Drugs
Substance misuse is on the increase and is dangerous. It causes huge problems to people’s health, careers, finances, relationships and criminal records. These include violence, criminal behaviour, psychoses, assaults and rape, to anxiety, insomnia, flashbacks and paranoia.
Here we give some information about:
-
commonly used drugs
-
how to minimize risk
-
problems drugs are often associated with
Substances
The problem with using or misusing substances.
Simply put, you do not know what you are getting.
Only medicines prescribed by a registered doctor with a medical degree are guaranteed to be what they claim, when they sign your prescription they accept full responsibility for the drug.
Medicinal drugs have to go through years of research and testing before production with several phases of trials before they are used in humans. Even then, there is a system that continually monitors side effects reported by doctors.
Pharmacists have a growing list of medicines they can sell that are safe at the prescribed doses. Always read the label because they may not be safe for some people.
None of this is true for drugs that are obtained illegally.
Common side effects reported for psycho-active drugs are described later.
Supplements
The message is that if you eat a healthy and balanced diet then dietary supplements are not usually required nor do they confer any health advantage. If you do not, then improving your diet is preferable to taking vitamin tablets.
Research shows that eating from the main food groups in sensible proportions gives us all the essential nutrients, fuel, vitamins and minerals we need for an active life. This is far tastier than swallowing tablets and is healthier too. The only exception of note is iron in young women who need two-three times more than men to make up for monthly periods.
It is a safe assumption to make that any drug that actually improves athletic performance is banned under competitive sporting rules, and if it isn’t banned then it probably doesn’t work. The one exception to this is Creatine, which is a food (not a drug) found in meat and fish. There is some evidence to suggest it may help muscle function in explosive sports (ie sprinting, weight-lifting) especially for those with a possible deficiency, for example vegetarians.
You should be aware that the law as it stands does not require manufacturers of herbal remedies or supplements to put all the ingredients on the label. There have been cases where independent chemical analysis has:
-
not found the substance advertised
-
found additional substances that could be dangerous
In one study 10-15 per cent of supplements tested contained undisclosed substances, such as nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, that could give serious side effects (or could get you banned from sporting competition.)
Common non-prescribed drugs that cause problems
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are psycho-stimulant drugs that produce a ‘high’.
Side effects
Regular users show poorer performance on cognitive testing, especially with memory and concentration. Amphetamines can produce temporary psychosis, and can trigger long-term psychotic conditions.
Best way to stop
The best way is to gradually reduce use with support. Drug teams can help and these can be contacted by yourself (see end of article) or via your GP. Substitute drugs are not usually of much help. Expect a period of prolonged sleep with subsequent lethargy and a period of depression during which support, counselling and social support may help.
Cannabis
Cannabis makes you feel relaxed and is misused more than any other recreational drug. Nine percent of people who use it just once become regular users and feel they depend on it. They have problems controlling how much they use and coming off. Only 17 per cent of long-term users who try to stop have managed to do so twelve months later.
Side effects
Memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, paranoia, precipitation of latent psychosis, deterioration in relationships and performance and possible infertility.
Cannabis is ten times more carcinogenic than tobacco weight for weight.
Withdrawal symptoms
These are mild and short-lived: insomnia, sweating, anxiety, restlessness, lethargy, anorexia, nausea, tremor and paranoia.
Best way to stop
Gradually reduce the amount and frequency you use, keep a ‘drug diary’, have a good varied diet and get regular light exercise. Get help and support from family, friends, or your doctor.
Cocaine
Cocaine (Charlie) or Crack cocaine is a psychostimulant and can be injected or snorted.
Side effects
Excessive doses can cause severe medical problems such as hyperthermia, stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure and death. There is a dangerous and potentially deadly interaction between cocaine and alcohol. After-effects may include fatigue, depression, and paranoia with the ‘come down’ from the high.
Best way to stop
Contact your local drugs team or speak to your GP to get you started
Cocaine anonymous ─ 020 7284 1123
Crystal meth
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulantdrug used primarily for recreational purposes, but is sometimes prescribed for ADHD . Methamphetamine is highly psychologically addictive. It rapidly enters the brain and causes a cascading release of norepinephrine and dopamine (and to a lesser extent, serotonin) resulting in euphoria and the availability of undirected energy.
Side effects
Users become rapidly addicted and may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks. Their health suffers in a variety of ways and their teeth rot.
Crystal meth has been the subject of national outcry in the US where it has destroyed many people’s health and lives. It is on the increase in the UK and is should be avoided at all costs.
Ecstasy
Undoubtedly easier that saying 3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine or MDMA.
Side effects
This is an amphetamine and its most significant adverse effects, in addition to the dangers cited above, are hyperthermia and hyponatraemia or ‘water intoxication’, both of which may be fatal.
Best way to stop
Contact your local drugs team or speak to your GP to get you started.
Heroin/Diamorphine
Extremely and rapidly addictive, injected or smoked, it gives a euphoric high followed by a come down.
Side effects
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and those wishing to tackle their addiction are offered professional support as well as substitute medication, such as methadone, or a detox regime under medical supervision.
See also injecting drugs.
Other common party drugs
In addition to those described above, other commonly used ‘party’ drugs are:
-
Ketamine (Special K)
-
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
-
Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB)
-
Gammabutyrolactone (GBL)
-
1,4-butanediol (1,4 BD)
These all have their specific dangers. The most worrying is reduced / altered perceptions and several have been associated with date-rape, assault and robbery.
Drugs in combination can be more dangerous than drugs taken alone, this includes alcohol.
Minimising risk
-
It is always safer not to risk taking drugs
-
If you do, ensure it is from a trusted source
-
Stay with your friends, don't become a victim
-
Know what to do and how to get help in an emergency
For injectors
-
Get vaccinated against Hepititis B
-
Never inject alone
-
Always use sterile equipment
-
Always use a condom if you have injected drugs, so as not to pass on any sexually transmitted diseases
Injecting drugs
Injecting drugs opens you up to a whole new level of risk.
Problems fall into several categories:
Infection
Such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C from other people
-
from injecting germs into the body within the substances
-
from skin bacteria getting into and infecting needle marks
Thrombosis
Blood clots forming where veins have been damaged
-
blood clots moving in the blood stream to damage other organs such as the lungs, kidneys, or brain
-
death from pulmonary embolus
Overdose
An injected drug gets to the brain very quickly. If the drug is more concentrated than usual the effect can be unpredictable and catastrophic resulting in unconsciousness or death, either from respiratory depression or inhaling your own vomit when unconscious.
Helping a friend to come off drugs
Drugs can change a person’s personality and behaviour. They can be powerfully addictive psychologically and physiologically and stopping taking them is often very difficult. Support from family and friends can make a huge difference.
Being a friend in circumstances like these means being approachable and caring, but also firm when it comes to boundaries and behaviour. This can be a hard balance to strike. Support and information is available from NHS Direct and the national drugs sites, and may be available in your locality too.
Visit FRANK for more information.
Specialist help
In Nottingham you can access help to find out more or come off drugs by seeing your GP. They will also be able to advise you about vaccination against Hepatitis B if you need it.
Alternatively you can contact:
Drug diary
Date: ……………
Drug diary
|
Day
|
Time taken
|
Drug and amount
|
How taken (route)
|
When, where, who with?
|
How did you feel?
|
|
Monday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday
|
|
|
|
|
|