Commonly Abused Drugs

1.Depressants- slow down the activity of the

brain and CNS-alcohol - #1 mood altering drug in the U.S.-barbiturates – usually prescribed as sleep aid-tranquilizers – valium and Librium

-calms emotions without severely decreasing alertness

2. Narcotics- strong pain killers, sometimes classified

with depressants; derived from the juice of the opium poppy flower

Opium – drug in its pure form is illegalMorphine – legal as a pain killer, illegal otherwiseCodeine – prescription pain relieverHeroin – opium in its pure form

-20 times more powerful than morphine-illegal in U.S.- extremely addictive

3. Stimulants- speed up the body processes

create a feeling of pleasure

Nicotine – drug in tobacco- very addictive and poisonous

Caffeine- may be the #1 addicted to drug in

U.S.-found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate-can result in nervousness and insomnia

Amphetamines- synthetic drugs, “uppers”,

“speed”, “crank”, “ice”-abuse results in nervousness, insomnia, aggressiveness, loss of appetite, and emotional problems

Cocaine- from the leaves of the coca plant-medically used as a local anesthetic-abuse results in; increased heart rate, increased BP, weight loss, sleeplessness, hallucinations and paranoia, and death from seizures and respiratory failure

Crack- extremely addictive form of cocaine-more addictive because of the way it is processed and it is smoked

4. Hallucinogens- cause hallucinations and

intense mood swingsLSD- acid

-”flashbacks” can occur months or even

years after last dose

PCP- angel dust-impairs thought and speech-people on PCP can generate

extreme strength, because the drug blocks

pain receptors

5. Other Dangerous Drugs

Marijuana and Hashish-derived from the hemp plant, THC

is the mind altering drug-contains same carcinogens as

tobacco plus 150 other chemicals-gateway drug

6. Inhalants (huffing)-household compounds, glues, aerosols,

solvents, etc-impairs mental processes and kills brain

cells

7. Anabolic Steroids-synthetic testosterone-kidney and liver damage-violence-heart disease and stroke

8. Designer Drugs-ecstasy and other home made drugs.

Drug List for Research Project• Drug List

Marijuana -• Cocaine• Heroin• LSD• Amphetamine• Methamphetamine• Ecstasy• THC• Rohypnol• GHB• PCP• Codeine• Nitrous Oxide• Morphine• Opium• Oxycontin• Crack Cocaine• Barbiturates• Narcotics• Inhalants• Depressants• Stimulants• Hallucinogens• Anabolic Steroids