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(Source: Department of Health and Aged Care - Australian Government)

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Drugs are substances that change a person’s mental or physical state. They can affect the way your brain works, how you feel and behave, your understanding, and your senses. The effects of drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous, especially for young people. Every person reacts to a drug differently.

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(Source: The New England Journal of Medicine)

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Drugs are addictive because they affect the brain’s reward system. "How?" you may ask. Well, when someone takes a drug, it releases a large quantity of dopamine (dopamine is a chemical that makes you feel pleasure or happiness). This sudden release of "happiness" makes you want to keep using the drug as it gives you a positive effect. Over time, the brain gets used to the drug and produces less and less dopamine naturally, making the person need more of the drug to feel good. This tends to lead to addiction, where you keep using the drug even if it harms you because it makes you feel good.

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(Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA))

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Morphine: Derived from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), used for pain relief.

Cocaine: Extracted from coca leaves (Erythroxylum coca), used as a stimulant.

Cannabinoids (THC & CBD): Found in cannabis (Cannabis sativa), used for pain, nausea, and relaxation.

Psilocybin: Found in certain mushrooms (Psilocybe species), known for its hallucinogenic effects.

Quinine: Derived from cinchona bark (Cinchona species), used to treat malaria.

Atropine: Extracted from deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), used to treat nerve agent poisoning and dilate pupils.

Digoxin: Sourced from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), used to treat heart conditions.

These are all derived from plants, fungi, or other natural sources

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1. Medical Benefits

Pain Relief: Opioids like morphine effectively manage severe pain.

Mental Health Treatment: Antidepressants and antipsychotics help treat depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

Disease Treatment & Prevention: Antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines fight infections and prevent illnesses.

Neurological Support: L-Dopa helps Parkinson’s patients; stimulants assist those with ADHD.

Anesthesia and Surgery: Sedatives and anesthetics enable painless surgeries.

2. Therapeutic and Cognitive Benefits

Improved Focus and Alertness: Stimulants like modafinil enhance concentration.

Psychedelic Therapy: Psilocybin and MDMA are studied for PTSD and depression treatment.

Relaxation & Stress Relief: Cannabis and certain herbal medicines may aid relaxation.

3. Social and Cultural Benefits

Traditional and Religious Uses: Some cultures use ayahuasca or peyote in spiritual rituals.

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(Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA))

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1. Physical Health Effects

Addiction & Dependence: Many drugs, including opioids, nicotine, and alcohol, can lead to substance use disorders.

Organ Damage: Long-term drug use can harm the liver (alcohol), lungs (smoking), and heart (stimulants like cocaine).

Weakened Immune System: Drugs like heroin and methamphetamine can suppress immunity, increasing infection risk.

Overdose & Death: High doses of opioids, alcohol, and stimulants can cause fatal overdoses.

2. Mental and Psychological Effects

Anxiety & Depression: Drug misuse can lead to or worsen mental health issues.

Paranoia & Psychosis: Hallucinogens, methamphetamine, and excessive cannabis use can cause delusions or hallucinations.

Cognitive Decline: Chronic drug use can impair memory, decision-making, and learning ability.

3. Social and behavioural consequences

Legal Issues: Drug-related crimes, DUIs, and possession charges can have long-term consequences.

Relationship Problems: Addiction can lead to broken relationships and social isolation.

Poor Academic & Work Performance: Drug use can reduce focus, motivation, and productivity.

4. Economic & Financial Impact

Financial Struggles: Addiction can lead to job loss and excessive spending on substances.

Healthcare Costs: Drug-related health issues increase medical expenses for individuals and society.

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(Source: Herald Sun—Kate DeAraugo Talks Winning Addiction Battle)

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"Kate DeAraugo, the winner of Australian Idol in 2005, has been open about her battle with drug and alcohol addiction. After gaining fame, she faced the pressures of being in the public eye, and these pressures contributed to her struggles with substance abuse. Despite winning a prestigious national title, her addiction led her to a downward spiral, which affected both her career and personal life.

Kate entered recovery after multiple attempts at rehabilitation. After seven years of sobriety, she now uses her experience to encourage others struggling with addiction. She speaks about the importance of mental health and recovery, particularly in the context of the music industry. Kate emphasizes the need for self-care and community support in the journey to recovery. Her story has helped many understand that recovery is possible, no matter the extent of one’s struggles."

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(Source: The Sun—Sean Willers Addiction Recovery Story)

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"Sean Willers’ story of recovery is particularly inspiring, as he transformed his life from addiction to one of fitness and health. Willers had been using alcohol and drugs for years, leading him down a path that resulted in financial ruin, personal loss, and multiple near-death experiences. He hit rock bottom after an overdose but found the strength to seek help.

Through a combination of rehab and a focus on fitness, Willers turned his life around. He became passionate about physical health as an integral part of his recovery. Willers not only got sober but also began helping others through fitness coaching and motivational speaking, encouraging individuals to focus on physical and mental health as they heal. His journey proves that addiction can be overcome and that physical fitness and mental health are deeply interconnected in the process of recovery."

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"AJ McLean, a member of the Backstreet Boys, faced significant challenges with substance abuse during the early 2000s. The relentless cycle of touring and recording led him to turn to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. His turning point came when he realized he had started drinking on stage, prompting him to acknowledge that something was amiss. With the support of his bandmates, McLean sought help and entered rehabilitation in 2001. Despite facing relapses, he remained committed to his recovery journey. As of September 2024, McLean celebrated three years of continuous sobriety. He now dedicates his time to hosting Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries between his professional and personal life. McLean's story underscores the complexities of addiction and the ongoing effort required to maintain sobriety."

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www.drugs.ie

www.askaboutalcohol.ie

https://www.talktofrank.com/

https://spunout.ie/

www.drugs.com

www.medlineplus.gov

www.webmd.com

www.mayoclinic.org

www.fda.gov

www.pdr.net

www.rxlist.com

www.drugabuse.gov

www.hc-sc.gc.ca

www.medispan.com

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HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline – 1800 459 459 (hse.ie)

Drugs.ie – Online support (drugs.ie)

Narcotics Anonymous Ireland – 01 672 8000 (na-ireland.org)

Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland – 01 842 0700 (alcoholicsanonymous.ie)

Al-Anon Family Groups – 01 873 2699 (al-anon-ireland.org)

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Methamphetamine (Meth): A powerful stimulant affecting the central nervous system.

Fentanyl: A synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin.

Ecstasy (MDMA): A psychoactive drug altering mood and perception.

LSD (acid): A hallucinogenic drug affecting the brain’s serotonin receptors.

Ketamine: Originally used as an anaesthetic, now often misused recreationally.

These are chemically created in laboratories and are often more potent than natural drugs

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In 2021, around 296 million people worldwide (5.8% of the global population) aged 15–64 used psychoactive drugs. Of these, about 39.5 million individuals were affected by drug use disorders.

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(Source: World Health Organisation (WHO))

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Drug use contributes to approximately 600,000 deaths annually, with 420,000 occurring among males and 160,000 among females. Additionally, more than 36 million years of healthy life are lost each year due to drug use.

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(Source: World Health Organisation (WHO))

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In 2019, alcohol consumption was responsible for 2.6 million deaths worldwide, accounting for 4.7% of all global deaths. Notably, 13% of these fatalities occurred among individuals aged 20 to 39.

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In 2019, 17% of drinkers over the age of 15 engaged in binge drinking, with significant alcohol use reported among individuals aged 15 to 19.