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Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

Drugs and their effects

Drug use can affect short- and long-term health, including physical and mental health. Not all drug use leads to dependence, and not everyone who uses drugs needs or wants help.

The safest choice is to avoid illicit drugs, but if you decide to use them, consider the following:

  • there is no safe level of drug use: be cautious with any drug.
  • central nervous system impact: drugs affect how you think, feel, and behave.
  • know the risks: understanding the dangers of alcohol and drug use can help you stay safe.
  • health issues: misuse can lead to cognitive decline, organ damage, overdose, and death.
  • tolerance: the brain adapts, requiring more of the drug for the same effect.
  • dependence: drug use can become more important than other activities. Drugs and their effects

The effects of a drug, and how long they last, depend on:

  • the type and strength
  • how the drug was made
  • your height, weight, age, and metabolism
  • the amount you take
  • how often or how long you have used the drug
  • how the drug is taken (orally, snorting or injecting)

Compared with swallowing, snorting and injecting are more likely to lead to overdose. If injecting drugs, there is an increased risk of tetanus, infection, and vein damage. If sharing injecting equipment there is an increased risk of blood borne viruses such as, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV and AIDS.

Using drugs may also increase the risk of experiencing mental health issues for users with a history or family history of these conditions.

Users may experience some of the following:

  • taking part in risky behaviours such as drink driving or unprotected sex
  • changes in behaviour such as mood swings or increased aggression toward others
  • impacts on sleep or experiencing insomnia
  •  cognitive/memory problems
  • reduced appetite or not eating a balanced diet
  • regular colds and flu
  • long term health impacts such as liver, kidney and heart problems or cancer (depending on the type of drug used and how frequently it was used)
  • ​dental health problems (cavities and gum disease)
  • mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
  • dependence
  • overdose
  • psychosis
  • infectious disease from shared injecting equipment
  • damage to veins from unsafe injecting practices
  • financial, work, or social problems
  • death

What to do in a drug related emergency

Your actions in a drug-related emergency may vary depending on the individual’s appearance and behavior.​

Drug related emergencies​

Get help with drug related issues​

If you have problems with any drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, and want to stop or get advice, contact the Alcohol and Drug Service. Your information will be kept confidential, and you can schedule an appointment to speak with someone.

Categories of drugs

Drugs can be grouped into 7 cate​gories:

  1. Depressants: Slow down the central nervous system. They induce relaxation, drowsiness, and reduced inhibition.
  2. Psychedelics: Alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes. They cause hallucinations altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences.​
  3. Stimulants: Speed up the central nervous system. They increase energy, alertness, and euphoria.
  4. Empathogens: Enhance feelings of empathy and ​emotional connection. They increase sociability, emotional openness, and euphoria.
  5. Opioids: Act on opioid receptors to relieve pain. They produce euphoria, pain relief, and sedation.
  6. Cannabinoids: Interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. They  cause relaxation, altered perception, and euphoria.
  7. Dissociatives: Distort perceptions of sight and sound and produce feelings of detachment. They cause hallucinations altered sense of reality, and analgesia

​Amphetamine: Speed, Whiz

Amphetamine is a synthetic stimulant. It comes in powder form, usually white, yellowish, grey, or pink. It is snorted or ingested and can be wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed also known as bombing.

Effects

Amphetamine takes effect about half an hour after taking and has varied effects, including:

  • feelings of wakefulness
  • alertness
  • increased confidence
  • sociability
  • physical or mental activity
As the body's energy levels drop, the user may feel anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and dizziness.

Risks

Users can develop tolerance to amphetamines with increased use. Withdrawal is mainly emotional but may include mild physical symptoms like depression, lethargy, and extreme hunger.
Amphetamine is illegal and classified as a Class B drug in Jersey.

Benzodiazepines including Xanax

Benzodiazepines are prescription-only medicines under Jersey Medicines Law. They can be abused and bought illegally on the black market. 
Common benzodiazepines include 
  • Diazepam
  • Nitrazepam
  • Clonazepam
  • Temazepam
  • Alprazolam (Xanax)

Effects 

Benzodiazepines are depressants usually prescribed for short-term treatment of anxiety and sleep problems. 

