DRUG ADDICTION

Drug
• is any chemical substance that when consumed causes a
change in an organism's physiology, including its psychology, if
applicable.
• In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of
known structure, which, when administered to a living
organism, produces a biological effect.
 Pharmaceutical drug
• also called a medication or medicine, is a chemical
substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a
disease or to promote well-being.
• Dispensing of medication is often regulated by
governments into three categories—
• over-the-counter medications, which are available in
pharmacies and supermarkets without special
restrictions;
• behind-the-counter medicines, which are dispensed
by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's
prescription, and
• prescription only medicines, which must be
prescribed by a licensed medical professional, usually
a physician.
 Psychoactive drug
• is a chemical substance that changes the function of
the nervous system and results in alterations of
perception, mood, cognition, and behavior.
• These drugs are divided into different groups like:
stimulants, depressants, antidepressants, anxiolytics,
antipsychotics, and hallucinogens
• These psychoactive drugs have been proven useful in
treating wide range of medical conditions including
mental disorders around the world.
 Recreational drug
• are used for pleasure rather than medicinal purposes
• use of one or more psychoactive drugs to induce an
altered state of consciousness, either for pleasure or for
some other casual purpose or pastime.
• Generally, recreational drugs are divided into three
categories: depressants (drugs that induce a feeling of
relaxation and calmness), stimulants (drugs that induce a
sense of energy and alertness), and hallucinogens (drugs
that induce perceptual distortions such as hallucination).
Common recreational drugs

• Alcohol - Most drinking alcohol is ethanol, CH3CH2OH. Creates

intoxication, relaxation and lowered inhibitions
• Amphetamines - Used recreationally to provide alertness and a
sense of energy. Prescribed for ADHD, narcolepsy, depression and
weight loss.
• Caffeine - Often found in coffee, black tea, energy drinks, some
soft drinks, and chocolate
• Cannabis - Its common forms include marijuana and hashish,
which are smoked, vaporized or eaten.
 Continuation. . . .

• Cocaine - It is available as a white powder, which is insufflated

("sniffed" into the nostrils) or converted into a solution with water
and injected
• MDMA - Commonly known as ecstasy, it is a common club drug in
the rave scene.
• Electronic cigarette - Most e-cigarette liquids contain nicotine.
Used to inhale MDMA, cocaine powder, crack cocaine, synthetic
cathinones, mephedrone, α-PVP, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids,
heroin, fentanyl, tryptamines, and ketamine
• Ketamine - An anesthetic used legally by paramedics and
doctors in emergency situations for its dissociative and
analgesic qualities and illegally in the club drug scene.
• Lean: A liquid drug mixture made when mixing cough syrup,
sweets, soft drinks and codeine.
• LSD: LSD (d-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), A popular ergoline
derivative, psychedelic effects
• Nitrous oxide: legally used by dentists as an anxiolytic
and anaesthetic, it is also used recreationally by users
who obtain it from whipped cream canisters
• Opiates and opioids: Available by prescription for pain relief.
Commonly used opioids heroin, and morphine.
• Psilocybin mushrooms: This hallucinogenic drug was an important
drug in the psychedelic scene.
• Tobacco: Nicotiana tabacum. Nicotine is the key drug contained
in tobacco leaves. influence the release of multiple
neurotransmitters
• Tranquilizers: known to cause dementia and post acute
withdrawal syndrome)
• Peyote: This hallucinogen contains mescaline
TYPES OF DRUGS
 Stimulants
• Stimulants or “uppers” impact the body’s central nervous system (CNS), causing the
user to feel as if they are “speeding up.” These drugs increase the user’s level of
alertness, pumping up heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and blood glucose levels.
• Doctors primarily prescribe stimulants for ADHD and narcolepsy
• Adderall
• Ritalin
• Synthetic marijuana
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Ecstasy
• Caffeine
 Opioids
• Among the most addictive types of drugs, opioids are powerful
painkillers that produce a sense of euphoria. Derived from the poppy
plant, opioids are often prescribed to patients who are suffering from
intense pain.
• Heroin
• MorphineS
• Hydrocodone
• Opium
• Vicodin
• OxyContin
 Depressants
• Like stimulants, depressants also impact the body’s CNS but with
the opposite effect, making users feel as if things are “slowing
down.” Thus, they are often called “downers” on the street.
• Doctors prescribe some depressants for anxiety, insomnia,
obsessive-compulsive disorder and other medical issues that
prevent the sufferer from fully relaxing.
• Barbiturates: Phenobarbital, Pentobarbital
• Benzodiazepines: Rohypnol, Xanax, Valium
• Alcohol
 Hallucinogens
• Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that alter a person’s
perception of reality. They work by disrupting brain activity,
affecting mood, sensory perception and muscle control. They
can be made synthetically or found naturally.
• Psilocybin (mushrooms)
• Peyote (mescaline)
• LSD (acid)
 Dissociatives
• distort the user’s perception of reality and cause people to
“dissociate” or feel as if they are watching themselves from
outside their own bodies. They may gain a false sense of
invincibility then engage in risky behavior such as driving
under the influence or having unsafe sex.
• Ketamine
• DXM (Dextromethorphan)
• PCP (phencyclidine)
 Inhalants
• Mostly made up of everyday household items, these drugs
cause brief feelings of euphoria. As the name suggests,
inhalants are always inhaled as gases or fumes. The “highs”
slightly differ between inhalants, but most people who abuse
inhalants are willing to huff whatever substance they can get.
• Fumes of markers, paint, paint thinner, gasoline and glue
• Nitrous oxide
• Aerosol sprays
• Room deodorizers
 Cannabis
• Most commonly recognized as marijuana, cannabis acts like a
hallucinogen but also produces depressant-like effects. It is a
Schedule I drug (i.e., it has a high potential for addiction) but has
increasing medicinal uses in the United States. Still, marijuana is
often abused by those who do not medically require it.
• Marijuana leaves
• Hashish
• Hash oil
• Cannabis-based medicines, such as Sativex
 Consumption of drugs
• inhalation
• Injection
• smoking
• ingestion
• absorption via patch on the skin
• dissolution under the tongue
• suppository