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An alcohol & drug rehab clinic

Most psychoactive drugs fall into a number of categories. All these drugs are addictive, induce dependence and have different effects on the human brain and body:

• Stimulants
• Depressants
• Opioids
• Hallucinogens
• Cannabis
• Others e.g. solvents

Stimulants

Stimulants act on the central nervous system and are associated with feelings of extreme well-being, increased mental and motor activity. Examples include cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines (speed) and ecstasy (which is also a hallucinogen). 

Depressants

Depressants are chemicals that slow down the central nervous system and suppress brain activity causing relief from anxiety. The most common depressant is alcohol and others include barbiturates and benzodiazepines (e.g. vallium, temazepam). 

Opiates

Opiate drugs provide pain relief, euphoria, sedation and in increasing doses induce coma. Examples include heroin, morphine, opium, methadone, dipapanone and pethidine. 

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens cause changes in a person's perception of reality. These include LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin (magic mushrooms).

Cannabis

Cannabis can be classified as a depressant and hallucinogen.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is classified as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.