Why do people take drugs or alcohol? People start using drugs and alcohol for lots of different reasons. Many people start using them to have fun, or because they are curious and want to experiment. Some people use them to help them feel more confident or less stressed. They might use them at certain times to help them get through difficult times or situations. Some people start taking drugs or drinking to fit in with their friends, or because they are being pressured by someone they know. If you are feeling low or anxious, and are using drugs or alcohol to cope, there are lots of places you can get support. Speak to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. What are drugs? A drug is a substance that causes someone to feel or act differently. Drugs come in lots of different forms and are taken in different ways. Often when we talk about drugs we are referring to illegal drugs like cannabis, cocaine or heroin. However, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in cigarettes are commonly used drugs, and can be bought in shops legally. Even though tobacco and alcohol are legal, they are still addictive and you can become very dependent on them.
What different drugs are there? Drugs can be split into three categories: Stimulants, which speed up your body’s system – e.g. cocaine or ecstasy Depressants, which slow down your body’s system – e.g. alcohol or heroin and opium- related painkillers (morphine, codeine) Hallucinogens, which cause you to hallucinate – e.g. LSD or magic mushrooms Legal drugs A legal drug is a substance that causes you to feel or act differently, but which is not against the law to buy or sell. For example, alcohol is a drug, but people over 18 can buy and drink it (though it is against the law for adults to buy alcohol for people under 18). Sometimes young people use other legal substances, such as sniffing petrol and glue. It is important to remember that these substances were not designed to be sniffed and can have a dangerous effect on the body. Just because a drug is legal does not make it safe. Sometimes people are prescribed legal drugs by their doctor and then use them inappropriately, for example by taking too many of them. This is still very dangerous, even if the drugs are legal. Some people will also buy drugs that are legal from drug dealers instead of being prescribed them by their doctor. In this case, the drug that they are buying might not be the real drug at all, which creates an added danger. Illegal drugs Illegal drugs are drugs that you are not allowed to make, sell or buy. You can be arrested and face fines or time in prison for doing so. However, if you decide to get help remember that this will be treated as confidential, and will not lead to police involvement. For more information on illegal drugs see the websites further on in this resource.
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