Drug Classifications
Depressants Drowsiness Slow down body function Decreased: Heart Rate Blood Pressure Breathing Rate Reaction Time Coordination Overdose Depression/suicidal thoughts Withdrawal – in some cases may be life-threatening Respiratory failure Alcohol Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, and other Pain Killers) Tranquilizers & Sedatives Barbiturates & Anesthetics DrugEffectsDangersExamples
Stimulants Sleeplessness Hyperactivity Anxiety Euphoria Increase body function Increased: Heart Rate Blood Pressure Breathing Rate Irregular heart beat Heart failure Hyperthermia Convulsions Death Cocaine Crack Nicotine Amphetamines Methamphetamine Caffeine, ephedrine Adderall and Ritalin DrugEffectsDangersExamples
Hallucinogens Mind alterations Alteration of reality Anxiety Potential for flashback PCP MDMA (Ecstasy) GHB Ketamine LSD (D-Lysergic Acid) Mushrooms (Psilocybine) Peyote DrugEffectsDangersExamples
Inhalants Slurred speech Lack of coordination Dizziness Confusion Nausea and vomiting Headache Hypoxia – depriving body of oxygen CNS or Brain damage Heart failure Death from suffocation Toluene (spray paints, rubber cement, and gas) Chlorinated hydrocarbons (dry-cleaning chemicals, & correction fluids) Hexane (glues & gas) Benzene (gas) Methylene chloride (varnish removers & paint thinners) Butane (cigarette lighter refills & air fresheners) Nitrous oxide (whipped cream dispensers & gas cylinders) DrugEffectsDangersExamples
Opiates (from the Asian Poppy Palaver somniferous) Slow down body function - depressants Used to relieve pain Addiction Convulsions Coma Death Opium Morphine Heroin Oxycodone Methadone DrugEffectsDangersExamples
Cannabis Produces mixed effects including: Increased heart rate Increase appetite Dry throat Feelings of disorientation Loss of interest and motivation Impaired short- term memory and learning Impaired coordination Respiratory damage (contains 50-70% more carcinogens than tobacco smoke) Marijuana THC Hashish DrugEffectsDangersExamples
DrugEffectsDangersExamples Anabolic Steroids Hostility and aggression Acne Increased male traits on females Shrunken testicles and lowered sperm production in males Gynecomastia Hypertension Prostate cancer in males Anadrol Oxandrin Durabolin Depo-Testosterone Equipoise