Pharmacy Information: Common Addictive and Abused Drugs

The chronic use of any chemical to alter the mind or body is drug addiction or drug abuse. While the standard of abuse or addiction can vary based on cultural and social values, the abuse of almost any drug is illegal in most places and is associated with criminal behavior. The drugs most commonly abused and considered the most addictive are narcotics, alcohol, barbiturates, cocaine, crack, amphetamines, hallucinogenic, marijuana, nicotine, caffeine, anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. The treatment for addiction to these drugs is typically methadone programs and participation in groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Narcotic

Narcotics are a group of drugs used for their pain killing effects. The most abused forms of narcotics are opium, codeine, morphine and heroin. Doctors and scientists believe narcotics work by enhancing the activity of endorphins in the body, therefore allowing the brain to modulate pain. They are useful in numbing the senses, relieving diarrhea and inducing sleep. They are known to cause nausea and allergic reactions, and in large doses can cause coma, respiratory depression and even death. Narcotics are highly addictive and doctors monitor patients closely after prescribing them for medical purposes.

  • Definition Provides a definition of narcotics as well as information regarding different types of this drug class.
  • Drug Enforcement Information from the US DEA on narcotics.
  • Narcotics Anonymous A non-profit support group for those suffering from addiction to narcotics.

Alcohol

Alcohol is considered any natural compound with the formula R-OH. R is an alkyl made up of carbon and hydrogen and –OH is at least one hydroxyl group made of oxygen and hydrogen. While ethanol, the alcohol found in alcoholic beverage such as beer, wine and liquor, is the most well known form of alcohol, it also comes in the form of methanol, glycol and glycerol. The reaction of alcohol in the human body is caused by the unequal distribution of electric charges in the C-O-H portion of the molecule.

  • Neuroscience and Alcohol Provides information on the chemical construction of alcohol as well as how it affects the brain.
  • Blood Alcohol Content Provides information on how blood alcohol content (BAC) is calculated as well as what the risks factors are for different amounts of drinking.

Barbiturate

A barbiturate is a depressant that, in low doses, has a tranquilizing effect. Higher doses can be hypnotic or sleep inducing, and even larger doses can treat seizures and act as an anesthetic. Sleeping pills are the most common form of barbiturates and they can cause a psychological dependence with habitual use. Humans are also prone to developing physiological tolerance to them, leading to overdose and death.

Cocaine

Cocaine is made from coca leaves and creates feelings of euphoria. It also increases physical energy and creates hallucinations. Habitual use of this drug can cause delusions, weight loss and physical deterioration. It is highly addictive and withdrawal from cocaine can cause severe depression.

  • Cocaine Abuse Describes how cocaine is abused and the effects of cocaine abuse.
  • Cocaine 101 Provides basic information on cocaine including the history, what it looks like and how it is used.
  • Dangers of Cocaine Describes the short and long term dangers of cocaine abuse.

Crack

A form of cocaine known as crack is less expensive and much stronger than its counterpart is. Crack comes in the form of rocks and is typically smoked. It is the most addictive drug and one of the most deadly. In the past decade, its availability has increased tremendously, causing significant increases in crime in Western countries.

  • Federal Crack Drug Policy Provides information on what crack is, standard street names and the federal policy regarding its abuse.
  • Crack Cocaine Describes how crack is made, its history, how it is used and the effects it has on the human body and brain.
  • How Crack Cocaine Works Describes the effects crack cocaine has on the mind and body as well as short and long term effects of abuse.

Amphetamine

Amphetamines include any drug that acts as a stimulant. It is also called “speed” as it enhances mental alertness and concentration. In the past, speed has been used as a treatment for obesity, brain dysfunction and narcolepsy. Amphetamines are known for causing insomnia and irritability as well as high blood pressure, gastric disturbances and cardiac issues. Addiction to these drugs is fatal due to exhaustion or cardiac arrest.

