DOCSLIB.ORG

Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT USER MANUAL SERIES U.S. Depanment of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children's Bureau Office on Child Abuse and Neglect This page is intentionally left blank Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders ICF International 2009 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families ChildrenÊs Bureau Office on Child Abuse and Neglect This page is intentionally left blank Table of Contents PREFACE................................................................................................................................................ 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 3 1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW....................................................................................................... 7 Overview of the Connection Between Substance Use Disorder and Child Maltreatment ................7 Organization of the Manual ............................................................................................................8 2. THE NATURE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ................................................................ 11 The Continuum of Alcohol and Drug Use.................................................................................... 11 Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of Substances ........................................................................12 Characteristics of Addiction ..........................................................................................................14 Why Some People Become Addicted .............................................................................................15 Negative Consequences of Substance Use Disorders ......................................................................16 Co-occurring Issues .......................................................................................................................17 3. HOW PARENTAL SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AFFECT CHILDREN............................ 21 The Impact on Prenatal Development........................................................................................... 22 The Impact on Childhood Development...................................................................................... 25 4. INHOME EXAMINATION, SCREENING, AND ASSESSMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS............................................................................................................................... 27 In-home Examination ...................................................................................................................27 Screening ......................................................................................................................................27 Assessment....................................................................................................................................33 5. TREATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ........................................................................... 37 The Goal of Treatment.......................................................................................................... ........37 Treatment Considerations .............................................................................................................38 Common Treatment Approaches ..................................................................................................39 Support Services ............................................................................................................................41 Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders i Gender-sensitive Treatment ...........................................................................................................42 Barriers to Treatment ....................................................................................................................44 6. THE ROLE OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WHEN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ARE IDENTIFIED............................................................................................... 45 Family Assessment and Case Planning ..........................................................................................45 Supporting Parents in Treatment and Recovery.............................................................................46 Supporting Children of Parents with Substance Use Disorder .......................................................49 7. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PROVIDERS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES .............................................................. 51 Areas of Similarity .........................................................................................................................51 Areas of Diff erence ........................................................................................................................52 8. PUTTING IT TOGETHER: MAKING THE SYSTEMS WORK FOR FAMILIES ................... 55 Setting the Stage: Principles to Guide Collaboration .....................................................................55 Collaboration at All Levels ............................................................................................................57 Techniques for Promoting Collaboration ......................................................................................58 Confidentiality and Information Sharing ......................................................................................59 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................63 ENDNOTES ......................................................................................................................................... 65 APPENDICES: APPENDIX AGLOSSARY OF TERMS................................................................................... 73 APPENDIX BRESOURCE LISTINGS OF SELECTED NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONCERNED WITH CHILD MALTREATMENT AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS....................................................................................................................... 79 APPENDIX CSTATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR REPORTING CHILD MALTREATMENT .................................................................................................................... 85 APPENDIX DDIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS CRITERIA............................................................................................................ 87 APPENDIX ECOMMONLY ABUSED SUBSTANCES ......................................................... 89 APPENDIX FCOMMONLY USED SCREENING INSTRUMENTS .................................... 93 APPENDIX GSTATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENING AND INFORMATION FORM ..................... 97 APPENDIX HMEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING ................................................ 99 APPENDIX ICONFIDENTIALITY AND THE RELEASE OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT INFORMATION ......................................................................... 101 APPENDIX JSAMPLE QUALIFIED SERVICE ORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND CONSENT FORM ................................................................................................................... 