JUST THE FACTS
Even if you want to talk to a friend about drug or alcohol habits, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily there is a whole community out there to help you learn more about what drugs and alcohol can do to your mind, body, relationships, and future.
If you’re tempted to use drugs or alcohol, don’t let them make your problems worse. Be smart – know the short-term and long-term effects of your choices.
Remember: drugs affect people based on many different factors, including size, weight, health, amount taken, and tolerance for the substance.
Remember: drugs affect people based on many different factors, including size, weight, health, amount taken, and tolerance for the substance.
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TOBACCO
Overview
Contains nicotine (which is highly addictive) and other toxic chemicals. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes are still not fully known.
Consumed By
- Vaping
- Chewing
- Smoking
MindbodyrelationshipsfutureWhy People
Choose ItWhat It Can Do To You - Short Term
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
Why People
Choose It- Regular users report that smoking reduces anxiety and helps them relax
- Decrease in appetite
What It Can Do To You - Short Term
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Lower energy
- Reduced sense of taste and smell
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Faster breathing
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
- Issues with blood vessels
- Respiratory or lung problems, such as asthma or coughing
- Stroke
- Aging of skin and teeth
- Fertility problems
- In women: menstrual problems
- In men: erectile problems
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CANNABIS
Overview
Plant based psychoactive drug that can be smoked or ingested in various forms.
Consumed By
- Smoking
- Edible
- Vaping
MindbodyrelationshipsfutureWhy People
Choose ItWhat It Can Do To You - Short Term
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
What It Can Do To You - Short Term
- Relaxing and stimulating
- Enhance senses
- Powerful antioxidant and anti-carcinogen
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
- Short-term memory loss
- Panic
- Lowered reaction time
- Increased heart rate
- Increased risk of stroke
Why People
Choose It- Decline in IQ
- Impaired thinking
- Addiction
- Potential development for opiate abuse
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ALCOHOL
Overview
Liquid sedative hypnotic drug that depresses the central nervous system at high doses.
Consumed By
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Wine
MindbodyrelationshipsfutureWhy People
Choose ItWhat It Can Do To You - Short Term
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
Why People
Choose It- Low levels can produce feelings of relaxation, lowered inhibitions, and increased sociability
What It Can Do To You - Short Term
- Injuries, vehicular and non-vehicular
- Violence
- Alcohol poisoning
- Risky sexual behavior
- Miscarriage or still birth for pregnant women
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Liver disease
- Increased likelihood of developing cancer
- Weakened immune system
- Alcohol dependence
- Memory problems, including dementia
- Thinning of bones
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STIMULANTS
Overview
Drugs that increase activity in the body. Frequently abused due to performance enhancement & euphoric effects.
Consumed By
- Pills
- Snorting
- Injection
- Smoking
MindbodyrelationshipsfutureWhy People
Choose ItWhat It Can Do To You - Short Term
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
Why People
Choose It- Increase in alertness, confidence, and ability to focus, depending on the stimulant.
- Some stimulants can help relax muscles
What It Can Do To You - Short Term
- Intense feeling of happiness
- Suppressed appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Heightened blood pressure
- Muscle shakes
- Agitation
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
- Extreme weight loss
- Reduced sexual functioning
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Deterioratinged muscles
- Breathing problems
- Headaches
- Stroke
- Seizures
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PSYCHEDELICS
Overview
Chemical substances that cause hallucinations and other sensory disturbances to your body and mind.
Consumed By
- Pills
- Edible
- Snorting
MindbodyrelationshipsfutureWhy People
Choose ItWhat It Can Do To You - Short Term
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
Why People
Choose It- Can alter or exaggerate mood
- Slightly lower anxiety and depression
What It Can Do To You - Short Term
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Impulsiveness
- Increased blood pressure, heart rate, & body temperature
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Numbness
- Tremors
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
- Disorganized thinking
- Mood disturbances
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Visual disturbances
- Symptoms possibly mistaken for neurological disorders
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DEPRESSANTS
Overview
This drug lowers neurotransmission levels to reduce arousal or stimulation from sections of your brain.
Consumed By
- Pills
- Liquid
MindbodyrelationshipsfutureWhy People
Choose ItWhat It Can Do To You - Short Term
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
Why People
Choose It- Can reduce physical pain
- Produce feelings of wellbeing, euphoria, or contentment
What It Can Do To You - Short Term
- Can reduce physical pain
- Produce feelings of wellbeing, euphoria, or contentment
- Slow brain function
- Depression
- Visual disturbances
- Slowed pulse
- Lowered blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty or inability to urinate
What It Can Do To You - Long Term
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue
- Breathing difficulties
- Sexual problems
- Sleep problems
- Increased risk of diabetes, blood sugar, and weight gain
- Withdrawal can be life threatening