Summary Guide about the Methods of Drugs Classification

Drug classifications are a way to organize drugs into categories. There is a

considerable disagreement about how drugs should be classified, even among experts.
This means that the same drug may be classified differently under two schemes or two
systems may use categories with the same name. Due to these disagreements, it’s
impossible to create a “definitive” set of drug classifications. However, some of the most
common are listed below.

Drug Classifications Based on Chemical Makeup

➢ Alcohol
o Alcohol is the most widely abused substance across most of the world.
o Alcohol creates feelings of euphoria and lowers inhibitions, but it also severely
impairs judgment, perception, and reaction times.
o Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, but it causes the most severe
long-term damage to the liver.
o There are many forms of alcohol, including:
▪ Beer
▪ Wine
▪ Liquor
➢ Opioids
o Also called opiates, opioids are either derived from the drug opium or chemicals
designed to mimic it.
o Opioids work by interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain and blocking the
signals that they are sending. This enables opioids to serve as powerful pain
killers, but it also can cause feelings of intense pleasure, leading to addiction.
o Opioids are some of the most addictive of all known substances, and they are
also some of the deadliest.
o Some of the most well-known opioids include:
▪ Heroin
▪ Fentanyl
▪ Oxycodone

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➢ Benzodiazepines
o Benzodiazepines, or Benzos, are a class of drugs that function by interacting
with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A).
o Each Benzo interacts with GABA-A differently, which is why each Benzo
impacts the body and mind differently.
o Benzos are prescribed to treat a wide variety of psychiatric and sleep
conditions, but they are very commonly abused. Benzos are highly addictive,
and can cause numerous medical and psychiatric problems when not used as
intended.
o Examples of Benzos include:
▪ Ativan
▪ Valium
▪ Xanax
➢ Cannabinoids
o Cannabinoids are a class of drugs that are chemically similar to
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active agent in marijuana.
o Cannabinoids create feelings of elation, known as a high, but they also
negatively impact mental and physical functioning.
o Cannabinoids are the most widely abused drugs after alcohol, and they are
increasingly gaining legal acceptance. Although considered less addictive than
other drug classifications, cannabinoids can seriously damage a person’s
mental and physical health.
o Examples of cannabinoids include:
▪ Marijuana
▪ Hashish
➢ Barbiturates
o Barbiturates act on the central nervous system by slowing down its functioning.
Barbiturates are derivatives of the chemical barbituric acid.
o Barbiturates were historically popular for the treatment of psychiatric and sleep
disorders, and they are still used for anesthesia and treatment of a number of
conditions such as epilepsy and headaches.

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 o Barbiturates are highly addictive, and they also present a very high overdose
risk as they cause many body systems to shut down.
o Examples of barbiturates include:
▪ Amytal
▪ Luminal
▪ Pentobarbita

Drug Classifications Based On Effect

➢ Depressants
o More commonly referred to as “downers,” depressants create feelings of
relaxation and tiredness. While many serve legitimate purposes in the fight
against mental illness and sleep deprivation, they are very commonly abused
because they may also create feelings of euphoria.
o Depressants are not only some of the most highly addictive drugs, but they are
also some of the most highly dangerous and likely to cause overdose.
o Examples of depressants include:
▪ Alcohol
▪ Opiates
▪ Barbiturates
➢ Stimulants
o Also known as “uppers,” the primary use of stimulants is to increase energy,
concentration, and wakefulness. Stimulants are said to provide a “rush.”
o In the short term, stimulants are believed to increase productivity and
performance, while producing an excited high of pleasure.
o In the long term, stimulants are incredibly addictive and have a very high
potential for abuse.
o Examples of stimulants include:
▪ Adderall
▪ Cocaine
▪ Meth

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➢ Hallucinogens
o Hallucinogens, sometimes referred to as dissociatives, alter the user’s perception
of reality, often resulting in auditory and visual hallucinations, a process known as
“tripping”
o Although hallucinogens are generally less addictive than other drug classifications,
their immediate impacts are generally more severe and dangerous.
o Examples of hallucinogens include:
▪ LSD
▪ Psilocybin Mushrooms
▪ PCP
➢ Inhalants
o Inhalants are a vast range of chemicals that are ingested primarily by breathing
them in, or huffing.
o Most inhalants are commonly used materials that are in no way designed to be
ingested by humans. While there is incredibly variety between inhalants, most
produce feelings of a high. Inhalants are less studied than most other drugs.
o While they tend to be less addictive than many other substances, the use of
inhalants is incredibly dangerous and causes many serious health effects.
o Examples of commonly abused inhalants include:
▪ Paint thinner
▪ Nail polish remover
▪ Gasoline

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Legal Classification of Drugs
Schedule I drugs are defined as
drugs that have no medical use and
have a high potential for addiction
and abuse. These include drugs
such as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD.
Schedule II drugs have a high
rate of potential abuse along with
significant psychological or physical
dependence. Examples of Schedule
II drugs include cocaine, meth, and
opioids.
Schedule III drugs have moderate to low potential for misuse. These include
anabolic steroids, ketamine, and testosterone.
Schedule IV drugs have low potential for dependence. Valium, Ativan, and Ambien
are all Schedule IV drugs.
Schedule V drugs are medications usually used for antitussive, analgesic, or
antidiarrheal purposes.

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