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TYPES OF
DRUGS
CLASS NOTES
NARCOTIC DRUGS
A narcotic is a drug that induces sleep and depresses vital
body functions such as blood pressure, pulse rate and
breathing rate.
It is derived from the greek word meaning numbness or
deadening.
OPIATES
Opiates are a type of narcotic drug and the source of most
narcotic drugs.
It is a gummy, milky juice exuded through a cut made in the
pod of the Asian poppy.
HEROIN
Heroin is the opium derivative most frequently used by
addicts.
It is usually injected intravenously because by injection its
effects are felt almost instantaneosly and with maximum
sensitivity.
In addition, heroin’s high solubility in water makes its street
preparation for intravenous administration rather simple.
HEROIN
Heroin and other narcotic drugs are analgesics, that is they
relieve pain by depressing the central nervous system.
Heroin gives the addict a sense of euphoria.
The effects usually last for three to four hours.
Codeine is also present in opium. It is commonly used as a
cough suppressant in prescription cough syrup.
SYNTHETIC OPIATES:
METHADONE
Methadone is the best known synthetic opiate.
Methadone is pharmacologically related to heroin, but its
administration appears to eliminate the addicts desire for
heroin.
So, there are controversial methadone maintenance
programs in which heroin addicts receive methadone to
reduce or prevent future heroin use are sometimes
implemented.
SYNTHETIC OPIATES:
OXYCONTIN
The FDA approved the pain killing drug OxyContin.
Inside OxyContin is a close synthetic opiate related very
closely to morphine or heroin.
It is estimated that close to a quarter of a million individuals
abuse the drug.
HALLUCINOGENS
A hallucinogen is a substance that induces change in normal
thought processes perceptions or moods.
MARIJUANA
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit / non illicit drug in
the United States.
It is classified as a hallucinogen.
MARIJUANA
At low doses the user may experience:
1) Increases sense of well being
2) Hilarity followed by a state of relaxation
3) Alteration of sensory perceptions
4) More vivid sense of touch, sight, smell, taste and sound
5) Feelings of hunger
6) Changes of thought formation
MARIJUANA
It is derived from the Cannabis plant.
The THC in the plant produces the psychoactive effects
experienced by users.
MARIJUANA
Marijuana can be used medically for the reduction of
excessive eye pressure in glaucoma and the lessening of
nausea caused by powerful anticancer drugs.
Effects of Marijuana:
1) Increase heart rate
2) Dry Mouth
3) Reddened Eyes
4) Impaired motor skills and concentration
5) Frequent hunger
OTHER
HALLUCINOGENS: LSD
Other hallucinogens include LSD (known as acid) and PCP.
LSD is derived from a type of fungus that attacks grasses
and grains.
It can be taken as a pill, cube of sugar or absorbed onto a
small piece of paper.
As little as 25 micrograms is enough to start a trip that can
last for 12 hours.
OTHER
HALLUCINOGENS: PCP
PCP is typically smoked, ingested or sniffed.
The user experiences feelings of strength and invulnerability,
along with a dreamy sense of detachment.
Severe depression, tendencies towards violence and suicide
accompany PCP use.
Sometimes PCP can cause schizophrenic behavoir.
DEPRESSANTS:
ALCOHOL
A depressant is a substance that slows down, or depresses
the functions of the central nervous system.
Alcohol is the most widely abused drug in the United States.
It is classified as a depressant.
Low doses of alcohol tend to inhibit the mental processes of
judgement, memory and concentration.
At low doses alcohol causes the user to become expansive
and exude confidence.
It reduces coordination substantially.
DEPRESSANTS:
ALCOHOL
Alcohol inhibits orderly thought processes and speech
patterns and slows reaction time.
Excessive use of depressants can decrease the activity of
the central nervous system dramatically, causing the body to
cease breathing or circulating blood, which can lead to
death.
DEPRESSANTS:
BARBITURATES
Barbiburates are also known as downers because they relax
the user, create a sense of well being and produce sleep.
These are currently used in the medical practice to treat
insomnia and used as a anesthesia before surgery.
DEPRESSANTS:
ANTIPHYSCHOTIC AND
ANTIANXIETY DRUGS
Antipsychotic and antianxiety drugs are also a depressant.
These drugs produce a relaxing tranquility without impairing
higher thinking faculties or inducing sleep.
HUFFING
Huffing is the sniffing of materials containing volatile
solvents.
Example include freon, gasoline, antifreeze and dry cleaning
solvent.
The usual immediate effects of huffing are a feeling of
exhilaration and euphoria combined with slurred speech,
impaired judgement and double vision.
Huffers expose themselves to dangers of liver, heart and
brain damage from the chemicals they have inhaled.
There is a higher risk of immediate death associated with this
practice.
STIMULANTS
A stimulant is a substance that speeds up or stimulates the
central nervous system.
STIMULANTS:
AMPHETAMINE
Amphetamine are a group of synthetic stimulants that share
a similar chemical structure and are known as uppers or
speed.
In the US the most serious form of amphetamine is from the
intravenous use of methamphetamines.
The initial sensation of a flash or rush followed by an intense
feeling of pleasure is experienced.
Many people go on speed binges in which they take 500 mg
every three hours to keep the effect going.
This increases the risk of heart attack tremendously.
STIMULANTS:
AMPHETAMINES
Ice is a smokable form of methamphetamines.
It looks like large crystal rocks.
It is smoked and produces similar effect to crack cocaine.
The user typically sleeps for days after use.
STIMULANTS:
COCAINE
Cocaine is sniffed and gives a sense of euphoria.
The greater the cocaine level the more euphoria the brain
produces.
The desire to return to this feeling is so high that many users
quickly develop a habit for the drug.
Many people use cocaine to increase productivity at work
and to keep going when they are tired.
Cocaine is arguabably the most addicting drug out there on
the market.
CLUB DRUGS: GHB
AND ECSTASY
GHB (Ecstasy) and Rohypnol are central nervous
depressants that are often connected with drug facilitated
with sexual assault, rape and robbery.
Both drugs are odorless, colorless, and tasteless and remain
undetected when slipped into a drink.
The most popular club drug is ecstasy.
Health effects associated with chronic use include seizures,
muscle breakdown, stroke, kidney failure and damage to the
areas of the brain responsible for thought and memory.
ANABOLIC STEROIDS
An anabolic steroid are synthetic compounds, chemically
related to the male sex hormone testosterone, that are used
to promote muscle growth.
Liver cancer and other liver malfunctions are linked to
steroid use.
The drugs have a masculinizing effect in females.
Infertility and diminished sex drive in males.
For teenagers, anabolic steroids result in premature halting
of bone growth.
They are also associated with anger issues.