Recreational drugs and your lung health

Recreational drugs are substances that you take for the way they make you feel, rather than for a medical reason. Most recreational drugs are illegal to take in the UK. They are different from medicines you are prescribed to treat your condition.

You cannot be sure how you’ll react to recreational drugs, even if you have taken them before.

Most recreational drugs are unregulated. This means there are no rules on how to make or sell them, so you'll never know what’s really in them or how strong they are. Misusing prescription medicines can also be very dangerous.

Taking drugs can impact your physical and mental health. If you do choose to use drugs, it’s important to know how to stay safe. 

Stay safe: 

1. Try not to use drugs by yourself. Being around people you trust means they can help you in an emergency.
2. Keep a photo of your action asthma plan or COPD or bronchiectasis self-management plan on your phone so you or a friend can quickly check what to do if your symptoms get worse or you have an asthma attack or a flare-up.
3. Avoid mixing drugs, especially with alcohol, as this can have negative health effects.
4. Always keep your reliever inhaler with you so that you can manage any symptoms quickly.
5. Take regular breaks if you're dancing or on your feet all night.
6. Tell your friends about your lung condition and ask them to call 999 straightaway if they're worried about your breathing.

Get medical help straight away if you notice the symptoms of your lung condition are getting worse. It’s very important that you tell healthcare professionals everything you have taken. Knowing this information will make sure they give you the best care possible.

You can get more advice on what to do in an emergency from the drug advice service, Frank.

Breathing problems

Breathing in any type of smoke is harmful for your lungs. When you smoke or inhale drugs like cannabis (weed), it can irritate your airways. This can cause your lung condition symptoms, like cough or breathlessness, to get worse.

If you smoke or inhale drugs and have a lung condition, you’re more at risk of getting a chest infection.

If you have a lung condition, the best thing you can do is to stop smoking or inhaling any substances, to stop your condition getting worse. We have advice and support to help you stop smoking.

Some drugs, like opioids and benzodiazepines, can affect the part of your brain that controls your breathing. Taking these drugs can cause your breathing to slow down. This can be dangerous, especially if you have a lung condition.

Mood changes 

Recreational drugs can affect your mood and emotions. They may cause feelings like happiness and excitement, but also worry or panic. Any intense emotions, whether they are good or bad, can affect how you breathe.

Strong emotions can cause you to take fast and deep breaths (hyperventilating). If you start breathing this way, your airways become narrower, causing symptoms like:

• cough
• wheeze
• breathlessness
• tight chest.

We have more information about how to manage your emotions.

Feeling energetic or restless

Some drugs can cause you to feel energetic, alert and restless. A sudden increase in physical activity can make you feel breathless or worsen your symptoms.

If you're feeling breathless, stay calm and try to control your breathing.

Irritation in your nose

Inhaling solvents, aerosols or any chemical with a strong smell can trigger asthma symptoms.

Snorting or sniffing drugs can also damage the lining of your nose, which can make it harder to breathe.

Taking drugs regularly over a long period of time, can increase the risk of long-term effects to your health. These are likely to be worse if you have a lung condition.

If you're concerned about your drug use and would like help to cut down or stop, the Frank website can give you advice and help you to find local support services.

Lung damage

Smoking or inhaling drugs like cannabis (weed) and crack cocaine can cause long-term lung damage. This can cause symptoms like chronic cough, phlegm production, wheeze, and acute bronchitis.

Lung damage from taking drugs can increase your risk of having severe symptoms or needing to go to the hospital. If you have a lung condition, it’s important to manage your condition well.

• Visit Frank for information about drugs and their side effects. You can also read more about your local treatment services.
• Visit the Adfam to find a list of useful organisations for support with addiction.
• You can get regular updates about dangerous strains of drugs circulating in the UK from The Loop.
• DAN is an English and Welsh helpline and text service for anybody who needs advice about drugs or alcohol.
• You can also talk to your GP if you’re worried about drugs. They can help you choose the most appropriate treatment or refer you to a local specialist drug service.