When it comes to illegal drugs, the most commonly tried drugs are...

* Use the navigation above to get more information on each drug, a more comprehesive guide is available on our CD-ROM, click here to get your copy.

Are all drugs addictive?

People can become psychologically dependent on any drug – or anything else for that matter. This means that the person using drugs feels they cannot cope or face the world unless they are under the influence of drugs. This form of dependency has more to do with the people using the drug rather than about the particular drug they are taking.
In contrast people can only become physically dependent on certain drugs. Physical dependency results from the repeated, heavy use of drugs like heroin, tranquillisers and alcohol. Heavy and continual use of these drugs can change the body chemistry so that if someone does not get a repeat dose they suffer physical withdrawal symptoms - the shakes, flu like effects. They have to keep taking the drug just to stop themselves from feeling ill.

Continual use of drugs like cannabis, ecstasy and LSD does not result in physical dependency, even though people may become psychologically and socially dependent. With other drugs – and particularly stimulant drugs such as cocaine, crack, amphetamine and the nicotine in cigarettes – there is debate over the extent that physical dependence can occur although there is a direct link between these drugs and a social dependency.

Click here to read through the FAQ section