Drug Education

Understanding how drugs affect the brain and body can help you make informed decisions, recognize dangerous situations and know when to seek support. RISE provides substance use education, individualized coaching and connections to campus and community resources.

On This Page

• Understanding Substance Use
• Stimulants
• Cannabis
• Depressants, Opioids & Fentanyl
• Hallucinogens & Dissociative Drugs
• Recognizing an Overdose
• Reducing Substance-Related Risk
• Substance Use Support
• Additional Resources

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Understanding Substance Use

People use substances for many reasons, and substance use does not look the same for everyone. Risk can depend on the substance, amount, frequency of use, individual health, other substances being used and whether the contents of a substance are known.

Tolerance, Dependence & Addiction

These terms describe different experiences and are not interchangeable.

• Tolerance: Over time, a person may need a larger amount of a substance to experience effects similar to those they experienced previously.
• Physical dependence: The body adapts to repeated use of a substance and may experience withdrawal when use is reduced or stopped.
• Substance use disorder: A pattern of substance use that causes significant problems or makes it difficult to control use despite negative consequences.

Tolerance can increase risk because a person may consume increasingly large amounts of a substance. Tolerance can also decrease after a period without use, making a previously familiar amount more dangerous.

Drug Categories

Substances are often grouped according to how they generally affect the central nervous system. Some substances can have characteristics of more than one category.

Explore the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Drug Wheel

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Stimulants

Stimulants increase activity in the brain and central nervous system. They can increase alertness, energy, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

Stimulants include substances such as nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, along with some medications when prescribed for medical purposes.

Nicotine & Vaping

Nicotine is highly addictive and is found in cigarettes, many vaping products and other tobacco or nicotine products. Nicotine affects the brain's reward system and can lead to dependence and withdrawal.

Vaping is not risk-free. Aerosols can contain nicotine and other substances that may affect the lungs and cardiovascular system. Nicotine concentration can also vary substantially among products.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can increase alertness and energy while also increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Possible adverse effects include anxiety, panic, paranoia, irregular heart rhythm, seizures, stroke and overdose.

Illicit drugs may contain unexpected substances, including fentanyl. A person may therefore be exposed to an opioid without knowing it.

MDMA

MDMA, sometimes called ecstasy or molly, has stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. It can alter mood, perception and body temperature while increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Serious reactions can include dangerous overheating, seizures, loss of consciousness and cardiovascular complications. Risk may increase when MDMA is combined with physical exertion, hot environments or other substances.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that can cause substantial increases in heart rate and blood pressure. It has a high potential for dependence and can affect mood, cognition, sleep and cardiovascular health.

Severe reactions can include extreme agitation, overheating, seizures, chest pain, psychosis or loss of consciousness.

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Cannabis

Cannabis can affect memory, attention, coordination, reaction time, perception and judgment. Effects vary based on THC concentration, method of use, frequency of use, individual factors and whether other substances are used at the same time.

THC & Potency

THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Products with higher THC concentrations can produce stronger and sometimes less predictable effects.

Possible effects can include:

• Changes in perception and sense of time
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering information
• Reduced coordination and reaction time
• Anxiety or panic
• Paranoia
• Increased heart rate

Edibles

Edible cannabis products can take longer to produce noticeable effects than inhaled cannabis. This delay can make it easier to consume more than intended before the full effects are apparent.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids are chemically different from cannabis and can produce unpredictable or severe reactions. Products may vary significantly in strength and composition.

Severe reactions can include extreme agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures and cardiovascular problems. Call 911 for a serious reaction.

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Depressants, Opioids & Fentanyl

Depressants slow activity in the brain and central nervous system. They can cause relaxation and drowsiness but can also impair coordination, judgment and breathing.

Depressants include alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Combining depressants can greatly increase overdose risk.

Opioids

Opioids include prescription pain medications as well as substances such as heroin and fentanyl. They can relieve pain and cause relaxation or euphoria, but they also slow breathing.

Signs of an opioid overdose can include:

• Inability to wake or respond
• Slow, shallow or stopped breathing
• Gurgling, choking or unusual snoring sounds
• Blue, gray or unusually pale lips or skin
• Very small pupils

Call 911 immediately if you suspect an opioid overdose.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically for certain types of severe pain. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl may also be present in drugs sold as other substances.

Because fentanyl may not be visible, smellable or otherwise detectable without testing, someone can be exposed without realizing it. This creates a particular overdose risk with drugs obtained outside a regulated pharmacy.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are prescription medications used for conditions including anxiety and panic disorders. They can cause sedation, impaired coordination and slowed brain activity.

Using benzodiazepines outside medical direction can increase the risk of dependence and overdose. Combining them with opioids, alcohol or other depressants can dangerously suppress breathing.

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Hallucinogens & Dissociative Drugs

Hallucinogens alter perception, thoughts, mood and awareness. Dissociative drugs can create feelings of separation from one's body or surroundings.

Substances in these categories include psilocybin, LSD, ketamine and others. Effects can vary considerably based on the substance, amount, setting and individual response.

Possible Risks

• Confusion or disorientation
• Anxiety, panic or paranoia
• Impaired judgment
• Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
• Hallucinations or altered perception
• Accidental injury
• Severe psychological distress

Some substances sold as hallucinogens or dissociatives may contain unexpected drugs or contaminants. Mixing substances can further increase uncertainty and risk.

Call 911 if someone loses consciousness, has a seizure, experiences severe confusion or agitation, has difficulty breathing or appears to be experiencing another medical emergency.

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Recognizing an Overdose

Overdose symptoms vary by substance. A serious or life-threatening reaction can include:

• Loss of consciousness or inability to wake
• Slow, irregular or stopped breathing
• Seizures
• Chest pain or severe cardiovascular symptoms
• Extreme confusion, agitation or hallucinations
• Dangerously high body temperature
• Blue, gray or unusually pale skin or lips
• Repeated vomiting while unconscious or severely impaired

What to Do

1. Call 911.
2. Stay with the person.
3. Tell emergency responders what substances may have been used.
4. Follow instructions from the dispatcher or emergency personnel.
5. If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them on their side when possible to reduce the risk of choking.

Do not delay seeking medical care while trying to determine exactly what substance was used.

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Reducing Substance-Related Risk

The only way to completely avoid substance-related effects is not to use the substance. If you choose to use a substance, understanding potential risks and planning ahead can reduce some types of harm.

• Avoid combining substances, particularly multiple depressants.
• Do not use medications in ways other than prescribed.
• Be aware that illicit substances can contain unexpected ingredients.
• Avoid driving or operating equipment while impaired.
• Stay around people who can recognize a problem and seek help.
• Know the signs of overdose and call 911 when something does not seem right.
• Be especially cautious after a period of reduced or no use because tolerance may have decreased.
• Reach out for support if substance use is interfering with your health, relationships, academics or other parts of your life.

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Substance Use Support

Support is available whether you want to learn more about your substance use, make a change, complete a Student Conduct requirement or pursue recovery.

Drug Education Workshops

RISE offers presentations and workshops covering alcohol and other drugs, substance-related risk and student wellness.

Explore Programs & Workshops

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Additional Resources

Texas Tech Resources

• Student Health Services
• Student Counseling Center
• Center for Students in Addiction Recovery
• Student Support Resources
• Alcohol Education

National Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• SAMHSA National Helpline
• Smokefree.gov
• SMART Recovery
• Partnership to End Addiction