The most commonly abused and misused substances are those that change how you feel, think or act. This includes regulated substances as well as illicit ones: Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, prescription drugs (like anti-depressants and painkillers) and illicit drugs.

Drug dependency and addiction may be physical or psychological and cause problems not just for the drug user, but for those around them too. For instance, children of addicts are 8 times more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than children of non-addicts. 40% of HIV cases in Canada are contracted through shared drug needles.

Drugs are mainly divided into three categories: Depressants (downers), stimulants (uppers) and psychotropics (includes hallucinogens). Each category causes a different reaction or effect and when mixed have dangerous consequences. People chronically use drugs for different reasons: To stop feeling bad, to relax, for energy, peer pressure, mental health issues, physical and emotional trauma. The reason(s) behind the drug use must be considered when seeking treatment options.

Fact: Club drugs (such as LSD, ecstasy, GHB, mushrooms, ketamine and nitrous oxide) vary in strength and trigger dangerous effects including: Hallucinations, depression, lowered inhibitions, memory loss, mood disorders, nausea, blurred vision, chills, rashes, liver damage and aggressive or agitated behaviour.

Fact: Marijuana decreases memory, reflexes, coordination, and thinking and reasoning skills. Smoking marijuana leads to changes in the brain similar to those caused by cocaine, heroin, and alcohol. Respiratory problems may occur such as wheezing, coughing, lung infections and bronchitis. According to the White House Drug Policy, 60% of youth in addiction treatment programs have a marijuana dependence.

Fact: Mixing drugs (illicit or prescription) or using them with alcohol is the leading cause of drug-related deaths.

Fact: Illicit drugs are often mixed or “cut” with other substances to increase quantity and reduce quality. Some substances used to cut can be as harmless as oregano or sugar, or as dangerous as PCP and quinine. Users can never be sure what they are buying or using.

TOPICS