Drugs

Summary

Drugs are substances that can change the way your body or brain works. Some drugs are medicines that are used to treat health conditions, while others are taken for their effects on mood, thoughts, feelings or behaviour. Drugs can be legal or illegal, and some legal substances can still be harmful or addictive.

There are many different types of drugs, and they can affect people in very different ways. Stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, can make someone feel more awake, energetic or alert. Depressants, such as some prescription medicines and alcohol, can slow down the brain and body and make someone feel relaxed or sleepy. Opioids, such as heroin and some prescription painkillers, can reduce pain and cause feelings of relaxation but can also be highly addictive and dangerous. Psychedelics, such as LSD and magic mushrooms, can change someone’s perception, thoughts and sense of reality. Cannabis can affect mood, memory, coordination and perception. Some drugs don’t fit neatly into one category, and their effects can vary depending on the substance, dose and person.

Drugs can be obtained in different ways. Someone might be offered them by a friend or someone they know, approached at a party or social event, or contacted through social media or messaging apps. Drugs may also be sold through websites, online marketplaces or encrypted messaging services. Some people may be pressured or encouraged to try drugs by people around them, particularly if drug use is common within their social group.

It can be difficult to know what is actually in an illegal or unknown drug. A substance sold as one drug may contain something completely different, or be mixed with other substances. This means someone may not know what they are taking or how strong it is, which can increase the risk of poisoning, overdose or other serious harm.

People may use drugs for many different reasons, including curiosity, wanting to fit in, experimentation, seeking enjoyable experiences, coping with difficult emotions, or trying to escape from stress or problems. Whatever the reason, drug use can sometimes lead to dependence, affect mental and physical health, or create difficulties with relationships, school, work and everyday life.

Legal and illegal drugs

Not all drugs are illegal. Medicines, nicotine and alcohol are also drugs, but they are regulated differently. Some medicines can be very helpful when they are prescribed and used as directed, but they can be harmful if they are taken in the wrong way or without medical advice. Illegal drugs are substances that are against the law to possess, supply or produce. The laws around different substances can vary, but something being legal does not automatically mean it is harmless.

How can drugs be taken

Drugs can enter the body in different ways, and the way they are taken can affect how quickly and strongly they work. Some drugs are swallowed as tablets or liquids, while others may be smoked, vaped, snorted, injected or absorbed through the skin. Different methods carry different risks. For example, injecting drugs can carry risks such as serious infections, while smoking or inhaling substances can damage the lungs. Taking a drug in a way it was not designed to be taken can also increase the risk of harm.

Short-term and long-term effects

Drugs can affect someone’s body, thoughts, feelings and behaviour, both in the short and long term. Short-term effects can include changes in mood, energy, heart rate, coordination, judgement, perception or how someone behaves. Some people may feel relaxed or happy, while others may experience anxiety, panic, confusion or paranoia. With repeated or long-term use, drugs can contribute to dependence and may affect physical and mental health, relationships, education, work and everyday life. The effects depend on the substance, how much is taken, how it is taken and the person using it.

Dependence and addiction

Some drugs can cause dependence, meaning the brain and body become used to having the substance. Someone who is dependent may experience strong cravings and may feel like they need the drug to feel normal or cope with everyday life. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they reduce or stop using it. Addiction can affect a person’s ability to control their drug use, even when they recognise that it is causing problems. Dependence is not a sign that someone is weak or has no self-control  – drugs can change the way the brain responds to rewards and cravings, making it difficult to stop without support.

Drugs and mental health

Drugs can affect the way someone thinks, feels and experiences the world. While some people use drugs to temporarily escape difficult feelings or cope with stress, anxiety or low mood, drug use can sometimes make these difficulties worse. Depending on the substance, someone may experience increased anxiety, low mood, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations or changes in behaviour. Regular drug use can also make it harder to manage emotions without the substance, creating a cycle where someone uses drugs to cope and then experiences more difficulties when the effects wear off. If someone is using drugs to manage how they feel, getting support for the underlying difficulties can be an important part of helping them.

How to help myself

If you are using drugs and are worried about it, you don’t have to deal with it on your own. You don’t need to be using drugs regularly or be dependent on them before you can ask for help. Start by thinking about when and why you use drugs. You might notice that you use them because of stress, difficult emotions, boredom, curiosity, peer pressure or wanting to fit in. Understanding your triggers can help you work out what you need support with and identify situations you might want to avoid.

