Benzoylecognine, a metabolite unique to cocaine, can be detected in the user's urine for 2-4 days. However, the disruption to brain chemistry can remain for much longer. Individuals who have become dependent on cocaine will feel intense cravings for cocaine long after use has ceased, making recovery difficult.

Even first time users of cocaine may experience seizures or heart attacks which can be fatal. Crack cocaine can make you violent or even make you do bizarre, repetitive motions. Some users sit and repetitively draw doodles or, in severe cases, pick at themselves over and over to get imaginary bugs out from underneath their skin.

Research links Ecstasy use to long-term damage on parts of the brain which are critical to thought and memory. One study, in primates, showed that exposure to Ecstasy for 4 days caused brain damage that was evident 6 to 7 years later.

In addition to the effects of the heroin by itself, street heroin may have additives that do not readily 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.

Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers do. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of the lungs and airways. Scientists have found signs of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke.

Meth has become one of the most dangerous drugs is America. Traffickers make and distribute the drug in some of our country's most rural areas. Twelve to fourteen year olds that live in smaller towns are 104% more likely to use meth than those who live in larger cities.

If a patient decides discontinue their methadone maintenance after several months, the detox is generally longer and more painful than if they had detoxed from heroin initially.

A plaintiffs group in Washington, D.C., has filed a $5.2 billion lawsuit against Purdue Pharma LP and Abbott Laboratories Inc. charging the drug companies with allegedly failing to warn patients that the painkiller OxyContin is dangerously addictive.

Another drug addiction fact comes to us by way of the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). Fourteen of the top twenty most abused controlled substances in the United States are prescription drugs. Benzodiazepines rank highest on the list, and are followed by the opiates or painkillers.

Top 20 Most Abused Drugs

   1. Cocaine
   2. Marijuana
   3. Heroin
   4. Unspecified benzodiazepines
   5. Alprazolam (Xanax)
   6. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
   7. Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab)
   8. Amphetamines
   9. Diazepam (Valium)
  10. Lorazeparm (Ativan)
  11. Metharmphetamine (speed)
  12. Trazadone (Desyrel)
  13. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  14. Carisoprodol
  15. Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Perdocan, Tylox)
  16. Valproic acid
  17. d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon)
  18. Amitriptyline (Elavil)
  19. Methadone
  20. LSD 

Source: Drug Abuse Warning Network Emergency Room Data, 1999, Table 2.06A. Drug addiction facts about the categories of controlled substances In 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act to better regulate the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances. The act divides those drugs known to have potential for physical or psychological harm into five schedules based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety under medial supervision. Here is the break down of drug addiction facts by their schedule. Schedule I drugs, such as heroin, have a high potential for abuse and addiction. They have no accepted medical use and are not available through legal means. Schedules II through V contain drugs with accepted medical uses but do have abuse and addiction potential. Schedule II pharmaceuticals are the most likely to be abused. Schedule V drugs are the least likely to be abused. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) monitors the registration, record-keeping, and drug security of those handling and receiving controlled substances. Examples from the five categories of controlled substances are listed below.

Schedule I These illegal drugs have no legitimate medical use.