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Drugs - How to keep yourself safe

Are you going on a night out with your mates? Or are you just wanting to know more. Here are some tips and advice for staying safe while having a good time. 

Top tips for a good safe night out

  • Stay together and look out for each other - Decide a meeting point, make a pact you will meet back there at an agreed time.Have a group chat and drop a pin at your agreed location.
  • Know what to do if your friend is unconscious or having difficulty breathing - Calling for an ambulance and making sure you relay all you know to the paramedics so they can help.
  • Have a plan for the end of the night out - make sure you all have a plan so you can get home safely, if your plans change let someone know and also let each other know when you get home and are safe.
  • Make sure your phone is charge before you go out.
  • Make sure you share your location with someone.

Ketamine

Ketamine is a class B drug sometimes known as Ket or Special K. It commonly comes as a grainy white powder people snort or swallow. If snorted it can take between 5-15 minutes to kick-in and if swallowed it can take between 15-25 minutes. The effects can last between 45 minutes and 2 hours but this will depend on how much you take and how you take it. Ketamine can make you feel detached from reality, as though you are separated from your body and mind. You may experience hallucinations and it can make you lose the ability to move. This is known as a k-hole. Some people find this experience fun, others find it can be scary.

What are the effects?

People take ketamine to experience:

  • Calmness and serenity
  • Being in a dream-like state
  • Out-of-body experience (K-hole)

It can also cause unpleasant side effects, such as:

  • Short term memory loss.
  • Paranoia, especially with frequent use.
  • Paralysis.
  • Experiencing scary hallucinations.

There are other risks to taking ketamine:

  • Can experience severe stomach pain often called k-cramps.
  • It can cause long term memory problems.
  • Long term use can damage the bladder and in severe cases can result in it being removed. Contact your GP if you notice pain when urinating or blood in your urine.
  • Frequently using ketamine can lead to you becoming dependant on it. If you feel it is negatively affecting your life, please get in touch.

If it is an emergency stay with the person, call 999 and put them in the recovery position.

MDMA (Ecstasy)

MDMA is a drug that alters your mood and increases your energy. It is sometimes referred to as MD, Mandy, or Molly. It is a popular party drug because it can make your surroundings and music feel more intense. It can also make you feel more affectionate towards other people.

MDMA usually comes as a white/grey powder or crystal that people swallow or dab onto their gums. The effects can take 20 minutes to an hour to occur, depending on the amount taken. It can last for several hours. MDMA can also come in the form of Ecstasy. This is usually a colourful pill.The comedown from using MDMA/ecstasy can make you feel depressed for several days.

MDMA/ecstasy is sometimes mixed with other things that can effect how strong it is. This means you can never be sure you’re taking what you think you are. Ecstasy pills are sometimes a combination of MDMA, caffeine, ketamine, MDA, methamphetamine or PMA. Other drugs that have been mixed in might take longer to have an effect. It’s important to leave enough time between taking doses to avoid overdosing.

What are the effects?

People take MDMA to experience/feel:

  • Sense of happiness
  • Enhance their clubbing/dance experience
  • More awake and alert
  • Talkative and sociable

It can also cause unpleasant side effects, such as:

  • No appetite
  • Change in body temperature
  • Panic attacks
  • Unexpected emotions
  • Gurning (tightening and moving of the jaw)

There are other risks to taking MDMA:

  • Heatstroke and dehydration
  • Overhydration (too much water)
  • Depression
  • Nausea and decreased appetite
  • Taking too much can cause an overdose. Signs to look out for include abdominal cramping, elevated body temperature, nausea and vomiting.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a class A drug. It’s sometimes known as coke, sniff, blow or Charlie. It commonly comes as a white powder people snort as small lines.

Cocaine is a stimulant that can make you feel excited and full of energy. It will also make your heart beat faster and you might sweat a lot more. How long the effects last can vary depending on how much you take, how pure it is, and whether you’ve eaten. Cocaine can look like other white powdered substances, so you can never be sure you’re taking what you think you are. It is often ‘bulked out’ with other things such as caffeine, talcum powder or laundry detergent.

What are the effects?

