Drugs Flashcards
Define a drug
It is a substance which affects the way the body works in any way
eg raises heart rate or blocks pain
What is a medicine?
It is a drug which is used to help the body to recover from illness or to reduce the symptoms of illness.
Why are some drugs illegal?
Some people use illegal drugs to affect the way that they feel. Society makes them illegal to try and protect people from themselves.
What is a recreational drug?
It is a drug which people take for fun.
Describe an hallucination
It is when the mind sees illusions, things that aren’t real. Hallucinations can feel very real to the person experiencing them. It is a dangerous state to be in as a person can do all sorts of strange things whilst their minds are in an altered state.
Identify some household substances which contain solvents
Glue
Paint
Aerosols
Explain how solvents can be abused by people.
Solvents can have mind altering effects causing highs and hallucinations.
They are dangerous because they can cause long term damage to the brain, liver kidneys and lungs.
They also cause behaviour and character changes.
People have died from the effects of sniffing glue and aerosols.
Describe some of the effects alcohol can have
It is a depressant so slows responses and brain activity
It is poisonous to humans which makes the liver and kidneys work hard to expel it
It can cause diseases such as cirrhosis which is a liver disease
It affects the brain so people are more likely to have accidents
It can be addictive
Identify 3 hallucinogens
LSD
Ecstacy
Solvents
Describe the effects of a drug which is a stimulant
They increase heart rate and energy levels
Some people think that they need them to function and become psychologically dependent on them because they need the feeling of power they give them.
Behaviour and character can be negatively affected
Give some examples of drugs which are stimulants
Speed (amphetamine)
Cocaine and crack cocaine
Methedrine
Describe the effects of a drug which is a barbiturate
They are sedatives which means they make you feel relaxed and sleepy
They are very addictive
