Medicinal and recreational drugs, the effects of alcohol and smoking, and the dangers of misuse.
What is a drug?
A drug is a substance that alters the way the body works. Drugs may be medicinal (e.g. antibiotics, painkillers) or recreational (e.g. alcohol, nicotine), and some are addictive.
| Drug | Type | Main effect |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | depressant | slows reactions, impairs judgement; damages the liver |
| Nicotine | stimulant | addictive; raises heart rate and blood pressure |
| Caffeine | stimulant | increases alertness |
| Heroin | depressant | strongly addictive; slows the nervous system |
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