CWTS: Commonly Abused Drugs

Drugs that are commonly abused, depending on the pharmacological effects,

may be
classified into:
1. Depressants. Sometimes called “downers.” They are also referred to as
sedatives. Depressants cause depression of the brain’s faculties. These drugs come
in multicolored tablets and capsules or in liquid form. Some drugs in this category,
such
as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Haldol, are known as “major tranquilizers” or
“antipsychotics,” as they are supposed to reduce the symptoms of mental illness.
Depressants such as Xanax, Klonopin, Halcion and Librium are often referred to as
“benzos” (short for benzodiazepines1). Other depressants, such as Amytal,
Numbutal and
Seconal, are classed as barbiturates—drugs that are used as sedatives and sleeping
pills.
Alcohol is also considered as a depressant. Since alcohol is a depressant, it can slow
motor skills and impair the user's ability to make clear judgments. Additionally, a
woman who uses alcohol while pregnant puts her unborn child at risk for fetal
alcohol syndrome, a condition that can cause mental retardation, impaired vision,
and other lifelong problems.
Depressants cause depression of the brain’s faculties.
2. Stimulants. Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up the messages
between the brain and the body. They can make a person feel more awake, alert,
confident or energetic.
These cause stimulation of the brain, giving rise to alertness and increased bursts of
activity. A rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, raised blood pressure, nausea or vomiting
and behavioral changes such as agitation, and impaired judgment may also result.
In severe cases, there may be delusional psychosis which can occur with the use of
cocaine and amphetamines.
Large doses of stimulants can cause over-stimulation, causing anxiety, panic,
seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of
strong stimulants can also cause a number of adverse effects. Stimulants include
caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine.
a. Amphetamines. Amphetamines are psychostimulant drugs, which means they
speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body.
Some types of amphetamines are legally prescribed by doctors to treat conditions
such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (where a
person has an uncontrollable urge to sleep). Amphetamines have also been used to
treat Parkinson’s disease. Other types of amphetamines such as speed are
produced and sold illegally. Amphetamines have been also been taken as
performance enhancement drugs. The most potent form is crystal
methamphetamine (ice).
The appearance of amphetamines varies. These drugs may be in the form of a
powder, tablets, crystals and capsules. They may be packaged in ‘foils’ (aluminium
foil), plastic bags or small balloons when sold illegally.6
b. Methylenedioxymethaphetamine (MDMA) is a drug that comes either in
tablet or capsule form (known as ecstasy, zoom, scrap), as powder or crystal. It is a
stimulant drug that is chemically related to mescaline and amphetamine and is
used illicitly for its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects.
c. Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca shrub. It is a stimulant not normally
prescribed therapeutically for its stimulant properties, although it sees clinical use
as a local anesthetic, particularly in ophthalmology.
The leaf extract is processed to produce three different forms of cocaine:
• Cocaine hydrochloride: a fine white powder with a bitter, numbing taste. Cocaine
hydrochloride is often mixed, or ‘cut’, with other substances such as lidocaine,
talcum powder or sugar to dilute it before being sold.
• Freebase: a white powder that is more pure with less impurity than cocaine
hydrochloride.
• Crack: crystals ranging in colour from white or cream to transparent with a pink or
yellow hue, it may contain impurities.
d. Caffeine is a drug that is found naturally in coffee, tea, and to a small extent
cocoa. is also found in many softdrinks particularly energy drinks. Caffeine
stimulates the body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and alertness,
making some people feel better and able to concentrate.
e. Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae),
predominantly in tobacco, and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant
(aubergine), and green pepper.
Tar and carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) are also released when tobacco is burned,
such as when it’s smoked. Products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco,
chewing tobacco, and wet and dry snuff and the dried leaves from the tobacco plant
all contain nicotine. Electronic cigarettes (also known as E cigarettes) do not contain
dried tobacco leaves, but they may still contain nicotine.
3. Hallucinogens. Hallucinogens cause hallucinations and an "out of this world"
feeling of dissociation from oneself. Hallucinogens may cause distorted sensory
perception, delusion, paranoia and even depression. Examples include mescaline
and LSD (an abbreviation of the German words for "lysergic acid diethylamide")
Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see images, hear sounds, and feel
sensations that seem real but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid,
intense emotional swings. Hallucinogens cause their effects by disrupting the
interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin. Distributed throughout
the brain and spinal cord, the serotonin system is involved in the control of
behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, including mood, hunger, body
temperature, sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception.
Hallucinogens are among the oldest drugs, substances naturally occur in
mushrooms, cacti and a variety of other plants.
4. Narcotics. Narcotics are also known as “opioids,” the term “narcotic” comes
from the Greek word for “stupor” and originally referred to a variety of substances
that dulled the senses and relieved pain. Though some people still refer to all drugs
as “narcotics,” today “narcotic” refers to opium, opium derivatives, and their semi-
synthetic
substitutes. A more current term for these drugs, with less uncertainty regarding its
meaning, is “opioid.” Examples include the illicit drug heroin and pharmaceutical
drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, codeine, morphine, methadone, and fentanyl.