103 ii Table of Contents Preface ach day, the safety and well-being of children advances in research have helped shape new directions Eacross the Nation are threatened by child abuse for interventions, while ongoing evaluations show and neglect. Many of these children live in homes “what works.” where substance use disorders (substance abuse and dependence) create additional and compounding Th e Office on Child Abuse and Neglect within the problems. The child welfare and alcohol and drug Children’s Bureau of the Administration for Children abuse treatment fields are working to fi nd eff ective and Families, U.S. Department of Health and ways to serve families where this overlap occurs. Human Services, has developed this third edition of Intervening effectively in the lives of these children the User Manual Series to reflect increased knowledge and their families is not the responsibility of a single and the evolving state of practice on child protection. agency or professional group, but rather it is a shared The updated and new manuals are comprehensive community concern. in scope, while succinct in presentation and easy to follow, and they address trends and concerns relevant Since the late 1970s, the Child Abuse and Neglect to today’s professional. User Manual Series has provided guidance on child protection to hundreds of thousands of multidisciplinary Th is manual, Protecting Children in Families Aff ected professionals and concerned community members. Th e by Substance Use Disorders, provides a basis for User Manual Series offers a foundation for understanding understanding parental substance use disorder and child maltreatment and the roles and responsibilities of its relationship to child maltreatment. Th e manual various practitioners in its prevention, identifi cation, is intended to help child protective services (CPS) investigation, and treatment. Through the years, the caseworkers identify when drug and alcohol use by manuals have served as valuable resources for building a parent or other caregiver
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Ethics of Psychedelic Medicine: a Case for the Reclassification of Psilocybin for Therapeutic Purposes
    THE ETHICS OF PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE: A CASE FOR THE RECLASSIFICATION OF PSILOCYBIN FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES By Akansh Hans A thesis submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Bioethics Baltimore, Maryland May 2021 © 2021 Akansh Hans All Rights Reserved I. Abstract Our current therapeutic mental health paradigms have been unable to adequately handle the mental illness crisis we are facing. We ought to ‘use every tool in our toolbox’ to help individuals heal, and the tool we should be utilizing right now is Psilocybin. Although it is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it is believed to have a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical uses, and a lack of safety when used under medical supervision, Psilocybin is not addictive and does not have a high potential for abuse when used safely under medical supervision. For these reasons alone, Psilocybin deserves a reclassification for therapeutic purposes. However, many individuals oppose Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy on ethical grounds or due to societal concerns. These concerns include: a potential change in personal identity, a potential loss of human autonomy, issues of informed consent, safety, implications of potential increased recreational use, and distributive justice and fairness issues. Decriminalization, which is distinct from reclassification, means that individuals should not be incarcerated for the use of such plant medicines. This must happen first to stop racial and societal injustices from continuing as there are no inherently ‘good’ or ‘bad’ drugs. Rather, these substances are simply chemicals that humans have developed relationships with. As is shown in this thesis, the ethical implications and risks of psychedelic medicine can be adequately addressed and balanced, and the benefits of Psilocybin as a healing tool far outweigh the risks.
    [Show full text]
  • Hallucinogens
    Hallucinogens What Are Hallucinogens? Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their thoughts and feelings. They are commonly split into two categories: classic hallucinogens (such as LSD) and dissociative drugs (such as PCP). Both types of hallucinogens can cause hallucinations, or sensations and images that seem real though they are not. Additionally, dissociative drugs can cause users to feel out of control or disconnected from their body and environment. Some hallucinogens are extracted from plants or mushrooms, and others are synthetic (human-made). Historically, people have used hallucinogens for religious or healing rituals. More recently, people report using these drugs for social or recreational purposes. Hallucinogens are a Types of Hallucinogens diverse group of drugs Classic Hallucinogens that alter perception, LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the most powerful mind- thoughts, and feelings. altering chemicals. It is a clear or white odorless material made from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus that grows on rye and other Hallucinogens are split grains. into two categories: Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) comes from certain classic hallucinogens and types of mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of South dissociative drugs. America, Mexico, and the United States. Peyote (mescaline) is a small, spineless cactus with mescaline as its main People use hallucinogens ingredient. Peyote can also be synthetic. in a wide variety of ways DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful chemical found naturally in some Amazonian plants. People can also make DMT in a lab.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Solvents: Part I
    Understanding Solvents: Part I Solvents make stains and finishes work. You will never feel really comfortable with finishing until you have an understanding of solvents. Following is an overview of each of the most commonly available solvents. For a deeper understanding that better relates all the finish solvents to each other, see Understanding Solvents, Part II. For an explanation of lacquer thinner, which is composed of about half- a-dozen individual solvents, see Lacquer Thinner. Petroleum Distillates and Turpentine Petroleum distillates are distillations of petroleum. They include mineral spirits (informally referred to as “paint thinner”), naphtha, toluene, xylene and some “turpentine substitutes” such as turpatine and T.R.P.S. Their primary use in wood finishing is for thinning waxes, oils, and varnishes, including polyurethane varnish, and for cleaning brushes. Petroleum distillates are also used to remove oil, grease and wax. Turpentine is a distillation of pine-tree sap. Before the mid-twentieth century, turpentine was widely used as a thinner and clean-up solvent for oil paint and varnish and also as an oil, grease and wax remover. With the growth of the automobile industry and its need for petroleum products, a large number of petroleum solvents were introduced and these have almost entirely replaced turpentine because they are less expensive and have less unpleasant odor. The only sector in which turpentine is still used in any quantity is fine arts. To produce solvents from petroleum, the liquid is heated and gases are taken off and condensed as the temperature increases. The process is called distillation—and thus, petroleum distillates.
