Cocaine and crack cocaine is a prevalent drug of abuse throughout the state of South Carolina. Because cocaine is such a powerful stimulant drug that's very addictive when a person smokes crack cocaine, snorts or injects the drug frequently, addiction can take place quickly. Many forms of treatment for crack abuse are provided in South Carolina to help cocaine users recover from the serious physical and psychological effects cocaine abuse causes.

Heroin can be found in South Carolina but isn't a huge threat fortunately. At one time those who did abuse heroin were primarily in the urban areas and coastal regions of their state. Treatment programs in South Carolina focus on educating their citizens about heroin and other drugs of abuse. They provide comprehensive treatment to help heroin users recover from their addiction.

Methamphetamine use is very addictive and the abuse of meth affects people's lives throughout the United States. There are some people in South Carolina that abuse meth but fortunately compared to other states, meth is a much less severe threat for South Carolinian's. Meth is so powerful and addictive many people become addicted to the stimulant drug very fast and need treatment to fully recover. Those that are in need of treatment for meth in South Carolina have treatment options available when they're ready to seek help.

Crystal meth (ice) is a form of methamphetamine that's smoked, very addictive, and creates a 'rush' relatively fast. There is very serious psychological and physical health problems associated with meth use and recovering from meth addiction can be difficult for many people. Because chronic meth use changes the individual's brain function, the user's memory can be impaired and they experience serious emotional problems as well. Chronic meth user's need a more intense form of treatment most of the time to overcome their dependence to the drug during their recovery. The trafficking of meth in South Carolina is serious and threatens their state. Most of the people who traffic meth in South Carolina are immigrants from Mexico, some are legal and some are not. Meth use does take place in South Carolina and treatment is available for those in need of help.

In South Carolina ecstasy use has increased in the past few years among young people but unfortunately they don't realize how dangerous this drug can be if used in high doses. Many young people mix ecstasy with other drugs or alcohol and just compound the dangers and risks. Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug that's used mainly by teens and young adults while partying, attending concerts or raves, and in some night club scenes. Ecstasy is also referred to as MDMA and is a commonly abused drug throughout the United States with many younger people. The reasons many young people like ecstasy is because it increases their energy level and they experience feelings of pleasure and warmth. Their perception of time becomes distorted and makes the person feel much less inhibited and shy.

Prevention programs in South Carolina focus on the risks and dangers involved with drug abuse like ecstasy to help prevent young people from experimenting with this synthetic psychoactive drug and avoid addiction, overdose or death.

Marijuana (cannabis) use is extremely prevalent throughout the United States and in South Carolina, marijuana is the most commonly abused drug and abuse is widespread. There is some marijuana that's locally grown in their state but growing conditions aren't the best. Most of the marijuana found in South Carolina comes from Mexico but there are other locations bringing this illegal drug into their state as well.

In South Carolina, marijuana is not only the most prevalent drug that's abused but is also the primary drug people receive treatment for. More people seek help for marijuana use than for methamphetamine, other stimulants, prescription drugs, and other opiate drugs.

Prescription drug abuse is increasing among young and older people throughout the United States, painkillers like Vicodin, OxyContin and morphine are just some of the prescribed pain pills that people misuse and abuse for various reasons. Pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives are among the prescribed drugs that are abused throughout the U.S.

South Carolina as well as all other states promotes awareness, education, and prevention programs to decrease the prevalence of prescription drug abuse, over the counter drugs of abuse, and all other substance abuse including alcohol and tobacco. Monitoring prescription drugs is important but it's crucial that young people as well as adults understand that abusing prescription drugs is just as dangerous as the use of illegal street drugs and when they're combined with other drugs or alcohol, prescription drug abuse can be lethal.