DRUGS
DRUGS
1. WHAT ARE DRUGS ?
Drugs are substances that have a psychoactive effect on the brain.
For example, a narcotic effect, a hallucinogenic effect, or a stimulant effect.
The use of drugs can lead to addiction.
For example, to a physical (physical) or mental (mental) addiction.
But it does not have to.
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2. MEANING OF THE WORD DRUG
drug = narcotic drug, narcotic drug, psychoactive drug, hallucinogenic drug, mind-altering drug,
intoxicant, intoxicant, stimulant, drugging agent, dope.
drugs = plural of drug.
narcotics = plural of narcotic = narcotic (often used by the government).
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3. SYNONYMS OF DRUGS
intoxicants, druggies, mind-altering substances, hallucinogens,
psychoactive substances, intoxicants, stimulants, narcotics,
narcotics (singular: narcotic), dope.
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4. EFFECTS OF DRUGS
The effect of some drugs on the brain can be very dangerous.
That is why drugs are regulated in the so-called ‘Opium Act’.
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5. THE DUTCH OPIUM LAW
The Opium Act lists the substances that are legally prohibited in the Netherlands.
You are not allowed to produce, trade or possess the listed substances in the Netherlands.
The prohibited substances are divided into two lists.
N.B. The substances on both lists are therefore prohibited in the Netherlands !
5.1 Opium Act List 1
List 1 contains the ‘Hard Drugs’ that are considered very dangerous.
Examples are Mescaline, Cocaine. Heroin, GHB.
5.2 Opium Act List 2
List 2 lists the ‘Soft drugs’ that are considered less dangerous.
Examples of Schedule 2 substances are cannabis, magic mushrooms.
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6. SOFT DRUGS
Soft drugs are often not addictive.
Soft drugs are less addictive than hard drugs.
They also take longer for a user to become addicted.
Soft drugs are permitted, or ‘tolerated’, in the Netherlands.
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7. TOLERANCE POLICY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Some List 2 substances (‘Soft drugs’) are subject to a tolerance policy in the Netherlands.
These tolerated drugs may be produced, sold and used to a limited extent.
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8. CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
Drugs can be classified according to the type of action they have on the brain.
Some drugs have multiple effects (hash, know).
Note: The groups below include hard drugs, soft drugs and other drugs in the same group.
8.1 Drugs with a Stimulant Effect: ‘Stimulants’
The user is more active and attentive.
Examples: cocaine, coffee, tobacco, amphetamines.
8.2 Drugs with a Narcotic Effect: ‘Narcotics’
The user is less active and experiences a certain drowsiness (intoxication).
These drugs relax and calm down.
Examples: alcohol, sedatives, heroin.
8.3 Drugs with a Consciousness-altering Effect: ‘Hallucinogens’
The user sees and experiences the world differently than normal.
A user's mental perception changes and/or widens.
Examples: trip aids such as hashish, magic mushrooms, LSD, weed.
And also: mescaline !
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9. BECOMING ADDICTED TO DRUGS
Using drugs can lead to physical addiction or mental addiction.
But it doesn't have to.
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10. WITHDRAWAL FROM DRUGS
10.1 Withdrawal from drugs
When getting used to drugs, withdrawal symptoms often occur.
These symptoms are often related to detoxification (detoxification reaction).
10.2 Withdrawal symptoms (= withdrawal symptoms)
The withdrawal symptoms differ from one drug to another.
These withdrawal symptoms can be physical, but also psychological.
10.3 Physical withdrawal symptoms
-- palpitations.
-- pain (muscle aches, headaches).
-- shivering and trembling.
-- perspiration (sweating).
-- disturbed metabolism (intestinal cramps, diarrhoea).
-- fatigue, insomnia.
10.4 Mental withdrawal symptoms.
-- anxiety.
-- compulsive psychological desire to use the addictive drug again.
-- feeling of dissatisfaction.
10.5 Social withdrawal symptoms.
-- The ex-user needs to withdraw from the environment in which he first functioned as an addicted user.
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