KidsHealth / Kids / What You Need to Know About Drugs What You Need to Know About Drugs Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD Larger text sizeLarge text sizeRegular text size Print Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person's body works. You've probably heard that drugs are bad for you, but what does that mean and why are they bad?

Medicines Are Legal Drugs If you've ever been sick and had to take medicine, you already know about one kind of drugs. Medicines are legal drugs, meaning doctors can prescribe them for patients, stores can sell them, and people are allowed to buy them. But it's not legal, or safe, for people to use these medicines any way they want or to buy them from people who are selling them illegally.

Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana Cigarettes and alcohol are two other kinds of legal drugs. In the United States, adults 21 and older can buy cigarettes and alcohol. But smoking and excessive drinking are not healthy for adults, and they're off limits for kids.

Although marijuana is an illegal drug in some states, a growing number of states have made it legal. Some states allow doctors to prescribe it to people for some conditions.

Illegal Drugs When people talk about a "drug problem," they usually mean abusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs, such as, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth, and heroin to get high.

Why Are Illegal Drugs Dangerous? Illegal drugs aren't good for anyone, but they are particularly bad for a kid or teen whose body is still growing. Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. Cocaine, for instance, can cause a heart attack - even in a kid or teen.

While using drugs, people are also less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. It's often harder to think clearly and make good decisions. People can do dangerous things that could hurt them - or other people - when they use drugs.

Why Do People Use Illegal Drugs? Sometimes kids and teens try drugs to fit in with a group of friends. Or they might be curious or just bored. Someone may use illegal drugs for many reasons, but often because they help the person escape from reality for a while. A drug might - temporarily - make someone who is sad or upset feel better or forget about problems. But this escape lasts only until the drug wears off.

Drugs don't solve problems. And using drugs often causes other problems on top of the problems the person had in the first place. Somebody who uses drugs can become dependent on them, or addicted. This means that the person's body becomes so accustomed to having this drug that he or she can't function well without it.

Once someone is addicted, it's very hard to stop taking drugs. Stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting (throwing up), sweating, and tremors (shaking). These sick feelings continue until the person's body gets adjusted to being drug free again.

Can I Tell if Someone Is Using Drugs? If someone is using drugs, you might notice changes in how the person looks or acts. Here are some of those signs, but it's important to remember that depression or another problem could be causing these changes. Somebody using drugs might:

lose interest in school change friends (to hang out with kids who use drugs) become moody, negative, cranky, or worried all the time ask to be left alone a lot have trouble concentrating sleep a lot (maybe even in class) get in fights have red or puffy eyes lose or gain weight cough a lot have a runny nose most of the time What Can I Do to Help? If you think someone is using drugs, the best thing to do is to tell an adult that you trust. This could be a parent, other relative, teacher, coach, or school counselor. The person might need professional help to stop using drugs. A grownup can help the person find the treatment needed to stop using drugs. Another way kids can help kids is by choosing not to try or use drugs. It's a good way for friends to stick together.

Words to Know Understanding drugs and why they are dangerous is another good step for a kid to take. Here are some words that may be new to you:

Addiction (say: eh-DIK-shen) - Someone has an addiction when he or she becomes dependent on (can't stop taking the drug without getting sick) or craves a drug all of the time.

Depressant (say: dih-PRESS-int) - A depressant is a drug that slows a person down. Doctors prescribe depressants to help people be less angry, anxious, or tense. Depressants relax muscles and make people feel sleepy, less stressed out, or like their head is stuffed. Some people may use these drugs illegally to slow themselves down and help bring on sleep - especially after using various kinds of stimulants. (See below.)

Hallucinogen (say: heh-LOO-seh-neh-jen) - A hallucinogen is a drug, such as LSD, that changes a person's mood and makes him or her see or hear things that aren't really there or think strange thoughts.

High - A high is the feeling that drug users want to get when they take drugs. There are many types of highs, including a very happy or spacey feeling or a feeling that someone has special powers, such as the ability to fly or to see into the future.

Inhalant (say: in-HALE-ent) - An inhalant, such as glue or gasoline, is sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an immediate high. Inhalants produce a quick feeling of being drunk - followed by sleepiness, staggering, dizziness, and confusion.

Narcotic (say: nar-KAH-tik) - A narcotic dulls the body's senses (leaving a person less aware and alert and feeling carefree) and relieves pain. Narcotics can cause someone to sleep, fall into a stupor, have convulsions, and even slip into a coma. Certain narcotics - such as codeine - are legal if given by doctors to treat pain. Heroin is an illegal narcotic because it is has dangerous side effects and is very addictive.

Stimulant (say: STIM-yeh-lent) - A stimulant speeds up the body and brain. Stimulants, such as methamphetamines and cocaine, have the opposite effect of depressants. Usually, stimulants make someone feel high and energized. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, the person will feel tired or sick.

