Drug abuse is a serious problem, which is capable of not only causing death to the one using it, but create a havoc in the lives of those who are associated with that person too. There have been plenty cases, whether it is Matthew Perry or the recent death of Liam Payne, which is in trial currently.

It is also a problem in the US and is emerging as one of the health concerns that could destroy families and society. One of the most alarming aspects of drug abuse is also its impact on public safety as well as increased crime rates. Drugs also take a heavy toll on healthcare systems as emergency departments frequently encounter cases of drug overdoses, which puts the burden on medical professional who have the strain the limited resources available.

There are also long-term health impact due to drug abuse, which includes organ damage, infectious disease, mental health disorders and rise in healthcare cost.

Are there any specific drugs which are most abused in US?

Yes. There are commonly used drugs, which also includes prescribed painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illicit substances like heroin. As per recent data, opioid abuse has also reached alarming levels which has affected millions of Americans.

Here are the most abused drugs in the US:

Stimulants

They are used to increase alertness, attention, and energy. They also have a high potential for abuse due to the euphoric and performance enhancing effects. Cocaine and methamphetamine are notable stimulants frequently abused in the US. As per 2019 data, 10.3 million people reported to misuse stimulants in the previous year.

Depressants

These substances are used to slow down brain activity and induce relaxation. Benzodiazepines is one of the commonly prescribed medicine. Around 4.8 million individuals in the US have misused this drug.

Other misused drugs and its affects on the health:

Opioids:

It could lead to slow breathing and heart rate. It can also increase the risk of overdose and respiratory failure, constipation and a weakened immune system.

Stimulants:

It can elevate heart rate and blood pressure. It could also increase body temperate and lead to an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, one can experience loss of appetite and weight loss.

Cannabis:

This can alter perception and coordination. People who consume it often have red eyes and a dry mouth. This can increase appetite, sometimes the "munchies" can reach to a point of no return and it could impair memory and cognitive function.

Benzodiazepines:

It could lead to sedation and drowsiness and an impaired coordination and balance. There also could be memory problems and confusion, along with respiratory depression, when combined with other depressant substance.

Alcohol:

This could lead to slurred speech, impaired condition, poor judgment and decision-making, liver damage and cirrhosis and an increased risk of accidents and injuries, which is the 3rd most leading cause of death in the US.

Additional Negative Impact: Social and psychological

Substance abuse impairs job performance and reliability, leading to frequent absenteeism, reduced productivity, and even job loss. This further leads to financial instability, strained relationships, and a cycle of dependency.

As GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) continue to help manage metabolic disorders and obesity, a new trend is rapidly gaining traction on social media - GLP-1 microdosing.

Instead of taking the prescribed doses approved for diabetes or obesity, some users are deliberately taking much smaller amounts, claiming they can lose weight, reduce food noise, avoid side effects, save money, or even improve longevity.

However, experts warn that there is currently little scientific evidence that GLP-1 microdosing is safe or even effective.

What Is GLP-1 Microdosing?

Some people reduce their dose by extending the time between injections, counting "clicks" on injection pens instead of using prescribed doses, or taking customized low-dose formulations.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Shehla Shaikh, Consultant Endocrinologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, about the trend of GLP-1 microdosing.

Dr. Shaikh says, "The lowest dose that is supported by evidence for semaglutide is 0 25 mg. While, for tirzepatide, it is 2 5 mg Some people are using much smaller amounts for example using nine clicks on a semaglutide pen which gives about 0 06 mg. Now there are no randomized studies or clear guidelines that show if this kind of micro-dosing is safe or works."

Also read: Can GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic, Mounjaro Cause Hair Loss? Study Says It's Rare But Real

Medical experts caution that these practices fall outside approved prescribing guidelines and have not been rigorously studied.

The expert says, "One big worry is how accurate the dose is. These injectable pens are made to give set approved amounts; not amounts based on people counting clicks. Even a small mistake in counting can mean taking too little medicine which may not work well or too much, which could cause more problems. Since these instructions are complicated, they need careful handling good eyesight and understanding of the device."