At low doses, tolerance doesn’t develop much, but with large amounts, tolerance can develop quickly, leading to increased dosage.

These drugs come in different doses and strengths, providing varying levels of sedation. For example, 1mg of Lorazepam is equivalent to 10mg of Diazepam, and 5mg of Diazepam is equivalent to 0.5mg of Xanax. 

Risks 

There are concerns that illegal versions may contain multiple benzodiazepines at varying strengths, increasing the risk of sedation and overdose.

Withdrawal symptoms can last from several days to weeks, and in extreme cases, months. Withdrawal can be delayed and include: 

  • anxiety
  • insomnia
  • panic
  • hallucinations
  • depersonalization
  • heightened sensory awareness
  • depression
  • risk of seizures with abrupt withdrawal

Benzodiazepines are illegal unless they are prescribed by a GP, and they are currently a class C drug in Jersey.

Cannabis: Marijuana, Grass, Dope, Pot, Puff, Weed

Cannabis is a cannabinoid. It is available as resin, dried flower, and less commonly, oil. The main active compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Effects 

Effects of cannabis use vary depending on the person, environment, and the drug’s potency and amount. 

Physical effects include:

  • increased pulse rate
  • decreased blood pressure
  • bloodshot eyes
  • increased appetite
  • tiredness
  • occasional dizziness

These effects can start within minutes and last several hours.

Cannabis use often leads to relaxation, talkativeness, and giggles. 

Higher doses can cause hallucinations and enhance sensory experiences like music. It can also be used to enhance or reduce the effects of other drugs like ecstasy or cocaine.

While intoxicated, cannabis can affect short-term memory, concentration, and manual skills, including driving. 

Higher doses can lead to perceptual distortion, forgetfulness, and confusion. Temporary psychological distress and confusion can occur, especially among inexperienced users or those feeling anxious or depressed.

Risks 

Inhaling and smoking cannabis can 
  • harm the respiratory system, leading to oral, throat, and lung cancer
  • cause anxiety and paranoia and may trigger underlying mental health problems
  • induce psychosis, especially in those with a history of mental illness

Young people should avoid cannabis as their brains are still developing until age 25.

Cannabis does not produce physical dependence, but mild withdrawal symptoms have been observed. 

Skunk is a potent form of cannabis, can cause rapid and intense effects, including anxiety attacks. 

Common effects include:
  • elation
  • profound relaxation
  • altered time and perception
  • transient hallucinations
  • uncontrollable laughing
  • increased sociability and talkativeness
  • nervousness, anxiety, and mild paranoia
  • a strong desire to eat known as the munchies

It is often suggested that cannabis is a gateway drug meaning its use can lead to other drug use including heroin. While most heroin users have used cannabis, they are also likely to have used tobacco and alcohol too. Only a small proportion of cannabis users go on to use heroin. 

Cannabis use involves buying illegal drugs, increasing the likelihood of encountering other drugs. The illegality of cannabis use, rather than the drug itself, may lead to contact with heroin.

Cannabis is illegal and currently classified as a class B drug in Jersey.

Cocaine: Charlie, Coke, Snow

Cocaine is a stimulant typically found as a white crystalline powder. It is usually snorted through a rolled-up piece of paper or straw, though small amounts can be sniffed directly.
Occasionally, it is dissolved and injected, which is extremely dangerous due to the heightened risk of heart attack and other injection-related risks.

Effects

Cocaine, like amphetamines and crack, induces physical and mental arousal. When snorted, its effects are almost immediate, peaking and fading within 15 to 30 minutes.

This often leads users to repeat their use every 20 minutes to maintain the desired effect. Large or frequent doses over several hours can cause extreme anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations, which typically subside as the drug leaves the body.

Common physical effects of cocaine include:

  • dry mouth
  • sweating
  • loss of appetite
  • increased heart and pulse rate

Risks

At higher doses, users may feel very anxious and panicky. The after-effects of cocaine use can include fatigue and depression as the high wears off.

Excessive doses can cause death from respiratory or heart failure. Snorting cocaine can lead to mucosal constriction and eventually perforation of the nasal septum.

Using cocaine with alcohol is especially risky. When cocaine and alcohol are used together, they form a new substance called coca ethylene which remains in the body longer than either substance alone and puts extra stress on the heart and liver, potentially causing serious consequences.

Cocaine purity can vary, so start with a small dose. Never share injecting or snorting equipment. If you choose to use drugs, it's best to do so with people you trust who have knowledge of first aid and can seek medical help if necessary.

Cocaine is illegal and currently classified as a class A drug in Jersey.

Crack: Base, Rocks, Crystal

Crack is a more intense form of cocaine, with effects that start immediately and last about 10 minutes. Made by cooking cocaine with water and baking soda, it forms crystals or small rocks which are typically smoked.

Effects 

Cocaine users experience feelings of:

  • wellbeing
  • exhilaration
  • increased confidence
  • loss of appetite
  • indifference to pain and fatigue
  • hallucinations
  • paranoia

Risks 

Crack can cause aggressive and paranoid behaviours. Users might consume 1 to 2 grams daily, but heavy users may use several grams in a single session. While highly addictive, it is not instantly addictive.

In rare cases users have died from overdose. Heavy and regular use can cause feelings of nausea, restlessness, insomnia, over-excitability, and weight loss.

Crack is illegal and is currently classified as a class A drug in Jersey.

Ecstasy: XTC, Adam and Eve, Doves, Pills MDMA Mandy, MD, Molly

Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is an empathogen with stimulant and psychedelic effects. It usually comes in tablet form but can also be found in capsules or powder. 

Tablets are often taken orally, crushed into powder, and snorted, or wrapped in cigarette paper and swallowed also called bombing. 

Tablets come in assorted colours and often display logos, leading to nicknames like Mitsubishi for pills stamped with the Mitsubishi logo. 

Effects 

Effects start within 20 to 60 minutes and last 3 to 6 hours.

Ecstasy increases brain activity, causing:

  • dilated pupils
  • jaw clenching
  • nausea
  • sweating 
  • dry mouth 
  • increased blood pressure, and heart rate 

Users report 

  • euphoria
  • empathy
  • enhanced communication

Risks 

Ecstasy use can disrupt temperature regulation, leading to overheating and dehydration, especially with excessive dancing. Users should drink small, regular sips of water but no more than half a pint per hour to avoid water intoxication.

Overdose signs include:

  • excessive sweating
  • disorientation
  • agitation
  • extreme heat

Immediate medical help is necessary if these occur. Many tablets sold as ecstasy contain varying amounts of MDMA or other substances like amphetamine or ketamine.

Frequent use leads to tolerance, reducing desired effects and increasing side effects. Taking over 180mg at once can cause dangerous side effects without additional euphoria. 

Ecstasy is illegal and classified as a class A drug in Jersey.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate: GHB, GBL, 1,4-BD

GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a depressant, not a painkiller. It’s often called liquid ecstasy because it makes users feel relaxed and happy, but it’s not related to ecstasy.

GBL (Gamma butyrolactone) and 1,4-BD (1,4-butanediol) are chemicals similar to GHB. Once inside the body, they quickly turn into GHB.

GHB, GBL, and 1,4-BD are clear, oily liquids with no smell and a slightly salty taste. They are usually taken them with water or soft drinks. They are sold in small bottles or capsules for illegal use. GBL and 1,4-BD are also used in products like paint strippers and stain removers.

These drugs are popular in the UK club scene, especially in gay clubs, but are not widely used by the general public.

Effects 

In small doses, they can make the user feel mildly high. In larger doses, they cause sedation.

Users may experience:

  • euphoria
  • lowered inhibitions
  • increased confidence
  • increased libido

Some compare the experience to taking ecstasy, but many say it feels like being drunk.

Risks 

Because GHB and its related drugs have no smell or taste, they are sometimes linked to drug-facilitated sexual assault but it’s unclear how often they are used in these crimes.

