Appendix 1 General Drug and Alcohol information – Drugs are often grouped according to their influence on the central nervous system. There are 3 main groups: Depressants slow down the nervous system and the messages being sent to and – from the brain. The heart rate and breathing also slow down. Stimulants speed up the central nervous system and the messages to and – from the brain. They increase the heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Hallucinogens affect perception. People who have taken them may see or hear – things in a distorted way. The senses become confused, especially time, sound and colour. The influences of hallucinogens vary greatly and are not easy to predict. Substance Type Immediate Effects Continued Use ALCOHOL Depressant Slurred speech, loss of Increase in Blood inhibition, relaxation, pressure, liver feelings of wellbeing or disease, Impact on depression. Large memory, planning doses can cause and organizing, unconsciousness and brain damage hangover PSYCHOSTIMULANTS Stimulant Lasts 4 -8 hours. Highly Inability to sleep, Speed, Cocaine, Ice, stimulating, increased increased activity, decreased restlessness, appetite, Sleep headaches disturbances. aggression, Can cause severe mental and emotional disturbance AMPHETAMINES Stimulant 6 -8 hours. Warm Depression 2 -3 MDMA feelings of closeness days after use. Ecstacy with others. Sensation Can cause MDA of floating, anxiety, irrational behaviour nausea and paranoia insomnia. can occur Can cause changes in mood and thinking BENZODIAZEPINES Depressant/ Lower anxiety and Increases in dose (Long acting) Sedative tension. Drowsiness, in longer term use Valium, Mogadon, Xanax, Long acting: higher doses will are often required (Short acting) lasts 12 -24 hrs produce sedation and to keep anxiety Serepax, Rohypnol, unconsciousness reduced. Temazepam, Normison Short acting: Opposite effect can Depression, Lasts 6 -12 hrs occur in some people: insomnia, tremor excitability OPIATES Depressant/ Pain relief. Produces High risk of Heroin, Morphine, Sedative/Pain feelings of well being. overdose. Codiene, Pethidine, relief Can produce vomiting, Lasts: drowsiness and sleep. Increased risk of Higher doses will withdrawal produce symptoms: anxiety, unconsciousness and sweating, runny death nose, insomnia, muscle cramps
Appendix 1 – General Drug and Alcohol information Drugs are often grouped according to their influence on the central nervous system. There are 3 main groups: Depressants – slow down the nervous system and the messages being sent to and from the brain. The heart rate and breathing also slow down. Stimulants – speed up the central nervous system and the messages to and from the brain. They increase the heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Hallucinogens – affect perception. People who have taken them may see or hear things in a distorted way. The senses become confused, especially time, sound and colour. The influences of hallucinogens vary greatly and are not easy to predict. Substance Type Immediate Effects Continued Use ALCOHOL Depressant Slurred speech, loss of inhibition, relaxation, feelings of wellbeing or depression. Large doses can cause unconsciousness and hangover Increase in Blood pressure, liver disease, Impact on memory, planning and organizing, brain damage PSYCHOSTIMULANTS Speed, Cocaine, Ice, Stimulant Lasts 4 -8 hours. Highly stimulating, increased activity, decreased appetite, Sleep disturbances. Inability to sleep, increased restlessness, headaches aggression, Can cause severe mental and emotional disturbance AMPHETAMINES MDMA Ecstacy MDA Stimulant 6 -8 hours. Warm feelings of closeness with others. Sensation of floating, anxiety, nausea and paranoia can occur Depression 2 -3 days after use. Can cause irrational behaviour insomnia. Can cause changes in mood and thinking BENZODIAZEPINES (Long acting) Valium, Mogadon, Xanax, (Short acting) Serepax, Rohypnol, Temazepam, Normison Depressant/ Sedative Long acting: lasts 12 -24 hrs Short acting: Lasts 6 -12 hrs Lower anxiety and tension. Drowsiness, higher doses will produce sedation and unconsciousness Opposite effect can occur in some people: excitability Increases in dose in longer term use are often required to keep anxiety reduced. Depression, insomnia, tremor OPIATES Heroin, Morphine, Codiene, Pethidine, Depressant/ Sedative/Pain relief Lasts: Pain relief. Produces feelings of well being. Can produce vomiting, drowsiness and sleep. Higher doses will produce unconsciousness and death High risk of overdose. Increased risk of withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, sweating, runny nose, insomnia, muscle cramps