Why Are People Trying It?

Fewer Side Effects

Lower Cost

These medications are expensive in various countries. So, people stretch a single prescription by taking less medication than prescribed.

Weight Maintenance

Rather than pursuing significant weight loss, some users say they simply want to maintain previous results or reduce constant food cravings without taking full doses.

Longevity Claims

Online influencers have begun promoting low-dose GLP-1s as potential "longevity drugs." While GLP-1 medications show promise for heart and metabolic health, experts stress that these benefits have only been demonstrated using clinically tested doses, not microdoses.

Also read: Novo Nordisk Sues Eli Lilly Over Weight-Loss Drug Ads: Should GLP-1 Users Be Concerned?

The Risks of Microdosing

Reduced Effectiveness

Taking too little medication may fail to adequately suppress appetite, improve blood sugar levels, or achieve meaningful weight loss.

Dr. Shaikh says, "People often choose microdosing because they want to avoid problems reduce appetite with a smaller dose or make a costly medicine last longer. While smaller amounts might help a bit, current information shows that the best and steadiest results come from following the approved ways to take the medicine. Using doses that are too low might not give the results to people who want to lose weight or manage their metabolic health."

Delayed Medical Treatment Or Risk Of Expiration

Experts also say that people with obesity or diabetes could unknowingly receive suboptimal treatment while believing they are protected. Another problem is how long the medicine lasts after it is opened.

Dr. Shaikh explains, "An opened semaglutide pen should be used within 60 days while an opened tirzepatide pen should be used within 30 days. Because microdosing uses the medicine over a longer time, people might keep using it past the time it is safe which could change how good it is."

Inaccurate Dosing

Also read: Could GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Help People Take Fewer Sick Days? New Study Says So

Some users manually estimate doses by counting injection pen clicks. Experts warn these devices are designed to deliver specific calibrated doses, making partial dosing unreliable.

The expert says, "Some people think micro-dosing gives similar benefits with fewer problems or lower costs, but this practice has no scientific support and might have several dangers."

A Doppler test is a specialized type of ultrasound that uses sound waves to measure blood flow through blood vessels rather than simply creating images of organs and tissues. Unlike a regular ultrasound, which produces pictures of internal structures, a Doppler ultrasound shows how blood moves through arteries and veins, helping doctors detect circulation problems.

While commonly associated with pregnancy, Doppler ultrasound is also used to investigate conditions such as leg pain, swelling, varicose veins, blood clots, peripheral artery disease, and stroke risk. Understanding when this test is needed can help detect serious conditions early and guide timely treatment.

Why Is Doppler Ultrasound Important During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a Doppler ultrasound is often recommended in high-risk cases to assess blood flow between the mother, placenta, and baby.

"It helps doctors monitor whether the fetus is receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients, making it especially important in pregnancies complicated by high blood pressure, diabetes, fetal growth restriction, or previous pregnancy-related complications," Dr. Vandana Mittal, Principal Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paras Health Panchkula, told HealthandMe.

Dr. Vandana Jain, Principal Consultant - Obstetrics, Gynecology, Infertility & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Yashoda Medicity, added that the test is commonly recommended in high-risk pregnancies, including fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, hypertension, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios, multiple pregnancies, and decreased fetal movements.

"By evaluating how effectively oxygen and nutrients are reaching the baby, the test helps detect signs of fetal compromise at an early stage, enabling timely monitoring, appropriate medical intervention, and informed decisions regarding the timing and mode of delivery."

By identifying potential issues early, Doppler studies help doctors monitor pregnancies more closely and intervene when necessary. However, the test is performed only for specific medical indications and is not a replacement for routine pregnancy ultrasounds.

