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Drug types and their effects Drugs are substances that have a mental or physical effect when introduced to the body. Illicit drug use is the use of illegal drugs (like cannabis or cocaine) and/or the misuse (ie. not using as intended or directed) of legal drugs or substances, including over-the-counter and prescribed medications and inhalants like petrol or glue. Illicit drug use in Australia most commonly includes the use of: methamphetamine - including ice cannabis ecstasy hallucinogens cocaine analgesics/pain killers inhalants sedatives/benzodiazepines Heroin and other opioids (used for medical purposes like codeine, pethidine and methadone). llicit drug use can cause illness, injury and premature death and have a significant affect on individuals, families and the community.
Injecting drugs
Injecting drugs is very risky and can lead to long term vein damage or even gangrene and amputation. When you’re injecting yourself, it’s difficult to make sure it’s done safely. Hands can carry tiny particles of blood that you cannot see and can transfer a virus from one person to another. If the equipment or substance used is not totally clean, you could get an infection in your bloodstream and become very sick. Even the smallest amount of infected blood that gets into your bloodstream could be enough to give you a virus that can make you very seriously ill, like HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. There are things that you can do to try and make it safer but you can never be sure that you are not doing harm to yourself. If you do inject drugs: use sterile equipment every time never share any equipment wash your hands and all preparation services. Methamphetamine - including ice Meth/amphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant.
In powder form, this drug is often called 'speed', 'goey' or 'whiz', and the paste form is often called 'base' or 'paste', among other names. ‘Ice’ is a common name for crystal methamphetamine and is particularly potent. All forms of methamphetamine are synthetically made. Methamphetamine can be smoked, injected, swallowed, snorted or shafted.
What is ice?
Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body. It’s stronger and has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed
If sharing needles, there is an increased risk of: hepatitis B hepatitis C HIV and AIDS.^1 Snorting ice can damage the sinuses and cause nose bleeds. Impact of mood and environment Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they are in (the ‘setting’): Overdose If you take a large amount, or have a strong batch, you could overdose. Ice can cause death. Call an ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero (000) if you, or someone else, has any of the following symptoms: racing heartbeat and chest pain breathing problems fits or uncontrolled jerking extreme agitation, confusion, clumsiness sudden, severe headache unconsciousness stroke or heart attack Long-term effects Regular use of ice may eventually cause: extreme weight loss due to reduced appetite restless sleep dry mouth and dental problems regular colds or flu trouble concentrating breathlessness muscle stiffness anxiety, paranoia and irritability depression heart and kidney problems increased risk of stroke needing to use more to get the same effect dependence on ice
financial, work or social problems Tolerance and dependence People who regularly use ice can quickly become dependent on the drug. They may feel they need ice to go about normal activities like working, studying and socialising, or just to get through the day. They may also develop a tolerance to it, which means they need to take larger amounts of ice to get the same effect. Withdrawal Giving up ice after a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it. Please seek advice from a health professional. Withdrawal symptoms generally settle down after a week and will mostly disappear after a month. Symptoms include: cravings for ice increased appetite confusion and irritability aches and pains exhaustion restless sleep and nightmares anxiety, depression and paranoia. Cannabis Cannabis is a drug that comes from the plant Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in cannabis is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the part that gives the high when consumed. It comes in 3 main forms o marijuana (dried flowers and leaves) o hashish/hash (resin) o hashish oil
Cocaine Cocaine is a stimulant made from processing leaves of the coca plant and usually comes in powder form. Cocaine can be 'cut' or mixed with other substances, including glucose, lactose and baking powder. Cocaine is known as 'coke', 'Charlie', 'snow', 'blow' and other names. Analgesics/painkillers Analgesics , also known as 'painkillers', are medicines which relieve pain. Most analgesics are safe to use when taken as prescribed or instructed by your doctor or pharmacist, in conjunction with the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. Some people misuse analgesics by intentionally taking more than the recommended dose. The effects of mixing analgesics with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications and other over-the-counter medicines, are often unpredictable. Inhalants Inhalants , also known as volatile substances, have a range of effects depending on the substance used. The vapour of volatile substances when inhaled through the nose or mouth can cause a person to feel high or intoxicated. They can also cause confusion and disorientation, nausea, drowsiness and a range of other symptoms. Common volatile substances inhaled include petrol, lacquers, spray paints, glues, aerosols, paints and cleaning fluids. Sedatives/benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants and are commonly prescribed by doctors to relieve stress and anxiety, and to help people sleep. Common benzodiazepines include Valium, Mogadon, Normison. Chances of overdose can be increased if taking benzodiazepines with other depressant drugs, such as alcohol. Heroin and other opioids Heroin is one of a group of drugs called 'opioids'. Opioids are depressants, which means they slow down the body's central nervous system. Opioids are made from the resin of the seedpod of the opium poppy. Many forms of opioids are used for medical purposes, mostly for pain relief.
Heroin is an illegal opioid made from morphine or codeine by a chemical process. The potency and purity of heroin varies. It was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a potent pain reliever. It was grown in Southeast Asia and known as the "joy plant"
Depressants
Depressants slow down the messages between the brain and the body — they don’t necessarily make you feel depressed. The slower messages affect: your concentration and coordination your ability to respond to what’s happening around you. Small doses of depressants can make you feel relaxed, calm and less inhibited. Larger doses can cause sleepiness, vomiting and nausea, unconsciousness and even death. Examples include: alcohol benzodiazepines (minor tranquillisers such as Valium) cannabis opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine).
Examples include: caffeine cannabis magic mushrooms
