CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG USE
SYNTHETIC DRUGS
Effects:
- Hallucinations and delusions
- confusion and disorientation
- psychosis
- suicidal thoughts or suicide
- extreme agitation and anxiety
- panic attacks
- depression
- insomnia
- violent behaviour
- unresponsiveness
- loss of consciousness
- Headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- heavy sweating
- high fever
- kidney malfunction
- heart attack
- bleeding in the brain
Long-term permanent effects can include kidney damage and failure, liver damage, seizures, brain swelling and brain death, tremors, extreme tiredness, insomnia, forgetfulness and confusion, paralysis, persistent and severe anxiety and depression, breakdown of skeleton muscle tissue, death
ECSTASY
Effects:
- Impaired judgement
- False Sense of affection
- Confusion
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Severe anxiety
- Paranoia
- Drug craving
- Muscle tension
- Involuntary teech clenching
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Faintness
- Chills or sweating
Prolonged use causes long-lasting and perhaps permanent damage to the brain, affecting the person’s judgment and thinking
COCAINE &
CRACK COCAINE
Effects:
- Short intense high
- Depression and craving
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle spasms
- Convulsions
- Paranoia
- Anger
- Hostility
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Auditory hallucinations
- Tolerance buildup
- Severe depression
- Risk of extreme behaviors
- Risk of suicide
ALCOHOL
Effects:
- Warmth
- Flushed skin
- Impaired judgment
- Lack of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Memory loss
- Comprehension loss
- Hangover: headache, nausea, anxiety, weakness, shakiness, vomiting
- Tolerance buildup
- Liver damage
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Birth defects (heart, brain, organs) in babies of pregnant women
- Alcohol dependence
- Withdrawal symptoms: jumpiness, sleeplessness, sweating, poor appetite, convulsions, death
- Risk of violence
- Conflicts in personal relationships
MARIJUANA
Effects:
- Loss of coordination
- Distorted sense of time
- Impaired vision and hearing
- Sleepiness
- Reddened eyes
- Increased appetite
- Relaxed muscles
- Increased heart rate
- Higher risk of heart attack (within first hour)
- Impaired memory
- Reduced problem-solving ability
- Psychotic symptoms (long-term use)
- Lung and heart damage
- Worsened bronchitis symptoms
- Coughing and wheezing
- Reduced ability to fight lung infections and illness
INHALANTS
Effects:
- Risk of heart attack
- Risk of suffocation (due to lack of oxygen)
- Extreme violent reactions
- Muscle wasting
- Reduced muscle tone
- Reduced strength
- Permanent body damage
- Permanent brain damage
HASHISH
Effects:
- Sensory distortions
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of coordination
- Changes in respiration
- Increased heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Risk of heart attack
- Extreme sleepiness
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Accident risk (due to poor coordination and decision-making)
- Depression
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Confusion
- Loss of control
- Poor decision-making
- Lowered immunity (colds, flu, bronchitis)
- Adolescent growth issues
- Abnormal cell structure and division
- Reduced testosterone production
- Reduced sexual function
- Respiratory problems
- Emotional and psychological issues (apathy, lack of motivation, depression)
- Increased risk of psychosis
- Changes in mood and cognition
LSD
Effects:
- Dilated pupils
- Higher body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeplessness
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
- Severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of insanity and death
- Despair
- Flashbacks of LSD trip
- Trip clears after about 12 hours
- Risk of long-lasting psychosis