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A GUIDE TO ABUSED DRUGS This guide is organized for easy access. Commonly abused drugs will be noted according to their primary effects. After each drug has been noted, information will be given on WHAT it is, HOW it is used and what the EFFECTS are.
DEPRESSANTS (or "Downers") ALCOHOL Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Next to nicotine, it is the most commonly abused drug in the United States. Due to the effects, it is sometimes referred to as a sedative-hypnotic. Alcohol is a legal drug, with limitations based on age of the user. Alcohol is taken orally as a liquid. At low dosage it can produce pleasurable, soothing euphoric effects. As the dosage (number or drinks or alcohol content of drinks) increases, it acts as a strong depressant. It has strong effects, leading to sensory and motor coordination impairments as well as slurred speech. Tolerance develops, requiring increased amounts to produce desired effects. It is associated with more accident-related death than any other abused substance. Alcohol may produce certain toxic effects on living cells. It is one of the most dangerous drugs of abuse, killing up to 150,000 Americans each year.
HEROIN Heroin is a highly addictive narcotic. It often comes in the form of white to dark brown powder. It is usually sold in "decks" or small envelopes. It is often called smack, horse, H, antifreeze, brown sugar, junk, Mexican brown. Heroin can be snorted. It can also be smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe. It can also be injected after being heated to a liquid in a spoon. Heroin reaches the brain very quickly. A distinct euphoric high may last several hours. Like other depressants, heroin reduces respiration rate, lowers body temperature and constricts pupils. Negative effects include HIV infection from shared needles. Fluids may also collect in the lungs (pulmonary edema). In severe cases coma or death may occur. However, the number of people who die yearly from the use of heroin (not related to criminal behavior) is much lower than the number of people who die yearly due to alcohol abuse.
ROHYPNOL Rohypnol is a powerful sedative. It is sold overseas as flunitazepan, a tasteless and odorless white tablet used to improve sleeping. It is much stronger than typical American benzodiazepines (i.e. valium). This drug is illegal in the United States. It is also known as roofies, forget pills, R2 and ruffies. It is taken orally to enhance a sedating "high" feeling. Girls and women have been raped after this drug was slipped into their drinks. Because it impairs memory and psychological as well as physical resistance to unwanted sexual advances, it has also been called "the date rape" drug. Within ten minutes it can cause sleepiness, sedation and memory loss. Frequent heavy use may result in anemia, central nervous system damage, loss of consciousness, suffocation and death.
OTHER SEDATIVES Barbiturates, methaqualone, chloral hydrate, glutethimide and benzodiazepines (valium, librium, serax) are all powerful sedating drugs. They are also called barbs, yellow jackets, yellows, red devils, blue devils, ludes and supers. They are usually swallowed as capsules or pills. As depressants, these drugs can cause impaired judgment, drowsiness, slurred speech, staggered gait, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse. When taken with alcohol and some other drugs, they may have serious interaction effects.
STIMULANTS (or "Uppers") COCAINE Cocaine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant. It comes in the form of a white crystalline powder and is also known as coke, snow, nose candy, flake, big C, and blow. It is usually snorted up the nose or dissolved in water and injected. It produces intense pleasurable euphoria. As a stimulant it increases heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and dilates pupils. When injected it reaches the brain very quickly. The immediate effects may last between 20 and 40 minutes. After continued use, it has a paradoxical effect; after the high, it can cause serious depression. The user tries to "self-medicate" the depression with more cocaine. The cycle, however, continues. In the worst case scenario, it can cause seizures, heart attack and death.
CRACK COCAINE Crack is a less expensive, more pure form of cocaine. It is sold in small white to tan colored chunks or "rocks." It is often sold in small vials. Crack is also known as freebase. Crack is smoked in a crack pipe. The name "crack" comes from the sound of cracking that occurs when it is heated in a pipe. When crack is smoked it very quickly produces an intense, euphoric high. The primary effects last about ten to fifteen minutes. It has the same stimulating effects as cocaine and the same negative effects. Like cocaine, use can cause severe depression as an after effect (some might say as withdrawal effects).
CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE This is a highly addictive stimulant that comes in clear, crystal chunks. It is also called ice, meth, speed, crystal, crank and glass. It is usually smoked; it can also be snorted or liquified by heating and then injected. The stimulating, euphoric effects may last from two to several hours. Like cocaine, depression may follow. In the most severe situation, it may cause violence, stroke, coma or death.
ECSTASY MDMA is a synthetic formulation from methamphetamine and amphetamine. It may act as a stimulant with some hallucinogenic effects. It is also called a "designer drug" in that its molecular structure has been changed from the original substances. It is also known as love drug, Adam, XTC and essence. It is taken orally as a tablet. It produces a stimulating euphoric high, which can last for several hours. It has been associated with "raves" or all-night drug and sex parties. In its most negative effects, it can cause heat stroke, coma or death.
HERBAL ECSTASY Sold as a combination of natural stimulants, this substance may be purchased at some health-food and drug stores. The most common ingredients are caffeine and ephedrine. Some states have banned its sale. It is also called Cloud 9, X, Xphoria or Ultimate. It is taken orally, as pills or teas. The user may experience a pleasurable relaxed yet energetic feeling. If taken at high dosage it can lead to seizures, heart attack, stroke and death. Clarification Note: Although serious negative effects (including death) may occur with stimulant abuse, the recorded number of fatalities from stimulant use is far smaller than the known deaths caused by alcohol and nicotine use.
PSYCHIATRIC PSYCHO-STIMULANTS Methylphenidate (Ritalin), pemoline (Cylert) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) are sometimes used as psychiatrically prescribed psycho-stimulants. Earlier use of these drugs was common for treatment of obesity and depression. More recently, Ritalin and Cylert have been used (some think over-used) in the treatment of child and adolescent Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADD, ADHD). These stimulant drugs usually provide a paradoxical effect in children, calming and focusing rather than stimulating them. A major concern about these drugs, however, is the fact that ADD and ADHD have a high association with substance abuse in adolescents. Another concern is diversion of Ritalin and Cylert to the adolescent drug market. Sometimes, drug abusing users of Ritalin or Cylert may over-use the drug and/or sell it to peers as a stimulant. Today, there continues to be controversy about the use or over-use of psycho-stimulants in the treatment of children and adolescents.
HALLUCINOGENS LSD A very cheap hallucinogen that is available as small, colored sheets of paper. It is sold as tabs, tablets or capsules. Up to 100 tabs may fit on an index card. It is also known as acid, windowpane, microdots and blotter. LSD is taken orally; tabs are licked or placed on the tongue to dissolve and then swallowed. LSD can produce a euphoric "trip" that can last several hours. Users experiences vivid hallucinations. "Bad trips" can lead to crisis situations, in which the user may experience severe panic attacks, violent behavior or even temporary psychosis.
MARIJUANA (POT) Also classified as Cannabis This drug is made from the hemp plant called cannabis. It may look like brown dried parsley or oregano. Pot contains many, many chemicals; the major psychoactive chemical in pot is THC. Hashish (hash) and hashish oil are its concentrated forms. When pot is smoked it produces a very specific smell. It is also called bud, herb, weed, reefer or hash (a more condensed form). Pot is usually smoked in a pipe, a bong or a "joint" (cigarette). The smoke is held in the lungs to maximize effects. Pot produces a sense of relaxed euphoria, often followed by more socialization and hunger. It can also cause dry mouth, bloodshot eyes and lethargy. The more traditional view of a "pot head" is a person without motivation except to continue to use pot. Pot also can lead to "true believer" status, in that chronic users view it as a safe drug that should be legalized. Pot may also be used to self-medicate anxiety or physical pain. It can impair motor skills, reflexes, memory and learning. In the worse case scenario, it may also produce paranoia. Pot is not the kind of drug that is associated with death due to use; however, in younger populations (say 12 to 25 years of age) it is sometimes involved in accidental injury or death when used with alcohol and/or other drugs. By itself, it can influence motor performance, coordination and judgment. It is the most commonly abused, illegal drug by American adolescents.
PCP The hallucinogen phencyclidine is a white crystalline powder. It is also available in tablet or capsule form. PCP is also known as wack, peace, angel dust, love boat or k-blast. It is usually snorted or added to tobacco or marijuana and smoked. The high may last a few hours. Vivid and sometimes violent hallucinations may occur. It also dulls senses and impairs motor behavior. Its most negative effect can be very violent and aggressive behavior.
SHROOMS, MAGIC MUSHROOMS Psilocybin/psilocin looks like dried mushrooms or brown powder. It can be chewed, swallowed or ground up and placed in hot water as a tea. It can produce strong hallucinogenic effects. It also causes sweating, dilated pupils, hyperventilation, rambling speech, hyperactivity and depression.
STP Peyote (Mescaline) comes from brown disc-like dried cactus buttons. It can also come in a brown powder form, pills or capsules. It can be chewed, swallowed or ground up and placed in hot water to make a tea. It is a strong hallucinogen. It may also produce muscle tension, dizziness, chills, vomiting, dilated pupils, sweating and increased pulse rate.
INHALANTS NITROUS OXIDE This powerful inhalant comes in small canisters called whippets. This name comes from its use in making whipped cream. Users hold the canister a certain way and inhale its gaseous contents. They may also place a balloon on the end of the cylinder and screw the canister into the other end. The gas-filled balloon may then be inhaled. It is also sometimes sniffed from a paper bag, gauze or a rag. The primary effect is a sometimes pleasurable, altered state. It is also called laughing gas. Negative effects are many and include loss of coordination, appetite and judgment. Respiration may also be reduced. Nosebleeds and nausea can occur. Runny nose or skin irritations around the nose may be visible. Slurred speech, headache and weight loss may also occur. Frequent use may result in violence, anemia, brain damage, loss of consciousness, suffocation and death. A major risk for inhalant-related death is the loss of judgment/memory about what you are taking and how much you have taken. Brain damage and death are not uncommon.
OTHER COMMONLY ABUSED INHALANTS
Cautionary note: The chemicals in these substances are extremely dangerous when misused. Often manufacturers must be consulted to determine exactly what combination of chemicals is causing the emergency situation.
ANOTHER "KILLER" LEGAL DRUG NICOTINE (SMOKED AND CHEWED) By far the most deadly drug of abuse in the United States is smoked or chewed nicotine. Nicotine dependence kills up to 500,000 people each year. The nicotine, itself, is not the problem; the ways the nicotine is used (smoked or chewed tobacco) is the problem. Lung and other cancers are often the result of chronic nicotine dependence in smokers. Nicotine from tobacco is one of the most addictive substances. People who smoke or chew nicotine in tobacco report feelings of both relaxation and stimulation; therefore, nicotine smoking is often associated with self-medication of anxiety and depression.
OTHER ABUSED DRUGS ANABOLIC STEROIDS Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the natural male hormone, testosterone. This drug is often taken by athletes to improve protein absorption, which increases body weight and muscle mass. Steroids may be taken orally or by injection. These drugs include many possible physical dangers to the user.
KETAMINE (SPECIAL K) This is a drug developed for use on animals. It produces an altered state in humans. It can be very dangerous, especially when used with other drugs. COMMONLY USED DRUG TERMS
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
COMMON WARNING SIGNS OF DRUG USE
Caution: Since some of these signs may also be indicative of other psychological or physical problems, it is a good idea to have the person obtain a complete clinical psychoactive substance use evaluation from a professional who is fully certified as an addictions specialist. In some cases a medical assessment may also be necessary.
HELPFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION Julien, R.M. (1995). A Primer of Drug Action; Family Circle (June 3, 1997); NIDA (1994, 1996). Inhalant Abuse.; NIDA (1992). Inhalant Abuse.; Breggin, P. R. (1991). Toxic Psychiatry. pp. 303-315; Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect. (1994). Protecting Children in Substance Abusing Families; and, Preston and Johnson (1995). Clinical Psychopharmacology. , A. R. Quintiliani, Ph.D., CADC October, 1998 |
