title: Illicit drugs of abuse.
abstract: Primary care physicians should be aware of the popular street drugs being abused in their practice areas. A basic understanding of the drugs and their use will make the physician more credible in the eyes of the patient. Patients may present a variety of symptoms associated with their chemical abuse. Specific presenting complaints, physical findings, and laboratory tests will help establish the diagnosis of substance abuse. After the diagnosis is established, a drug treatment program can bring about a seemingly miraculous recovery from the disease of chemical dependency, to the lasting benefit of the patient and the patient's family.
authors: University of California, San Francisco.
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Schulz
mesh_terms: D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D015198:Designer Drugs; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs