Alcohol and other drugs
It’s good to be informed about alcohol and other drugs - the more you know, the easier it will be able to make good decisions and stay safe.
What are drugs?
A drug is any substance that you take into your body that affects the way your body works. Drugs cause physical and/or psychological changes. They act on the brain to change the way someone thinks, feels or acts. They are often classed in three different ways: depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens, it all depends on how they affect the central nervous system.
Drugs can be legal or illegal. Legal drugs are those that are available and controlled by laws including alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and various medications. Some legal drugs can also have harmful side-effects. For example, taking medications other than how they have been prescribed by a doctor can be dangerous to your health.
Illegal drugs include cannabis (marijuana), ecstasy, heroin, amphetamines (speed) and others.
Drugs and mental health
Some people make the mistake of thinking that taking drugs can help get them through tough times. Drugs, including alcohol, can contribute to, or trigger, mental health problems in people. Mental illnesses linked to drug use include anxiety, depression, paranoia, panic attacks, and psychosis.
Find out more about the following drugs and how they can affect your mental health: