There are four main types of drugs, and these are broken up according to how they affect us. On top of this, there are some that don’t fit into any particular category. Recreational drugs and alcohol can become addictive. If you can notice that you are becoming addicted, it is best to seek help or consider drug or alcohol rehab.
Drugs and alcohol can have a lasting impact on our mental health. This is especially so if we use drugs and also have a mental health condition already.
What are the main categories for drugs?
- Stimulants (drugs such as cocaine)
- Depressants (like alcohol)
- Opiates (such as heroin)
- Hallucinogens (such as LSD)
How do stimulants make you feel?
Stimulants affect your mind and body, making you feel energetic and alert, very talkative and excited. These drugs can be very dangerous if taken in large volumes, and can potentially cause death. The body can come under a lot of stress from being so stimulated.
Repeated use of stimulative drugs can cause issues like psychosis (losing touch with reality) and Paranoia (delusional thoughts). This may even be diagnosed as schizophrenia in extreme cases.
How do depressants make you feel?
Depressants cause a sedative effect on your body. They make you feel very relaxed, chilled out, and mellow. However, these drugs can possibly also cause issues such as anxiety, nightmares and aggression.
Depressants are dangerous when taken at high doses, as they can slow the heart rate very quickly to a very low rate. These drugs are also highly addictive.
How do opiates make you feel?
Opium related painkillers can cause you to feel a rush of pleasure in your body. They can put you into a drowsy, dream-like state. This feeling can make you want to continue taking the drugs, possibly causing addiction.
Taking these in high doses can slow both your breathing and your heart rate, which can potentially cause death.
How do hallucinogens make you feel?
Hallucinogenic drugs vary a lot in the way that they can affect your body. So much so, that the same drugs can affect you differently at different times. Hallucinogenic drugs can make you feel as if you are detached from your surroundings, and have an altered sense of time and space. They can make you experience mood swings, hallucinations, illusions and distortions of reality. Some people feel as though they have an insight into the ‘real world’ or have mystical and religious experiences when under the influence of the drugs.
The experiences can either be positive or very strong and not much fun at all.