Talk to someone you trust about what’s happening. This could be a parent or carer, friend, teacher, school nurse, youth worker, GP or another adult you feel safe with. You don’t need to know exactly what to say — simply telling someone that you’re worried about your drug use is enough. If you’re getting support from a healthcare professional, try to be honest about what you’ve taken, how often you use it and how it affects you. This helps them give you the safest advice and support.

If you use drugs to cope with stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness or other difficult feelings, try finding alternative ways to manage these emotions. Things like listening to music, gaming, exercising, getting outside, creating something, talking to someone or using breathing and grounding techniques can give you other ways to cope. If certain people or situations make you more likely to use drugs, spending time with people who support your choices and planning how you will leave situations where you feel pressured can also help.

If you think you may be dependent on a drug, don’t try to stop suddenly without getting advice first. Some drugs can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, so speak to a GP or drug and alcohol service about the safest way to reduce or stop. And if you have a setback, try not to see it as a failure — it can be an opportunity to understand what triggered you and what support might help next time.

How to help a loved one

If someone you care about is using drugs, being supportive rather than judgemental can make it easier for them to talk honestly and ask for help. Try to understand what is happening before making assumptions about why they are using drugs. They might be curious, experiencing peer pressure, trying to cope with difficult emotions or struggling with dependence. Let them know that you are there to listen and that they can talk to you without being shamed or punished.

Encourage them to think about what they are using, when they use it and how it affects them. If they’re willing, you can help them recognise triggers and situations where they are more likely to use drugs, and find other ways to cope with stress, boredom or difficult emotions. You can also support them to spend time with people who make them feel safe and respected, and help them avoid situations where they feel pressured to use.

Encourage professional support without forcing it. A GP, school nurse, youth worker or drug and alcohol service can provide confidential advice and help someone work out what support they need. If they are dependent on a substance, don’t encourage them to suddenly stop without professional advice, as some drugs can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. If they aren’t ready to stop, keeping communication open still matters — they may be more willing to seek help later if they know they won’t be judged.

Look after yourself too. Supporting someone who is using drugs can be worrying, frustrating and exhausting, and you don’t have to manage everything alone. Speak to another trusted adult or professional if you’re worried about their safety or don’t know what to do. If they become unconscious, have a seizure, struggle to breathe or appear seriously unwell after taking a drug, call 999 immediately and stay with them if it is safe to do so.

Myth Buster

Myth: Drug use is always obvious.

Fact: Someone may not look or act noticeably different, particularly if they use drugs occasionally or hide their use from others. Changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, friendships, school attendance or money can sometimes be signs that someone is struggling, but they can also have many other causes. Rather than making assumptions, it’s better to gently check in and allow them to talk.

Myth: Anyone who uses drugs automatically has an addiction.

Fact: Drug use exists on a spectrum, and people have different patterns of use and different levels of risk. However, even occasional use can carry risks, particularly when someone doesn’t know exactly what a substance contains. If someone is finding it difficult to control their use, experiencing cravings or continuing to use despite problems, they may need additional support.

Myth that you can reliably know what a drug contains just by its appearance, colour, smell or form.

Fact: Drugs obtained illegally or from unknown sources can contain unexpected substances or different strengths from what someone believes they are buying. This makes their effects difficult to predict and can increase the risk of poisoning or overdose.

Myth: Someone who uses drugs can simply decide to stop whenever they want.

Fact: Some drugs can cause dependence, which can lead to strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms. People may also use drugs as a way of coping with difficult emotions or situations. This doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible for their actions, but it does mean that support and treatment can be much more effective than judgement or shame.

Myth: Someone who uses drugs doesn’t want to change or doesn’t care about the impact of their drug use.

Fact: Someone may feel embarrassed, frightened about getting into trouble, unsure about stopping or worried about being judged. They may also want to change but not know where to start. Listening without judgement and helping them access support can make it easier for them to ask for help when they’re ready.

Support

There are different types of support available if you are worried about your own drug use or someone else’s. You don’t need to wait until things become serious before asking for help, and you don’t have to be ready to stop completely. A good first step can be talking to someone you trust, such as a parent or carer, teacher, youth worker, school nurse, family member or another adult who makes you feel safe. They can listen without judgement and help you work out what to do next.