What Other Conditions Can a Doppler Ultrasound Detect?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a Doppler ultrasound can help diagnose:

• Blood clots
• Venous insufficiency, where poorly functioning vein valves cause blood or fluid to pool in the legs
• Heart valve defects and congenital heart disease
• Arterial occlusion (blocked arteries)
• Peripheral artery disease
• Aneurysms
• Carotid artery stenosis, which increases stroke risk

How Doppler Ultrasound Can Help People With Leg Pain

Dr. Jain said Doppler ultrasound is also commonly advised for patients with suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery narrowing, or chronic venous insufficiency.

"It is commonly advised for patients with suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery narrowing, or chronic venous insufficiency," she told HealthandMe.

The expert added that people with persistent leg pain while walking, unexplained swelling, non-healing wounds, or symptoms of poor circulation may require a Doppler evaluation.

Recently, gastroenterologist Dr. Pal Manickam highlighted the importance of Doppler ultrasound during a podcast discussion. He urged people not to ignore sudden leg pain or swelling, noting that these symptoms could indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and require prompt evaluation.

How Is a Doppler Test Done?

The procedure is painless, non-invasive, and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the area being examined. It is also radiation-free.

A Doppler ultrasound is performed by a trained sonographer using a hand-held device called a transducer. The transducer sends sound waves into the body and measures how they bounce off moving blood cells, allowing the machine to assess blood flow in real time.

A new high-precision radiotherapy treatment introduced by NHS England is set to offer a faster and more convenient treatment option for thousands of men with prostate cancer.

Known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), the treatment delivers high-dose radiation in just five sessions over two weeks, compared with the 20 or more sessions typically required with conventional radiotherapy. This means eligible patients can complete treatment with 15 fewer hospital visits, reducing the burden of travel and time spent in care.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. More than 55,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year, while around 12,300 die from it annually.

According to NHS Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey, the new therapy will "transform" treatment for thousands of men with localized prostate cancer while enabling the NHS to provide "far more powerful and more convenient" cancer care.

How Does SABR Work?

According to NHS England, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) delivers highly targeted radiation to the tumor from multiple angles, helping reduce the risk of the cancer returning or spreading.

The treatment delivers a higher dose of radiation with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing the likelihood of side effects.

"This technology lets us focus a powerful and precise beam of radiotherapy directly onto the cancer, limiting the damage to healthy cells – and the fact it can be delivered in 15 fewer doses will help men get back to living their lives far more quickly," said Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer.

Also known as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), SABR is already used to treat certain lung and brain cancers. It is now being offered on the NHS to eligible men with low- and intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer.

Also read: Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy For Prostate Cancer Promises Fewer Side Effects Than Surgery Or Radiotherapy

Who Can Benefit?

Around 17,500 men in England are diagnosed with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer each year and could be eligible for SABR.

NHS modeling suggests that nearly one in five of these patients—around 3,500 men annually—may choose the treatment to help reduce the risk of their cancer spreading.

The treatment is expected to be available across all 48 NHS radiotherapy centers in England, with the first hospitals beginning to offer it from next week.

Could Reduce Waiting Times

The NHS estimates that introducing SABR for prostate cancer could free up around 50,000 treatment appointments each year.

By shortening treatment schedules and reducing the number of hospital visits, the rollout is expected to improve capacity across radiotherapy services while helping bring down waiting times for cancer patients.

However, SABR is not suitable for everyone with localized prostate cancer. Experts advise patients to discuss their treatment options with their specialist team, while ongoing research continues to evaluate the therapy in different patient groups.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Read More: Over 40% Prostate Cancer Patients in India Diagnosed After Cancer Has Spread: ICMR study

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the gland.

Experts say not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. Many are slow-growing and may never affect a man's lifespan. In fact, such cancers are found in around one in three men over the age of 50. However, a smaller number of prostate cancers are aggressive, spread quickly, and require prompt treatment, making early detection and regular screening important.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Early-stage prostate cancer may cause:

• Blood in the urine or semen
• Difficulty urinating
• Erectile dysfunction

More advanced prostate cancer may lead to:

• Decreased force of the urine stream
• Bone pain
• Unexplained weight loss.