Drug Classifications

Drug Classifications Stimulants: Drugs that speed up the CNS (central nervous system); produce wakefulness, & a sense of energy & well- being. Nicotine Caffeine Ritalin Methamphetamine Amphetamines Cocaine MDMA/Ecstasy: is part Stimulant & part Hallucinogen  

Depressants: Drugs that slow down the CNS; decrease inhibitory parts of brain (relax); Used for sedation, hypnotics, sleep disorders) Alcohol Barbiturates: (anxiety, tension, sleep disorders) Benzodiazepines: for anxiety, stress, panic-act as sedatives. Rohypnol- (date rape drug) GHB (primarily a CNS depressant)

Hallucinogens: Altered states of perception/feelings; may include hallucinations & illusions Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) LSD PCP Mescaline (peyote) MDMA (Ecstasy) is part hallucinogen

Narcotics/Opiates: Pain Relief (analgesic)/drowsiness Morphine Heroin Opium Oxycontin Codeine Fentanyl Vidocin

Steroids: Human-made substances related to male sex hormones; Performance enhancing, promotes masculinizing changes in body; promotes protein growth & muscular development. Testosterone GHB-Anabolic (body builders)  

Club Drugs: Club Drugs: Used by teens & young adults who are part of a sub-culture (raves, etc.) Ketamine Rohypnol-colorless, tasteless, odorless GHB-colorless, tasteless, odorless MDMA/Ecstasy

Cannabinoids/Cannabis: Euphoria, Relaxed inhibitions, increases appetite, disorientation Marijuana Hashish   Inhalants: Quick short high, stimulation, may cause loss of consciousness, loss of inhibition, headaches, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, loss of motor coordination; wheezing. Typically household products can be used to produce this short-lived high. Nitrous Oxide Freon Amyl-Nitrite (Poppers, whippets)

OTC (over the counter): Can be bought without a prescription Laxatives Robatussin cough syrup (not anymore though) Prescription Drugs: Doctor needs to write out a prescription for a drug which is supposed to be used to treat a medical condition.

Day 2 Definitions and Overview Drug: Substance, other than food, that changes the way the body or mind functions.   Illicit Drugs/Use: Drug that is unlawful to possess or use. Responsible Drug Use: the correct use of legal drugs to promote health & well-being. Drug misuse: The incorrect use of a prescription/OTC drug. Drug abuse: The intentional use of a drug w/o medical or health reasons. Synergistic Interaction: The interaction of 2 or more drugs/medicines that results in a greater effect than when the medicine is taken independently.

Day 2 Definitions and Overview Antagonistic Interaction: An interaction that occurs when drugs are taken together & each drug’s effect is canceled out or reduced by the action of the other. Synthetic Drugs: Chemical substances produced artificially in a laboratory. “K2” Gateway drugs: drugs that often lead to other serious & dangerous drug use. Designer drugs: synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of narcotics & hallucinogens. Look-alike drugs: drugs made to physically resemble specific illegal drugs. Psychoactive drugs: Chemicals that affect the central nervous system & interfere with the normal functioning of the brain.

Day 2 Definitions and Overview Drug use affects: Every age group Every racial/ethnic group Every SES (socio-economic status) Every geographic division The Cost of Drugs in the U.S. Americans spent $100 billion to $150 billion a year on illicit drugs Americans consume greater than 60% of the world’s illicit drugs Drug offenders account for over 50% of all inmates in federal prisons College students spend over $4 billion annually for alcohol Tobacco & nicotine kill us at a rate of 300,000 a year…more than all of the drugs combined!

Day 2 Definitions and Overview Revolutionary Uses of Drugs Vaccines: (19th century): Small pox, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, measles, chicken pox, mumps, tetanus (preventable) Antibiotics: (1940’s) Sulfa drugs, penicillin (treat infections)   Psychopharmacology: (1950’s) Anti-psychotic drugs Oral Contraceptives: (1950’s) Contributed to the sexual revolution

Day 2 Definitions and Overview Drug Use Risk Factors Early use  Using alone Peer pressure  Parental approval  Perceived adult use  Little religious commitment  *Teens are more influenced by their parents when it comes to long-term goals & plans. *Peers have more influence over their immediate lifestyle & day to day activities  

K 2