Health Effects and Risk

The effects of drugs will vary depending on: 

  • the person– mood, physical size, health, gender, previous experience with the drug, expectations of the drug, personality, whether the person has had food and whether other drugs have been taken. 

  • the drug – the type of drug, the amount used, its purity, how often it is used, and how it is used. 

  • the place – whether the person is using with friends, on his/her own, in a social setting or at home, at work or before driving. 

Physical Health Issues

Tolerance

Regular use can lead to tolerance. This means that a person needs more of the drug to achieve the same effects they did previously with smaller amounts. 

Dependence

Regular, use can lead to dependence. This means that the drug becomes central to a person’s life and they feel they cannot function properly without it. 

Withdrawal

When the use of a substance is reduced or stopped, withdrawal symptoms may occur. These symptoms can include fatigue, hunger, depression, reduced energy levels, irritability, agitation, insomnia, paranoia, aggression, anxiety or cravings for the drug. 

Overdose

Overdose occurs when the level of intoxication from the drug reaches a point where it begins to produce physical and/or psychological harm. 
 
There are a number of signs and symptoms that point out someone is in trouble. These differ with the type of drug used: 

Stimulant Drug Overdose: (e.g. Ecstasy, speed, cocaine, amphetamines) 

  • Hyperactivity, sweating

  • Rapid breathing or a feeling that you ‘can’t breathe’

  • Difficulty passing urine

  • Shaking / Trembling / spasms

  • Chest pain, pounding heart

  • Raised temperature

  • Body chills. 

  • Disorientation

  • Severe Headache

  • Vomiting

  • Paranoid, delusional, agitated, irritable, anxious or psychotic behaviour

  • Convulsions. 

Depressant Drug Overdose: (e.g. Heroin) 

  • Shallow pulse and breathing.

  • Blue lips, fingernails / toenails

  • Snoring or gurgling

  • No response

  • Constricted pupils

  • Disorientated

  • Unconsciousness. 

It is not necessary for someone to have all of these signs or symptoms for them to be overdosing. Only a few could still mean they are in trouble and need emergency help.  

Mental Health Issues

Anxiety

Anxiety is something most people will experience at some point in their life, usually when you find yourself in a situation that is new, difficult or frightening. Anxiety is related to the fight or flight response, which increases adrenaline and then alertness which allows you to respond in life threatening situations. However, when you feel high levels of anxiety or it goes on for a prolonged time you may become scared to do everyday tasks such as go to work, leave the house or socialize with friends. 

Some common symptoms of anxiety include: 

  • Worrying all the time 

  • Becoming easily tired 

  • Lack of concentration

  • Irritability 

  • Irregular heartbeats or palpitations

  • Feeling dizzy 

  • Tension and pain in muscles 

  • Panic attacks. 

Depression

Depression is a medical condition that can include feelings of sadness, low mood and lack of motivation, that won’t go away or are unexplained. Depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and is a serious condition which impacts people’s life greatly. 

Symptoms of depression can include: 

  • Feeling sad or depressed 

  • A loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities 

  • Loss of appetite or weight 

  • Inability to get to sleep or waking up early 

  • Feeling tired all the time 

  • Having trouble concentrating 

  • Feeling restless, agitated, worthless or guilty 

  • Feeling that life isn’t worth living 

psychosis

The term psychosis describes a condition in which a person’s perception of reality is impaired. It is often associated with amphetamine type stimulants.  

Amphetamines can trigger a psychotic episode in healthy people with no previous history of mental health problems. Many people who use amphetamines experience low-grade psychotic symptoms such as visual illusions, hallucinations or odd thoughts that come and go. Other users can experience more severe symptoms where they hear or see things that are not there, or they become paranoid and believe that other people are going to hurt them. The rate of psychosis among regular amphetamine users is high compared to the general population. 

Financial issues

The street price of illicit drugs change depending on availability and market trends. The cost of purchasing drugs can lead to financial problems for both occasional and regular users.

Relationship issues

Drug use can lead to social and emotional problems and can affect relationships with family and friends. Drugs affect people in different ways. Some people may become depressed, angry, aggressive, sleepy, unmotivated, paranoid, anxious or talkative. These reactions will affect how they relate to other people, such as friends, parents, siblings and may have negative effects on these relationships.