Recreational drugs fall into 3 main categories
Recreational drugs are mind-altering chemical
substances that are used for non-medicinal, leisure purposes (i.e.
taking a substance for the sole purpose of getting 'high').
These are split into 3 main categories:
- Hallucinogenics - these affect the mind and what you see, feel or hear
- Downers - these affect thought, heart rate and breathing
- Uppers - which make the body faster in terms of speech, reaction and heart rate
Recreational drugs are also known as psychoactive drugs, due
to their effects on one's consciousness, cognition, mood and
behaviour.
This may lead to addiction or substance abuse which, in
turn, can have a detrimental effect on the user’s physical and mental
health.
However, the consequences of recreational drug use can be a
lot more severe for people whose health is already affected by
conditions such as
diabetes.
What types of recreational drugs are there?
There are many types of recreational drugs. Some people are often surprised to realise that caffeine is a drug.
The most commonly used drugs are:
What effects do these drugs have?
Recreational drugs affect both the mind and body, causing a wide range of feelings and emotions.
Some such as amphetamines and ecstasy are stimulants which act on the
central nervous system, causing an increase in heart rate and a rush of blood through the
heart and
brain.
Users often report increased confidence and energy levels
combined with a physiological arousal, but as the body's energy levels
reduce they become prone to feelings of:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
The mental and physical effects of drugs such as cannabis are
noticeable but usually milder, while others such as crack and LSD are
much more intense and extreme in their effects, with users often
experiencing hallucinations and paranoia.
There are also differences between each drug in terms of how quickly
the effects are experienced, the length of time they last and the
after-effects (withdrawal symptoms).
How are recreational drugs administered?
There are a number of ways in which these substances can be taken:
- Orally, as a liquid or solid
- Inhaled as a vapour
- Insufflation, or snorted into the nose
- Injected either intramuscular or intravenously.
Effects of recreational drugs on diabetes
Many of the physical effects of recreational drugs can affect
blood glucose control, which for people with diabetes can lead to serious
health complications.
While the effects of legal drugs like alcohol and nicotine (smoking)
on diabetes are well documented, the role of marijuana, cocaine and
other illicit substances remains less clear because of their illegal
status in the UK and many other countries.
Research into illegal substances
However, the research that is available on the general
effects of illegal substances suggests that while they all affect
diabetes control in one way or another, cannabis could also be used to
help treat the disease.
Previous studies have linked cannabis use to
hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) - a common problem for people with diabetes.
However, some researchers have shown that cannabis, which
is already used in the treatment of some medical conditions, could
also have a number of anti-diabetes benefits.
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