Drugs of abuse

ECSTASY
Ecstasy is promoted as a drug which makes you happy and touchy-feely. Supplied in tablet form and synthesised from several chemicals. An international restriction from 2009 on the sale of the chemicals used to manufacture Ecstasy means it is virtually impossible to obtain the correct chemicals for manufacture, so anyone buying Ecstasy now will most likely be purchasing a different compound. Permanent untreatable depression is proving to be the end result in former regular users of this drug, as Ecstasy damages serotonin receptors in the brain - serotonin principally regulates mood. At its peak 2 Ecstasy users per month were dying in the UK

COCAINE
Known to be the biggest gamble of all drugs of abuse. Some can take it once and never feel the desire to use it again, in others it proves to be totally addictive immediately. Supplied in powder form for sniffing, cooking into a solution for injecting, or smoking by heating and inhaling the vapour (also as crack cocaine rocks). Cocaine deaths average 7 a month in the UK - often by heart attack. Cocaine slows down the absorption of dopamine in the brain, dopamine stays in the brain longer than usual and makes the user feel euphoric and hyper-stimulated. Frequent use causes paranoia and when snorted long-term, the nasal septum can rot away. Depression is a frequent problem for ex-users

KETAMINE
Ketamine is an anaesthetic which is used during operations on humans and animals. It has powerful hallucinogenic qualities, and is not physically addictive, but users can become psychologically addicted. When used illegally it is usually seen as a white powder which is snorted, but can also be obtained as a liquid or tablet. Ketamine can cause panic attacks, depression, and can make existing mental health problems worse. High doses when taken with alcohol can suppress breathing and heart function leading to unconsciousness, which can then lead to death through inhalation of vomit. Ketamine deaths through accidents are more common, as users often feel invulnerable. It is especially dangerous when taken with other drugs because of the unpredictability of the combined effects

MEPHEDRONE
Mephedrone comes in the following forms: pills, white powder, yellow powder, crystal, liquid and capsules containing powder. Most common is powder which can be ‘snorted’. It produces euphoria, alertness, talkativeness and feelings of empathy, as well as mild to moderate psychological dependence (desire to carry on taking it in spite of potential harm). Mephedrone is produced for use as a plant food. In humans it can cause anxiety and paranoia, nosebleeds, headaches, serious skin conditions, comas, seizures and death. Taking this drug and others like it puts you at risk of over stimulating the heart and nervous system which can cause fits. As use increase deaths are being reported 2-3 times a month in the UK. In Northern Ireland a number of recent suicides have been reportedly linked to depression caused by misuse of mephedrone.

ACID
An unpredictable drug. Acid or LSD is usually supplied on small absorbent squares of paper with designs printed on, alternatively in tablet form. Not considered to be an addictive drug. Acid causes the user to feel heightened emotion (happiness, despair, terror), often changing quickly from one to another. High doses cause hallucinations and delusions which can continue for as long as 12 hours. Some users experience flashbacks from a day to a year after using Acid, these occur without warning. Evidence shows that Acid users often have underlying mental health problems

CANNABIS
Cannabis or Marijuana is a mixture of dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, usually smoked in a cigarette or bong. Cannabis deaths average less than 1 a month in the UK. Carbon monoxide and tar absorption can be up to five times greater than in cigarette smokers. Cannabis causes users to feel a high, and has a public image of being risk-free, however, in the short-term users experience memory problems, confusion, anxiety and panic attacks. Long-term usage produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse. Evidence shows a direct link between heavy cannabis use, and long term mental health problems, particularly psychosis. Mental health hospital admissions due to cannabis have increased by 63% in the last 5 years - we regularly see patients who have been hospitalised due to cannabis induced psychotic episodes

HEROIN
Statistically, the drug most likely to kill you. Heroin is derived from the seed pod of the Asian poppy. Supplied as a white or brown powder which is heated and the vapour inhaled "chasing the dragon", or cooked into a solution and injected. Heroin deaths average 63 a month in the UK, usually respiratory arrest caused by overdose. Heroin causes users to feel euphoric, then extremely drowsy. Addiction means the user requires more Heroin to achieve the same effect, and withdrawal symptoms occur as early as a few hours after the previous hit. Unclean Heroin contains impurities which when injected cause damage to most internal organs and veins

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DRUGS
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Source: AW, LSMP

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Last revision: November 2011