Different drugs have different effects. Most drugs can be divided into three groups.
- Stimulants which act on the central nervous system and increase brain activity (Cocaine, Crack, Ecstasy, Speed, Tobacco).
- Depressants. Drugs which act on the central nervous system slow down brain activity (Alcohol, Heroin, Tranquilizers).
- Hallucinogens. Drugs which act on the mind distorting the way users can experience things (Cannabis, Ketamine, LSD, Magic Mushrooms).
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HELP IS ALWAYS OUT THERE – NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 0800 77 66 00
It is important to be aware of the effects drugs can have on your mind and your body. There are serious risks linked to drug taking so it is vital to have knowledge of the facts. We are not intending to preach to you, the facts speak for themselves.
ALCOHOL
The Effects
Many people enjoy drinking alcohol and in small amounts it can help them relax and feel more sociable. Unfortunately some people use this drug to escape from their problems.The Risks
Alcohol is a depressant drug. Users can feel very down. Women tend to get more drunk than men on the same amount of alcohol and they develop drink related health problems earlier. Overdose can lead to loss of consciousness when users risk choking on their own vomit. This can kill. Overdose can also cause alcoholic liver damage which can be fatal. Long-term overuse can lead to serious liver, heart and stomach problems. More than twenty-five thousand deaths in the UK each year are alcohol related.
ANABOLIC STEROIDS (‘Roids)Possession is not illegal without a prescription. Supply is against the law and Class C penalties apply. Anabolic steroids are equivalent to the male hormone testosterone, often used by athletes, body builders, their use in regulated sports are prohibited and a positive test can ruin a sporting career.
The Effects
The use of these steroids make people feel more aggressive and they are able to train harder and with intensive exercise build up muscles.
The Risks
Taking anabolic steroids carries many health risks and can stop young people from growing properly. In men there are often erection problems, breast development (Bitch Tits), shrinking testicles, infertility, acne and increased risk of heart and liver damage. In women there is increased facial hair, changes in the voice, shrinking of breasts and disturbed menstrual cycle. It can be very dangerous for pregnant women to take steroids as the unborn baby can be seriously affected. Steroids also produce mental health problems including aggression, mood swings and paranoia. Sharing needles or syringes puts users at risk of dangerous infections like Hepatitis and HIV.
CANNABIS (Marijuana, Draw, Blow, Weed, Puff, Shit, Hash, Ganja)
Cannabis is a Class B drug. Cannabis is a natural substance from a plant called hemp. It comes in a solid, dark lump known as resin, or leaves, stalks and seed called grass, or as a sticky oil. It can be rolled with tobacco in a splith or joint smoked on its own in a special pipe or eaten in cakes.
The Effects
Getting (stoned) on cannabis makes most users relaxed and talkative. It heightens the senses, especially colours, tastes and music. Prolonged used leaves people feeling tired and lacking energy.
The Risks
Cannabis can affect the ability to concentrate and causes short term memory loss. Getting stoned affects co-ordination and increases the risk of accidents, especially when driving. Cannabis can make users paranoid and anxious and regular users find it hard to give up. Smoking cannabis over a long period may increase the risk of lung problems, including cancer.
COCAINE (Coke, Charlie, Snow, Sea)The Effects
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. The buzz creates a sense of well being, making users feel confident and exhilarated and craving more before the come down of tiredness, depression
The Risks
Users find the habit expensive and hard to control. It increases the risk of chest pain and heart problems and can cause users to feel agitated, anxious, confused, paranoid. Sudden death has been reported and snorting cocaine may permanently damage the membranes inside the nose.
CRACK (Rock, Wash, Stone)
Crack is a smokable form of Cocaine.
The Risks
Crack is highly addictive and difficult to control. It can seriously harm lungs and cause chest pain. Heavy users risk convulsions and fatal heart problems. Users have died from overdose. After the high, feelings of restlessness, nausea and sleeplessness are common and can leave the user confused, depressed, paranoid
ECSTASY (E, XTC, Doves, Disco Biscuits, Echoes, Hug Drug, Eccies, Burgers, Fantasy, MDMA
The Effects
The effects are unpredictable. Users feel alert, in tune with their surroundings and sound, colour and emotions can seem much more intense. The energy buzz means users dance for hours.
The Risks
There have been over 60 Ecstasy deaths in the UK. It can cause discomfort in the chest, nausea, sweating and the heart starts racing and there is increasing evidence that it may cause liver and brain damage.
Chill – it affects body temperature which causes overheating and dehydration. The risks can be reduced if users;
- Chill out regularly.
- Sip fluids, ideally isotonic sports drinks, about 1 pint every hour.
