Although your role may not include providing clinical treatment, or diagnoses, nevertheless, a basic knowledge of commonly used drugs is necessary for any parent, loved one, or friend. Knowledge of the effects of various drugs and the signs of intoxification or withdrawal will help in understanding the immediate needs and behaviors of those affected by mind altering substances.
Psychoactive Drugs & Classification
The term “psychoactive drug” is used to describe a chemical substance, natural or synthetic, that alters mood, perception or consciousness as a result of changes in the way the central nervous system functions.
• Psychoactive drugs may be classified according to their effect on the central nervous system, or chemical structure.
• Psychoactive drugs may be classified as depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens or psychiatric medications.
Drug Fact Sheets
To download fact sheets with information on alcohol, marijuana, speed, ecstacy, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and benzodiazepines click on the images below.
Depressants
Slow down the central nervous system. eg, alcohol, heroin, cannabis (low doses), heroin, and other opiates, petrol.
• Depressant drugs affect concentration and co-ordination, and slow the person's response time.
• In small quantities, depressants such as alcohol can cause people to become relaxed and lower their inhibitions.
• In larger quantities, depressants can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Stimulants
Increase the activity of the central nervous system. eg, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, Ecstasy (MDMA).
• Stimulants speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body.
• Stimulants speed up the body's activity. Heart rate, breathing and blood pressure increase.
• Other effects including wide awake and alert, restless and excited, and having difficulty sleeping.
Hallucinogens
Distort how things are perceived (hallucinations) eg LSD, “magic mushrooms”, mescaline, MDMA, cannabis (high doses).
• Hallucinogens affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotion.
• They can cause a person to hallucinate - seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted.
• Hallucinogens can also make a person feel they are detached from their body, as though their mind "leaves" the body.