Amphetamines - do users quickly build up tolerance?

Yes. Amphetamine causes tolerance to its effects, which means that more and more amphetamine must be used to get the same effect. Users will also go to extreme measures to avoid the "downer" that comes when the effect of amphetamines wears off as Amphetamine withdrawal is characterized by severe depression and fatigue.

Cannabis - does it produce dependency?

Whilst Cannabis does not produce a physical dependency, mixing it with tobacco, which is a favourite way of taking this drug, will almost certainly produce a physical dependency on nicotine. Some users experience psychological dependency; a feeling that they need the drug to enjoy or cope with everyday life.

Cannabis - does it produce dangerous states of intoxication?

Whilst under the influence of Cannabis, tests have clearly proved that tasks involving concentration and manual dexterity, such as driving a car or operating machinery, are not performed well; so it is fair to say that there can be dangerous states of intoxication.

One of the dangers is that Cannabis users frequently report enhanced performance for tasks involving creativity, such as playing music, although this has been shown to be a wholly false perception produced by the drug itself..

Crack - is it the same as Cocaine?

"Crack" is the street name given to cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking and looks like white to tan chunks that resemble rock salt. The term "crack" refers to the crackling sound heard when the mixture is smoked (heated).

There is great risk whether cocaine is ingested by inhalation (snorting), injection, or smoking. It appears that compulsive cocaine use may develop even more rapidly if the substance is smoked rather than snorted. Smoking allows extremely high doses of cocaine to reach the brain very quickly and brings an intense and immediate high. Crack is nearly pure cocaine and can be instantly addictive.

Ecstacy - is it hallucinogenic?

Ecstasy, which is usually sold as a tablet or capsule, contains a variety of chemicals: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (or MDMA), MDA or MDEA (both similar to MDMA), amphetamine (speed), ketamine (an anaesthetic) or even LSD (acid). Some pills contain no MDMA at all. Some pills can cause a distortion of sound and vision. Hallucinations will be caused by pills that contain drugs like LSD or ketamine.

Heroin withdrawal - is it dangerous?

Sudden withdrawal by heavily dependent users who are in very poor health is occasionally fatal. Heroin withdrawal is considered less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal. However, while not dangerous, it can be very unpleasant producing severe 'flu-like symptoms, cravings, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), kicking movements ("kicking the habit").

Withdrawal, in regular abusers, can occur only a few hours after the last 'hit'. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week.

Injecting drugs - is it dangerous?

Yes it is. The major dangers of injecting are overdose, infections such as hepatitis and AIDS, from non-sterile injection methods and needle sharing, abscesses and gangrene caused by missing the vein when injecting and damage from using crushed-up tablets and other dosage forms not meant to be injected.

LSD - is it addictive?

LSD does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Addiction to hallucinogens is rare, although poly-drug addicts (people who are addicted to several drugs) frequently abuse hallucinogens as well. Because LSD users develop extreme tolerance to LSD rapidly, the drug cannot be abused for more than a few consecutive days, preventing the kind of physical and psychological dependence associated with other drugs. This tolerance usually goes away after a week or so of abstinence from the drug.

Magic Mushrooms - are they legal in the UK?

The main psychoactive substance in magic mushrooms is psilocybin (psilocin). In most countries psilocybin and psilocin are illegal and since July 2005, fresh magic mushrooms are banned in the UK.

Solvent sniffing - is it illegal?

No it isn't. Solvents include all substances that contain butane or propane gas, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene. This means that gas refills and lighters, some aerosols, some air fresheners, some paint, thinners and correcting fluid, all of which contain butane or propane, can all be sniffed. Even some aerosols containing whipping cream can be abused.

Solvents are common and used around the home every day, so it is not illegal to possess them. However, the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 makes it illegal for a retailer to sell a volatile substance to anyone under the age of 18 if they believe it will be used for inhaling to cause intoxication. It is also illegal for a retailer to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18.

Tranquillisers - can you become dependent?

Yes you can. Research strongly suggests that both physical and psychological dependence on tranquillisers occurs even with a medically prescribed dose, if tranquillisers are taken regularly for more than a few months. However, problems have been reported after shorter periods of use.

Psychological dependence is very common in users with a long-term tranquilliser prescription. Where tranquillisers are abused by illicit users, the risk of dependence is greater as they are likely to take far higher dosages.