It’s easy to overdose on these drugs. The strength can vary, and the difference between a safe dose and an overdose is very small. 

Overdosing can cause:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • seizures
  • confusion
  • muscle stiffness 
  • coma 
  • respiratory collapse

Users can become physically dependent on GHB and its related drugs. This is rare but can happen quickly, especially after heavy use. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include delirium, psychosis, tremors, insomnia, and anxiety.

Dependence can develop after a weekend of heavy use or from regular use over time. More research is needed to find treatments for dependence.

Heroin: Scag, Smack, Gear, Brown, Junk and other opiates

Heroin (diamorphine) is a depressant and part of the opiate drug group. These drugs come from opium, the dried milk of the opium poppy. Other natural opiates include morphine, codeine, and thebaine which are painkillers.

Heroin is a semi-synthetic drug made from morphine and is a white powder in its pure form. Street heroin is usually off-white or brown because it is mixed with other substances. Medical heroin comes as tablets or an injectable liquid. Medical opioids like methadone and buprenorphine are used by heroin users who can't get heroin.

Other synthetic opiates made for medical use, but also abused, include:

  • Pethidine
  • Fentanyl
  • Oxycodone and Hydrocodone

Heroin can be smoked on foil also known as chasing the dragon, snorted, or injected. When injecting, it is dissolved in a heated solution of citric acid (vitamin C).

Effects

Heroin and other opiates are sedatives that slow down the nervous system and are strong painkillers. They make users feel warm, relaxed, and less anxious. Effects start quickly and last several hours, depending on the dose and method of use.

Initial use can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, but these fade with regular use. High doses cause drowsiness, stupor, coma, and even death from respiratory failure.

Risks

Injecting increases overdose risks and infections like hepatitis and HIV if needles are shared. Injecting regularly can cause damaged veins, heart and lung issues, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be fatal.

Fatal overdoses can happen, especially if users take their usual dose after a break when their tolerance has dropped. Overdoses also occur when combined with other depressants like alcohol or tranquilisers. There is also a risk of death from inhaling vomit.

Street heroin purity varies, making it hard to know what is being taken. It is often mixed with other substances, which are usually not harmful. Street heroin is usually 30% to 40% pure, but sometimes it is unexpectedly pure, leading to accidental overdoses.

Regular use leads to tolerance, needing more to get the same effect. Physical dependence can develop, with withdrawal symptoms like:

  • aches
  • tremors
  • sweating
  • chills
  • muscle spasms

Withdrawal symptoms generally fade after 7 to 10 days, but weakness may last longer. Quitting heroin can be hard, but many do succeed. For more information on the help available for opiate dependency visit the Alcohol and Drug Service at: ​​Support and treatment for opiate dependency (gov.je).

Long-term use can cause chronic constipation, irregular periods for women, pneumonia, and decreased infection resistance, worsened by poor nutrition and self-neglect.
Opiate use during pregnancy can result in smaller babies who may suffer withdrawal symptoms after birth, managed with good medical care. Opiate withdrawal during pregnancy can be dangerous for the baby, so maintaining the mother on low doses of opiate substitutes under specialist care until birth is often preferred.​

Heroin is illegal and currently classified as a class A drug in Jersey​.

Ketamine: K, Ket, Special K, Super K, Vitamin K

Ketamine is a drug with multiple effects. It can act as a 

  • dissociative anaesthetic
  • painkiller
  • stimulant
  • psychedelic

Ketamine is chemically related to PCP (phencyclidine) and is used in both human and veterinary medicine. It makes users feel detached from their surroundings, often giving them an out-of-body experience.

Pharmaceutical ketamine is usually a liquid, but on the street, it is often found as tablets or a white powder. Powdered ketamine is usually snorted but can also be swallowed. Snorting brings effects quickly, lasting from 20 minutes to a couple of hours.

Effects 

The effects of Ketamine depend on the dose. For more details, visit the DrugScience website: ​DrugScience​

Low doses (around 100mg) cause mild dissociation, hallucinations, and time distortions. 

Higher doses (above 200mg) can lead to a K-hole, a state of deep detachment from reality, with hallucinations, numbness, and strange muscle movements. 

