Know the Score - Info & Advice on Drugs In Scotland
Info & Advice on Drugs in Scotland for...
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Understanding Drugs
Drugs affect people in different ways and there's no way of telling how a drug will affect you. What's safe for one person could be dangerous for another - or even dangerous for the same person in a different situation.
How you'll react depends on:
- The type of drug used
- Amount taken
- Its purity
- Whether it's what it's supposed to be
- How it's taken
- What it's mixed with
- The setting
- Your health and whether you're on any medication
- Your mood
Drugs can be grouped into three main types:
- Uppers - Also known as 'stimulants'. Drugs like speed, ecstasy and cocaine speed the body up and are extremely dangerous if you suffer from heart or blood pressure problems.
- Downers - Also known as 'depressants'. Drugs like heroin, alcohol and solvents slow the body down and can be very dangerous if mixed together.
- Hallucinogens - Hallucinogenic drugs, like acid and magic mushrooms, alter the way you see, hear and feel things. They can be really bad news for anyone with a mental illness because they can make it even worse.