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 it functions. 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, according to the way they affect the central nervous system.
Drugs can also be legal or illegal. Legal drugs are those that are available and controlled by laws and include alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and various medications. For example, cigarettes and alcohol cannot be sold to people under the age of 18. Some legal drugs can also have harmful side-effects. For example, taking medications other than how they have been prescribed by a doctor may be harmful.
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. However, drugs, including alcohol, can contribute to, or trigger, mental health problems in people. Commonly reported 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: