DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Drugs: Know the facts

A drug is a substance that affects the way the body functions. If a drug is classified as ‘illegal’, this means that it is forbidden by law. Different illegal drugs have different effects on people and these effects are influenced by many factors.

In the UK, illegal drugs are classified into three main categories (A, B or C) depending on the level of harm that each drug causes, with Category A attracting the most serious punishment.

We have categoriesed drugs into the following areas

Stimulants

Cocaine, Amphetamine, Heroin, MDMA, Methamphetamine.

A stimulant is a drug which speeds up the central nervous system to increase neural activity in the brain. Stimulant drugs tend to make people feel more alert and focused and are sometimes called ‘uppers’. Even short term usage of Stimulants can have an adverse effect on you physical and mental health. 

Cocaine (class A drug): Cocaine is a white powder derived from the leaves of the coca shrub, a plant that grows in the Andean countries of South America such as Bolivia, Colombia and Peru. Cocaine powder has a bitter ‘chemical’ taste and smell, while crack cocaine can smell like burnt plastic or rubber. It is also known as (Snow, Charlie, Blow, White, Percy, Pebbles, Crack, Coke, Rock.)

Short Term Effects: Cocaine is a strong but short acting stimulant drugs. They tend to make users feel more alert and energetic. Many users say they feel confident and physically strong and believe they have great mental capacities.

The effects from snorting cocaine can start quickly but only last for up to 30 minutes. The effects come on even quicker when smoking crack but are not as long lasting.

You could experience dry mouth, sweating, loss of appetite and increased heart and pulse rate. At higher dose levels users may feel very anxious and panicky. Increased blood pressure, bizarre, erratic and violent behaviour,

Whilst these are short term effects of Cocaine use and can be reversed, prolonged use over a period of time of cocaine will have adverse effects on the body and the users Mental Health. which may not be reversible and may even cause death.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects:

The Nose and Mouth: Snorting cocaine damages the mucous membranes within the nose, creating a dry environment with less blood flow. This can seriously damage the soft tissue and cartilage, and heavy use can cause a person to perforate their septum, leading to the collapse of the nasal structure. This can also happen to the upper plate of the mouth.

Cocaine use can also lead to an individual’s sense of smell being lost, as well as nosebleeds, problems swallowing and overall irritation of the nasal septum.

The Heart: Chronic cocaine use can increase the risk of blood clots, which in turn can lead to heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, strokes and deep vein thrombosis. It can also cause inflammation and death of the heart muscle, deterioration of the heart’s ability to contract as well as aortic ruptures, angina and permanently increased blood pressure.

Breathing and Respiration: Smoking cocaine can cause serious respiratory problems as it stops oxygen from being able to enter the blood stream, and destroys capillaries that carry oxygen to the rest of the body. It can lead to a higher risk of problems such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and asthma.

The Brain: As cocaine causes blood vessels to constrict, consistent use can reduce the amount of oxygen the brain receives, which can lead to brain damage and increase the possibility of aneurysms. Further risks include strokes, seizures, cerebral atrophy (brain shrinking) and cerebral vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels in the brain and/or spinal column).

Long-term use can also cause a person’s cognitive functions to become impaired, affecting areas such as their attention span, impulse inhibition, decision making and motor skills. Cocaine can also age the brain, leading to long-term memory problems, while also impacting on a person’s mental health.

The Digestive System: Cocaine can reduce the blood flow to the stomach and intestines, leading to tears and ulcers. It can also increase the risk of ischemic colitis, where the large intestine becomes injured and inflamed.

Your Kidneys and Liver: Chronic or acute cocaine use causes muscles fibres to die, and the contents to enter the blood stream. This can lead to rhabdomyolysis (muscle damage) and have serious complications for the kidney. The toxicity of cocaine as it metabolises can also significantly injure the liver.

Infectious Diseases: When injected, cocaine can also lead to gangrene, ulcers, vein collapse and infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

Amphetamine (class B drug): is a psychostimulant. This means that it works by increasing the activity in certain parts of the nervous system. Specifically, amphetamine increases the amount of dopamine, noradrenalin and serotonin in areas of the nervous system such as those involved in reward/pleasure, movement and thought/decision making (amongst others). The effects that amphetamine can have are both physical (e.g. increased heart rate) and psychological (e.g. increased confidence). It is also known as (Whizz, Sulph, Paste, Billy, Base)

Short Term Effects: You could experience, Hostility, Nausea, Cognitive Impairment, Severe Anxiety, Lack of appetite, Teeth Grinding, Dizziness, Increased Heart Rate, Dry Mouth, Heart Palpitations, Rapid Breathing Rate, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Increased Body Temperature.

Mixing amphetamines with alcohol is especially dangerous, since the drugs work in conflicting ways on the central nervous system. In general, alcohol depresses a number of processes in the body, while amphetamines work in the opposite direction—the net result could elicit a number of dire health consequences, such as fatal cardiac arrhythmias (Death).

Whilst the effects of using Amphetamine in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Paranoia, Hallucinations, Violent Behaviour, Craving for drugs, Compulsive drug seeking behaviour, Convulsions, Respiratory Problems. Loss of Coordination, Obsessive Behaviour, Psychosis, Stroke, Suicidal Thoughts, Heart Attack, Death.

Ecstasy/MDMA (class A drug): is often taken in pill form (‘ecstasy’ pills). In the last decade however, there has been a shift towards MDMA being sold as a powder, which often looks like crushed up, off-white, brownish or yellowish crystals. MDMA powder can be swallowed, dissolved into a drink or snorted.

Pills or powders sold as ‘ecstasy’ or MDMA cannot be relied on to contain any MDMA. Often pills or powders have other drugs and fillers mixed in, such as the drug PMA. This can make things much riskier. The designs on ecstasy pills are not a good guide to their safety and reliability as pills with a ‘good reputation’ can have their designs copied.

The quantity of MDMA in pills and powders varies all the way from 0% (e.g. pills made of plaster of Paris) to close to 100%, so you can’t guide your dose reliably by the amount of powder or number of pills. This means that users can accidentally take more than intended. A single pill can contain enough MDMA to make some people feel overwhelmed, and on occasion pills and capsules have appeared which have contained quite dangerous amounts in one unit. Someone accustomed to taking several weak pills can overdose if the purity increases.

The popularity of MDMA powder is in part a reaction to the suspicion people have of pills. However, PMMA (and other potentially harmful substances have been found in both pills and powder. Neither type can be relied upon to be unaltered, or to contain a fixed dose.

It is also known as Dizzle, XTC, Superman, Pills, Mandy, Brownies, Molly, Beans, Rolex,Mitsubishis.

What does Ecstasy /MDMA do? MDMA works by boosting the activity of three brain chemicals called Neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemicals play a part in a variety of functions such as mood, energy level, appetite, trust, sexual activity, emotions, and sleep.

People who use ecstasy report feelings of euphoria, warmth, openness, and clarity as well as heightened sensations of touch, sound, and smell. Some people report feeling energetic and uninhibited.

Short Term Effects: Impaired Judgement, Confusion, Sleep Problems, Severe Anxiety, Paranoia, Drug Cravings, Muscle Tension, Fainting and Chills, Blurred Vision, Nausea, High Blood Pressure, Increased Eye Twitching.

The effects typically begin within 30 minutes of taking the drug and last for three to six hours.

Whilst the effects of using MDMA in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Kidney failure, Psychosis, Cardiovascular collapse, Convulsions, Damage of the nose mucus, and Common nosebleeds, Severe damage to the nose cartilage, Haemorrhaging, (Excess Bleeding), Depression, Liver damage, Heart palpitations, Toxic to the brain, Impairs memory, Loss of overall brain mass.

These are very severe reactions to taking MDMA and some of these are irreversible and may cause Death. 
Death can occur by taking a single pill as the contents can vary, also if the drug is used with other substances such as alcohol.

Methamphetamine (class B drug): is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It takes the form of a white, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. It is highly addictive and can devastate the body in a short period of time. It is also known as Crystal Meth, Ice, Glass, Tina, Christine, Yaba, Krank or Tweak blue.

Short Term Effects: Increased blood pressure, Sweating, Raised temperature, Dilated pupils, Dry mouth, Jaw clenching and teeth grinding, Agitation, Chest pain, Nausea\vomiting, Anxiety. Irritability, Fatigue, Dysphoria, Aggression, Insomnia, Strong cravings. Paranoia.

Can be hard to hold down jobs, appointments, money or relationships as life becomes more chaotic.

Whilst the effects of using Methamphetamine in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Out of character violent behaviour, Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts when withdrawing, Developing psychosis paranoia, Persecutory delusions, Hallucinations, Agitation, Irrational hostile behaviour, Repetitive stereotyped behaviour, social withdrawal. Lack of food or water leading to dehydration or malnutrition Deaths are caused typically by seizures, Heart attacks, Brain haemorrhages, Strokes, Increased sex drive and decreased inhibition can lead to increased risk of contracting or passing on HIV, Hep C and other STDs or sexual assault, Poor verbal memory, Problem solving, Poor concentration.

These are very severe reactions to taking Methamphetamine and some of these are irreversible and may cause Death in prolonged use over a period of time.

Depressant Drugs

Heroin, Xanax, GHB and Rohypnol.

Drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Often referred to as Downers’. Taking them leads to slowing down of the functions of the brain and the central nervous system. Sometimes depressants are abused to get the euphoria effect. Depressants generally make you feel more relaxed, calmer, and happier.

Heroin (class A drug): is a powerful and addictive drug derived from opium, which produces an intense euphoria and is commonly abused in the UK. Users experience instantaneous feelings of pleasure, elation, excitement and happiness. Heroin addiction is a menacingly common disease that claims thousands of lives every year. Heroin abusers cut across all social and economic strata or status, because of the drug’s high rate of availability and relative affordability.

Prescription painkillers usually serve as gateway drugs to heroin. A study showed that roughly 80 per cent of heroin abusers started out abusing prescription opioids, which are addictive in nature. In most cases, those who can’t afford to keep buying them resort to using heroin. Despite the high mortality rate for heroin users, the number of people who use it in a bid to feed their prescription painkiller addiction is perpetually on the rise.

It is also known as Brown, H, China White, Hero, Horse or Beast

Short Term Effects: An initial euphoric rush, Slowed heart rate after the initial rush, Nausea and vomiting, Heaviness of limbs, Clouded thinking, Reduced anxiety, Relaxation, Calmness, Sedation, elated mood, Absence of pain

Whilst the effects of using Heroin in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Can cause brain damage. This happens by changing the structure of the reward system in the brain, not allowing it to function normally; this is what leads to addiction. With increased heroin abuse, the addict experiences depressed breathing, which causes the body – and invariably the brain – to receive less oxygen. With less oxygen, the brain begins to reduce the function of other systems in the body, which can lead to organ damage – and in some cases, brain damage.

Heroin abuse is linked to a form of brain damage that looks like Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that heroin creates low-grade inflammation in the brain, along with a build-up of proteins and may induce a form of dementia in some people.

These are very severe reactions to taking Heroin and some of these are irreversible and may cause Death in prolonged use over a period of time. There is also a High risk of overdose due to chasing the euphoria of the first dose.

Xanax (class C drug): As a powerful tranquiliser, Xanax is regularly abused by those who enjoy its sedative effects. When prescribed for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety disorder, Xanax should be taken for a short period of time only as there is a risk of tolerance developing.

This could lead to abuse and addiction. Xanax addiction can have devastating consequences for your life as well as for the lives of those you love. If you develop this illness, you will require professional help to break the cycle of abuse.

Many of the Xanax tablets available on illicit markets are not of pharmaceutical grade, but are in fact counterfeit. This is a major concern because these counterfeit products may contain very variable amounts of alprazolam, making it hard for drug users to decide how much to take. Counterfeit Xanax has also been shown to sometimes contain other drugs and/or potentially dangerous adulterants.

It is also known as Zannies, Handlebars, Blue footballs, Z Bars, Totem poles, Bars.

Short Term Effects: Drowsiness, Fatigue, Dizziness, Difficulty concentrating, Dry mouth, Changes in sex drive, Increased salivation, Slurred speech, Appetite changes, Memory problems, Decreased coordination, irritability, Confusion, Urinary retention, Changes in menstrual cycle, Low blood pressure.

Whilst the effects of using Xanax in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Substantial cognitive loss, delirium (episodes of acute confusion), chronic depression, psychotic episodes, Aggression and impulsive behaviour.

Please note that the long-term effects of Xanax abuse are not always reversible. Some people develop one or more of these long-term issues only to have to deal with them for the rest of their lives.

These are severe reactions to taking Xanax and some of these are irreversible and may cause severe Mental Health issues in prolonged use over a period of time.

Xanax (class C drug): As a powerful tranquiliser, Xanax is regularly abused by those who enjoy its sedative effects. When prescribed for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety disorder, Xanax should be taken for a short period of time only as there is a risk of tolerance developing.

This could lead to abuse and addiction. Xanax addiction can have devastating consequences for your life as well as for the lives of those you love. If you develop this illness, you will require professional help to break the cycle of abuse.

Many of the Xanax tablets available on illicit markets are not of pharmaceutical grade, but are in fact counterfeit. This is a major concern because these counterfeit products may contain very variable amounts of alprazolam, making it hard for drug users to decide how much to take. Counterfeit Xanax has also been shown to sometimes contain other drugs and/or potentially dangerous adulterants.

It is also known as Zannies, Handlebars, Blue footballs, Z Bars, Totem poles, Bars.

Short Term Effects: Drowsiness, Fatigue, Dizziness, Difficulty concentrating, Dry mouth, Changes in sex drive, Increased salivation, Slurred speech, Appetite changes, Memory problems, Decreased coordination, irritability, Confusion, Urinary retention, Changes in menstrual cycle, Low blood pressure.

Whilst the effects of using Xanax in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Substantial cognitive loss, delirium (episodes of acute confusion), chronic depression, psychotic episodes, Aggression and impulsive behaviour.

Please note that the long-term effects of Xanax abuse are not always reversible. Some people develop one or more of these long-term issues only to have to deal with them for the rest of their lives.

These are severe reactions to taking Xanax and some of these are irreversible and may cause severe Mental Health issues in prolonged use over a period of time.

GHB (class C drug): is a central nervous system depressant that is commonly referred to as a “club drug” or “date rape” drug. GHB is abused by teens and young adults at bars, parties, clubs and “raves” (all night dance parties), and is often placed in alcoholic beverages. Euphoria, increased sex drive, and tranquillity are reported positive effects of GHB abuse. it’s very easy to overdose on GHB and GBL. This is because there’s only a very small difference between the dose causing the desired effects and the dose leading to severe overdose.

Experienced users measure the drug out very carefully using a pipette or a syringe, or by filling pre-measured vials (small bottles) to avoid taking too much. If you don’t measure the dosage, you’re likely to overdose and fall unconscious.

It is also known as Liquid X, GBL, GBH, 4bd, Geebs.

Short Term Effects: It’s very easy to overdose on GHB and GBL. Overdosing can lead to unconsciousness, coma and death. Because GHB and GBL can make people pass out easily, they’ve been linked to rape and other sexual assaults. If not diluted properly, GHB and GBL can burn the mouth and throat when swallowed.

Whilst the effects of using GHB in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Seizures, Slowed heart rate, slowed breathing, Lowered body temperature, Unconsciousness, Nausea, Vomiting, Coma, Death.

The effects of GHB typically last 3 to 6 hours, depending on how large the dose is and how the person metabolizes the drug.

It also significantly increases the Central Nervous System depressants effects of alcohol and other depressant substances, which could lead to overdoses. The first effect that you might feel when GHB is combined with another substance is the effects of the other substance. For example, when mixed with alcohol, you’ll first experience the intoxication from the drink, then you’ll likely feel drowsy. Extremely high doses result in unconsciousness or death.

These are very severe reactions to taking GHB and some of these are irreversible and may cause Death in prolonged use over a period of time.

Additional Laws: GBL is available for legitimate use in industry, but if someone supplies or possesses it knowing or believing that it will be swallowed and ingested, they are committing an offence.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that it is an offence to administer a substance, like GHB and GBL, to a person with intent to overpower that person to enable sexual activity with them. This is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.

Rohypnol (class C drug): is the trade name for the benzodiazepine. It is used in the short-term treatment of sleep disorders, producing sedative-hypnotic effects including muscle relaxation.

Rohypnol is sometimes referred to as the date rape drug. This is due to its use being implicated in sex crimes where a victim’s drink is spiked with the drug, making them very drowsy or knocking them out so they’re either unaware of or unable to prevent a sexual assault.

It is also known as roofies.

Short Term Effects: Rohypnol has been used to commit sexual assaults because it renders the victim incapable of resisting, giving it the reputation of a “date-rape” drug.

Rohypnol users often describe its effects as “paralyzing.” The effects start twenty to thirty minutes after taking the drug, peak within two hours and may persist for eight or even twelve hours. A person can be so incapacitated (made unable to act) they collapse. They lie on the floor, eyes open, able to observe events but completely unable to move. Afterwards, memory is impaired and they cannot recall any of what happened.

Whilst the effects of using Rohypnol in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, tremors, nightmares, amnesia, impaired sexual function, sleep problems, respiratory problems, depression and other mental health issues,

These are very severe reactions to taking Rohypnol and some of these are irreversible and may cause Death in prolonged use over a period of time.

Hallucinogens

Cannabis, Ketamine, LSD, Magic Mushrooms, Anabolic Steroids

The effects of hallucinogens can begin within 20 to 90 minutes and can last as long as 6 to 12 hours. Salvia’s effects are more short-lived, appearing in less than 1 minute and lasting less than 30 minutes. Hallucinogen users refer to the experiences brought on by these drugs as “trips,” calling the unpleasant experiences “bad trips.”

Cannabis (class B drug): also known as marijuana, weed, pot, dope or grass) is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK. There are varying strengths of cannabis, the most common on the streets today being ‘skunk’ which is very strong.

Short Term Effects: The effects of cannabis vary from person to person. You may feel chilled out, relaxed and happy, some people get the giggles or become more talkative, Hunger pangs (“the munchies”) are common, Colours may look more intense and music may sound better, time may feel like it’s slowing down, If you’re not used to it, you may feel faint or sick, It can make you sleepy and lethargic, It can affect your memory,

It makes some people feel confused, anxious or paranoid, and some experience panic attacks and hallucinations – this is more common with stronger forms of cannabis like skunk or sinsemilla

It interferes with your ability to drive safely.

If you use cannabis regularly, it can make you demotivated and uninterested in other things going on in your life, such as education or work.

Whilst the effects of using Cannabis in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Regular cannabis use increases your risk of developing a psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia. A psychotic illness is one where you have hallucinations (seeing things that are not really there) and delusions (believing things that are not really true).

Your risk of developing a psychotic illness is higher if: You start using cannabis at a young age, you smoke stronger types, such as skunk you smoke it regularly, You use it for a long time, You smoke cannabis and also have other risk factors for schizophrenia.

Cannabis also increases the risk of a relapse in people who already have schizophrenia,

And it can make psychotic symptoms worse. People who smoke cannabis regularly are more likely to have bronchitis (where the lining of your lungs get irritated and inflamed.)

Like tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals, but it’s not                  clear whether this raises your risk of cancer.

If you mix cannabis with tobacco to smoke it, you risk getting tobacco-related lung diseases, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

If you drive while under the influence of cannabis, you’re more likely to be involved in an accident. This is one reason why drug driving, like drink driving, is illegal.  Cannabis may affect your fertility (stop you from having children).

If you’re pregnant, cannabis may harm your unborn baby. Research suggests that using cannabis regularly during pregnancy could affect your baby’s brain development. Regularly smoking cannabis with tobacco increases the risk of your baby being born small or premature.

Cannabis increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. If you smoke it regularly for a long time, cannabis raises your chances of developing these conditions.

Your risk of harm from cannabis, including the risk of schizophrenia, is higher if you start using it regularly in your teens. One reason for this is that, during the teenage years, your brain is still growing and forming its connections, and cannabis interferes with this process.

These are very severe reactions to taking Cannabis and some of these may not be irreversible.

Ketamine (class B drug): is a medication that is used to induce loss of consciousness, or anaesthesia. It can produce relaxation and relieve pain in humans and animals. Most people who take powder ketamine will snort it. Users often talk of taking a ‘bump’, meaning they snort a small amount of ketamine. In the UK, snorting is the most common way to take ketamine.

It is also known as Special K, Vitamin K, Kit Kat, Wonk, Ket.

Short Term Effects: Drowsiness, changes in perceptions of colour or sound, hallucinations, confusion, and delirium, dissociation from body or identity, agitation, difficulty thinking or learning, nausea, dilated pupils and changes in eyesight, inability to control eye movements, involuntary muscle movements and muscle stiffness, slurred speech, numbness, amnesia, slow heartbeat, behavioural changes, increased pressure in the eyes and brain,  a loss of appetite, vomiting

Whilst the effects of using Ketamine in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Ketamine is a very powerful anaesthetic that can cause serious harm. Taking ketamine can be fatal, particularly if it is mixed with other drugs.

Ketamine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. It can make you confused, agitated, delirious and disconnected from reality.

It can make you feel sick, and it can cause damage to your short- and long-term memory.

Because of the body’s loss of feelings, paralysis of the muscles and the mind’s loss of touch with reality, you can be left vulnerable to hurting yourself or being hurt by others.

Because you don’t feel pain properly when you’ve recently taken ketamine, you can injure yourself and not know you’ve done it.

Ketamine can cause serious bladder problems, with the urgent and frequent need to pee. This can be very painful and the pee can be blood-stained. Although stopping using ketamine can help, sometimes the damage can be so serious that the bladder needs surgical repair or even removal.

The urinary tract, from the kidneys down to the bladder, can also be affected and incontinence (uncontrolled peeing) may also develop.

Abdominal pain, sometimes called ‘K cramps’, have been reported by people who have taken ketamine for a long time.

Evidence of liver damage due to regular, heavy ketamine use is emerging. The liver has a range of important functions, such as cleaning your blood and removing toxic substances.

Mental health risks: The longer term effects of ketamine use can include flashbacks, memory loss and problems with concentration.

Regular use can cause depression and, occasionally, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations. Ketamine can also make existing mental health problems worse.

Interestingly, medical grade ketamine is now being researched as a potential treatment for severe depression, but it is too early to know the results of this research.

Street ketamine is usually sold as a white/beige crystallised powder and is sometimes cut with other powders to add weight and improve the dealer’s profits.

It’s impossible to tell whether the ketamine you buy has been cut with other substances by looking at it.

Whilst the effects of using Ketamine in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

LSD (class A drug): is usually sold as small squares of paper with pictures on them, known as tabs or blotters. LSD can also be sold as a liquid or as tiny pellets, known as micro dots. LSD is usually sold as small squares of paper with pictures on them, known as tabs or blotters. LSD can also be sold as a liquid or as tiny pellets, known as micro dots. Liquid LSD (often called liquid acid) has no taste at all. LSD tabs taste like the paper.

It is also known as Acid, Window, Blotter, Micro Dot, Lucy, Flash, Cheer, and Paper Mushrooms.).

Short Term Effects: For most people, the world appears distorted when they take LSD. Colours, sounds, objects and even time can all seem very strange and disturbing.

Taking LSD can make you feel, euphoric, giggly, in awe of the people and things around you

Energised. Excited, empathetic, see and hear things that aren’t there (hallucinate), confused, suspicious, anxious, panicked, frightened, overwhelmed. 

LSD feeds off your imagination so every person’s experience is unique.

How the trip goes will be affected by how much you take, your surroundings, who you’re with and how comfortable you are with them, as well as by your mood.

If you’re in a bad mood, feeling worried or depressed, the LSD might make those feelings worse.

Whilst the effects of using LSD in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects:

• If you have mental health problems, or a history of mental health problems in your family, taking LSD could make them worse.
• If you panic on a trip it can be scary and confusing. A bad trip could be your worst nightmare come to life.
• LSD could have serious, longer-term implications for somebody who has a history of mental health problems. It may also be responsible for setting off a mental health problem that had previously gone unnoticed.
• Flashbacks, or ongoing visual distortions, can occasionally happen, often causing great distress. Sometimes these experiences are called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), although very little is known about why some people are vulnerable or how to help them.

 Every time you mix any drugs you take on new risks. However, some drugs are more dangerous to mix with LSD than others. Like Speed, Cannabis, Cocaine.

Whilst the effects of using LSD in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Magic Mushrooms (class A drug): also known as Shrooms, Musheys, Magics, Philosophers stone, Liberty caps.

Short Term Effects: The biggest danger to your health when taking magic mushrooms is eating a poisonous mushroom by mistake. There are many types of mushroom in the UK and some, like the fly agaric, can kill you.

If you have eaten poisonous mushrooms you’ll soon know, and you’ll need to get medical help as soon as possible. Always keep an example of the mushroom you’ve eaten so doctors can identify it.

Eating magic mushrooms can make you dizzy, sick, have diarrhoea, stomach pains.

Whilst the effects of using Magic Mushrooms in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible. If you eat the wrong kind of Mushroom this could and may cause Death

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: If you have any mental health issues, magic mushrooms can make them worse.

Eating magic mushrooms can make you have a bad trip, which can be frightening and unsettling get flashbacks that are frightening or unsettling, lose complete control of what you’re doing, and put you at risk of becoming a victim of crime, make you vulnerable.

Whilst the effects of using Magic Mushrooms in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible. If you eat the wrong kind of Mushroom this could and may cause Death

Additional law details

The 2005 Drugs Act amended the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to clarify that both fresh and prepared (e.g. dried or stewed) magic mushrooms containing psilocin or psilocybin (such as the liberty cap) are Class A drugs.

This means it’s illegal to have this type of magic mushroom for yourself, to give away or to sell.

Magic mushrooms cause physical and psychological effects. The drug is famous for causing hallucinations. It also alters the body’s involuntary processes.

Many poisonous mushrooms look very similar to ‘magic mushrooms’ and it’s easy for pickers to mistake them. People have fallen severely ill or even died from eating a poisonous mushroom.

Magic mushrooms are often sold raw or dried. In the UK, the most common types are liberty caps.

Anabolic Steroids /IPEDS (class C drug / Whilst IPED are mixed in the classification of drugs due to what it is mixed with: Steroids are drugs that mimic certain natural hormones in the body that regulate and control how the body works and develops. There are two main groups of natural steroids – anabolic steroids and corticosteroids. It is the anabolic steroids that tend to be misused, mainly because they are similar to the male hormone testosterone and they can improve endurance and performance and stimulate muscle growth.

They’re used by some bodybuilders, athletes and other sports people because of their performance enhancing effects, and these users may consume 10 to 100 times the medical dose.

Some younger people use them to try and look more attractive, despite risking the negative effects on their looks.

They are also known as Roids, Vigra, Juice, Smart Drugs, Nootropics, Melatonin.

Short Term Effects: If you’re young, anabolic steroids can mess up how your body develops, stopping you from growing properly. If you’re male, regular use can lead to erection problems, growing of breasts, becoming sterile, loss of hair and development of acne. It can also make your testicles shrink. If you’re female, you can develop more masculine characteristics – with extra facial hair, loss of hair on the head, a deeper voice, shrinking breasts, and an enlarged clitoris; as well as risking acne, an increased risk of menstrual problems and changes in sex drive.

 Steroids can also give you high blood pressure and increase your risk of illness and death due to liver failure, stroke or heart attack.

Injecting any drug, even steroids, can damage your veins and cause ulcers and gangrene, particularly with dirty needles or poor injecting technique. Sharing needles, syringes and other injecting works can help spread HIV, hepatitis C and other infections. 

Whilst the effects of using Anabolic Steroids in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects: Because anabolic steroids can make you feel paranoid, aggressive and violent for no reason, it’s not that unusual for anabolic steroid users to lash out or attack family and friends.

Regular users may find that they start having trouble sleeping. They may get paranoid, or may experience dramatic mood swings; and even violence can occur alongside strong feelings of aggression.

What are Anabolic Steroids cut with?

There are worries about the quality and safety of anabolic steroids that are sold on the black market, with falsified, substandard and counterfeit anabolic steroids not being uncommon.

Some of these counterfeit anabolic steroids may not have the effect that the buyer wanted. Some have no active ingredient at all.

Whilst the effects of using Anabolic Steroids in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.

NPS (New Psychoactive Substances)

New psychoactive substances are sold in different forms such as powders, pills, smoking mixtures, liquids, capsules, or on perforated tabs. These are still referred to as ‘legal highs’ which is misleading and inaccurate. They are dangerous and now covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 where it is an offence to give them or sell them to anybody.

The packaging is usually designed to get your attention using a catchy brand name and bright colours. It might describe a list of ingredients, but you can’t be sure that this is what’s inside.

The powders can range from white to brown to yellow in colour, and from flour-like to little crystals in consistency. The pills and capsules vary widely in size, shape and colour.

The smoking mixtures tend to come in colourful packaging, often with labels describing the contents as incense or herbal smoking mixture, and the contents look like dried herbs, vegetable matter or plant cuttings.

NPS (NPS are a psychoactive drug and is covered in the 2016 legislation): Also known as Plant Food, Mdat, Eric 3, Bath Salts, Dimeothcaine.

Short Term Effects: Many new psychoactive substances (NPS) are sold under brand names like ‘Clockwork Orange’, ‘Bliss’ and ‘Mary Jane’, and some have been linked to poisoning, emergency hospital admissions and, in some cases, deaths.

You can’t really be sure of what’s in a new psychoactive substance that you’ve bought, or been given, or what effect it’s likely to have on you or your friends.

Below are some of the risks broken down by type of new psychoactive substance? Many of these risks are increased if the drug is combined with alcohol or with another psychoactive drug. There have been cases of death too.

Stimulant NPS: These can make you feel overconfident and disinhibited, induce feelings of anxiety, panic, confusion, paranoia, and even cause psychosis, which can lead you to put your own safety at risk. This type of drugs can put a strain on your heart and nervous system. They may give your immune system a battering so you might get more colds, flu and sore throats. You may feel quite low for a while after you’ve stopped using them.

Sedative NPS: These can reduce inhibitions and concentration, slow down your reactions and make you feel lethargic, forgetful or physically unsteady, placing you at risk of accidents. This type of drugs can also cause unconsciousness, coma and death, particularly when mixed with alcohol and/or with other downer drugs. Some people feel very anxious soon after they stop taking downers, and if a severe withdrawal syndrome develops in heavy drug users, it can be particularly dangerous and may need medical treatment.

Synthetic Cannabinoids: These could lead to severe or even life-threatening intoxication when taken in sufficiently larger doses. They can also affect your central nervous system, and lead to seizures, fast heart rates, high blood pressure, sweating, increased body temperature, being agitated and being combative (ready to fight).

Whilst the effects of using NPS in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible. There has even been deaths through mixing NPS with other drugs.

Long Term Physical and Mental Effects:

Psychedelic or hallucinogenic NPS

New psychoactive substances that act like LSD, magic mushrooms, ketamine and methoxamine can cause confusion, panics and strong hallucinatory reactions (known as ‘bad trips’), and their effects can make you behave erratically and put your own safety at serious risk – including from self-harm.

These drugs can interfere with your judgement, which could put you at risk of acting carelessly or dangerously, and of hurting yourself, particularly in an unsafe environment.

What is new psychoactive substances cut with?

When you buy new psychoactive substances, you can never be sure that what you’re buying is what it’s claimed to be. Even if the packaging describes a list of ingredients, you can’t be sure that it contains the same substances.

Forensic testing of NPS has shown that they often contain different substances to what the packaging says, or mixtures of different substances. This means that you could end up taking a drug which has stronger or different effects and risks than you expected.

Many of these risks are increased if the drug is combined with alcohol or with another psychoactive drug. There have been cases of death too.

Whilst the effects of using NPS in the short term may be reversed prolonged use of a period of time will have long term lasting effects which may be irreversible.