Drugs and Drug Use

DRUGS &
DRUG USE

A drug is something that affects your mind and body, meaning it can affect the way our brain works and how we behave.

There are many different types of drugs that come in different forms such as tablets, powder, crystals, liquid and dried leaves which can be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected.

A drug can be dangerous because it is very strong. You can easily become dependent on it. Drugs can also be dangerous if we are not aware of the possible effects of it. People can overdose on a drug by taking too much of it and this can cause death.

Many drugs are illegal which means you can get in trouble with the Gardaí if you get caught with them or using them. Some drugs such as Xanax and Valium (also known as ‘tablets’, D5’s, D10’s, sticks etc.) can be bought on prescription for a medical reason and are legal when used properly for this medical reason. But some Travellers take these drugs without a prescription or buy them from people who are not licenced to sell them. This is illegal and can be very harmful and dangerous.

Drug use can lead to mental health problems because drugs interfere with chemicals in our brains meaning they affect the messages your brain sends to your body. Taking drugs is risky because you have no control over how you will react mentally or physically. When using drugs everyone reacts differently – this means:

Just because someone you know did not have a bad reaction doesn’t mean you won’t
Just because you may have used drugs before that does not mean the next time you use drugs that something won’t happen

Taking drugs is risky because you have no control over how you will react mentally or physically.

Depending on the drug used you might feel:

Sick, dizzy, light-headed, weak
Low blood pressure
Your breathing might slow down or your body might go into a sedative state (coma or sleep)
Your heart rate might increase

Long term effects can include:

Liver and/or kidney damage
Ulcers
Blood borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV
Lung disease
Brain damage
Cancer
Heart problems such as cardiac arrest and stroke

Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I happy or worried about my overall drug use?
Am I using more and/or do I need to use more amounts (this is known as increased tolerance)
Do I spend a lot of time thinking about using drugs?
Do I have cravings or a need to use drugs to feel better?
Is my drug use starting to affect things that matter to me like my relationships with family or friends, school, college, sports or work?
Has my drug use made me moody, quiet, start fights, sad or am I hanging around with different people that I wouldn’t usually hang around with?
Am I having money issues such as spending more money than I have or asking for more money than usual, not paying bills, spending the weekly family money?

You do not have to use drugs every day to have a problem with them. If you take drugs regularly and answered yes to a few or all of the above signs it is important that you talk to your doctor or link in with an addiction service. Continuing to take drugs may seem like the only way to feel better, but it can lead to serious consequences such as ongoing physical and mental health issues or even death.