Addictive behaviours and substance misuse cont.
brain, the liver, and the kidneys, and can also cause ‘sudden sniffing death’. (254) Other psychoactive substances Other psychoactive substances, previously known as ‘legal highs’, are substances designed to create effects similar to those of existing illegal drugs, including stimulant drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. Once produced and used to avoid prohibitive laws by having a chemical structure just different enough from existing prohibited drugs to avoid being controlled, they are now illegal under a blanket law. The lack of available research on these substances means their effects on users may be unpredictable and include serious risks to physical and mental health. It is also not uncommon for such substances to contain traces of illegal drugs or be mixed with substances not fit for human consumption (e.g. cement). (255, 256) Prescribed medications Prescribed medications can be misused and cause harmful effects. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and Xanax, are a type of tranquiliser which can be prescribed to treat anxiety. People also buy them illegally because of their muscle relaxing and calming effects. Depending on the type a young person is prescribed, they could make them feel confused or overly sleepy. Taking benzodiazepines with other drugs or alcohol can be dangerous – it can impact breathing and increases risk associated with addiction, overdose, and death (257). Tobacco Tobacco is so widely used that we don’t usually think of it as relating to poor mental health. However, there is a high rate of poor mental health in people who use tobacco. The rate of
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