GAMMA HYDROXY BUTERATE (Gamma O)The Effects
GHB has sedative problems and can produce feeling of euphoria. It has no smell and a salty taste.The Risks
Excessive doses can cause sickness, stiff muscles, fits, collapse. It is very dangerous and can be fatal when mixed with alcohol or other drugs. The long term effects are as yet not fully known.
HEROIN (Brown, Gear, H, Horse, Junk, Scag, Smack)The Facts
Heroin is a painkilling drug made from Morphine which is derived from the Opium Poppy. It comes as a white powder when pure. Street Heroin is usually off-white or light brown. It is snorted, smoked or injected.
The Effects
Heroin in small doses gives a sense of warmth and well being. Higher doses make users drowsy and relaxed. First time and habitual users risk overdose, coma and death, as the purity is unknown and effects are unpredictable. Heroin is very addictive and getting the next fix can dominate a user’s life. Tolerance develops which means the user needs more to have the same effect and users who form a habit end up taking the drug just to feel normal. Smoking heroin does not make the drug safer or less addictive. Injecting can damage veins, lead to gangrene and in sharing needles users run the risk of infections such as hepatitis and HIV. Withdrawing from Heroin can be extremely hard.
KETAMINE (K, Special K, Vitamin K)The Effects
It alters perception and creates out of body hallucinations, followed by numbness and strange muscle movements, often with nausea and vomiting. At times users may be physically unable to move.
The Risks
As it numbs the body users risk serious injury without feeling pain. The effects cause disorientation which is worse if the user is anxious or depressed. It can cause breathing problems and heart failure and is particularly injurious when mixed with other depressant drugs.
LSD (Acid, Blotters, Dots, Microdots, Tabs, Trips)
LSD usually comes in tiny squares of paper with a picture on one side, or in microdot tablets.
The Effects
Users report visual affects such as intensive colours, distortion and movement. Changes in sense of time and place are common.
The Risks
A bad trip can be terrifying. Accidents may happen while users are hallucinating and they may experience flashbacks where part of the trip is briefly relived some time after the event. LSD can complicate mental problems, triggering a psychotic reaction.MAGIC MUSHROOMS (‘Shrooms, Mushies, Majies)
Class A when prepared. The most common is Liberty Cap which contains Psilocybin. It is not legal to possess raw magic mushrooms but it is an offence to possess any preparation of them, e.g., when they are dried or stewed, they then become a Class A drug.
The Effects
They have a similar effect to LDS but the trip is often milder and shorter. They can make users feel relaxed and spaced out. They may cause hallucinations and objects, colours and sounds become distorted.The Risks
The greatest risk is eating the wrong type of mushroom and being poisoned. They may cause stomach pain, sickness and diarrhoea.
POPPERS (Ram, Kicks, TNT, Liquid Gold)
Poppers come as a clear liquid in small bottles or tubes. Vapour is breathed into the mouth or nose and is common is dance culture. Amylnitrate, the drug in poppers is a prescription only medicine and possession is not illegal but supply may be an offence.The Effects
Users get a very brief but intense head rush which results in a flushed face and neck.
The Risks
They can make people feel faint and sick, especially when dancing. Because the drug reduced blood pressure taking Poppers is very dangerous to people with breathing or heart problems and can be fatal if swallowed.SOLVENTS
The Effects
Users can feel thickheaded, dizzy, giggly or dreamy and may hallucinate followed by a hangover.
The Risks
The greatest risk involved with solvent use is death which can occur the first time a person sniffs. Regular use can damage brain, liver and kidneys.
AMPHETAMINES (Speed, Whiz, Uppers, Amph, Billy, Sulphate)
Speed is a stimulant that quickens the heartbeat and makes people feel confident and energetic. Others unfortunately feel tense, irritable and experience mood swings and depression. Amphetamines are a Class B drug but carry Class A penalties if prepared for injection.
The Risks
Tiredness and depression, sleep and memory loss. High doses cause panic, hyperactivity and paranoia and heavy use leads to mental illness such as psychosis. Sudden death has been reported.TOBACCO
Probably one of the most dangerous drugs in existence. Smoking contributes to at least one hundred and eleven thousand premature deaths in the UK.The Risks
The risks tend to occur with long-term use. Heart and stroke as well as lung cancer, chronic lung disease and circulation and stomach ulcers are amongst the many side effects which develop usually after smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. People who quite smoking notice a real improvement in their health. For practical help and advice on stopping smoking ring Quit Line free on
0800 00 22 00.TRANQUILIZERS (Benzos, Tranks, Mazzies, Green Jellies or Yellow Eggs)
The Effects
In small doses tranquilizers relieve tension and anxiety, but may make users drowsy and forgetful.The Risks
They slow down reactions, making accidents more likely. They are very dangerous if mixed with alcohol because of risk of fatal overdose and they are highly addictive so users trying to quit may suffer panic attacks and sudden withdrawal can cause confusion and convulsions.
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