Drug Information
There are several types of drugs in common use, and these can be divided into four categories (some have properties in more than one category):
Depressants: Alcohol, Cannabis, GHB, Narcotics (including Heroin & other Opiates), PCP, Solvents & Gases, Tranquilisers,
Analgesics/Anaesthetics: Cocaine, Heroin, Ketamine, Methadone, Some gases (eg Nitrous Oxide)
Stimulants: Amphetamine, Anabolic steroids, Caffeine, Cocaine, Crack cocaine, Ecstasy, Khat, Methamphetamine, Nicotine, PCP, Poppers
Hallucinogens: Cannabis, Ecstasy, LSD, Ketamine, Magic Mushrooms, PCP, Some solvents & gases
There are four stages of substance misuse:
Experimental: Many people try drugs on one or two occasions and progress no further.
Occasional: Some like the experience and use on an occasional basis.
Regular/Recreational: Others go on to use a particular drug regularly, for example at weekends.
Habitual/Dependent: The user has become addicted to the drug - mentally and/or physically.
Physical dependence means that the body needs the drug regularly to function, and there will be withdrawal symptoms if the user stops taking it.
With some drugs, & levels of use, sudden uncontrolled withdrawal is very dangerous and medical supervision is required when stopping use.
Psychological dependence means that there is a strong mental craving for the drug. Stopping use will not produce true physical withdrawal symptoms, though there may be moderate to severe cravings. Sudden withdrawal is not normally dangerous or physically debilitating.
If a dependent user wants to stop then they're much more likely to succeed by using the services of an agency, such as the Independence Trust or similar, who can offer advice, support, and guidance through the process. Recovery from severe dependence may require more than one attempt before lasting success is achieved.
Notes:
INJECTING is dangerous due to the risk of contracting blood-borne viruses such as HIV or Hepatitis C, especially if sharing needles.
Veins can also be damaged, and there is the possibility of the injection site becoming badly infected. As Cocaine & Crack are also local anaesthetics, the injection site is prone to unfelt damage.
SHARING CRACK PIPES can also lead to the transmission of blood-borne viruses.