1 Vote Created
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

The CDAAST is one of the most comprehensive screening tools for drug and/or alcohol abuse. This is a 150-item self-report scale that consists of items that parallel instruments such as the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). The (CDAAST) has "exhibited valid psychometric properties" and has been found to be "a sensitive screening instrument for the abuse of drugs and/or alcohol. Are Poppers Legal in Canada

Vote
Default_avatar
tolamim509 tolamim509 over 1 year ago

The Toto site provided by the Toto brand is implementing a deposit system. The reason this system is implemented is to prevent any unfortunate accidents in advance. If an accident occurs, contact the customer center and we will inform you about compensation immediately. 메이저사이트

Vote
Default_avatar
woham woham over 1 year ago

very nice post, i certainly adore this site, keep on it Formulari i aplikimit për vizë në Kanada

Vote
Default_avatar
tolamim509 tolamim509 over 1 year ago

Kongtap searches for and selects safe Kongmoney sites .In addition, special attention is paid to currency exchange and selection is made so that there is no problem with currency exchange.No matter how much money you give, if you sign up but do not exchange money, it is simply a scam site. 꽁머니사이트

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

I like reading through and I conceive this website got some really utilitarian stuff on it! . 美国签证要求

Vote
Default_avatar
xohibi4073 xohibi4073 over 1 year ago

Sculpt your entire body, develop toning, muscle mass or athletic strength. Test our top-of-the-range professional weight machines.Buy strength training equipment at Light in fitness for maximum muscle, strength and speed gain. Choose from all the latest squat racks, weight benches, weightlifting platforms, gyms and more. multivitamine nutripure

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon! credit card processing sales training

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

This is the proper blog for anybody who hopes to learn about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue along (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You certainly put a whole new spin for a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just fantastic! https://www.bestdivorcelawyerdelhi.in/

Vote
Default_avatar
xihetax417 xihetax417 over 1 year ago

Wow, fantastic blog layout! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for? you made running a blog look easy. The whole look of your website is wonderful, well the content material! เซ็กซี่บาคาร่า

Vote
Default_avatar
xihetax417 xihetax417 over 1 year ago

I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again evolution gaming

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

The next occasion Someone said a weblog, I am hoping that this doesnt disappoint me as much as this. Come on, man, I know it was my choice to read, but I just thought youd have something intriguing to talk about. All I hear is a couple of whining about something you could fix when you werent too busy trying to find attention. 먹튀폴리스 I have watched “boston legal” ever since in my college days, i love to watch courtroom drama;; ISO Agent Program

Vote
Default_avatar
xihetax417 xihetax417 over 1 year ago

I am typically to blogging and that i actually appreciate your content regularly. The article has truly peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and maintain checking achievable data. dg

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

Advantageously, typically the submit is really the very best about this laudable theme. To be sure with all your a conclusion and will thirstily await the following revisions. Really stating cheers won’t only end up being suitable, to your good readability within your creating. I may at once seize a person’s rss to sleep in abreast of virtually any upgrades. Fine job and much success within your organization business! how to become a credit card processor I am impressed with this site, really I am a fan . KBC Lottery Winner 2022

Vote
Default_avatar
woham woham over 1 year ago

Take care for an perfect material covered throughout the time of your online site, what happens is a touch of test to formulate your web page users. Who seem to reported by this short maintain in mind? . . . .Even talk lightly and after that have a crucial remain; you can expect to reach appreciably. 먹튀검증업체

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

There are some fascinating points with time here but I do not know if all of them center to heart. You can find some validity but I am going to take hold opinion until I consider it further. Very good post , thanks so we want much more! Added to FeedBurner as well https://www.drpriyatiwari.com/

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike. https://visualaidscentre.com/blog/how-get-rid-headache-due-eye-problem/

Vote
Default_avatar
tolamim509 tolamim509 over 1 year ago

Guangzhou Lvyuan Water Purification Equipment Co., Ltd.. was established in 2009, is an oem & odm gas and liquid purification and water filter cartridge manufacturer. We have obtained European and American CE, TUV, ROHS, SGS certifications.. 1 micron water filter

Vote
Default_avatar
tolamim509 tolamim509 over 1 year ago

Casino community Online casino scam verification site Casino scam Toto report gamble information sharing Baccarat site Casino analysis Evolution Gaming Major casino recommendation- ... 카지노커뮤니티

Vote
Default_avatar
luydimopso luydimopso over 1 year ago

Basically to follow up on the up-date of this topic on your web site and wish to let you know simply how much I loved the time you took to generate this valuable post. Within the post, you really spoke of how to actually handle this matter with all ease. It would be my pleasure to collect some more ideas from your web page and come as much as offer other people what I learned from you. Many thanks for your usual terrific effort. same day lieferung apotheke Many thanks I ought say, impressed with your site. I will post this to my facebook wall. Merchant Services Jobs

Vote