Addiction Counselling
Assignment Two

1. Complete the table below:

Statement

True
False

Tranquillisers are a Class B drug

✓

It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18

✓

The effects of cocaine last longer than speed

✓

Heroin is a very strong painkiller

✓

Cannabis is the most commonly used drug in the UK

✓

The most common tranquillisers are benzodiazepines

✓

Anabolic steroids can be purchased without a prescription

✓

It is an offence to possess poppers

✓

Speed is a stimulant

✓

LSD is a hallucinogenic drug

✓

2. Imagine you are required to discuss the effects of drugs to a group of teenagers. Prepare a short talk outlining the most common drugs and their side effects.

Many young people will try substances for a variety of reasons some being: curiosity, peer pressure, experimental, as a confidence booster, or a coping mechanism. I am here today just to briefly discuss a few substances you will have heard of.

One of the most commonly used substances especially amongst young people is alcohol. Alcohol is cheap and widely available however, it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. Although not illegal once you are over the age of 18 alcohol can lead to serious long-term problems. In particular it can cause cancers or cirrhosis of the liver, both putting an individuals life at risk. On the flip side the short-term effects from alcohol have a tendency to lower ones inhibitions leading to a more sociable but less alert individual. Anti social behaviour amongst teenagers whilst under the influence of alcohol is common, many find themselves doing or saying things they would not normally leading to shouting, swearing and even fighting. Unprotected sex is also more likely to happen whilst under the influence of alcohol leaving one at risk of an unwanted pregnancy or catching a sexually transmitted disease. Binge drinking is also common in teenagers, drinking a vast amount in a short space of time. The dangers of this is ones judgement is impaired making simple tasks such as crossing the road become dangerous, also choking on ones vomit after binge drinking can lead to death. At the time one is almost empowered by alcohol but their feeling is short lived when suffering from a hangover the next morning as the toxins are drained from your body. Alcohol causes vomiting, headaches and dehydration.

Another common drug most are aware of is cannabis. Currently very popular amongst your age group, and many of you will know someone who has tried cannabis, if you haven’t tried it yourself. It is said to make you feel chilled and happy yet in time cannabis can lead to anxiety, paranoia and mental illness. Cannabis can come in a variety of forms, a dark solid lump or a mixture of dried leaves, sticks, flowers and buds chopped up this can range in colour from green to brown. Cannabis can be used in many ways such as smoked in a pipe, added to food, or in a shisha type pipe called a bong. Most commonly, cannabis is mixed with tobacco into a joint and smoked. With this come the dangers of smoking, such as reoccurring chest infections and breathing difficulties.

How about ecstasy? I’m sure you will have heard of this. This is a popular drug among youngsters when clubbing. The physical effects are prominently dilated pupils, raised temperature, tingling and a rapid heartbeat. A ‘rush’ is experienced and although may appear exciting it can cause confusion and panic attacks. Similar to alcohol it could be dangerous on a night out.

Cocaine offers similar effects to ecstasy, upon taking cocaine feelings experienced are euphoria ‘on top of the world’ higher levels of confidence are also experienced. Physical effects are also similar to ecstasy as your heart beats faster and you are generally more alert and awake.

Heroin has completely different effects to