Substances

GHB

Benzodiazepines
(e.g., Xanax, Valium)

• Acts like a sedative and mild anaesthetic
• Can produce feelings of pleasure, relaxation, disinhibition, nausea, vomiting, and/or impairment of motor functions
• Alcohol is linked with aggression
• Withdrawal can be fatal and must be medically supervised, symptoms can include nausea, tremors, vomiting, extreme irritability, anxiety, hallucinations, and seizures
• Can contribute to respiratory depression when used in combination with other substances (e.g., opioids)

weed, pot, marijuana (NIDA, 2024)

• Can produce feelings of calm, hunger, dry mouth, levity, arousal, lethargy, drowsiness, anxiety, paranoia
• Intoxicating effects of Cannabis are associated with a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) while the non-intoxicating effects are associated with cannabidiol (CBD)
• THC can result in a “high” that alters perception of time and affects memory, thinking, and motor skills
• Adolescents who use cannabis are at higher risk of developing psychotic disorders (McDonald et al., 2024)
• Smoking or vaping cannabis causes harm to the lungs
• Frequent and high cannabis use has been linked to deficits in attention, memory, learning, and language

Caffeine

Amphetamines
(e.g., Adderall)

Methamphetamines
(e.g., crystal meth)

Nicotine

• Have an intense activating effect on the brain, making people feel more energetic, confident, and alert Increase energy and euphoric feelings but reduce appetite
• An overdose on stimulants is often called ‘overamping’ and can lead to heart attack, stroke, seizure or overheating (NHRC, n.d.-b)
• Physical symptoms might include nausea/ vomiting, tremors, teeth grinding, chest pain, convulsions, and accelerated heart rate
• Psychological symptoms might include anxiety, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, extreme agitation, and aggressiveness

Fentanyl (fetty, fent)

Oxycodone

Codeine

Morphine

Methadone

• Effects include pain relief, relaxation, euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, and constipation
• Opioids suppress breathing and can lead to overdose, respiratory arrest, and death
• Depending on the person, dependence, tolerance, and opioid use disorder can develop, with dangerous and life-threatening consequences

LSD (acid)

DMT

MDMA (ecstasy,
molly, M)*

• Can contribute to heightened senses, visual or auditory hallucinations, distorted perception, euphoria, spiritual connection, loss of coordination, unusual behaviour, anxiety, panic, psychosis
• Have lower dependence potential
• *MDMA has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties

Nitrous oxide

PCP

• Can produce feelings of relaxation, weightlessness, euphoria, disconnectedness, numbness, hallucinations, panic, loss of motor skills, blurred sense of own identity
• Dissociatives are considered a class of psychedelic drugs