    [Show full text]
  • Adverse Reactions to Hallucinogenic Drugs. 1Rnstttutton National Test
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 034 696 SE 007 743 AUTROP Meyer, Roger E. , Fd. TITLE Adverse Reactions to Hallucinogenic Drugs. 1rNSTTTUTTON National Test. of Mental Health (DHEW), Bethesda, Md. PUB DATP Sep 67 NOTE 118p.; Conference held at the National Institute of Mental Health, Chevy Chase, Maryland, September 29, 1967 AVATLABLE FROM Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402 ($1.25). FDPS PRICE FDPS Price MFc0.50 HC Not Available from EDRS. DESCPTPTOPS Conference Reports, *Drug Abuse, Health Education, *Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, *Medical Research, *Mental Health IDENTIFIEPS Hallucinogenic Drugs ABSTPACT This reports a conference of psychologists, psychiatrists, geneticists and others concerned with the biological and psychological effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and other hallucinogenic drugs. Clinical data are presented on adverse drug reactions. The difficulty of determining the causes of adverse reactions is discussed, as are different methods of therapy. Data are also presented on the psychological and physiolcgical effects of L.S.D. given as a treatment under controlled medical conditions. Possible genetic effects of L.S.D. and other drugs are discussed on the basis of data from laboratory animals and humans. Also discussed are needs for futher research. The necessity to aviod scare techniques in disseminating information about drugs is emphasized. An aprentlix includes seven background papers reprinted from professional journals, and a bibliography of current articles on the possible genetic effects of drugs. (EB) National Clearinghouse for Mental Health Information VA-w. Alb alb !bAm I.S. MOMS Of NAM MON tMAN IONE Of NMI 105 NUNN NU IN WINES UAWAS RCM NIN 01 NUN N ONMININI 01011110 0.
    [Show full text]
  • DEMAND REDUCTION a Glossary of Terms
    UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.00.XI.9 ISBN: 92-1-148129-5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document was prepared by the: United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), Vienna, Austria, in consultation with the Commonwealth of Health and Aged Care, Australia, and the informal international reference group. ii Contents Page Foreword . xi Demand reduction: A glossary of terms . 1 Abstinence . 1 Abuse . 1 Abuse liability . 2 Action research . 2 Addiction, addict . 2 Administration (method of) . 3 Adverse drug reaction . 4 Advice services . 4 Advocacy . 4 Agonist . 4 AIDS . 5 Al-Anon . 5 Alcohol . 5 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) . 6 Alternatives to drug use . 6 Amfetamine . 6 Amotivational syndrome . 6 Amphetamine . 6 Amyl nitrate . 8 Analgesic . 8 iii Page Antagonist . 8 Anti-anxiety drug . 8 Antidepressant . 8 Backloading . 9 Bad trip . 9 Barbiturate . 9 Benzodiazepine . 10 Blood-borne virus . 10 Brief intervention . 11 Buprenorphine . 11 Caffeine . 12 Cannabis . 12 Chasing . 13 Cocaine . 13 Coca leaves . 14 Coca paste . 14 Cold turkey . 14 Community empowerment . 15 Co-morbidity . 15 Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control (CMO) . 15 Controlled substance . 15 Counselling and psychotherapy . 16 Court diversion . 16 Crash . 16 Cross-dependence . 17 Cross-tolerance . 17 Custody diversion . 17 Dance drug . 18 Decriminalization or depenalization . 18 Demand . 18 iv Page Demand reduction . 19 Dependence, dependence syndrome . 19 Dependence liability . 20 Depressant . 20 Designer drug . 20 Detoxification . 20 Diacetylmorphine/Diamorphine . 21 Diuretic . 21 Drug . 21 Drug abuse . 22 Drug abuse-related harm . 22 Drug abuse-related problem . 22 Drug policy . 23 Drug seeking . 23 Drug substitution . 23 Drug testing . 24 Drug use .
    [Show full text]
  • Hallucinogens
    Hallucinogens What are hallucinogens? Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their own thoughts and feelings. They are commonly split into two categories: classic hallucinogens (such as LSD) and dissociative drugs (such as PCP). Both types of hallucinogens can cause hallucinations, or sensations and images that seem real though they are not. Additionally, dissociative drugs can cause users to feel out of control or disconnected from their body and environment. Some hallucinogens are extracted from plants or mushrooms, and some are synthetic (human- made). Historically, people have used hallucinogens for religious or healing rituals. More recently, people report using these drugs for social or recreational purposes, including to have fun, deal with stress, have spiritual experiences, or just to feel different. Common classic hallucinogens include the following: • LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the most powerful mind-altering chemicals. It is a clear or white odorless material made from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD has many other street names, including acid, blotter acid, dots, and mellow yellow. • Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N- dimethyltryptamine) comes from certain types of mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. Some common names for Blotter sheet of LSD-soaked paper squares that users psilocybin include little smoke, magic put in their mouths. mushrooms, and shrooms. Photo by © DEA • Peyote (mescaline) is a small, spineless cactus with mescaline as its main ingredient. Peyote can also be synthetic.
