BP, fatigue or even death. There are also steroids that if used in the long-term could actually put your heart at risk and leave you with high BP. However, some common OTC pain relievers and muscle relaxants are also in the line of those that cause harm.