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Types of Drugs

There are 4 categories a drug can fall into.  These are: Narcotics, Hallucinogens, Depressants, and Stimulants.

Narcotics

Narcotic drugs are those that eliminate pain.  These drugs are also called analgesic.  The term narcotic is from the greek word narkoticos which means lethargy or sluggishness.  Based on this translation it is no surprise that the drugs that fall into this category make you fall asleep.  Drugs that fall into the Narcotic drug category are:

• Morphine
• Heroin
• Methadone
• Codeine
• Opium

Many of the narcotics come from one substance...Opium.  Opium is taken from the Opium Poppy plant.  The poppy is cut open and a white substance oozes from the cuts.  The white substance is collected and by using different chemical processes, different narcotics can be produced.

Naturally Occurring	Semi-Synthetic	Synthetic
Morphine	Heroin	Methadone
Codeine	Hydrocodone	Propoxyphene
Thebaine	Hydromorphone	Meperidine (Demerol)
	Oxycodone	Fentanyl

 

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are drugs that cause alterations in normal thought processes, perception, and mood.  Some hallucinogenic drugs include:

• Marijuana
• LSD
• MDMA (ecstacy)
• PCP
• Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
• Psilocybin

Psilocybin Mushrooms

Various Ecstacy Tablets

 

Depressants

Depressants are drugs that depress or slow down the function of the central nervous system.  Depressants calm irritability, nervousness, and may cause sleepiness.  Examples of depressants are:

• Barbiturates
• Alcohol
• Diazepam

Stimulants

Stimulants act the opposite way that depressants do.  When taken, stimulants increase alertness and activity.  Some stimulants include:

• Methamphetamine
• Cocaine
• Caffeine
• Nicotine

 

The Controlled Substance Act

The controlled substance act was developed by the federal government to control drugs and regulate drugs.  Under the controlled substance act, each illegal drug is placed in a specific schedule based on their medicinal uses and potential for abuse.  There are 5 schedules:

 

Schedule I

Schedule I drugs are classified as having no legitimate medicinal use and a high potential for abuse.  Drugs that fall under this schedule include marijuana, heroin, LSD, and psilocyn.

Schedule II

Schedule II drugs are very similar to schedule I drugs.  However, schedule II drugs had a limited use in medicine.  These drugs are only available with a prescription.  They do have a high risk for abuse.  Schedule II drugs include methamphetamine (diet pills), cocaine, opium mixtures not in schedule I, and methadone.

Schedule III

Schedule III drugs are less addictive than the two higher schedules and have more medical uses.  Schedule III drugs include barbiturates, codeine preparations, oxycodone, hydrocodone and anabolic steroids.

Schedule IV

Schedule IV drugs have a lower dependence than S III and also have medicinal uses.  The drugs in the schedule include propoxyphene, phenobarbital, and diazepam.

Schedule V

Drugs in this schedule show they have the lowest abuse and dependence rate of the scheduled drugs.

Drugs that show no potential for abuse or no dependence are either over the counter or by prescription.