Zol, Charlie, Molly, buttons, brown sugar … The street names of many drugs sound harmless, but addicts know better.

What begins as a momentary escape can easily turn into the exact opposite. A drug habit holds the user hostage as every part of life – work, relationships, pastimes – gets pushed to second place.

What are drugs?

Simply put, it’s any substance, aside from food and water, that changes your physical or mental state.

Drugs can affect:

• how your brain works.
• what your senses let you experience.
• the way you feel and act.

While this is what makes drugs appealing in the first place, it is also what makes them so dangerous. Drugs are unpredictable: People react differently depending on the type, dose, their body and circumstances.

How do drugs affect you?

Stimulants: Cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine (crystal meth/tik), caffeine, nicotine)

• Speed up messages between brain and body to boost energy and alertness.
• Lead to faster heart rate, rising blood pressure, nervousness and lack of sleep.
• Large doses cause anxiety, panic, stomach cramps and seizures.

Hallucinogens: Ketamine, LSD, cannabis (marijuana), psilocybin (magic mushrooms)

• Change how you see, hear, feel, taste or smell things.
• Create a sense of numbness and a feeling of floating, but also confusion and disorientation.
• Large doses lead to paranoia, panic and memory loss.

Depressants: Tranquilisers, heroin, cannabis, codeine, alcohol

• Slow down messages between brain and body for relaxation.
• Decrease reaction time, coordination, concentration and inhibitions.
• Large doses result in vomiting, sleepiness and unconsciousness.

In the long run, drug abuse can lead to organ damage and mental health issues, put you at risk of injury and disease, and even cause death.

Why do people get hooked?

Users typically take drugs to feel good or quiet the emotions that make them feel bad. As the body metabolises the drug, the effect wears off – but after-effects like headaches, tiredness and depression kick in. Using the drug again is a way to feel better.

Regular use can cause:

• dependence – you need the drug to function normally.
• tolerance – your body needs larger doses for the same effect.

Is your drug use a problem?

Maybe you were just experimenting or doing drugs socially. But at some point, it may have become a habit you can’t shake. Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you need to use to get through the day?
• Does it take priority over work, relationships or other interests?
• Do you lie about (how much you’re) using?
• Does it cause financial difficulties?
• Is it putting your relationships under strain?
• Do you feel unwell when you try to stop?

If you answered yes to any, you should speak to someone. Reach out to the employee wellness programme or visit na.org.za.

Reference

SAPS drug abuse