Substance Information
Substance use is part of the human condition; people have used tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other drugs for various “human reasons” in various countries for thousands of years. Like all things involving humans, substance use is complex and not just “good” or “bad” and has the potential to both help and harm. What’s more, the effects of using substances are not uniform but unique to each individual.
Drugs and their Categories
A drug is any substance that causes a change in how people feel mentally, emotionally or physically. Mood and other brain processes such as perception, attention, learning, memory, concentration and abstract thought can be impacted.
Drug and their effects depend on many factors, including dose, types of drugs used and their interaction, how the drug is taken and the body’s response to drugs that develop over time (tolerance, dependence, etc.)
Drugs include legal drugs (such as alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs such as anti-depressants and painkillers) and illegal drugs such as cocaine, speed and LSD. When discussing drugs, it can be helpful to categorize drugs according to their effect on one’s mind and body.
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that produce a quick temporary energy increase by speeding up the central nervous system—breathing and heart rate and creating an alert state. Stimulant drugs include tobacco, caffeine, cocaine/crack, amphetamines and drugs to treat ADHD.
Find more information from BC Here to Help:
Opioids
Opioids are a group of drugs that resemble morphine and its effects. These include opiates which are derived from the poppy plant. Opioids are among the world’s oldest known drugs, beginning with the therapeutic use of opium. Opioids act as painkillers with effects such as decreased perception of pain, decreased reaction to pain, and increased pain tolerance. The side effects of opioids include sedation, constipation, slowing of respiration and a strong sense of euphoria. Examples include morphine, codeine, opium, heroin, methadone, Demerol and Percodan.
Find more information from BC Here to Help:
Depressants
Depressants are substances that slow down how our central nervous system operates. They slow down our heart rate and breathing, bringing a more relaxed and calm feeling. Because our central nervous system is slowed in small amounts, alcohol can slow our inhabitations and make us feel more sociable and talkative. Our balance, vision, coordination and ability to make important decisions in larger quantities also become confused.
Depressant drugs include alcohol, solvents/inhalants, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antihistamines and general anesthetics.
Find more information from BC Here to Help:
Cannabis
Cannabis originates from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Its psychoactive ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and can be consumed as marijuana, hash or hash oil. The effects of cannabis can include relaxation, heightened mood, and mild euphoria. In contrast, side effects include decreased short-term memory, coordination and concentration, dry mouth, increased appetite, and lowered blood pressure.
Find more information from BC Here to Help:
Could my parent have an addiction?
Having a parent with an Addiction can be frightening, frustrating, and stressful. When someone you care about has a mental illness, you can feel helpless and wonder if it’s your fault. You are not to blame. There is nothing you could have done to cause your parent’s Addiction. Although it may feel like everything is out of your control, try not to lose hope. Addiction is treatable, and there are people who can help you and your parent recover. You are not alone.