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.

A diagnostic report from Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district has sparked shock and concern after it incorrectly stated that a 47-year-old man had a uterus. The incident has raised serious questions about negligence and accuracy in medical testing.

The report was issued to Niranjan Prajapati, chairman of the Uchehra Nagar Panchayat, who had gone for a sonography after experiencing abdominal pain and swelling. Instead of clarity about his condition, he received a report that appeared to describe female reproductive organs, including an inverted uterus.

How the Error Came to Light

Prajapati underwent the ultrasound at a diagnostic center on Station Road in Satna on January 13. Initially, he did not closely examine the report and followed the prescribed treatment. However, when his condition did not improve, he sought further medical advice.

“I was sick and had stomach pain. I first got treatment in Unchahara and then went for sonography in Satna,” Prajapati said. “I did not pay much attention to the report at first and took medicines, but there was no relief.”

He later visited a doctor in Jabalpur, where the mistake was clearly identified. “The doctor told me straight that this report cannot belong to me,” Prajapati recalled. “I said the report has my name on it, but it mentioned a uterus. That is when I realized something was seriously wrong.”

Questions Over Diagnostic Negligence

The report not only listed a uterus but also described its position, despite the patient being male. Medical experts say such an error goes far beyond a minor clerical mistake.

A senior doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said incorrect diagnostic reports can have serious consequences. “A wrong sonography report can mislead treatment, cause unnecessary stress to the patient, and in some cases become life-threatening if doctors act on false findings,” the expert said.

Attempts to seek clarification from the diagnostic center did not yield answers. Dr Arvind Saraf, associated with the facility, declined to comment on the incident, adding to concerns about accountability and quality checks.

Complaint Filed, Health Department Responds

Following the incident, Prajapati filed a formal complaint at the local police station. The matter has also been taken up by the Health Department.

Chief Medical and Health Officer of Satna, Dr Manoj Shukla, confirmed that an investigation is underway. “This complaint has come to my notice. We are examining the report thoroughly. If any irregularity or negligence is found during the investigation, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Officials are expected to review how the report was generated and whether standard diagnostic protocols were followed.

What Is Sonography?

Sonography, also known as ultrasound, is a commonly used imaging test that uses sound waves to create images of internal organs. It does not involve radiation and is generally considered safe. However, experts stress that accuracy and proper verification are crucial, as reports directly guide diagnosis and treatment.

The incident has once again highlighted the need for stricter checks and accountability in diagnostic services, especially when errors can directly affect patient health and trust in the medical system.

Josie Gibson, English TV personality, opened up about her secret health disorder and that she is turning to a "last resort" surgery for the same. She revealed that this health challenge has left her with extreme pain. This Morning presenter, 40, appeared on the show and spoke to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard about being diagnosed and having a "lipodema" body. She said, "A couple of years ago somebody actually said on Instagram, 'you have got a typical lipodema body'. I thought, 'what's lipedema?'"

She said she did not even have a clue, but she knew something was not right. But she did not know what lipedema was. She got diagnosed about a year ago and had a surgery. She told her fans that she has been "constantly fighting" her genetics.

What Did Josie Gibson Reveal About The Surgery?

Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Gibson said surgery was a “last resort” but described herself as happy with the results after spending around £7,000 on liposuction to treat her calves. She explained that the procedure, which combines liposuction with a technique that tightens the skin, had to be carried out in stages.

“The last thing I want to do is put myself through surgery, but it was my last resort,” she said, adding that she had only treated her calves so far. Gibson said the change in her appearance had been significant, telling viewers: “All my life I have wanted to have ankles. I’ve finally got them.”

What Is Lipedema?

Lipoedema is a condition that mainly affects women and causes an abnormal build-up of fat, most commonly in the legs and sometimes the arms. It can make the lower body appear out of proportion and is often associated with pain, tenderness and a feeling of heaviness.

Gibson said she had always felt something “wasn’t right” with her body but was only diagnosed with lipoedema last September. She said specialists told her that diet and exercise would not remove the affected fat. “They said I could train seven days a week and I wouldn’t get rid of lipoedema fat like that,” she said.

Describing the impact of the condition, Gibson said her legs felt increasingly out of place compared with the rest of her body and that symptoms had worsened over time, now also affecting her arms. “I could train, train and train but really, I’m going down the surgery route now,” she added.

Lipoedema specialist Dr Dennis Wolf, who also appeared on the programme, said the condition is not currently treated on the NHS due to the lack of a formal diagnostic test and limited research. He said doctors often rely on symptoms and patient experiences to identify it and believes some people may have a genetic predisposition.

Dr Wolf explained that lipoedema fat is resistant to weight loss, meaning people can exercise and diet without seeing changes in affected areas. While surgery is the most common way to manage the condition, other treatments include compression garments to help reduce discomfort.

Gibson also shared a light-hearted moment from her surgery, admitting the anaesthetic left her flirtatious and apologetic towards her surgeons.

Fewer people are dying of heart disease, however, as per a new report from the American Heart Association (AHA), it is still the leading cause of death in the US. While the report noted a drop in rates of deaths by heart diseases for the first time in five years, the report also noted that it kills more American than any other condition. The report was published early Wednesday in the journal Circulation.

What Did The AHA Report Reveal?

The report found that annual rates of heart disease deaths have in fact decreased by 2.7% between 2022 and 2023. This means it went from 941,652 to 915, 973. However, cardiovascular diseases still killed more people in the US than cancer and accidents combined.

The report found that deaths caused by blockages in the coronary arteries, the blood vessels supplying the heart, fell by 5.9%, dropping from 371,506 to 349,470 over the same period. Coronary artery disease, a major cause of heart attacks, still claims two lives every three minutes. Other vessel-damaging chronic conditions also remain widespread.

The report found that the share of U.S. adults with high blood pressure edged up to 47.3%, while overall obesity rates dipped slightly to 50%. However, obesity is increasing among children and teenagers, rising from 25.4% to 28.1% in those aged 2 to 19.

Prevention remains the most powerful tool to reduce heart disease deaths, experts say. Because heart disease cannot be cured, waiting for symptoms often means focusing only on treatment rather than stopping the problem early. Early prevention, by contrast, has a much bigger impact on saving lives.

The report highlights four key lifestyle habits for heart health: eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and avoiding tobacco. It also stresses four important health measures: managing weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

Together, these eight factors could prevent up to 40% of heart disease deaths and cut the risk of developing serious heart disease symptoms by as much as 74%. These same habits also benefit the brain, helping slow brain ageing and lower the risk of dementia, especially by keeping blood pressure under control.

Heart Health Is Also an Economic Issue

Cutting down cardiovascular disease in the U.S. would not only help people live healthier lives, it could also ease the strain on the economy, experts say. Heart disease carries a massive financial cost, with an estimated $414.7 billion spent each year on direct treatment and indirect losses between 2021 and 2022.

Even though the benefits of healthy habits are well known, getting people to prioritize heart health remains difficult. Only one in four U.S. adults meets national guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise. Control of chronic conditions is also lacking, with less than half of Americans with type 2 diabetes managing their disease effectively.

Experts stress that regular physical activity, tailored to individual ability, can make a real difference. Simple, consistent movement and timely health checkups can go a long way in protecting both personal health and the wider economy.