What are Drugs?

 A drug is any substance that changes how the body or brain works. Some drugs are prescription or OTC medicines used to help people when taken correctly, while others can be harmful when misused such as depressant, stimulants, and other various drug types.

 The difference:

Use: Taking a medication exactly as prescribed or intended.

Misuse: Using a substance incorrectly, such as taking it the wrong way or without medical guidance. This can include taking higher dosages of drugs, than prescribed which can lead to serious addiction

Abuse: Repeated harmful use that creates problems in health, school, relationships, or daily life.

Main Categories of Drugs

 Depressants:

Effect: Slows down brain activity and the nervous system

Examples: Alcohol, Certain prescription sedatives such as sleeping pills.

Possible Effects: Slower reaction times, poor decision-making, difficulty concentrating.

 Stimulants:

Effect: Speeds up your brain and body activity

Examples: Coffee, Nicotine (Found most often in vapes and cigarettes)

Possible Effects: Increased heart rate, anxiety and restlessness

Opioids:

Effect: Reduces pain but can strongly affect the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine which can release that "High" feeling

Examples: Prescription pain medications (Pain killers) and illegal drugs.

Possible effects: Dependance (Addiction), Difficulty controlling use.

Hallucinogens:

Effect: Change perception, thoughts, and senses (Hallucinations)

Possible effects: Altered judgment, hallucinations

Cannabis:

Effect: Effects areas involved with memory, learning, and attention.

Examples: Marijuana

Why Teenagers are More Vulnerable

The brain is still developing, and the reward system can be more sensitive. Furthermore, peer influence can affect decisions greatly. If your friends are doing it, you can often be tempted to try, which is a mistake which leads to addiction.