Common Drugs of Abuse

CATEGORY

 

Drugs

 

Sample trade or other names

 

Medical uses

 

Dependence

 

Effects in hours

 

Possible Effects

 

Effects of overdose

 

Withdrawal symptoms

 

Physical

 

Psycho­logical

 

 

CANNABIS

 

Marijuana

 

Pot. grass.

reefer, sinsemilla

 

Under investigation

 

Unknown

 

Moderate

 

2-4

 

Euphoria, relaxed inhibi­tions. increase in heart and pulse rate. reddening of the eyes. increased appetite, disoriented behavior

 

Anxiety, paranoia, loss of concentration, slower movements, time distortion

 

Insomnia, hyperactivity. and decreased appetite occasionally reported

 

Tetrahydrocannabinol

THC

 

Hashish

 

Hash

 

None

 

Hash Oil

 

Hash Oil

 

 

 

DEPRESSANTS

 

Alcohol

 

Liquor, beer. wine

 

None

 

High

 

High

 

1-12

 

Slurred speech. disorientation. drunken behavior

 

Shallow respiration. cold and clammy skin. dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma. possible death

 

Anxiety, insomnia. tremors, delirium. convulsions, possible death

 

Barbiturates

 

Secobarbltal. Amobarbital. Butisol. Tuinal

 

Anesthetic. anti-convulsant. sedative, hypnotic

 

High-moderate

 

High-moderate

 

1-16

 

Methaqualone

 

Quaalude. Sopor. Parest

 

Sedative. hypnotic

 

High

 

High

 

4-8

 

Tranquilizers

 

Valium. Librium. Equanil. Miltown

 

Anti-anxiety. anti-convulsanlt, sedative

 

Moderate to low

 

Moderate

 

 

 

STIMULANTS

 

Cocaine

 

Coke. flake, snow

 

Local anesthetic

 

Possible

 

High

 

1/2-2

 

Increased alertness. excitation, euphoria. increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, insomnia. loss of appetite.

 

Agitation, increase in body temperature, hallu­cinations. convulsions. possible death, tremors

Agitation, increase in pulse rate and blood pressure.loss of appetite, insomnia

 

Apathy, long periods of sleep, irritability. depression

 

Amphetamines

 

Biphetamine. Dexedrine

 

Hyperactivity. narcolepsy

 

2-4

 

Nicotine

 

Tobacco, cigars. cigarettes

 

None

 

High

 

High

 

Caffeine

 

Coffee, tea. cola drinks. No-Doze

 

Low

 

Low

 

 

 

HALLUCINOGENS

 

LSD

 

Acid

 

None

 

None

 

Degree ' unknown

 

8-12

 

Illusions and hallucina­tions. poor perception of time and distance

 

Drug effects becoming longer and more intense. psychosis

 

Withdrawal symptoms not reported

 

Mescaline and peyole

 

Button. Cactus

 

Phencyclidine

 

PCP. angel dust

 

Veterinary anesthetic

 

Unknown

 

High

 

Variable

 

Psilocybin-psilocin

 

Mushrooms

 

None

 

None

 

Degree unknown

 

6

 

 

 

INHALANTS

 

Nitrous oxide

i

 

Whippets. laughing gas

 

Anesthetic

 

 

 

Possible

 

Moderate

 

Up to 1/2 hr.

 

Excitement, euphoria. giddiness, loss of

inhibitions. aggressiveness. delusions, depression. drowsiness. headache. nausea

 

Loss of memory.

confusion, unsteady gait. erratic heart beat and pulse, possible death

 

Insomnia, decreased

appetite, depression. irritability, headache

 

Butyl nitrite

 

Locker room. rush

 

None

 

AmyI nitrite

 

Poppers, snappers

 

Heart stimulant

 

Chlorohydrocarbons

 

Aerosol paint. cleaning fluid

 

None

 

Hydrocarbons

 

Aerosol propellants. gasoline, glue. paint thinner

 

None

 

 

 

 

NARCOTICS

 

Opium

 

Paragoric

 

Antidiarrhea, pain relief

 

High

 

High

 

3-6

 

Euphoria, drowsiness. respiratory depression. constricted pupils. nausea

 

Slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin. convulsions, coma. possible death.

 

Watery eyes. runny nose. yawning, loss of appetite. irritability, tremors. panic, chills and sweating. cramps, nausea

 

Morphine

 

Morphine. Pectoral Syrup

 

Pain relief, cough medicine

 

Codeine

 

Codeine. Empirin Compound with Codeine. Robitussin A-C

 

Moderate

 

Moderate

 

Heroin

 

Horse, smack

 

Under investigation

 

High

 

High

 

Methadone

 

Dolophine. Methadose

 

Heroin substitute. pain relief

 

12-24