For help or info, check out these links

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As a public service, NEWS of the WORLD reprints The FUNNY STUFF FUNNIES, an educational comic book giving basic facts on drugs and alcohol. Each post reproduces a page from the booklet, which is aimed at young persons and which avoids sermonizing and excessive wordiness.

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XXI

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HP1

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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Have a problem with alcohol? There is a solution.
Alcoholics Anonymous

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If you're looking for answers on alcoholism, AA has placed its "Big Book" online. You may also purchase online a regular book version.
Read free or buy AA's Big Book

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Is NA for me?
Narcotics Anonymous

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Alcoholics Victorious
offers a Christian-centered program of recovery.

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Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders:
Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs
by Darryl S. Inaba and William E. Cohen (CNS Productions).
This fact-packed textbook is up-to-date and user-friendly. It has been adopted by more than 400 colleges and universities. Wide-ranging research and extensive citations make this an excellent reference source.

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Some info on treatment of chem problems

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What the feds say about crack
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3978/index.htm
Also:
https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/9712/appb.htm

HP2

Here are some top-ranked U.S. sites for help on alcohol or drug abuse:

✓ FindTreatment.gov

✓ National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare

✓ If you or someone near to you is in crisis or suicidal, call or text 988, chat 988Lifeline.org, or call 1-800-273-8255 for free and confidential support.

✓ American Addiction Centers Online Resources & Addiction Help Websites, which provides educational and empowering resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction, including Alcohol.org, Recovery.org, DrugAbuse.com, and PsychGuides.com.

✓ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which offers a range of services for those with mental and substance use disorders, including a treatment locator, crisis and suicide prevention hotline, and resources for parents and caregivers.

✓ DrugAbuse.com, which provides educational resources and guides individuals toward drug treatment options.

✓ National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), which provides information, consultation, training, and technical assistance to child welfare, dependency court, and substance use treatment professionals to improve outcomes for children, parents, and families.

✓ National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which supports research and the development of effective interventions for treating substance use disorders, including medications, behavioral interventions, and digital therapeutics.

✓ USA.gov/mental-health, which provides a directory of resources for mental health, including emergency hotlines, counseling, and treatment options for mental health and substance abuse.

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For answers to SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, you might try using a free AI service such as Perplexity.ai, which provides links to its sources. You should check the sources and not rely on the machine's answer.

HP3

Zep: Stairway to Heaven

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Financial worries?
Some people need help with the financial damage resulting from chem abuse.

Here is a site that might be of help:
https://www.annuity.org/personal-finance/financial-wellness/addiction-recovery/

We caution that we do not vouch for this service. It is up to you to use good judgment.

In general, experience shows that
recovery must come ahead of everything
-- including financial worries.

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Severe mental problems

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As a public service, NEWS of the WORLD reprints The FUNNY STUFF FUNNIES, an educational comic book giving basic facts on drugs and alcohol. Each post reproduces a page from the booklet, which is aimed at young persons and which avoids sermonizing and excessive wordiness.

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XX

This page does not give all the basic facts about mental illness. The purpose is to drop a few tips with respect to mental illness and chem abuse.

Discussed below are:

Depression
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Borderline personality disorder

People with mental illnesses often use street chems and alcohol rather excessively. A person with a mental illness may find a spell of temporary relief, but it is frequently the case that mental illness symptoms worsen with usage.

Depression
Two types of depression are classed as forms of mental illness.

They are sometimes called clinical depression and chronic depression. Or experts may refer to them as major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder, or dysthemia.

In clinical depression, the person feels overwhelmed by gloom that cannot be shaken off. That cheerless person can't do much of anything.

Adults with chronic depression stay way down in the dumps for two or more years. For teens and children, one year is sufficient to be diagnosed with chronic depression.

Alcoholics are twice as likely to have recently had a bout of severe depression than people without drinking problems. They are three times more likely to have been suffering from chronic depression than people without drinking problems. Women with depression seem to be particularly vulnerable to alcoholism.

Alcohol and chems make medical treatment much more difficult. Alcoholics who are able to quit drinking and stay stopped have a much better chance of recovery from depression. Many choose twelve-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, as a means of assisting their recovery.

Other chems, such as marijuana, are often used as a means of placating the anxiety associated with depression. In the long run, they don't work. They just tend to make things worse.

Bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder -- also known as manic-depressive illness -- are very likely to guzzle liquor or overuse other chems. Some two fifths of those with one type of bipolar (bipolar I) have or have had chem abuse disorders. About one fifth with another type (bipolar II) have or have had problems with chems.

Alcoholism and pot addiction rank high, followed by cocaine and downers. Doctors find it very hard to treat bipolar people who are in active addiction.

People with bipolar I have severe and lasting episodes of both depression and mania. Between these extremes, a patient may return to a baseline mood state, in which mania or depression is not wild but which still may not be wonderful.

Untreated bipolar I victims generally have periods of very severe depression lasting at least two weeks and at least one episode of mania that lasts at least a week or that requires hospitalization. Such persons find it hard to stay in a relationship or to keep a job. Some symptoms of the manic phase may be like those of schizophrenia (see below).

Untreated bipolar II victims have the same two-week bouts of severe depression, but they don't skyrocket into wild mania. Instead they get a temporary boost in energy and impulsivity, often performing tasks with extreme diligence. But the real value of their zealous activity is open to doubt.

Schizophrenia
In males, schizophrenia tends to strike those who are between 15 and 25 years old. In females, the age bracket is 20 to 35, with another surge occurring in older women whose estrogen levels have dropped.

Symptoms include poor social skills, dulled outward emotion, lack of motivation and reasoning. Other symptoms are hearing things others don't and paranoia -- the unjustified fear that you are a target of organized harassment. (Donald Trump was not paranoid; he was such a target.)

Studies show that chems and alcohol are heavily used by people with schizophrenia, which afflicts about one in a hundred people. Close to half of schizophrenic patients have or have had serious drinking or chem problems. More than 80 percent used alcohol or pot to excess. They used cocaine at a rate three times higher than everybody else. Drinking and drugging don't yield good results for these people. Medical treatment doesn't work well, with the risk going up of violent behavior, suicide or landing back on a psyche ward.

Borderline personality disorder
Don't let the word "borderline" fool you. This mental illness can be quite severe.

People with borderline personality disorder are very likely to abuse chems, including alcohol. One study found that 78 percent of people with BPU were likely to overuse alcohol and chems.

People with BPU are highly impulsive to the point of recklessness, and that problem only gets worse if they are addicts or abusers of chems.

BPU victims have great difficulty managing their emotions, which is probably why so many seek relief from chems. They blow hot and cold toward themselves and toward others. They tend to be all-or-nothing types. Fear of abandonment is often an issue.

Doctors find it very hard to treat BPU patients who are using alcohol or illicit chems.

A typical case is given by researchers:

A 27-year-old woman was seen by doctors for cutting and burning herself daily. She wanted to relieve tension with self-punishment. She had also been drinking heavily and using heroin, benzos and pot. Her times of being "clean and sober" were cut short by family conflicts and strong cravings. She has been almost impossible to treat, with treatment ended either by her or the institution. She thinks a lot about suicide, and has tried to kill herself four times since age 14.

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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Mood boosters, psychiatric meds

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As a public service, NEWS of the WORLD reprints The FUNNY STUFF FUNNIES, an educational comic book giving basic facts on drugs and alcohol. Each post reproduces a page from the booklet, which is aimed at young persons and which avoids sermonizing and excessive wordiness.

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XIX

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Also see the discussion of benzos on the Downers page.

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Discussed below are:

Antidepressants
Other psychiatric meds

MD1

Antidepressants
As a rule, people don't take psychiatric medicines for the fun of it. They are in need of having their general mood stabilized. For some that means staving off bipolar disorder -- wild swings of mood between mania and melancholy. For others, the main objective is to prevent crippling depression.

Depression or high mental excitement for these people is not simply a passing case of the blues or feeling of exhilaration. So they often benefit from one of the various medicines available.

Such people need to watch out for the risk of self-medication with alcohol or street chems. The temporary relief from self-medication is rarely worth the load of trouble ahead.

Plus, you can never be sure how a prescribed mood pill will interact with alcohol or some other chem. Often the effect is wild, crazy -- and dangerous.

Psychiatric meds don't generally get you high, and so are not sought after on the street. But, even so, longterm use can result in physical dependency. Going off psyche meds should occur under medical supervision.

MD2

Quite a few people recovering from alcoholism or drug addiction are prescribed antidepressants. If they relapse, their prescribed meds could interact with the liquor or street chem in very uncool ways.

