Quaaludes (Drugs: the Straight Facts)

Provides unbiased information on both the helpful and harmful effects of methaqualone, a drug used to treat anxiety and insomnia that became popular as the recreational drug quaaludes and is banned in most developed countries. Quaaludes traces both the history and the patterns of use and abuse of this powerful depressant. In the 1960s, methaqualone-popularly known by the American trade name Quaalude-was prescribed to treat insomnia and anxiety. In the two decades that followed, quaaludes became a popular recreational drug. As scientific research revealed the dangers of methaqualone, quaaludes were pulled from the market in most countries. Quaalude use has disappeared throughout much of the world, but it remains a concern in many developing nations, where it is produced in clandestine labs. Quaaludes explains the physical and psychological effects of the drug, the dangers associated with its abuse, its portrayal in the media, and treatments for quaalude addiction. Drugs are everywhere-on our streets, in our homes, and in our schools-but straight facts about drugs are not. Drugs: The Straight Facts provides straightforward information on the history and use of crucial, lifesaving medications as well as the world's most widely abused substances, along with easy-to-understand explanations of how these substances can harm or heal the mind and body of the user TOC......Page 6 Ch. 1: An Overview of Depressant Drugs......Page 9 Ch. 2: What Are Quaaludes?......Page 22 Ch. 3: Past and Present Use of Quaaludes......Page 32 Ch. 4: The Neuroscience of Qualuude Use......Page 45 Ch. 5: The Physical and Psychological Effects of Quaaludes......Page 55 Ch. 6: Quaaludes in the Popular Media......Page 68 Ch. 7: Problems Associated with the Use of Quaaludes......Page 74 Notes......Page 85 Glossary......Page 87 Bibliography......Page 90 Further Resources......Page 91 Index......Page 92 About the Author......Page 97 In the 1960s, methaqualone - sold in the United States as the trademark Quaalude - was widely prescribed as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety. This title covers the history of the drugs, the physical and psychological effects, their impact on the brain, their dangers of use and abuse, and treatments for quaalude addiction. Provides an overview of quaaludes including their effects on the body; the history of past and present uses of depressants; current medical uses; and the illegal use of quaaludes. Discusses how to identify and prevent drug abuse and the treatment options for drug addiction Presents the history of quaaludes, their effects on the mind and body, and quaalude abuse and addiction