Legal Drugs
A legal drug is not necessarily safe or non-addictive. Drugs that are both
legal and freely available (such as alcohol and nicotine) are among the
most often abused. Even prescription drugs at prescribed doses can be
addictive, can have dangerous side effects and can cause drug interactions.
Drugs that are both legal and freely available (such as alcohol and nicotine) are
among the most often abused. Other drugs (such as sedatives and tranquilizers)
are available by prescription and are considered safe for medical purposes, but
they are highly addictive, even at prescribed dosages. Still others touted as
non-drugs and natural (such as herbal supplements) may have dangerous side effects
or may cause drug interactions.
If you have a history of addiction or are in recovery, avoid legal drugs or use
them with extreme caution. Always let your doctor (or dentist or pharmacist) know
if you are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction so they can help you avoid
relapse or cross-addiction from one drug to another.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug that depresses the central nervous system. Even after one
drink (1 oz of hard liquor, 1 beer, 1 glass of wine), driving ability is
impaired. Driving while intoxicated is illegal in the United States. Each
state has its own laws regarding the allowable BAC (Blood Alcohol
Concentration). Many states have settled on .08 as the legal BAC limit,
while others use the less restrictive .10 BAC limit. As a rough guide, an
average 170-pound male reaches a .08 BAC level after consuming four drinks
in an hour, and a 137-pound female reaches it after consuming three drinks
in an hour.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
Prescription Narcotics
Narcotics are used to control chronic or severe pain. Like alcohol or
sedatives, they depress the central nervous system and have mood-altering
effects. Narcotics are highly addictive and must be used carefully in a
well-controlled manner. Opiate narcotics are among the most commonly abused
narcotics. Codeine, methadone, and morphine (from which heroin is derived)
are examples. All pain-relieving narcotics, including Percodan, Vicodin,
and Percocet, are very addictive.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
Cough Preparations
Many cough preparations, especially cough suppressants, contain codeine or
DXM (Dextromethorphan). Codeine and other opiates are very effective cough
suppressants, but they are addictive. DXM, a powerful psychoactive drug, is
particularly addictive. Cough syrup abusers can obtain the drug from their
doctors by complaining about coughs and other cold symptoms. Examples of
cough preparations include Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps, Robitussin AC, Dectuss,
Phenergan with Codeine, Phensedyl, and Pherazine with Codeine.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers are drugs used to treat anxiety or problems with sleep. They
have a calming effect by depressing the nervous system in a way similar to
alcohol. The most common forms of minor tranquilizers prescribed are the
benzodiazepines. These include Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Librium. Major
tranquilizers such as Haldol, Navane, Thorazine, Mellaril are called
"anti-psychotics". They are generally used to treat symptoms of paranoia,
psychosis, hallucinations or delusions. Tranquilizers are frequently abused
because of their ability to reduce anxiety. Tolerance for these types of
drug develops rapidly,as more and more of the drug is needed to be effective.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
Sedatives
Like alcohol and tranquilizers, sedatives depress the nervous system. They
have a calming effect and help induce sleep. Of the four groups of sedatives,
barbiturates are the most commonly abused and the most addictive. Commonly
abused barbiturates are Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal. The other three groups
of sedatives are benzodiazepines, barbiturate-like sedatives, and other sedatives.
Benzodiazepines, which are prescribed as sleep medications, include Restoril,
Dalmane, and Halcion. Barbiturate-like sedatives include Placidyl, Miltown,
Doriden, Noludar, and Quaaludes. Other sedatives prescribed as sleep medications
include Ambien and Sonata. Desyrel, an older antidepressant, is also prescribed
as a sleep medication.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
Soma
Soma is a prescription muscle relaxant for reducing certain types of pain and
muscle tension. It produces sedating effects through the central nervous system
and is chemically similar to the sedative Miltown. Soma can transfer from a
pregnant woman to an unborn fetus, and it also appears in the breast milk of
mothers who use it.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
Prescription Amphetamines
Doctors prescribe amphetamines for different medical purposes such as appetite
control in weight loss programs, narcolepsy, and hyperactivity disorders.
Ritalin, Cylert, and Adderall are among the best-known forms of prescription
amphetamines. These drugs are used to treat hyperactivity or attention deficit
(known as ADHD or ADD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Amphetamines, which
"speed up" normal people, have a calming effect on those with hyperactivity or
attention-deficit disorders. On the street, amphetamines are also called speed,
bennies, eye openers, lid poppers, pep pills, and uppers.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
Over the Counter Drugs
Many drugs available over-the-counter (OTC) can be addictive to different degrees.
In fact, some of them are commonly used as ingredients in the production of illicit
drugs. For example, cough and cold medications are used to produce illegal versions
of amphetamines. Others may be used directly, such as mouthwashes and diet aids,
because they contain drugs that produce pleasurable effects. Although these drugs
have negative effects, people ignore them in an attempt to get the high that the
drugs produce.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
|
|
OxyContin
OxyContin is the trade name of the opiate, oxycodone, which is converted into
morphine in the body. The morphine activates opioid receptors that are found in
many areas of the brain. Two of the major effects of opiates, like oxycodone, are
the simulation of the pleasure center by releasing dopamine and the relief of pain.
Back to Addictive Drugs
|