Some antidepressant names:

Paxil
Pexeva
Bupropion (used to help smokers quit)
Cymbalta
Drizalma Sprinkle
Prozac
Zoloft
Celexa
Lexapro
Effexor XR
Pristiq
Fetzima
Remeron
Trintellix
Viibryd

Some others:

Forfivo XL
Wellbutrin SR
 Pamelor
Norpramin
Parnate
Nardil
Marplan
Emsam
Selegiline
Abilify
Seroquel

If you are age 25 or under, there is some risk that antidepressants may make you feel suicidal. Should that happen, get back to your doctor immediately and tell a trustworthy family member or friend.

MD3

Other psychiatric meds
Antipsychotic medications are used to restore a measure of orderly thinking during periods of psychosis. Sometimes they are called "major tranquilizers" while other mood stabilizers, including benzos, may be referred to as "minor tranquilizers."

Psychosis is a term used to describe the loss of some contact with what most people take as reality. The most observable factor in psychosis is the person's inability to function and socialize in a way that doesn't menace self or others. The person may hear and see things others don't and fear things others are unaware of. But the question is, is the person able to care for herself or himself, as well as others? We should beware branding a person as psychotic merely on the basis of "crazy ideas."

Some brand names:

Olanzapine
Risperidone
Haloperidol
Quetiapine

Mixing antipsychotics with other medicines is unwise. Beware using routine over-the-counter drugs like

Codeine
Acetaminophen (Tylenol etc.)
Ibuprofen

Lithium is used to help keep patients from going manic, as occurs in bipolar disorder. Some brand names:

Camcolit
Priadel
Liskonum

Another drug, valproate, is used to counteract both epilepsy and manic episodes.

Some brand names for the tablet form:

Belvo
Depakote
Convulex

Another form of valproate can be injected or taken in a tablet or capsule.

Some brand names:

Episenta
Dyzantil
Epilim

Lamotrigine treats those people whose bipolar disorder is mostly depressive.

MD4

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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Steroids and sports chems

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XVIII

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Discussed on this page are

Anabolic steroids
Human growth hormone
Clenbuterol
EPO
Beta blockers
Diuretics

SR1

Anabolic steroids
People use anabolic steroids to help them bulk up and become "more masculine." The drugs tend to enhance the effects of weight training and other forms of athletic activity.

These artificial chems are closely related to the natural hormone testosterone, which promotes maleness in males.

Because of that effect, steroids are sometimes taken by females who prefer to deny their birth gender. In particular, for teens, hormone balance is important. Hormones are involved in the development of a girl's feminine traits and a boy's masculine traits.

There are sound medical reasons for use of steroids -- but only for people who are very ill. Sports associations are these days always on the lookout for doping by steroids. One they detect often is boldenone (sold under the brand Equipoise), which is only legal for veterinary use.

Some people take steroids by pill, others use a syringe to inject the stuff into a muscle.

Those who buy 'roids in the gym and sports worlds tend to take 10 to 100 times more than any prescribed dosage.

SR2

Buck: Tiger by the Tail

Some generic names: trenbolone, oxymetholone, methandrostenolone, nandrolone, stanozolol, boldenone and oxandrolone.

Some brand names: Anadrol, Oxandrin, Dianabol, Winstrol, Deca-Durabolin and Equipoise.

Excessive use can trigger 'roid rage in some. That might not turn out well. Suicide is another possibility.

Other possible side effects:

Heart disease
Stroke
Liver disease
Mood disorders
Weakened disease-fighting
In young people, out-of-sync bone growth

In hopes of getting big faster, some steroid users take two or more kinds of steroids at once. Of course, there is no data available that proves that this is an especially effective technique.

SR3

Other potential problems:

Guys: Shrunken testicles, reduced sperm count and breast growth.

Girls: Masculine traits, deepened voices, excessive body hair, reduced breast size.

Also:

Not growing to your proper height. Steroids tell the teen body that it's done growing.

Severe acne, greasy hair and baldness (that goes for girls as well as guys).

SR4

Human growth hormone
In children and teens, human growth hormone kindles bodily growth. In people of all ages, the hormone is critical to maintenance of the body. An artificial form of the hormone is manufactured and used for medical reasons. It has also been a common element in various sports doping scandals.

Researchers have found that growth hormone increases lean body mass among physically fit young adults, but has no positive effect on performance. In fact, those who take growth hormone are more likely to retain fluid and become fatigued.

