Drugs of Misuse

Stimulants, also known as ‘uppers’, are drugs that cause the taker to be energised.
Examples of stimulants: cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, amphetamine.
They are usually injected, insufflated (inhaled) or smoked but may be taken orally too.

Responses to stimulants:

• Increased dopamine (a sense of pleasure/euphoria).
• Blocked re-uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
• Dilation of pupils.

Issues caused by prolonged use:

• Cardiac enlargement and scarring.
• Heart arrhythmias.
• Paranoid psychosis.
• Blood vessel damage.
• ‘Excited delirium syndrome’ which has symptoms of an acute on-set of hyperthermia, agitated and violent behaviour, autonomic dysfunction and sudden unexplained death.

Hallucinogens alter the perceptions of those who take them.

Examples of hallucinogens: LSD, nitrous oxide, magic mushrooms.

Usually taken orally or sublingually (under the tongue).

Response to hallucinogens:

• Change in mood.
• Alter perception of reality.

MDMA is an empathogen but shares properties with hallucinogens - it stimulated empathy and connectedness.

However, complications of MDMA are much more serious, such as hyperthermia and multi-system failure.

Also knows as ‘downers’. They are calming and a sedative. They have painkilling properties (analgesic) and can also reduce anxiety (anxiolytic).

Examples: alcohol, cannabis, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opiates, opioids.

They are usually injected, smoked or orally ingested.

Response to depressants:

• They bind to the GABA active site and slow down brain function, slowing down reactions.
• Muscle relaxation.
• Slowed breathing.
• Slowed heart rate and blood pressure.
• Fatigue.

Complications of depressants:

• Unconsciousness.
• Seizures.
• Long-term dependance.

The active ingredient of cannabis is THC.
It interacts with various biological receptors.

Response:

• Increased heart rate.
• Decreased cardiac output.
• Anxiety.
• Impaired attention.
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Increased appetite.
• Tiredness.

Long-term complications:

• Psychosis.
• Dependence.
• Cognitive deficit.

Opiate: morphine or other constituent of the opium poppy.
Opioids: synthetic opiates.

Response:

• Binds to receptor in the brain.
• Constipation.
• Pain relief.
• Respiratory depression.
• Pupil constriction.

Complications:

• Associated with self-injection: infection, venous damage, deep vein thrombosis, disease transmission.
• Highly addictive with serious withdrawal effects.
• The more a person takes, their tolerance increases leading to them taking more.This increases the risk of an overdose.