    [Show full text]
  • Hallucinogens Hallucinations
    Hallucinogens Hallucinations Affect a person’s: Perceptions Sensations Thinking Self-awareness Emotional state Synesthesia Transposition of senses: Seeing sounds Hearing colors Flash Back Vivid recollection of hallucinogenic experience Emotional “Bad trip” (Panic, fear, etc.) Somatic Altered body sensations, tremors, weakness, dizziness, crawly, tingling feeling on the skin Perceptual Distortions of the five senses Psychotomimetic Something that mimics psychosis Delusion A false belief Illusion A false perception Natural Hallucinogens Peyote (Mescaline) Psilocybin Natural Hallucinogens Jimson Weed Bufo Alvarius Natural Hallucinogens Morning Glory Seeds Nutmeg Natural Hallucinogens Salvia Divinorum Synthetic Hallucinogens LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) MDMA “Ecstasy” (3, 4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) Methods of Ingestion Orally Smoked Transdermal Insufflation Injection General Indicators Varies and influenced by personality, mood, expectations and surroundings of user Depressed = deeper depression Pleasant = heightened pleasure Can uncover emotional flaws Bad “trip” Effects Hallucinations Body tremors Paranoia Uncoordinated Nausea Disoriented Perspiring Memory loss Difficulty in speech Flashbacks Synesthesia Poor time perception Dazed appearance Onset and Duration - Peyote 30 minutes: Onset Nausea, elevated blood pressure, pulse and temperature and dilated pupils 60 minutes: Begin hallucinogenic effects Visual distortions, rich colors, changing forms and moving shapes 3-4 hours: Peak effects “Synesthesia”
    [Show full text]
  • Technology for Drug Testing
    If you have issues viewing or accessing this file, please contact us at NCJRS.gov. Aud,OTeleconlerence Packet Technology for Drug Testing November 17, 1998 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. (EST) F'ROr:'t::~"~ ~ '~ ,.jr: National Criminal Justice Releronce Service (~NOJ.R..~).,, ,~..~ ... Box 6000 .... "-- Rockville, ME) 20849 °6000i'~~ ............ Kevin Jackson Saralyn Borrowman Presenters Provided by the American Probation and Parole Association Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention © ® Prepared under Award No. 98-JB-VX-0103 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U. S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U. S. Department of Justice. © TECHNOLOGY FOR DRUG TESTING Training Objectives As a result of this teleconference, participants will be able to: • Name six types of technology for substance abuse testing and describe the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. • Describe the difference between immunoassay and chromatography testing for urine. • List the classifications of substances that can be detected through urine testing and those for which tests are either unavailable or require more difficult or costly testing methods. • Identify ways that urine tests can be adulterated or otherwise tampered with and ways to detect and/or avoid these problems. • Make decisions for program policies and procedures regarding onsite or off site testing, instrument or noninstrument testing, drugs to test for, scheduled or random testing, frequency of testing, specimen collection procedures, chain of custody procedures, confirmation tests, cutoff levels; and • Specify how positive and negative results will be used ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Kevin Jackson Saralyn Borrowman National Institute of Justice Office of Science and Technology Washington, D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Paint Thinner Analysis Utilizing Headspace GC-MS 17
    LAAN-E-MS-E017 GCMS Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer Paint Thinner Analysis Utilizing Headspace GC-MS 17 Paint thinners, which are utilized to lessen the viscosity of paints, consist primarily of toluene, and contain other substances such as ethyl acetates and alcohols. As these compounds have anesthetic and excitatory properties, “paint sniffing”, or abuse by intentional inhalation, has become a social problem, leading to regulations targeting the inhalation of paint thinner for such purposes [1, 2]. Since GC-MS systems are often utilized in place of GC in scientific crime detection, this experiment investigated the ability of Headspace GC-MS to measure ethyl acetate, toluene, and methanol. Experiment Samples Samples consisted of commercially-available paint thinner; samples of paint thinner and water in 2 separate phases, with either water or paint thinner as the primary ingredient; commercially-available adhesive; and tissue paper with paint thinner added. Pretreatment 5 μL of commercially-available paint thinner was placed in a headspace vial (22 mL), which was then sealed with a headspace cap (aluminum cap: butyl rubber/PTFE). Samples of paint thinner mixed with water, as well as paint thinner and water in 2 separate phases, were agitated, after which 5 μL samples were quickly extracted and placed in headspace vials. The vials were then sealed with headspace caps. Approximately 50 mg to 100 mg of commercially-available adhesive was placed in a headspace vial, which was then sealed with a headspace cap. In addition, 5 μL of commercially-available paint thinner was added to a sheet of tissue paper. The tissue paper was placed in a headspace vial, which was then sealed with a headspace cap, creating a sample consisting of tissue paper with paint thinner added.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Determine If Solvents Are a Hazardous Waste
