What are Soft Drugs?
The terms “soft” and “hard” drugs categorize psychoactive substances based on their perceived health risks and addictive potential. A soft drug is thought to bring lower risks of dependency and negative health repercussions. On the other hand, a hard drug is considered more harmful and has a higher risk of becoming addictive. These assumptions lead a person to underestimate the potential dangers that soft drugs bring. Although “safer,” numerous soft drugs can lead to psychological dependence and other risks. For instance, cannabis falls into this category and has been shown to worsen anxiety and depression. Also, misused benzodiazepines can lead to addiction and dangerous withdrawal. It is important to note that soft drugs can cause serious consequences.
What are Soft Drugs?
To repeat, soft drugs are considered less damaging than hard drugs. In many cases, they are considered “socially acceptable.” Unfortunately, it is possible to misuse these items and to become addicted.
Common Examples of Soft Drugs
- Cannabis and Low-Strength Prescription Opioids. Cannabis, or marijuana, is often used for medicinal and recreational purposes. In recent years, cannabis has become very popular for its therapeutic benefits. However, habitual use can cause psychological dependence. Also, it can lead to lung problems, difficulty concentrating, and temporary psychosis.
- Psilocybin. Psilocybin, which is known as “magic mushrooms” on the street, is a hallucinogenic found in certain fungi. On a “bad trip,” a person may experience delusions, agitation, confusion, and symptoms of schizophrenia. When a person confuses psilocybin with poisonous mushrooms, he or she may die.
- LSD and Mescaline. LSD, or Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, is another hallucinogenic. LSD increases heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Paranoia, mood swings, and visual disturbances can last weeks after consumption. Mescaline is very similar to LSD and causes similar effects.
- Ketamine. Ketamine is a drug that is marketed to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. However, it is not approved by the FDA. Self-medicating with this drug can lead to confusion and loss of coordination. In certain cases, a person may experience suicidal thoughts. Overuse may lead to death as well.
- Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are commonly used by people who experience anxiety or brain-related issues like seizures. These types of drugs are highly addictive and cause muscle weakness, confusion, and decreased respiratory function. In severe cases, overuse may result in coma or death.
- Amphetamines. Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that are often used recreationally. However, they are helpful for people who have narcolepsy or ADHD. Misuse can lead to addiction and health complications, including heart problems and elevated blood pressure.
- Sleeping Pills. Although sleeping pills are considered harmless, it is not difficult to become dependent. Since these medications lose their effectiveness with time, a person will need to take more and more to fall asleep. Misuse can bring long-term side effects, including depression, sexual dysfunction, and brain degeneration. When sleeping pills are mixed with alcohol, an overdose is possible.
Soft Drugs Versus Hard Drugs: Key Differences
There are key differences between “soft” and “hard” drugs.
The Misconceptions that Soft Drugs are Harmless
Most individuals view “soft” drugs as safe. In many cases, a person gets a false sense of security that he or she will not be harmed by the use of these drugs. However, they can easily lead to addiction and can bring damaging side effects. With misinformation, a person may be encouraged to participate in irresponsible usage and experience devastating consequences.
Legal Classifications and Schedule I Substances
For legal purposes, many soft drugs, including LSD and cannabis, are classified as Schedule I substances. This means that they are believed to bring high potential for abuse. None of these substances are deemed acceptable by the FDA for medical usage.
Physical Dependency Versus Psychological Dependency
Usually, hard drugs are associated with physical dependence. On the other hand, soft drugs may cause psychological dependence. Physical dependence means that a person develops a tolerance to a drug. In other words, he or she needs to take more each time to achieve desired results. Also, physical withdrawal symptoms like nausea and vomiting may occur. Psychological dependence is explained as emotional and cognitive symptoms like cravings, mood swings, and obsessive thoughts about using. It is important to comprehend that misuse of either kind of drug can lead to addiction.
Effects of Soft Drugs on Mental and Physical Health
There are both long-term and short-term effects brought on by soft drugs.
Short-Term Effects
Soft drugs may bring various effects, including relaxed sensations. This can lead to altered perceptions and euphoric feelings. Unfortunately, these effects may impair a person’s judgment and lead to risky behaviors.
Long-Term Effects
- Psychological Dependence and Cravings. Oftentimes, a person will experience intense cravings for soft drugs. Even though negative consequences can occur, this psychological dependence makes a person keep taking the substance.
- Impaired Cognitive Function. When a person uses soft drugs over a consistent period of time, he or she may experience impaired cognitive function, which decreases memory, attention, and the inability to make good decisions.
- Increased Mental Health Issues. The use of soft drugs like psychedelics and cannabis has been associated with an increase in mental health issues. It is common for a user to experience high levels of anxiety, depressive episodes, and similar mood disorders.
- Cannabinoids and Terpenes. Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis and affect the way the body regulates mood, appetite, memory, and pain. Terpenes work with cannabinoids to provide a medicinal effect. However, negative side effects increase as well. For example, myrcene, a terpene in cannabis, may heighten a person’s drowsiness. To avoid potential dangers, it is essential to consider the relationship between cannabinoids and terpenes.
Common Misconceptions about Soft Drugs
It is crucial to understand the common misconceptions about soft drugs.
- Soft Drugs are Not Addictive. As previously discussed, soft drugs can be just as addictive as hard drugs. When people believe soft drugs are totally safe, it can cause an increase in usage and possible dependence.
- Cannabis is Completely Safe Because it is Natural. Even though cannabis is a natural plant, it does not mean that it is harmless. In fact, regular use can lead to dependence. Also, users may experience negative mental health effects.
- Psilocybin and LSD are not Harmful. Many individuals use psychedelics to receive therapeutic benefits. Besides these effects, these items can bring psychological effects, especially in people with mental health issues.
Addressing Substance Misuse Disorders
It is not uncommon for a person to become addicted to soft drugs. In order to fight this reality, it is important to acknowledge that a problem exists. To prevent complications, it is essential to educate the public about the risks and to help people make smart choices about all kinds of drugs.
Seek Help for Soft Drug Dependency
It is vital to recognize the signs of dependency. Even with soft drugs, a person may notice behavioral changes like neglect of responsibilities or heightened secrecy with the use of the drugs. It is important for loved ones to look for symptoms of addiction. Early intervention brings a higher likelihood of successful recovery. At Live Free Recovery, we are ready to help individuals take their first steps back to sobriety.
How Live Free Recovery Services Provides Specialized Addiction Treatment
At Live Free Recovery, we take a holistic approach to treatment. We address the physical and emotional aspects of a person’s health and incorporate mindfulness, nutrition, and exercise into each recovery plan. From the beginning, we offer a detox program that helps patients deal with withdrawal in the safest way possible. This is especially important when benzodiazepines and amphetamines are involved. When necessary, our staff prescribes medications to make the process easier. Also, we provide evidence-based behavioral therapies that help patients get to the root of the underlying causes of their misuse of soft drugs. Both cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are used to address psychological dependence. Support groups are available as well. People with similar issues can compare situations and gain support from peers facing familiar challenges. Many times, patients suffer from mental health disorders along with drug dependency. Therefore, we provide dual diagnosis treatment that targets both of these problems at the same time.
Reasons to Contact Live Free Recovery Services
If you or a loved one has a problem with soft drugs, it is essential to have a professional system of support. At Live Free Recovery, each patient is treated like family and receives a personalized treatment plan. It is vital to work quickly so that damaging health effects can be avoided. For more information, call us today. It is the first step on the journey to recovery.
Category: Blog