Users may also feel sick or vomit.

Risks 

Concerns about ketamine’s risks have grown. Heavy use can harm the urinary tract, causing ulcerative cystitis, which may require bladder removal. It can also cause kidney problems and severe abdominal pain known as K-cramps.

Ketamine increases the risk of accidents due to its painkilling effects, making injuries less noticeable. Its dissociative effects can lead to risky behaviour. 

Frequent use of ketamine can lead to depression and dependence. Users may develop tolerance, needing higher doses for the same effect. 

Ketamine is especially dangerous when combined with depressants like alcohol, heroin, or tranquilisers, which can cause the body to shut down, leading to lung or heart failure.

Ketamine is illegal and currently classified as a class B drug in Jersey

Methamphetamine: Meth, Crystal Meth, Crank, Ice

Methamphetamine is a stimulant and a powerful form of amphetamine. It comes as powder, crystals, or tablets and has a similar euphoric effect to cocaine but lasts much longer.

Methamphetamine can be taken in different ways. Crystal meth, or ice, can be smoked or chased on foil like crack cocaine. The powder form is usually swallowed or snorted. Injecting methamphetamine powder is another method but increases risks.

Effects 

Methamphetamine makes users feel:

  • alert
  • energetic
  • confident
  • powerful

The effects of methamphetamine can last a long time and are followed by a severe comedown. Injecting or smoking crystal meth leads to an intense high, lasting 4 to 12 hours. 

Risks 

Methamphetamine raises heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart problems, including heart attacks. Higher doses lead to greater risks.

Common side effects include nausea, panic attacks, repetitive behaviour, and jaw clenching.

Regular use can lead to strong psychological dependency and increased tolerance. 

Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, and intense cravings. Lack of sleep and weight loss are also common problems.

Methamphetamine use is linked to psychiatric issues like paranoia, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts. It is also associated with violent behaviour and crime.

Injecting methamphetamine increases the risk of infections like HIV and hepatitis if needles are shared. Increased sexual arousal and loss of inhibition can lead to unsafe sexual practices.

Heavy and regular use can cause tooth loss and decay, known as meth mouth. This may be due to the drug itself, the way it is taken, or other behaviours. Dentists report more cases of tooth decay and erosion among methamphetamine users.

Methamphetamine is a class A drug in Jersey

Psychedelic fungi and truffles: Magic Mushroom Magics, Mushies, Shrooms, Philosopher’s Stones

Psychedelic fungi include mushrooms containing psilocybin and psilocin. These fungi produce effects like LSD. Psilocybin mushrooms grow wild in many parts of the world, including the UK, and can also be cultivated. 

Common types are 
  • Liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata), 
  • Wavy cap (Psilocybe cyanescens), and 
  • Cubes (Psilocybe cubensis). 

Psychedelic truffles are hard masses of mycelium that grow underground.

Psilocybin fungi can be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or made into tea. The dose depends on the type of mushroom and desired experience intensity. 

Effects 

  • Very low doses called microdoses cause minimal effects. 
  • Lower doses change perceptions, cause mild euphoria, and visual disturbances. 
  • Medium doses lead to significant consciousness changes and stronger feelings
  • Higher doses can cause detachment from reality, ego death, and overwhelming hallucinations. Anxiety and panic attacks are more likely at higher doses or in negative settings.

Risks 

The greatest risk with magic mushrooms is picking the wrong type and being poisoned. Some varieties can be fatal, like Amanita phalloides and Amanita virosa, which can be confused with fly agaric, and Galerina marginata, which can be confused with Psilocybe cyanescens.

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) is another type of mushroom used sometimes. It contains muscimol and ibotenic acid, which are neurotoxins. Raw Fly agaric is toxic, not psychoactive, and needs careful preparation. Its effects are more sedating and less psychedelic than psilocybin fungi. High doses can cause delirium, confusion, and muscle spasms.

Psychedelic fungi and truffles that are processed for ingestion are illegal and currently classified as class A drugs in Jersey​.

