Alcohol is the most commonly abused psychoactive substance in our society. Although alcohol is a depressant, its initial effect is an apparent stimulation. Experiencing a feeling of well-being and reducing inhibitions.

According to the DSM 5, alcohol use disorder can be classified into 3 severity levels ranging. Various factors are taken into consideration to address both physical and psychological components to alcoholism.

Alcohol abuse has hazardous side effects at every phase which may lead to life-threatening health complications that can arise during acute alcohol withdrawal, it is recommended to be supervised by a medical professional during detox.

Usually taken for calming effects, some would say their experience is similar to the effects of alcohol (talkativeness). Benzodiazepines and Opioids are highly addictive and present a host of symptoms that includes physical, psychological, and behavioural symptoms.

Initial stages of prescription drug dependence might be difficult to show definite signs. DSM 5 describes substance abuse disorder which requires 2 of a possible 11 symptoms manifesting in a 12 month period.

Signs of overdose may vary and could cause serious complications. Withdrawal from prescription drugs is highly variable in that a history of taking high doses or prolonged timeframe have more severe symptoms.

Methcathinone is a derivative of a naturally occurring stimulant drug, cathinone, which is found in the khat plant. Users describe feelings of euphoria and increased alertness.

Methcathinone can amplify the action of norepinephrine and dopamine that can cause strange behaviour. Cat produces similar effects as methamphetamine and is highly addictive and can be difficult to treat. Tolerance and dependence can develop quickly.​

Withdrawal may be very similar to methamphetamine. It involves physical and psychological symptoms which depends on factors such as the severity of the dependence.

Cocaine increases alertness, produces euphoria, and gives you the feeling of invincibility. The texture is similar to baby powder and range from a clear white, to an off-white and sometimes yellowish colour.

Cocaine use becomes easier recognizable as the symptoms become more severe with continuous use. Due to cocaine being a very powerful stimulant, an overdose can lead to the failure of a number of organs and physiologic functions, causing the brain and body to shut down.

Withdrawal symptoms depend on several factors and can be a painful and uncomfortable process and are often the reason why a person would rather return to their drug use.

Crack cocaine is a purer form of cocaine and it looks like rocks. It’s mainly off-white in colour but may appear pink.

Hiding a crack cocaine addiction is rarely easy as it is short-acting, resulting in the user needing to use more often for the desired effect. It is often associated with a dramatic deterioration of their quality of life.

Crack cocaine is a chemically modified version of cocaine and is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Due to the very short half-life, it does not remain in the system for long resulting in a ‘crash’. The crash produces apathy and severe depression in users, so a dangerous cycle of binges, crashes and drug-seeking behaviour starts.

Ecstasy is a synthetic drug and is similar to stimulants and hallucinogens. It gives an increased sense of confidence, energy, wellbeing, closeness to others, empathy and heightened senses.

​Ecstasy misuse is often disguised by the use of other substances which alters the symptoms. Long term effects of ecstasy abuse may lead to compulsive behaviours and neglect of important responsibilities.

Ecstasy is usually combined with other substances, increasing the risk of overdose. It can cause an increase in body temperature that can lead to cardiovascular and kidney failure when taken in high doses. Withdrawal from ecstasy is mild but can cause more serious psychological withdrawal.

Alpha-PVP is a synthetic cathinone (amphetamine-like stimulant found in the khat drug plant) and creates feelings of euphoria, intense concentration and more energy. Flakka is crystalline and looks like little rocks.

Flakka mimics the effects of cocaine and crystal meth and causes severe side effects. While it may be extremely addictive, the euphoric and energizing effects make it particularly enticing to users who are searching for their next high despite its horrific and dangerous side effects.

Flakka is stronger and more dangerous than other synthetic cathinone's and both fatal and non-fatal cases have been reported. In some people, it produces a catatonic-like state.

Used for calming and euphoric effects. GHB has been known as one of the ‘date-rape’ drugs due to its sedative effect as well as the amnesia that it causes.

The most common appearance when consumed is complete unawareness of their surroundings. Some believe that using GHB helps for muscle building as well as enhance sexual desire.

Safe doses are very difficult to determine which makes overdosing potentially high. There is a potential of severe respiratory depression or arrest, choking on their own vomit, falling into a coma or even death. GHB can easily cause physical dependence, resulting in excruciating withdrawal.

Also known as psychedelics, these drugs change the way a person perceives the world. It affects all the senses, altering thinking, sense of time and emotions.

A person on LSD might not necessarily be concerned about concealing their behaviour due to the emotional responses evoked by the drug.

Inexperienced users may not be aware of the late onset of the elicit effects and therefore take repeated doses over a short period which could lead to an accidental overdose. LSD primarily becomes a psychological dependence, users are not likely to experience physical ailments but rather a strong desire to take LSD because of the emotional discomfort.

Heroin users describe a feeling of a surge of pleasurable sensation or rush. In its purest form, heroin is a fine white powder but is found to be grey, brown or black in colour from the additives used to dilute it.

​With the high potential for addiction, after a sufficient time of regular use, a person will become dependent. For someone with a heroin addiction, life usually revolves around their drug use.

The high rate of overdose potential produces a life-threatening reaction. Withdrawal depends on tolerance, length of addiction, metabolism, and severity of the addiction. Withdrawal is painful and uncomfortable and the reason why a person would rather return to their drug use.

