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Other Drug Information
How A Drug Works
Every drug has a different effect on each user. For example, marijuana makes
some users act outgoing and talkative, while other users become withdrawn
and quiet. Even the same user can respond dramatically different when taking
the same amount of drug than he or she did before. This is because the effects
depend on several different things:
Dose
How much of the drug is being taken? What is the strength of the drug? It
is very hard to tell the exact strength of a drug. Drugs may become weaker
because they change chemically as time passes. Where a drug is made or grown
will also influence its strength. Drugs manufactured on the street may be
very strong or very weak. In addition, drugs may be mixed with other drugs
or other substances.
Mood and Expectation
A person's mood and expectation may have significant impact on the response
to a drug. When a person is happy, sad or angry, for example, the body reacts
by altering the heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and hormone secretion.
This in turn impacts the response to a drug.
Setting
The setting or environment includes both the physical place where the drug
is taken and the psychosocial circumstances surrounding its use. A person
will react differently when taking a drug out on the street when compared
to taking it in a controlled setting with protective friends for example.
Route
How is the drug being taken? There are a variety of ways that drugs can
enter the bloodstream. Some drugs can be injected, others can be inhaled
or smoked, and some can be swallowed. The fastest way into the bloodstream
is through injecting the drug with a needle. It usually takes a longer period
of time for a drug to reach the bloodstream when inhaled and even longer
if it is swallowed.
Individual Body Type
Every person is different and therefore has a different reaction to drugs.
For example, our bodies are different sizes and respond to drugs differently.
In addition, if a person has used drugs before or on a regular basis, his
or her body may require more of the drug to produce the desired effect.
This is called tolerance. Experienced users may be able to take a dose of
some drug that would kill an inexperienced user.
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