|
Classification of Drugs and Their Effects
|
| Psychoactive Drugs |
Range of Effects |
Development
of Tolerance |
Prolonged Use of Large
Amounts |
Withdrawal Symptoms After
Prolonged Use |
| From |
To |
Alcohol
- Beer
- Wine
- Hard Liquor |
Depressant
Relaxation, lowered inhibitions, reduced intensity of physical sensations, digestive
upsets, body heat loss, reduced muscular coordination. |
Loss of body control,
passing out (also causing physical injuries), susceptibility to pneumonia, cessation of
breathing. |
Moderate |
Liver damage, ulcers,
chronic diarrhea, amnesia, vomiting, brain damage, internal bleeding, debilitation. |
Convulsions,
shakes, hallucinations, loss of memory, uncontrolled muscular spasms, psychosis. |
Sedative Hypnotics
Barbiturates:
- Nebutal
- Phenobarbital
- Seconal
Tranquilizers:
- Valium
- Librium
- Quaaludes |
Depressant
Relaxation, lowered inhibitions, reduced intensity of physical sensations, digestive
upsets, body heat loss, reduced muscular coordination. |
Passing out, loss of body
control, stupor, severe depression of respiration, possible death. (Effects are
exaggerated when used in combination with alcohol - synergistic effect). |
Moderate |
Amnesia, confusion,
drowsiness, personality changes. |
Opiates
- Opium
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Codeine
- Dilaudids
- Percodan
- Darvon
- Methadone |
Depressant
Suppression of pain, lowered blood pressure and respiratory rate, constipation, disruption
of menstrual cycle, hallucinations, sleep. |
Clammy skin, convulsions,
coma, respiratory depression, possible death. |
High |
Depressed sexual drive,
lethargy, general physical debilitation, infections, hepatitis |
Water eyes, running nose,
severe back pains, stomach cramps, sleeplessness, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle
spasms. |
Stimulants
Amphetamines
- Dexedrine
- Metham-
phetamines
- Speed
- Diet Pills
Other Stimulants
- Ritalin
- Cocaine
- Caffeine
|
Stimulation of Central
Nervous System
Increased blood pressure and pulse rate, appetite loss, increased alertness, dilated and
dried out bronchi, restlessness, insomnia. |
Paranoid reaction,
temporary psychosis, irritability, convulsions, palpitations. (Not generally true for
caffeine.) |
High |
Psychosis, insomnia,
paranoia, nervous system damage. (Not generally true for caffeine.) |
Severe depression, both
physical and mental. (Not true for caffeine.) |
Psychedelics
- LSD
- Mescaline
- Psilocybin
- PCP |
Alteration of Mental
Process
Distorted perceptions, hallucinations, confusion, vomiting. |
Psychosis,
hallucinations, vomiting, anxiety, panic, stupor.
With PCP: Aggressive behavior, catatonia, convulsions, coma, high blood pressure. |
High |
Psychosis, continued
hallucinations, mental disruption. |
Occasional flashback
phenomena, depression. |
THC
- Marijuana
- Hashish |
Sedation, euphoria,
increased appetite, altered mental process. |
Distorted perception,
anxiety, panic. |
Moderate |
Amotivation (loss of
drive). |
No true withdrawal
symptoms except possible depression. |
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