Possible side effects:

Overgrown head, hands and feet
Heart disease
Diabetes
Muscle and joint pain
Arthritis
High blood pressure

Clenbuterol
Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator used to relieve the constricted breathing of asthma. The pills are illegal in the United States.

The chem, which speeds up the nervous system and metabolism, is used by some people to burn off body fat. They're also hoping to maintain any muscle gain. How well that works is an open question.

SR5

In addition, athletes like having their lung capacity hiked. They feel that the boost in oxygen improves their stamina.

Other effects are similar to those from other stimulants:

Excitability
Nervousness
Increased energy
Greater determination

Other possibilities:

Anxiety
Shaking
Headaches
Atypical sweating
Raised body temperature

EPO
EPO is a hormone that increases red blood cells and can improve endurance. Health risks include:

Blood clots
Heart attack
Stroke
Anemia

SR6

Beta blockers
Beta blockers reduce the effects of adrenalin and slow the heart rate, curbing blood pressure and anxiety. This may improve the performance of athletes who need a steady hand (such as in archery or shooting).

Health risks include:

Reduced circulation
Dizziness
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Asthma attack
Impotence
Memory loss
Heart failure

Diuretics
Diuretics promote loss of water from the body through urination. They may be used by athletes to reduce their weight or to flush other drugs out of the body.

Possible effects:

Dehydration
Dizziness
Muscle cramps
Constipation
Skin rash
Fever
Loss of appetite
Heart rhythm problems
Kidney problems

For more on drugs in athletics, go here.

SR7

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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Non-prescription meds

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XVII

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On this page are discussed a few cold and allergy medicines. Some people abuse over-the-counter meds because they want to get high but they don't want to get in trouble with the law. The usual drug screening tests don't detect these chems. Quite a few of these meds contain aceteminophen (the ingredient in Tylenol), which, if used in large doses can lead to liver damage.

Discussed are

Benadryl and similar chems
Robitussin and the like
Loperamide
Sudafed, decongestants

NR1

Benadryl and similar chems
Benadryl is an antihistamine that is useful in controlling certain allergic reactions. The active ingredient (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) is also found in the over-the-counter sleep aids Sominex, Unisom and Nytol because it makes you drowsy.

Benadryl is among the top 10 chems tied to overdose deaths, it has been reported.

Some people take far more than the proper dosage in order to experience a druggie high -- even to the point of hallucinations.

That's a pretty risky proposition, since to obtain such effects, the amount needs to be close to lethal. Some youngsters, seeking hallucinations, have killed themselves by swallowing too many of the pills.

NR2

Possible effects:

Drowsiness or fatigue
Restlessness
Confusion
Anxiety
Mood swings
Depression
Nightmares
Poor coordination
Loss of appetite
Physical weakness
Chest tightness
Headache
Gastric problems

It gets worse:

Impaired memory and thinking
Rapid heartbeat
Seizures
Low blood pressure
Blurred vision
Poor coordination
Difficulty urinating
Liver problems

And, over time, physical problems may become even worse and longer-lasting, with a heightened risk of permanent brain problems (dementia).

Addiction to Benadryl happens.

NR3

Fab Four: Twist and Shout.
Johnny: The Rockin' Pneumonia and then Boogie Woogie Flu

Robitussin
DXM is the chemical found in Robitussin and numerous other cough suppressants. These meds come in lquid, pill and capsule form.

Some of these meds also contain antihistamines and decongestants. People seeking a robo-high frequently are also on something else, like alcohol or marijuana. Some people inject the stuff in order to get more of a bang. Unwise. You may end up bang! dead.

Imodium
Loperamide is the chemical found in Immodium and a number of other diahrrea control medicines.

How much of a problem is loperamide misuse? Hard to say. People who swallow a lot of it are seeking a hallucinogenic high. People taking opioids or opiates may swallow Immodium hoping to amplify the opioid effect. This mix can bring on serious opioid withdrawal problems. (Please see the page on Downers.)

Sudafed
Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a sinus and nasal decongestant found in Sudafed and several other cold medicines that can be used by drug dealers to make methamphetamine.

For this reason, products containing pseudoephedrine are sold "behind the counter" nationwide. A prescription is not needed in most states. Some states limit how much you can buy in a month or year without a prescription. In some states, only people 18 years of age or older can buy the medicine.

The chem makes the average person feel jittery, perhaps quite jittery. But for those with severe sinus problems, that effect is outweighed by the relief.

