The effects of illegal drugs will always be unpredictable. Generally, when you mix them with alcohol they’re exaggerated in some way, which can result in anything from nausea to heart failure. Best advice is to completely steer clear of illegal drugs, especially with alcohol.
Below you will find further information on each of the topic areas and links to local and national support.
Children and young people are advised not to drink alcohol before the age of 18.
Alcohol can have a wide range of adverse effects on every part of your body. It is a powerful chemical which has associated risks which can have both short term and long term effects on your health.
Alcohol is actually a depressant, which slows down your reactions and affects your mood. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions which can lead to risky behavior, lower your self-control, cloud your judgement and make you clumsier, putting you at risk of injury.
To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week. Spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week. People who binge drink are more likely to behave recklessly and are at greater risk of being in an accident.
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A drug is a substance that affects the way the body functions, they can be harmful to your health in both the short or long term, and could possibly lead to addiction. Different drugs can have different effects; some effects can include health consequences that are long-lasting and permanent. They can continue after the person has stopped taking them. There are a few ways in which drugs can be taken including injection, inhalation and ingestion. The effects on the body depend on how the drug is delivered.
Drugs are split into three classes: A, B and C, this is based on how serious the Police penalties are that are associated with that drug, here are some examples:
- Class A: heroin, LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, magic mushrooms and any drug from Class B that has been prepared for injection
- Class B: speed, cannabis, ketamine, cathinones such as mephedrone and forms of man-made cannabis such as ‘Spice’
- Class C: many prescribed drugs such as tranquillisers, GHB, GBL and anabolic steroids
What to do in an Emergency
- If your with someone in an emergency call an ambulance, tell the ambulance crew everything you know about the drug taken and give any drugs or containers left over to the crew as this may help identify the drug.
- Do not leave the person before help arrives
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