Solvents: Aerosols, Glue, Inhalants, Volatile substances

Solvents are found in:

  • glue
  • paint
  • nail varnish remover
  • dry cleaning fluid
  • degreaser

Other volatile substances include propellant gases like nitrous oxide in aerosols or fuels like petrol and butane. Most households, factories, and offices use solvents.

They give off vapours or gases at normal temperatures. Solvents can be inhaled directly through the mouth or nose, sniffed from a bag, or put on a rag before sniffing for an intoxicating effect. 

This is known as glue sniffing, solvent abuse or Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA). 

Effects 

Inhaled solvent vapours are absorbed through the lungs and quickly reach the brain. Breathing and heart rate slow down, leading to feelings like being drunk, with loss of coordination and disorientation. 

Users may momentarily lose consciousness but usually recover quickly without lasting damage. Some users report visual distortions and hallucinations.

The effects are short-lived, usually lasting a few minutes to half an hour without a repeat dose. As the effects wear off, users often feel tired and drowsy and may experience a hangover. 

Risks 

Accidental death or injury can happen, especially if young users sniff in unsafe environments. Sniffing near water, in tents, cars, or small spaces, on roofs, or near busy roads can lead to death from choking on vomit or suffocation if breathing is obstructed.

Some solvents, like aerosols and lighter gas refills, can make the heart more sensitive to exertion, leading to heart failure, especially if the user is active. 

Squirting gases directly into the mouth increases the risk of death. 

Long-term, heavy use of solvents can damage the brain, kidneys, and liver, but this is rare and more likely in industrial settings.

Tolerance can develop with regular use, requiring more to get the same effect. While physical dependence is not common, psychological dependence can occur in some users. They may rely on solvents to cope with personal, family, or social problems and often inhale alone. 

Long-term use can lead to:

  • tiredness
  • forgetfulness
  • difficulty concentrating
  • weight loss
  • depression
  • kidney and liver issues

Synthetic Opioids: Nitazenes​

Nitazenes are strong synthetic opioids. Nitazenes have no medical use. They can be injected, inhaled, smoked, or swallowed as tablets.

Common types include 

  • isotonitazene
  • metonitazene
  • etonitazene
  • protonitazene

Evidence suggests isotonitazene is sometimes mixed with heroin or cocaine. Nitazenes have been found in counterfeit tablets sold as oxycodone. The rise in synthetic opioids may be due to the crackdown on heroin production in other parts of the world. 

Effects 

Nitazenes have affects similar to other opiates, causing feelings of warmth, relaxation, and detachment, but also dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Risks

Nitazenes are very potent, leading to a high risk of overdose.

Most synthetic opioids are Class A, meaning possession is illegal.

Naloxone 

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose caused by opiates and opioids, including nitazenes. Overdoses involving nitazenes may require larger amounts of Naloxone. Call 999 to get emergency services and give Naloxone doses 2 to 3 minutes apart.​

Naloxone can reverse overdoses caused by opiates and opioids like:

  • morphine
  • heroin
  • methadone
  • buprenorphine
  • espranor
  • codeine
  • tramadol
  • fentanyl
  • oxycodone

Signs of an opioid overdose include:

  • slow, irregular, or no breathing
  • slow or no heartbeat
  • pale, clammy skin
  • extreme drowsiness
  • unconsciousness
  • very small pupils
  • low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • lack of oxygen (hypoxia), which can lead to brain damage, cardiac arrest, and death

How to obtain Naloxone

Naloxone kits and training are available for free from the HCS Needle Exchange at the Alcohol and Drug Service. They are for people who use or have used opiates, and their family and friends, to help in overdose situations.

For more information about the Needle Exchange and how to get Naloxone visit the Alcohol and Drug service needle exchange webpage at: Needle exchange service (gov.je)

Mixing drugs: polydrug use 

Mixing drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications is known as polydrug use it is unpredictable and dangerous.

Polydrug use involves using more than one drug at the same time, or one after another. It can involve both illegal drugs and legal substances like alcohol and medications. This is also called multiple drug use or multiple substance use.

