Types of drugs

1. Types of drugs Class notes

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. hallucinogens • A hallucinogen is a substance that induces change in normal thought processes perceptions or moods.

9. MARIJUANA • Marijuana is the most widely used illicit / non illicit drug in the United States. • It is classified as a hallucinogen.

10. marijuana • At low doses the user may experience: • Increases sense of well being • Hilarity followed by a state of relaxation • Alteration of sensory perceptions • More vivid sense of touch, sight, smell, taste and sound • Feelings of hunger • Changes of thought formation

11. marijuana • It is derived from the Cannabis plant. • The THC in the plant produces the psychoactive effects experienced by users.

12. 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: • Increase heart rate • Dry Mouth • Reddened Eyes • Impaired motor skills and concentration • Frequent hunger

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. stimulants • A stimulant is a substance that speeds up or stimulates the central nervous system.

21. 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.

22. Stimulants: amphetamines • Ice is a smokableform 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.