  • Amphetamine and the Brain Provides a definition of amphetamines and describes how it affects the brain.
  • Amphetamine Toxicity Provides information on the chemical compounds of amphetamines as well as information on the effects it has on different parts of the human body.

Hallucinogenic

Hallucinogenic drugs, also known as psychedelic drugs, include mescaline, psilocin, mushrooms, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), belladonna and mandrake. For centuries people have used these drugs worldwide for meditation, spiritual practices and to cure illness. The dosage of these drugs determines its effects, which can range from enjoyable to distressing. Those who use these drugs often imagine conversations, sights, odors and tastes. While hallucinogenic drugs are not physically addictive they can be psychologically addictive.

Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as weed and pot, is one of the most widely used drugs in the western world. It is made from the hemp plant and creates a joyful state of altered consciousness. It typically increases appetite and can either increase or decrease sex drive. When pure marijuana is used, adverse reactions are rare. It is used in the medical field to reduce nausea in chemotherapy patients as well as treat glaucoma. While still illegal for use, possession or sale in the US, there is a push in recent years to reclassify marijuana so it can be prescribed by doctors for medical use.

Caffeine

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, mata, cocoa and cola nuts. It is a mild stimulate that can increase heart rate and rhythm as well as increase urination. While excessive use can cause insomnia, heart irregularities and delirium, it is the most commonly used and legally acceptable drug available. In fact, almost 90% of the world’s population consumes caffeine in one form or another.

Anabolic Steroid

Anabolic steroids are a synthetic form of testosterone that increases muscle and bone growth. For medical purposes it is used to treat certain chronic diseases, though it is most widely known for its use by athletes and body builders. Because if its ability to increase strength and stamina, its use has been banned by every major sport as well as the International Olympic Committee. A federal law in 1988 made the use and distribution of anabolic steroids illegal for anything other than therapeutic uses. The abuse of anabolic steroids can increase aggression and irritability.

  • Anabolic Steroids and Training Provides information on how anabolic steroids are made and their chemical compounds.
  • History of Anabolic Steroids Describes the uses for anabolic steroids in men and women as well as the adverse health issues faced by those who abuse anabolic steroids.
  • Medical Uses Describes the medical benefits of anabolic steroids.

Human Growth Hormone

Human growth hormone (HGH) is found naturally in the human body in the pituitary gland, and is necessary for skeletal growth. While used illegally by bodybuilders and athletes to increase muscle mass, doctors use it to treat pituitary dwarfism. Excessive amounts of HGH in children can lead to gigantism, though large amounts of it after puberty has little effect on skeletal growth. However, excessive amounts can cause a disease known as acromegaly.

Tranquilizer

Tranquilizers act on the central nervous system to relieve emotional agitation and are most often used as antipsychotic drugs. They can minimize or hinder the severity and amount of psychotic states experienced by those with mental disorders as well as eliminate agitation, delusions and anxiety. The most common forms of these drugs are thorazine and lithium, which are most often used to treat symptoms of those suffering from schizophrenia. Tranquilizers are used by addictions as a “downer” as well as a sleep inducing agent.

Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic that is used to treat addiction to narcotics. It is efficient in reducing the severity and danger of withdrawal symptoms, especially during withdrawals from heroin. Some doctors shy away from its use because methadone is still an addictive drug. Terminally ill patients also use it as a pain killer.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is defined as the habitual use of alcohol to the point that it affects physical and mental health. Alcohol can be both physically and psychologically habit forming and acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. It impairs judgment, inhibition, alertness, coordination and, in high doses, can result in unconsciousness or even death. Long term abuse of alcohol damages the liver, heart and brain, and withdrawal from this drug can result in delirium tremens. The most common treatment for alcoholism is support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, though anti-anxiety drugs and antabuse drugs can also be used.

  • Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Provides information on the definition of alcoholism as well as the adverse health effects.
  • Alcoholism Describes what alcoholism is and how it is treated.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous A non-profit organization it is dedicated to supporting alcoholics in all stages of recovery.