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NARCOTICS | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How Used | Duration (hours) |
|
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| Opium Morphine |
High/High High/High |
Oral, smoked Oral, smoked, injected |
3-6
3-6 |
| Codeine Heroin |
Mod./Mod. High/High |
Oral, injected Smoked, injected sniffed |
3-6 3-6 |
| Hydromorphone Meperidine Methadone |
High/High High/High High/High |
Oral, injected Oral, injected Oral, injected |
3-6 3-6 12-24 |
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| What are Narcotics? | Drugs used medicinally to relieve pain High potential for abuse Cause relaxation with an immediate "rush" Initial unpleasant effects - restlessness, nausea | ||
| Possible Effects | Euphoria Drowsiness, respiratory depression Constricted (pin-point) pupils | ||
| Symptoms of Overdose | Slow, shallow breathing, clammy skin Convulsions, coma, possible death | ||
| Withdrawal Syndrome | Watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, cramps Loss of appetite, irritability, nausea Tremors, panic, chills, sweating | ||
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Scars (tracks) caused by injections Constricted (pin-point) pupils Loss of appetite Sniffles, watery eyes, cough, nausea Lethargy, drowsiness, nodding Syringes, bent spoons, needles, etc. | ||
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DEPRESSANTS | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How used | Duration (hours) |
|
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| Barbiturates | High/mod. | Oral | 1-16 |
| Methaqualone | High/High | Oral | 4-8 |
| Tranquilizers | Low/Low | Oral | 4-8 |
| Chloral Hydrate | Mod./Mod. | Oral | 5-8 |
| Glutethimide | High/Mod. | Oral | 4-8 |
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| What are Depressants? | Drugs used medicinally to relieve anxiety, irritability, tension High potential for abuse, development of tolerance Produce state of intoxication similar to that of alcohol Combined with alcohol, increase effects, multiply risks | ||
| Possible Effects | Sensory alteration, anxiety reduction, intoxication Small amounts cause calmness, relaxed muscles Larger amounts cause slurred speech, impaired judgment, loss of motor coordination Very large doses may cause respiratory depression, coma, death Newborn babies of abusers may show dependence, withdrawal symptoms, behavioral problems, birth defects | ||
| Symptoms of Overdose | Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils Weak and rapid pulse, coma, death | ||
| Withdrawal Syndrome | Anxiety, insomnia, muscle tremors, loss of appetite Abrupt cessation or reduced high dose may cause convulsions, delirium, death | ||
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Behavior similar to alcohol intoxication (without odor of alcohol on breath) Staggering, stumbling, lack of coordination, slurred speech Falling asleep while at work, difficulty concentrating Dilated pupils | ||
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STIMULANTS | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How used | Duration (hours) |
|
| |||
| Cocaine* | Possible/High | Sniffed, smoked injected |
1-2 |
| Amphetamines | Possible/High | Oral, injected | 2-4 |
| Methamphetamine | Possible/High | Oral, injected | 2-4 |
| Phenmetrazine | Possible/High | Oral, injected | 2-4 |
| Methylphenidate | Possible/Mod. | Oral, injected | 2-4 |
| Other Stimulants | Possible/High | Oral, injected | 2-4 |
| Ice | High /High | Smoked, oral, injec., inhaled |
4-14 |
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| What are Stimulants? | Drugs used to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, feel stronger and more decisive; used for euphoric effects or to counteract the "down" feeling of tranquilizers or alcohol | ||
| Possible Effects | Increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils and decreased appetite; high doses may cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, loss of coordination, collapse; may cause perspiration, blurred vision, dizziness, a feeling of restlessness, anxiety, delusions | ||
| Symptoms of Overdose | Agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death | ||
| Withdrawal Syndrome | Apathy, long periods of sleep, imitability, depression, disorientation | ||
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Indications of Possible Excessive activity, talkativeness, irritability, argumentativeness Misuse or nervousness Increased blood pressure or pulse rate, dilated pupils Long periods without sleeping or eating Euphoria | ||
| * Cocaine, while classified under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as a narcotic, is also discussed as a stimulant. | |||
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HALLUCINOGENS | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How used | Duration (hours) |
|
| |||
| PCP Angel Dust Loveboat |
Unknown/High | Smoked, oral | Up to days injected |
| LSD
Acid Green/Red Dragon |
None/Unknown | Oral | 8-12 hrs. |
| Mescaline, Peyote | None/Unknown | Oral, injected | 8-12 hrs. |
| Psilocybin | None/Unknown | Oral, injected smoked, sniffed |
Variable |
| Designer Drugs*
Ecstacy - PCE |
None/Unknown | Oral, injected, smoked |
Variable |
| What are Hallucinogens? | Drugs that produce behavioral changes that are often multiple and dramatic No known medical use, but some block sensation to pain and use may result in self-inflicted injuries "Designer Drugs", made to imitate certain illegal drugs, are often many times stronger than drugs they imitate |
| Possible Effects | Rapidly changing feelings, immediately and long after use Chronic use may cause persistent problems, depression, violent behavior, anxiety, distorted perception of time Large doses may cause convulsions, coma, heart/lung failure, ruptured blood vessels in the brain May cause hallucinations, illusions, dizziness, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, loss of control Delayed effects "flashbacks" may occur long after use Designer drugs - one use may cause irreversible brain damage |
| Symptoms of Overdose | Longer, more intense "trip" episodes, psychosis, coma, death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome | No known withdrawal syndrome |
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Extreme changes in behavior and mood; person may sit or recline in a trance-like state; person may appear fearful Chills, irregular breathing, sweating, trembling hands Changes in sense of light, hearing, touch, smell, and time Increase in blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar |
| *Phencyclidine analogs, Amphetamine variants | |
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CANNABIS | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How used | Duration (hours) |
|
| |||
| Marijuana | Unknown/Moderate | Smoked, oral pot, grass |
2-4 |
| Tetrahydro- cannabinol |
Unknown/Moderate |
Smoked, oral | 2-4 |
| Hashish | Unknown/Moderate | Smoked, oral | 2-4 |
| hashish Oil | Unknown/Moderate | Smoked, oral | 2-4 |
|
| |||
| What are Cannabis? | Hemp plant from which marijuana and hashish are produced; Hashish consists of resinous secretions of the cannabis plant; Marijuana is a tobacco-like substance | ||
| Possible Effects | Possible Effects Euphoria followed by relaxation; loss of appetite; impaired memory, concentration, knowledge retention; loss of coordination more vivid sense of taste, sight, smell, hearing; stronger doses cause fluctuating emotions, fragmentary thoughts, disoriented behavior, psychosis; may cause irritation to lungs, respiratory system, may cause cancer | ||
| Symptoms of Overdose | Fatigue, lack of coordination, paranoia, possible psychosis | ||
| Withdrawal Syndrome | Insomnia, hyperactivity, sometimes decreased appetite | ||
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Animated behavior, loud talking, followed by sleepiness Dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes Distortions in perception; hallucinations Distortions in depth and time perception; loss of coordination | ||
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ALCOHOL | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How used | Duration (hours) |
|
| |||
| Ethyl Alcohol | Possible/Possible | Oral | 1-4 |
| Ethanol | Possible/Possible | Oral | 1-4 |
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| What is Alcohol? | Liquid distilled product of fermented fruits, grains and vegetables Used as solvent, antiseptic and sedative Moderate potential for abuse | ||
| Possible Effects | Intoxication Sensory alteration Anxiety reduction | ||
| Symptoms of Overdose | Staggering Odor of alcohol on breath Loss of coordination Slurred speech, dilated pupils Fetal alcohol syndrome (in babies) Nerve and liver damage | ||
| Withdrawal Syndrome | Sweating Tremors Altered perception Psychosis, fear, auditory hallucinations | ||
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Confusion, disorientation, loss of motor nerve control Misuse Convulsions, shock, shallow respiration Involuntary defecation, drowsiness Respiratory depression and possible death | ||
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STEROIDS | |||
| Drug | Dependence Physical/Psychological |
How used | Duration (hours) |
|
| |||
| Dianabol | Possible/Possible | Oral | days- wks |
| Nandrolone | Possible/Possible | Oral | days - wks |
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| What are steroids? | Synthetic compounds available legally and illegally Drugs that are closely related to the male sex hormone, testosterone Moderate potential for abuse, particularly among young males | ||
| Possible Effects | Increase in body weight
Increase in muscle strength Enhance athletic performance Increase physical endurance | ||
| Symptoms of Overdose | Quick weight and muscle gains Extremely aggressive behavior or "Reid rage" Severe skin rashes Impotence, withered testicles In females, development of irreversible masculine traits | ||
| Withdrawal Syndrome | Significant weight loss Depression Behavioral changes Trembling | ||
| Indications of Possible Misuse | Increased combativeness and aggressiveness
Jaundice Purple or red spots on body; unexplained darkness of skin Persistent unpleasant breath odor Swelling of feet or lower legs | ||
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