As with any other med, it's possible to overdose. Adults who take more than four 30 milligram pills or two 60 milligram pills are exceeding the maximum recommended dosage. Cut that max in half for kids aged 6 to 12.

Prolonged use, experts warn, may lead to a decrease in effectiveness, perhaps prompting some sufferers to begin taking risky amounts. (That effect happens with a lot of chems, including alcohol.)

NR4

If you take much too much, the jittery effect may vanish and be replaced by drowsiness -- caused by your nervous system slowing down. A few people end up with heart damage, or dead.

More commonly, an excessive amount leads to symptoms like these:

Headache
Dizziness
Anxiety
A giddy sense of well-being
Tinnitus
Blurred vision
Ataxia
Chest pain
Pounding heart
Heart flutters
Up or down blood pressure changes
Thirst
Sweating
Difficulty urinating
Nausea and vomiting

Such symptoms don't necessarily lead to serious consequences. But they can, especially if you have some health problem or other.

Kids given Sudafed may get dry mouth, wide and rigid pupils, hot flushes, fever, and have problems with their digestive tracts. A few people who take too much may have hallucinations, indicating a need for emergency medical attention.

NR5

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a drug with a long history of medical use. it is helpful in treating symptoms of the common cold and flu, sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis.

Aside from those uses, some people take it as a diet pill, since stimulants in general tend to suppress appetite. Some use it as a poor man's Adderall: to help them concentrate. And some use it as a sports doping agent in order to give them a bit of a competitive edge when endurance counts (though there isn't much evidence that performance is really enhanced). Such non-medical uses are frowned on by some. But there isn't much evidence of a widespread health problem that can be attributed to this med.

People with chronic severe sinus problems often have no effective alternative to the chem. Governmental controls force poor people to seek a prescription from a doctor, who might easily be reluctant to grant one -- because of concern about governmental monitoring. Not everyone has insurance that covers doctor visits and prescriptions. If they have access to doctors, that doesn't mean they have access to one who understands the problems associated with severe sinus conditions.

Go here for an up-to-date article on Sudafed.

NR6

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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Legal but iffy

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XVI

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FY1

CCR: Bad Moon Rising
Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Cannonball: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

This page discusses three types of chems commonly used as legal alternatives to banned drugs.

'Incense'
'Bath salts'
Kratom

"Incense" is a marijuana copycat, "bath salts" are composed of various related chems that mimic Ecstasy, and kratom is a controversial herbal supplement used as both a stimulant and a get-high relaxant.

They say it's 'incense'
The main ingredient in some forms of "incense" is similar to THC, the chemical in marijuana that gets people high. In the past, these forms of "incense" were sold under names like K2 and Spice.

In fact there is a group of these lab-made THC-mimicking chemicals known as synthetic cannabinoids. The stuff is sold as incense or potpourri after having been sprayed onto a chopped plant. Users take the stuff and smoke it. It may also come as a liquid, with users consuming it via vaping devices, like e-ciggies.

FY2

Experts warn that you never know what you're getting with "incense," meaning you may face a dangerous, or even life-threatening, situation.

Supposedly, the stuff is "not for human consumption." But of course it is often found in head shops, which tend to attract drug-users.

Some of these lab-made chemicals have been outlawed. But ingenious chemists keep coming up with new compounds that have similar effects.

Not much research has been done on these chems. But scientists have found that some of them are much stronger than the THC in marijuana.

FY3

Some effects of "incense"

Elevated mood
Relaxation
Changes in how things around you are perceived
Heightened sensitivity to music

Negative effects are possible:

Confusion
Delusional thinking
Being detached from reality
Extreme anxiety
Paranoia. Extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
Hallucinations. You see and hear things others don't

Sometimes "incense" users show up at ERs with:

Rapidly pounding heart
Vomiting
Violent behavior
Suicidal thoughts

Just as it is possible to get hooked on pot, it is possible to become an incense addict. Withdrawal is difficult.

Another risk is that the "incense" has been laced with fentanyl. That hikes the possibility of a trip to the morgue.

"Incense" overdoses happen. Possible outcomes:

Toxic reactions
Surging blood pressure
Heart robbed of sufficient blood
Kidney damage
Seizures

FY4

Bath salts
Mind bender "bath salts" are nothing like the Epsom salt people use for bathing. People use the stuff because they find its effects are similar to those of Ecstasy, the drug that boosts sex drive and sociability.

