What are GHB / GBL / 1,4-BD? GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate) is an anaesthetic with primarily sedating rather than painkilling properties. It is often sold as ‘liquid ecstasy’ because of its relaxant and euphoric effects, although it has no relationship to…
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Pregabalin
What is pregabalin? Pregabalin, like gabapentin, is a medicine used to treat a variety of conditions including epilepsy, neuropathic pain (pain related to problems with nerve signals) and anxiety disorders. Some people use pregabalin recreationally and consequently there is an…
Gabapentin
What is gabapentin? Gabapentin is a prescription medicine used to treat a variety of conditions including epilepsy, neuropathic pain (pain related to problems with nerve signals) and anxiety disorders. Some people use gabapentin recreationally and consequently there is an illicit trade…
Flashbacks
What are Flashbacks? Flashbacks are recurring sensory or emotional experiences that happen independently of the initial experience or event. Almost everybody experiences flashbacks of some kind, triggered by a familiar smell or sound that takes them back to a special…
Ephedrine
What is ephedrine? Ephedrine is a stimulant drug derived from the plant Ephedra. It has been a feature of Chinese medicine since the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) as an anti-asthmatic and stimulant. Ephedrine has been used as an aid…
Endorphins
What are endorphins? Endorphins are natural pain killing substances found in the human brain. The name comes from endogenous (meaning within) and morphine (morphine being a pain killer). Endorphins are one of the neurotransmitters in the brain. Levels of endorphins…
Ecstasy
What is ecstasy? Brownies, cowies, dolphins, doves, E, eckies, Edward, fantasy, love doves, M and Ms, New Yorkers, sweeties, tulips, X, XTC, MDMA (powder), Mandy, MD, Molly Ecstasy comes in pill and powder forms or, very occasionally, as crystals. The…
Dual diagnosis
What is dual diagnosis? This may be a primary diagnosis of major mental illness with a subsequent diagnosis of substance use which affects mental health adversely such as cannabis use on top of schizophrenia. Conversely, there may be primary diagnosis…
Drug laws
The laws controlling drug use are complicated but there are three main statutes regulating the availability of drugs in the UK: The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), The Medicines Act (1968) and The Psychoactive Substances Act (2016) Downloads: The Misuse of…
DTs
Delirium tremens (often known as the DTs) is an acute, sometimes life threatening condition usually caused by alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms of the DTs include agitation, hallucination, delirium, uncontrollable trembling, sweating, anxiety and sudden feelings of terror.