    Solvents in the Workplace How to Determine If They Are Hazardous Waste September 2016 Version 2 1 DISCLAIMER This guide is not a regulation, nor can it be considered a substitute for the actual regulations, related laws, and applicable court decisions. This guide presents EPA’s interpretation of the federal RCRA hazardous waste regulations; the reformatted Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) language in this guide is not a substitute for the CFR or its requirements. Note to Reader: Version 2 corrects typographical errors, a few caused by formatting problems in Table 1, further clarifies solvents that still can be used are nevertheless considered to be a spent material if they are instead sent for reclamation, and further describes and clarifies the discussion of F003 solvents and land disposal restriction requirements. This version also adds a Question and Answer on substituting alternative or non-hazardous solvents for hazardous solvents as effective substitutes, and clarifies the air emission requirements for solvents recycled on-site. 2 Table of Contents About this guide ............................................................................................................................................ 4 1.What are solvents and how are they used?................................................................................................. 5 2. Why do I need to know about solvents? ................................................................................................... 5 3. Do I use solvents in my facility? ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • DRE IG 14 01 Session.Pdf
    Session 14 - Hallucinogens Session 14 - Hallucinogens Learning Objectives Learning Objectives • Explain a brief history of the • Describe the typical time parameters, Hallucinogen category of drugs i.e. onset and duration of effects • Identify common drug names and associated with this category terms associated with this category • List the clues that are likely to emerge • Identify common methods of when the drug influence evaluation is administration for this category conducted for a person under the • Describe the symptoms, observable influence of this category of drugs signs and other effects associated with • Correctly answer the “topics for study” this category questions at the end of this session Drug Recognition Expert Course 14-2 Drug Recognition Expert Course 14-3 Briefly review the objectives, content and activities of this session. Upon successfully completing this session the participant will be able to: • Explain a brief history of the Hallucinogen category of drugs • Identify common drug names and terms associated with this category • Identify common methods of administration for this category • Describe the symptoms, observable signs and other effects associated with this category • Describe typical time parameters, i.e. onset and duration of effects, associated with this category • List the clues that are likely to emerge when the drug influence evaluation is conducted for a person under the influence of this category of drugs • Correctly answer the “topics for study” questions at the end of this session CONTENT SEGMENTS
    [Show full text]
  • Mental Health Effects of Recreational Drugs and Alcohol Understanding
    Understanding the mental health effects of recreational drugs and alcohol understanding mental health effects of recreational drugs and alcohol 1 Understanding the mental health effects of recreational drugs and alcohol This booklet is for anyone who wants to know more about the mental health effects of recreational drugs and alcohol. It explains how drugs and alcohol affect mental health, and what might happen if you use recreational drugs and have a mental health problem. It also provides information on what support is available and guidance for friends and family. Contents What are recreational drugs and alcohol? 4 How can recreational drugs affect mental health? 5 What types of drugs are there? 8 What effect could different drugs have? 11 Can recreational drugs and medication affect each other? 32 What support is available? 36 What help is available if I have a dual diagnosis? 38 How can family and friends help? 42 Useful contacts 45 3 Understanding the mental health effects of recreational drugs and alcohol What are recreational drugs and alcohol? Drugs are substances people take: • to give themselves a pleasurable experience • to help them feel better if they are having a bad time • because their friends are using them • to see what it feels like. They include alcohol, tobacco (nicotine), substances such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy, and some prescribed medicines. All my experiences with recreational drug use started due to social influences, of wanting to 'fit in'. Recreational drugs may be: • legal – such as nicotine and alcohol • illegal – this means it is against the law to have them or supply them to other people; most recreational drugs are illegal • controlled – these are drugs used in medicine, such as benzodiazepines; it is legal to take controlled drugs if a doctor has given you a prescription for them but it is illegal to have them if not; it is also illegal to give or sell controlled drugs to anyone else.
    [Show full text]