People take cocaine to feel: 

  • More talkative and sociable 
  • More confident 
  • Euphoric (intense excitement and happiness) 

Cocaine can cause unpleasant side effects, such as: 

  • Not being able to sleep and feeling restless. 
  • Mood changes, such as feeling anxious or irritable. 
  • Being overconfident, violent or aggressive.  
  • Nosebleeds and a constant runny nose. Using lots of cocaine can damage your nasal septum (the middle bit) and lead to infections. 

There are other risks to taking cocaine: 

  • It can do long-term damage to your mental health, including paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis. 
  • It can make you more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. 
  • Taking too much can cause an overdose. Signs to look out for include confusion, seizures, vomiting and trouble breathing.  
  • Using lots of cocaine can lead to you becoming dependant on it. If you notice it negatively affecting your life.  

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, sometimes known as NOS or laughing gas, is a drug that dentists sometimes use as an anaesthetic. People also use it for cooking, which is why it’s easily available. People also take nitrous oxide as a recreational drug. Usually, they fill a balloon with the gas from the canister and inhale it.We don’t understand much about how nitrous oxide works on people, but it can make you feel happy and relaxed. It can also make you feel dizzy and sick. People often take it at parties, festivals and outside bars and nightclubs. The effects of nitrous oxide start very quickly after you’ve taken it, and they go away very quickly.

Is nitrous oxide illegal?

There’s no penalty for owning nitrous oxide, and you can buy it legally for use in cooking and other products. Selling nitrous oxide for the purposes of inhaling it is illegal.

What are the effects?

People take nitrous oxide to experience:

  • A feeling of euphoria
  • Laughter, relaxation, tingling in your ears and other feelings in your body

It can also cause unpleasant side effects, such as:

  • Dizziness, feeling sick and headaches
  • Losing control of your body movements
  • Accidents caused by you feeling dizzy

There are other risks to taking nitrous oxide:

  • Inhaling nitrous oxide straight from the canister is very dangerous.
  • Some people inhale nitrous oxide by putting a plastic bag over their head. This is very dangerous, and some people have died doing it.
  • Doing lots of it can cause sore, red eyes and irritate the parts of your body that help you breathe well.
  • It can cause irregular heartbeats.
  • Doing lots of it can make you low in vitamin B12. This can cause anaemia (low iron), nerve damage and other problems.

After using substances, you may notice that you feel differently as the effects start to wear off. You might feel tired, low in mood, irritable, nauseous or even experience flu-like symptoms. This is what people mean when they refer to a comedown.

When you use drugs, it releases excessive amounts of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the hormone that controls your happiness and gives you that euphoric feeling. During a comedown, your serotonin levels are low, which can be an uncomfortable experience. This can last a few days depending on how long you’ve been using substances and the amount taken.

If you’re feeling rubbish the day after a big night, here are some tips for helping you feel better mentally and physically during a comedown.

Physical Recovery

1. Take a break from using substances. Allow your body and brain time to recover and your serotonin to regenerate.

2. Boost your serotonin and eat a healthy diet. Bananas, dark chocolate and nuts are healthier ways to boost your serotonin levels and can shorten your comedown.

3. Get plenty of sleep to help your body recover. Pineapple can trigger the production of the hormone melatonin, which can help you get a good night’s sleep if you’re struggling.

4. Drink plenty of water, orange juice or isotonic drinks. This will help rehydrate your body and replace your salt levels.

5. If you are on prescribed medication, get some advice from your GP about whether these should be taken during a comedown.

Mental Recovery

1. Do some gentle exercise. Going for a walk releases endorphins which can help improve your mood.

2. It’s common to feel low and depressed during a comedown. Do something that makes you feel happy - put your favourite film on. Pet your dog. Listen to some music.

3. As tempting as it is, don’t isolate yourself. Check in with a mate or call Samaritans on 116 123.

4. If you’re worried about hurting yourself or someone else, contact your GP or go to A&E and tell them what you’ve taken so that they can support you.

All information has been taken from Help Your Mate | Change Grow Live | Advice for young people on drinking and drugs 

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Last updated: 10/05/2023

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