What's That Substance?

Stimulants

100

NIDA suggests that long-term use of this substance can result in psychosis, changes in brain structure and function, increased distractibility, aggressive behavior, and mood disturbances.

Methamphetamines

200

This substance can lead to acute or chronic paranoia, reduced attention span, problems with working, visual, and verbal memory. Long term use can cause significant cognitive impairment. It is typically used it two forms. 

Cocaine

300

This substance prevents the reabsorption of dopamine in the brain which causes a buildup that causes strong feelings of pleasure and euphoria. It is also characterized by brief periods of restlessness, excitement, followed by depression. Length of stay in the body is 48-72 hours.

Cocaine

400

This substance causes dopamine and norepinephrine to be released in the brain causing feelings of euphoria, brain swelling, brain hemorrhage, paranoia, hallucinations, and changes in dopamine production that could lead to Parkinson's Disease. Length of stay in the body 24-48 hours.

Amphetamines

500

Affecting 1-9% of most new-onset users, what substance are they using intravenously that is putting them more at risk for seizures?

Crack Cocaine

CNS Depressants

100

What is the most widely used and abused substance in the United States, with approximately 134.3 million current consumers aged 12 or older as of 2024?

Alcohol

200

This substance affects vision, distorts hearing, muddles speech, impairs judgement, dulls senses, disturbs motor skills, and reduces coordination. It has a profound affect on the frontal lobe- which allows us to analyze and program our behavior. Length of stay in the body depends on the amount ingested- Typically 24-72 hours.

Alcohol

300

Small amounts of this substance can produce calmness and relaxed muscles, but larger doses can cause slurred speech, staggering gait, and altered perception. Very large doses can cause respiratory depression, coma and death. Length of stay in the body can be 1-14 days. 

Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Methaqualone 

400

This substance blocks pain messages and allows people to bear serious injuries. Initially there is a feeling of euphoria followed by drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Users experience constricted pupils, watery eyes, and itching. Overdose produces slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma and death. Dependence is likely. Length of stay in the body is 24-48 hours. 

Opiates

500

Approximately 72,776 people died from this synthetic substance in 2023, representing about 69% of all drug overdose deaths that year.

Fentanyl

Hallucinogens

100

This substance is a hallucinogen and dissociative that is used as an anesthetic for humans and animals. Much of it sold on the street has been diverted from veterinary hospitals. Because it is odorless and tasteless and has amnesia-inducing properties, it is sometimes added to drinks to facilitate sexual assault.

Ketamine

200

This substance is one of the most potent mood and perception altering hallucinogenic drugs. It can have many effects including sleeplessness, trembling and raised heart rate and blood pressure. Users can feel several emotions at once and their emotions may seem to get crossed- giving the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. It also has an unusual echo, with many users experiencing flashbacks of their experiences days or months after using the substance. 

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) 

300

This substance was originally developed in the 1950's as an anesthetic for surgery. It is usually sold as a liquid or powder. The effects of the drug are very unpredictable. For example, it may make some people hallucinate and become aggressive, while others may become drowsy and passive. It is also addictive. Length of stay in the body is 1-8 days for rec. use. 30 days for chronic use.

PCP (Phencyclidine) 

400

This substance causes an overproduction of the neurotransmitter serotonin which can lead to damaged serotonin receptors. These damaged serotonin neurons can regrow their fibers, but they will not grow back normally. They will grow in parts of the brain they normally do not, but not in parts of the brain where they normally should. The new growth patterns may cause changes in mood, learning or memory. Length of stay in the body is 24-72 hours. 

MDMDA (Ecstasy) 

500

This substance is a hallucinogenic brew made from one of several Amazonian plants containing a psychoactive ingredient along with a vine containing a natural alkaloid that prevents the breakdown of the substance in the digestive tract. The substance has traditionally been used for healing and religious purposes in indigenous South American cultures, mainly in the Amazon region.

Ayahuasca (DMT)

Marijuana

100

The active ingredient in marijuana/cannabis is 

THC (tetrahydro-cannabinol)

200

A synthetic form of cannabis/marijuana on the market that is made to mimic THC and it's psychoactive properties is called 

K2/Spice

300

The risk for developing a cannabis use disorder is even greater for people who begin to use it before age what?

18

400

Use of cannabis/marijuana in adolescent makes you three times more likely to develop what serious mental health disorder as an adult? 

Schizophrenia

500

Is it possible to fail a drug test from inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke? 

No, highly unlikely 

P.A.W.S

100

What does P.A.W.S. stand for?

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

200

How long does it take marijuana to detox from your system? 

1-7 days occasional use

1-4 weeks for chronic use

300

Recovery from P.A.W.S. can take how long to recover from?

6 and 24 months 

400

A study of more than 23,000 individuals found that 47% of the participants who used marijuana regularly experienced what? 

Cannabis withdrawal syndrome

500

Which substances are fatal if you withdrawal from them depending on how much you take and if you stop cold turkey?

Alcohol and Benzodiazepines