The effects of recreational drugs on health and behaviour

• Recreational drugs have serious effects on behaviour and health.
• Some recreational drugs are illegal and others are legal.

A drug is a substance that has an effect on the body.

• Medicines are drugs that help people suffering from pain or disease.
• Recreational drugs are taken by people because they like the effects they have on their bodies.

Some recreational drugs are legal, such as tobacco and alcohol. However, there are restrictions on who can buy them. Caffeine, found in coffee, is another recreational drug. Most other recreational drugs are illegal, and these include cannabis, ecstasy and heroin. Some medicines are misused and taken for recreational use, rather than for medical reasons. They become illegal under these circumstances.

Illegal drugs are classified from Class A to Class C. Class A drugs are most dangerous, with the most serious penalties for possession or dealing. Class C drugs are the least dangerous, with the lightest penalties, but this does not mean they are safe to take. Most recreational drugs can be addictive.

Any drug that is misused can cause damage to the body, as well as personal and social problems. Injecting any drug with a needle and syringe that someone else has used may lead to a number of diseases from infected blood.

Recreational drugs can often be classified as depressants or stimulants.

A depressant slows down messages in the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and other nerves. This often makes you feel less alert and lengthens reaction times. Alcohol is an example of a legal depressant for adults over 18. Alcohol is found in beer, wines and spirits such as vodka.

Heroin is an example of an illegal depressant. Some solvents and gases, such as glue and aerosols, can act as dangerous depressants if inhaled. If used as a drug, they cause liver damage, brain damage and death. It is illegal to sell these solvents and gases to someone who is likely to inhale them.

The effects of drugs can vary for different people. However, here are some of the typical effects depressants have on the body:

• lowered inhibitions
• slowed thinking and activity
• a distorted view of the world, or hallucinations

Some of the long-term effects of depressants on the body include damage to the liver, brain and heart. They can also have the following effects:

• Solvent abuse causes a rash around the nose and mouth.
• Being under the influence of some depressants causes careless or silly behaviour which can result in harm to the person or those around them.
• Some depressants cause loss of memory and concentration, as well as an increased risk of mental health issues.

Stimulants speed up messages in the nervous system. This makes you feel more alert and shortens reaction times. Nicotine from tobacco is a stimulant. Caffeine is another stimulant and is found in energy drinks, coffee and tea. Both of these make you feel more energetic and alert, but they can also cause headaches, nervousness and difficulty sleeping.

Cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines are all illegal stimulants. They make you feel more energetic and confident, but they can damage the liver and heart. They can also cause loss of memory and concentration, and bring an increased risk of mental health issues.

Nicotine is the most addictive drug in tobacco. It is found in both cigarettes and some e-cigarettes/vapes. The nicotine from smoking cigarettes or vaping causes the person to want more. Nicotine also increases heart rate and blood pressure, and makes blood vessels narrower than normal. This can lead to heart disease.

As well as nicotine, tobacco contains hundreds of other chemicals. Tar causes cancer of the lungs, mouth and throat. It coats the inside of the lungs, including the alveoli, causing coughing and damages the alveoli, making it more difficult for gas exchange to happen.

Cells in the lining of the gas exchange system produce sticky mucus. This traps dirt and microbes. Cells with tiny hair-like parts, called cilia, then move the mucus out of the lungs. However, hot smoke and tar from smoking damages the cilia. As a result of this, smokers cough to move mucus and are more likely to get bronchitis.

There are are-restrictions on who can buy tobacco and vape products and where they can be used.

Read more about the effect of smoking on the gas exchange system.

Painkillers are chemicals that relieve the symptoms but do not kill the pathogen. Common examples include paracetamol and aspirin, which can relieve a headache or a sore throat. Even though the pain is treated, the cause of the pain often still needs treatment. All drugs that are used as medicine, including painkillers, need to be taken according to their instructions, as incorrect use can lead to serious harm.