A GP or healthcare professional can provide confidential advice about drug use, dependence, withdrawal and any effects drugs may be having on your physical or mental health. Drug and alcohol services can offer more specialist support, including helping you understand your drug use, manage cravings, reduce or stop using drugs and deal with difficulties that may be connected to your drug use. Your school or college may also have a counsellor, pastoral team, school nurse or safeguarding lead who can support you or help you access other services.

If drugs are being used to cope with stress, anxiety, low mood, trauma or other difficult experiences, getting support for these difficulties can be an important part of recovery. Friends and family can also help by listening, encouraging you to get support and being there when things feel difficult.

If you think you may be dependent on a drug, don’t suddenly stop without getting professional advice. Some substances can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, and a healthcare professional can help you work out the safest approach.

Therapy interventions

Therapy for drug use isn’t necessarily about talking about drugs all the time. For young people, it may focus on understanding what is behind their drug use, the situations that make them more likely to use, and the impact it is having on their thoughts, feelings, relationships and everyday life. Therapy can also help someone develop healthier ways of coping with difficult emotions and situations. The type of therapy offered will depend on the young person’s age, what they are using, how often they use it and what else is happening in their life.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help someone understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours around drug use. Together with a therapist, they might identify situations that trigger cravings or drug use and practise different ways of responding. CBT can also be useful for anxiety, low mood or other difficulties that may be contributing to drug use.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be particularly helpful when someone feels unsure about changing their drug use. Rather than telling them what they should do, the therapist helps them explore their own reasons for using drugs, the things they like and dislike about it, and what they might want to be different. This can help someone build motivation for making changes without feeling judged or pressured.
• Behavioural approaches focus on changing the patterns and routines surrounding drug use. Someone might work with a therapist to identify triggers, avoid or manage high-risk situations, develop alternative activities and practise strategies for dealing with cravings. This can be especially useful when drug use has become closely connected to particular people, places or routines.
• Emotion regulation and coping work can help when someone uses drugs to manage feelings such as stress, anxiety, anger, loneliness or sadness. Therapy can provide alternative strategies for dealing with these emotions, so the person has more options available when things become difficult.
• Trauma-focused therapy may be considered when drug use is connected to experiences such as abuse, neglect, violence or other traumatic events. Therapy can help someone process what happened and understand how these experiences may be affecting them now. This would usually be approached carefully and at a pace that feels safe for the young person.
• Family therapy can involve parents, carers or other family members in the young person’s support. It can help families understand what the young person is experiencing, improve communication and work together to create a more supportive environment. For some young people, having supportive adults involved can be an important part of making changes.

Therapy for other mental health difficulties may also be useful. If someone is experiencing anxiety, depression, difficulties with relationships, low self-esteem or other mental health concerns alongside drug use, these can be addressed as part of their support. Treating the underlying difficulties can help someone find alternatives to using drugs as a way of coping.

Helplines

FRANK

FRANK is a service providing information, advice and support about drugs and alcohol. It covers drug and alcohol use, effects and risks, peer pressure, addiction, concerns about someone else’s drug or alcohol use and finding local support.

Phone: 0300 123 6600
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Text: 82111
Live chat: 2 pm–6 pm, 7 days a week
Email: frank@talktofrank.com
Website: www.talktofrank.com

Childline
Childline is a free service for young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline is available to anybody who is 18 years old or younger.

Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
You can also find helpful resources, speak to a counsellor online or send a message on their site.
Website: www.childline.org.uk

For adults concerned about a child, the NSPCC can be contacted 

NSPCC

NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. They provide support and advice for adults about child abuse, neglect, child safety, online safety and children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Phone: 0808 800 5000
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Email opening times: 11 am–4 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Shout

Shout is a free, confidential text messaging service that provides support to anyone who is struggling to cope. It can help with a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness, relationship difficulties, bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, feeling overwhelmed and other mental health challenges.

Text: SHOUT to 85258
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.giveusashout.org

The Mix 

The Mix is a charity providing free information, advice and support for young people on all sorts of issues that can affect their lives and wellbeing. This includes mental health, relationships, money, housing, work and education, drugs and alcohol, bullying, social media, family difficulties and many other challenges. They offer information and practical advice to help young people understand what they are going through, make informed decisions and find further support when they need it. 

Phone: 0808 808 4994
Opening times: 11 am–11 pm, 7 days a week
Website: http://www.themix.org.uk
Crisis Messenger: Text THEMIX to 85258 – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.