This product, which comes under the heading of "synthetic cathinone," usually is sold as a white or brown crystal-like powder wrapped in packaging with the label "not for human consumption." The stuff might be sold as bath salts, plant food, jewelry cleaner or phone screen cleaner.

This chem, known to some as monkey dust, is sought after as a cheap substitute for stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. Street Ecstasy (AKA Molly) may actually be composed of synthetic cathinones and not MDMA, which is the original chemical for Ecstasy.

As with other stimulants, this stuff is swallowed in pill or capsule form, snorted, smoked or injected.

A study found that one of these cathinones found in "bath salts" gave a rush that was 10 times stronger than the rush from cocaine. But researchers lack quite a bit of info on this substance.

Much is still unknown about how synthetic cathinones affect the human brain. Researchers do know that synthetic cathinones are chemically similar to drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and MDMA.

FY5

Effects are similar to those observed for Ecstasy:

Excessive friendliness.
Heightened sex drive.
Feeling of well-being.
Heightened sensitivity to music.
Hallucinations. Seeing and hearing things that others don't.
Increased friendliness.
Panic attacks.
Paranoia. Extreme and unreasonable distrust of others.
Excited delirium. Extreme agitation and violent behavior.

Some physical effects may include pounding heart, surging blood pressure and heart-related chest pain. High doses can bring on seizures and death. People who become delirious face problems from dehydration to possible kidney failure.

As with some other stimulants, "bath salts" appear to be highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include:

Depression
Anxiety
Tremors
Problems sleeping
Paranoia

Kratom
Kratom is an Asian herb that acts as a stimulant in low doses and a relaxant at high doses. Hallucinations, delusions and confusion may occur with excessive use. Psychological and physical addiction can occur with prolonged use.

This chem is not outlawed, though there is pressure to ban it. Kratom sellers lobby for the right to sell the stuff, asserting that it is relatively safe. It may have a lower incidence of problems than covid vaccines.

Even so, authorities are concerned that kratom concentrates are far more potent than the traditional forms used in Asia. The key ingredient affects the brain's opioid receptors, implying that the chem has similar effects, including bad effects.

FY6

Van Halen: Running with the Devil

Occasional fatal overdoses have occurred, especially with high usage. Babies of kratom-using moms may need to undergo medically supervised withdrawal, having been born addicted.

Mixing kratom with heroin or alcohol or other chems is asking for trouble. Sometimes two chems acting together pack a much bigger wallop than either one acting alone.

In Southeast Asia, kratom leaves are chewed, meaning mental and physical effects are not usually as strong as those experienced by U.S. users, who buy the stuff in liquid or powder concentrates. The liquid extract is said to be 15 times stronger than the powdered form. Hence, overuse is all too likely when some happy-go-lucky airhead decides to take another swig or two. If one's judgment is already out of whack from alcohol or other chem, the probability of such silliness goes up.

Anyone who decides to experiment by injecting this stuff must have real problems with maturity. How immature can you get?

FY7

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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The Lunapic image editor contributed greatly to this booklet's pictorial enhancement. Other image editors used were Palette and Petalica.

Do your friends and your friends' kids a favor, and post one or more Funny Stuff links on social media.

Fumes

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As a public service, NEWS of the WORLD reprints The FUNNY STUFF FUNNIES, an educational comic book giving basic facts on drugs and alcohol. Each post reproduces a page from the booklet, which is aimed at young persons and which avoids sermonizing and excessive wordiness.

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XV

Tap phone images for better views.

FT1

Chemical vapors can make users high by slowing down the brain and nervous system. Often the slowdown occurs because the brain is experiencing damage. Slurred speech, poor coordination, dizziness and hallucinations are all possible.

Here are some of the goofy things people sniff and snort:

Spray paint
Markers
Glues
Cleaning fluid
Gasoline
Solvents

Side effects include severe brain damage and death. The liver and kidney may also be horribly injured.

Overdose victims may go into seizures. Their hearts may stop.

Youngsters need to be made aware of how very dangerous such a high is.

FT2

The author of The Funny Stuff Funnies takes sole responsibility for the content of this e-booklet. This booklet has not been sponsored, either directly or indirectly, by any government or non-government organization or fellowship, such as AA or NA.

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Go to NEXT page.

---

Find table of content for Funny Stuff Funnies at this link.

---

The Lunapic image editor contributed greatly to this booklet's pictorial enhancement. Other image editors used were Palette and Petalica.

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