Cannabis (THC)

Looks like:
Dried herb usually in flower bud form, sometimes finer; rolled into cigarettes/joint.

Taken:
Smoked or eaten.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat, increased appetite.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Reduced short-term memory, altered sense of time, reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, paranoia.

Methamphetamines

Looks like:
Small shards of broken glass or ice.

Taken:
Mostly smoked in glass pipe but can be injected.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Increased heart rate and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, anxiety, moody, decreased appetite. Violent, aggressive behaviour.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, neuroses, severe psychosis.

Opiates

Looks like:
Tablets, capsules.

Taken:
Injected, smoked, taken orally, inhaled.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Initial feeling of euphoria followed by drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, constricted pupils, watery eyes, itching.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Shallow breathing, clammy skin, delusions.

Cocaine

Looks like:
White fine powder, small rocks in purer form.

Taken:
Inhaled.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate and body temperature.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Runny nose, cardiac arrest, respiratory failure. Damage to nasal septum.

Amphetamines

Looks like:
White to brown powder, tablets.

Taken:
Taken orally, injected, inhaled.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Increased heart rate and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, decreased appetite.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Circulatory system damage.

Benzodiazepines

Looks like:
Various pill and capsule form.

Taken:
Taken orally.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Calmness, relaxed muscles, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Physical and psychological addiction, anxiety, insomnia, tremors, delirium.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Looks like:
Similar to THC, usually finer (grass clippings/fine herbs).

Taken:
Smoked.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Similar effects to cannabis though strength varies widely.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Similar effects to cannabis though hallucinations and death through cardiac arrest have occurred with use.

Alcohol

Looks like:
Liquid.

Taken:
Taken orally.

Symptoms (Short Term):
Blurred vision, slurred speech.

Symptoms (Long Term):
Impaired memory, depression, tremors, vital organ damage.

Sonic HealthPlus is NATA accredited under AS/NZ 4308:2008 for specimen collection, detection and quantitation of drugs of abuse in urine.