Types of drugs

 All drugs can be divided up according to the main effect they have on users. 

Stimulants

Stimulants include caffeine and tobacco as well as amphetamines, anabolic steroids, ‘poppers’, hallucinogenic amphetamines (ecstasy) and cocaine. They act on the central nervous system and increase brain activity. Users generally feel more confident and alert, are able to stay awake for longer and can perform physical tasks for a longer period of time. High doses can cause nervousness and anxiety. Stimulants can also cause temporary feelings of paranoia. 

Depressants

These are minor tranquillisers such as Valium, Librium, Mogadon and temazepam, solvents, glues, aerosols and gases. Depressants act on the central nervous system and slow down brain activity. They relax you, making you feel less tense and anxious, but at the same time impair mental and physical activity and decrease self-control. 

Analgesics

Analgesics are painkillers and include heroin, opium, pethidine and codeine. They make users less sensitive to emotion and physical pain and produce feelings of friendliness and happiness. 

Hallucinogens

These include cannabis, LSD and magic mushrooms. Hallucinogens act on the mind, heightening sensations and distorting the way users see and hear things. 

Signs you may be becoming dependent on drugs

If you rely on drugs to help you feel less anxious or depressed or to improve your mood, you may be becoming emotionally dependent. If you rely on drugs to achieve certain physical effects or you can’t face the unpleasant physical effects of not taking the drugs, you may be becoming physically addicted. In fact, most drug-related problems generally involve physical and emotional symptoms and sometimes it is difficult to separate the two.Other signs that you could be becoming dependent on drugs are: 

l if obtaining and taking drugs are more important than anything else in your life 

l if you use drugs to block out both physical and emotional pain 

l if you use drugs to distance yourself from problems such as loneliness, family or relationship problems, low self-worth, poverty or housing difficulties, unemployment or lack of opportunities. 

Next issue: Food – Bulimia nervosa

Dr Uma Ambi

Principal Adviser, 

Mental Health Services

PO Box 8, Boroko, NCD