Download Chapter 5 Drugs

Chapter 5
Drugs
 Drug – natural or synthetic substance
used to produce physiological or
psychological effects in humans
 More than 75% of the evidence evaluated
by crime labs in the US is drug related.
Two types of dependence
 Psychological dependence – using drugs
because of emotional needs
 Physical dependence – physical need for
a drug because of regular use.
Characterized by withdrawn sickness
when they stop taking the drug.
 A person may develop a tolerance to
drugs over time
Drug levels
Drug levels can be categorized as:
Normal
Therapeutic
Toxic
Lethal
Types of Drugs
 Narcotic – induces sleep and depresses
vital body functions such as blood
pressure, pulse rate, and breathing rate.
 Opiates – pain killers
 Analgesics – a substance that lessens or
eliminates pain
 Examples: Heroin, morphine, codeine
 Synthetic opiates – not naturally derived from
opium
 Example: Methadone, OxyContin
 Hallucinogens – cause alterations in
normal thought processes,
perceptions,and moods.
 Examples: LSD, PCP
 Depressants – slow down or depress the
central nervous system
 Examples: Alcohol, barbiturates (downers),
antipsychotics, antianxiety, huffing (sniffing
volatile solvents)
 Stimulants – stimulate or speed up the central
nervous system
 Amphetamines (uppers or speed), Cocaine
 Anabolic steroids – chemically related to
testosterone and promotes muscle growth
 Club drugs – synthetic drugs used at
nightclubs, bars, and raves
 GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine (Ecstacy)