Also known as psychedelics, these drugs change the way a person perceives the world. It affects all the senses, altering thinking, sense of time and emotions.

A person on LSD might not necessarily be concerned about concealing their behaviour due to the emotional responses evoked by the drug.

Inexperienced users may not be aware of the late onset of the elicit effects and therefore take repeated doses over a short period which could lead to an accidental overdose. LSD primarily becomes a psychological dependence, users are not likely to experience physical ailments but rather a strong desire to take LSD because of the emotional discomfort.

Desomorphine, known by the street name krokodil, is an opioid derivative of codeine. Krokodil gets its name from the fact that the caustic drug causes an addict’s skin to become green, scaly and bumpy like a crocodile’s.

Like heroin and other opioids, it has a sedative and analgesic effect and is highly addictive. It is fast-acting and 10 to 15 times more potent than morphine. Due to the short duration of the “high”, users may administer the drug more frequently, resulting in physical dependence.

Krokodil is potentially fatal. Withdrawal is savage as commonly compared to heroin withdrawal results in a month of unbearable pain. Desomorphine is the strongest level of addiction and the hardest to cure.

Also known as psychedelics, these drugs change the way a person perceives the world. It affects all the senses, altering thinking, sense of time and emotions.

A person on LSD might not necessarily be concerned about concealing their behaviour due to the emotional responses evoked by the drug.

Inexperienced users may not be aware of the late onset of the elicit effects and therefore take repeated doses over a short period which could lead to an accidental overdose. LSD primarily becomes a psychological dependence, users are not likely to experience physical ailments but rather a strong desire to take LSD because of the emotional discomfort.

Mandrax has a sedative effect that slows down the central nervous system, giving you a relaxed, carefree feeling. It is a synthetic drug which comes in tablet form varying in colour and size. Ingredients include methaqualone (a sedative-hypnotic) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine with sedative-hypnotic effects).

Mandrax with Dagga is still the drug of preference in the largest parts of South Africa. It is a highly addictive drug and causes physical and psychological dependence.

Mandrax has a high overdose potential, especially when used with alcohol. Overdose is potentially lethal.

People who smoke marijuana often experience altered perceptions of the world. Otherwise, normal experience seems extremely funny, or the person might enter a dreamlike state in which time seems to stand still.

There are signs or symptoms one can look out for to know if someone is using marijuana. While many consider it to be harmless, continuous use in high doses shows a reduction in thinking, memory, and learning functions and affects how the brain makes connections.

Overdosing is unlikely, however, many people have sought medical attention. Withdrawal can be a painful and uncomfortable process and is often the reason why a person would rather return to their drug use.

When taken, it creates a false sense of well-being and energy. It is mainly sold in crystal form but could be diluted with household ingredients which gives it different colour variations.

Crystal Meth aka Tik is a potent stimulant. Its chemical makeup results in an intense high that lasts longer than most other recreational drugs. Warning signs become more apparent as health problems become more severe.

The drugs strength or purity is a major risk factor with overdose. Withdrawal involves physical and psychological symptoms. Some people may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), resulting in symptoms lasting for months.

Experiences include extreme relaxation, euphoria and deep contentment. It is suggested that a person can become a nyaope addict after the first hit. It contains a mixture of substances including marijuana, low-grade heroin, and other additives such as antiretrovirals and rat poison.

​Nyaope is highly addictive. It influences behaviour, physical changes and social changes. Another challenge is the composition of nyaope is often unknown making short- and long-term effects unpredictable.

​Like heroin, there is a high overdose potential as a result of lung and heart function reduction that can be deadly. Nyaope withdrawal symptoms are commonly similar to heroin withdrawal, painful and uncomfortable.

Usually taken for calming effects, some would say their experience is similar to the effects of alcohol (talkativeness). Benzodiazepines and Opioids are highly addictive and present a host of symptoms that includes physical, psychological, and behavioural symptoms.

Initial stages of prescription drug dependence might be difficult to show definite signs. DSM 5 describes substance abuse disorder which requires 2 of a possible 11 symptoms manifesting in a 12 month period.

Signs of overdose may vary and could cause serious complications. Withdrawal from prescription drugs is highly variable in that a history of taking high doses or prolonged timeframe have more severe symptoms.

Rohypnol has a tranquillizing effect that causes relaxation and reduces anxiety, it's ten times more potent than Valium. Rohypnol was used to treat severe insomnia, while its recreational use, when mixed with alcohol, causes the feelings of euphoria.

Because it is a central nervous system depressant, combining it with other sedative-hypnotics, the sedating effects will be compounded but it is important to know that some people experience paradoxical effects, opposite effects to what is usually experienced when using Rohypnol.

Overdosing on Rohypnol is potentially fatal. Used as a “date-rape’ drug, the unsuspected victim may not know they have ingested it in the first place.

Usually taken for calming effects, some would say their experience is similar to the effects of alcohol (talkativeness). Benzodiazepines and Opioids are highly addictive and present a host of symptoms that includes physical, psychological, and behavioural symptoms.

Initial stages of prescription drug dependence might be difficult to show definite signs. DSM 5 describes substance abuse disorder which requires 2 of a possible 11 symptoms manifesting in a 12 month period.

Signs of overdose may vary and could cause serious complications. Withdrawal from prescription drugs is highly variable in that a history of taking high doses or prolonged timeframe have more severe symptoms.