---
title: "Effects of Drugs & Alcohol"
description: "Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the brain, behaviour and health, including harm from alcohol and tobacco smoke, and distinguish depressant, stimulant and hallucinogen effects."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/effects-of-drugs-and-alcohol-mt_2R3xRpYhMa
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/effects-of-drugs-and-alcohol-mt_2R3xRpYhMa.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Effects of Drugs & Alcohol

Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the brain, behaviour and health, including harm from alcohol and tobacco smoke, and distinguish depressant, stimulant and hallucinogen effects.

Subject: Science · Area: Organisms & Life Processes · Ages 13 to 14
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/effects-of-drugs-and-alcohol-mt_2R3xRpYhMa

## Ready when they can

- Categorises drugs by described depressant, stimulant or hallucinogen effects
- Explains specific effects of alcohol and tobacco on the body (e.g. liver damage, lung cancer)
- Discusses the difference between physical and psychological dependence

## Lesson: Effects of Drugs & Alcohol

Psychoactive drugs affect the brain and can change mood, perception or behaviour. Depressants, such as alcohol, slow activity in the central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord. Stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, increase alertness and can raise heart rate. Hallucinogens alter perception and can cause someone to see or hear things that are not there. These groups describe effects, but are not a complete classification. Effects can overlap.

*(drawing: Alcohol enters blood from the stomach and small intestine. Blood carries it to organs, including the brain. The liver breaks down most alcohol.)*

**Example.** Alcohol can slow reactions and impair judgement and coordination, even if a person feels lively at first. The liver breaks down most alcohol. Long-term heavy drinking can damage and scar it. Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that damage lungs; some can cause cancer. Nicotine is the stimulant in tobacco and can cause dependence. Nicotine alone does not explain smoking-related cancer.

Physical dependence means the body has adapted to a drug. Reducing or stopping it can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking after heavy alcohol use. Psychological dependence involves strong urges to use a drug or feeling a need to use it to cope. They can occur together. Withdrawal can show physical dependence, but it does not establish or rule out psychological dependence. We need information about urges and use as well.

Tolerance means the same dose produces less of an effect after repeated use. Taking more may increase harm; tolerance does not make a drug safe. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, so someone with dependence needs medical advice about stopping. Drug categories describe effects, not legal status: caffeine is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant. Being legally available does not make a drug harmless.

**Recap.** Drug groups describe effects, not legal status. Alcohol can harm the liver, and tobacco smoke can cause cancer. Physical and psychological dependence can occur together.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Digestion & Enzymes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/digestion-and-enzymes-mt_0NlbulkB5P)
- [Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-mt_2x-EwdBsgl)

## Opens up

- [Vaping, smoking and the decision in the moment](https://lightmysky.com/learn/personal-and-social-development/vaping-smoking-and-the-decision-in-the-moment-mt_0D_HAYKu7K)
- [Non-Communicable Disease and What Counts as a Risk Factor](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/non-communicable-disease-and-what-counts-as-a-risk-factor-mt_IciZ1CJn6h)