Reasons for mixing drugs:

  • to enhance the effects of one drug, like drinking alcohol while using stimulants.
  • to reduce the negative effects of a drug, like using cannabis or benzodiazepines to ease the comedown from stimulants
  • substituting one drug for another, like using alcohol and cannabis when heroin is unavailable
  • taking another drug without thinking when already intoxicated
  • to reduce dependence on one drug by using a combination of others

Effects

There is no safe level of drug use. Using any drug carries risks, so the safest option is not to use substances. If you choose to use drugs, be careful.

Polydrug use affects everyone differently, based on:

  • size, weight, and health
  • whether the user is used to the combination of drugs
  • the amounts taken
  • the strength of the drugs (which varies for illegal drugs)
  • if alcohol or medications are also consumed

Predicting the effects of 1 drug is hard, and predicting the effects of multiple drugs is even harder. Taking multiple drugs of the same class (like 2 stimulants) increases the impact on the brain and body, leading to overdose. 

Mixing different classes of drugs (like a stimulant with a depressant) complicates the effects further. Any combination of drugs increases the risk of harm.

Mixing stimulants

When different stimulants are taken at the same time, such as cocaine and ice, the possibility of heart problems increases. 

Combining stimulants also increases the risk of psychosis, anxiety, or panic attacks. 

The likelihood of experiencing serotonin syndrome is also increased.

Serotonin is a hormone found in the brain that controls mood, feelings of well-being and happiness. Serotonin syndrome is a harmful drug reaction caused by too much serotonin and is often linked to MDMA, methamphetamine and cocaine. It can be fatal.

Mild side effects can include:

  • mental confusion
  • hyperactivity
  • muscular problems

More serious side effects can include:

  • fever and sweating
  • rapid heartbeat
  • muscle spasms​

Mixing depressants

Depressant drugs slow down the activity of the central nervous system and reduce breathing rate.

When 2 or more depressants are combined there is an increased risk of:

  • accidents or injury
  • impaired judgement and coordination
  • vomiting
  • irregular or shallow breathing
  • blackouts and memory loss
  • unconsciousness
  • coma
  • death​

Mixing depressants and stimulants

Mixing stimulants with depressants puts a lot of stress on the body as it tries to handle the competing effects.

For example, combining methamphetamine with alcohol strains the heart. This can lead to dangerous complications, especially for those with heart conditions.

Other effects of mixing depressants and stimulants include:

  • heart problems
  • respiratory infections and bronchitis
  • dehydration, overheating, and kidney failure

Mixing medications

Mixing medications, whether prescribed or over the counter, with other drugs can have negative effects. For example, combining benzodiazepines with opioids can decrease breathing rate and increase the risk of overdose.

Some pharmaceutical drugs can cause breathing difficulties and increase the risk of overdose and death when taken with benzodiazepines. This includes: 

  • strong pain relievers
  • antidepressants
  • anticonvulsants
  • antipsychotics
  • some antihistamines
  • over-the-counter medications

Benzodiazepines are often used to ease the comedown effects of stimulant drugs (like amphetamines or ecstasy), which can lead to dependence on both types of drugs.

Mixing different medications can also have negative effects. If you have concerns about taking medications or drinking alcohol with medication, consult a healthcare professional.

Mixing drugs with alcohol 

Alcohol interacts with many drugs, including medications, over-the-counter medicines, and illegal drugs. 

Mixing alcohol and medicines can be harmful. Alcohol and some medications can make you tired, drowsy, or lightheaded. When mixed, these effects can intensify.

Other effects of mixing alcohol and medication include:

  • difficulty concentrating
  • inability to perform simple tasks
  • risk of falls and injuries (especially in older people)

Mixing alcohol with illegal drugs can have various effects depending on the type of drug. Alcohol can increase the risk of drowsiness when mixed with other depressant drugs like GHB or heroin, leading to overdose.

Mixing alcohol with cocaine produces a chemical called coca ethylene​, which is toxic and associated with seizures, liver damage, and a compromised immune system.

Many fatal drug overdoses are caused by mixing drugs, not just from using a single drug. Polydrug deaths involving 4 or more substances have increased significantly in recent years.​

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