Some Specific Drugs That Cause Nutritional Problems

Amphetamines (“speed” or “uppers”)

Methamphetamines (“speed”, “meth”, “chalk”)

Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, “ice”, “crystal”, “glass”, “tina”)
-Makes the mouth dry, alters taste, causes nausea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach ulcers, back and forth cases of constipation and diarrhea.

Cocaine (“snow, or “coke”)

 -Alters taste of food, has an anesthetic effect.

Barbiturates (“barbs”, “downers”)

-Causes vitamin D, calcium, Thiamine (B-1), folic acid and vitamin B-12 to function improperly in the body. It also causes the body to lose more vitamin C.

Tranquilizers (“Valium”, “Librium”)

-Causes increased appetite, weight gain, and higher cholesterol levels. It also causes the vitamin Riboflavin (B-2) not to work properly in the body.

Opium

Causes cravings for sweets, fluctuations in blood sugar, and possibly weight gain.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (“LSD”)

Phencyclidine (“PCP”, “angel dust”)

-Causes high blood pressure, increased heart rate and increased blood sugar.

 Marijuana/Cannabinoide (“pot”, “grass”, “Weed”)

-Causes dry mouth, increased appetite and weight gain.

Heroin (“H”, “junk”, “smack”)

-Leads to decreased appetite and weight loss. Also causes nausea, vomiting, constipation and electrolyte imbalance.

Morphine (“M”, “dreamer”) codeine

-Causes dry mouth, loss of appetite, weight loss, slowed digestion, nausea, vomiting and constipation.

Nicotine (cigarettes)
-Causes vitamin C to not work properly.

Caffeine – found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, soft drinks and some over-the-counter medications

Caffeine is a stimulant. It can lead to insomnia, nervousness, irritability, anxiety, heart rate and heart rhythm disturbances.

 

Alcohol – found in liquor, wine and beer. It can lead to malnutrition because it provides calories without protein, vitamins or minerals. It takes the body about 1 1/2 hours to process a serving of alcohol. Alcohol significantly affects most vitamins and minerals in the body and thus, leads to many health problems. It can also lead to burning or erosion of the throat and stomach, bleeding ulcers, high blood sugar, low blood sugar, and cirrhosis of the liver, cholesterol problems and diarrhea.

 

Sugar – a concentrated form of carbohydrates that has 16 calories per teaspoon. Sugar provides calories while not providing other important nutrients. Too much sugar can lead to obesity, which can lead to diabetes, heart disease, gallbladder disorder, liver problems, high blood pressure, hernia, gout and breathing disorders. Too much sugar can also cause tooth decay.