Alcohol
Ethyl alcohol is the main ingredient in a variety of beverages
including spirits, beer, wine, malt beverages, and coolers. The Alcohol
alone provides eighty calories per ounce.
Ativan
Ativan (Lorazepam) is an anti-anxiety agent (benzodiazepines, mild
tranquilizer) used to relieve anxiety, agitation, and irritability; to
relieve insomnia; to calm people with mania/schizophrenia; and is used
intravenously as a sedative, for nervous tension, or to relieve anxiety
prior to surgery. Ativan may also be used to help in the prevention of
severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms (delirium tremens, DTs), to treat
amnesia, or in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and have severe
vomiting. It may be given to children to treat serial seizures by
placing it under the tongue.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the
brain. Cocaine is not a new drug. In fact, it is one of the oldest
known drugs. Cocaine abuse has a long history and is rooted into the
drug culture in the United States. It is an intense euphoric drug with
strong addictive potential. With the increase in purity, the advent of
the free-base form of cocaine, known as crack, and its easy
availability on the street, cocaine continues to burden both the law
enforcement and health care systems in America. The powdered,
hydrochloride salt form of cocaine can be snorted or dissolved in water
and injected. Crack is cocaine that has not been neutralized by an acid
to make the hydrochloride salt. This form of cocaine is a rock crystal
that can be heated and its vapors smoked. The term ‘crack’ refers to
the crackling sound heard when it is heated.
Codeine
Codeine is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain medicines. Codeine
is used to treat mild to moderate pain. Codeine may be habit-forming
and should be used only by the person it is prescribed for. Codeine
should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a
history of drug abuse or addiction. Dangerous side effects or death can
occur when alcohol is combined with a narcotic pain medicine.
Crystal Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug that activates
certain systems in the brain. It is chemically related to amphetamine
but, at comparable doses, the effects of methamphetamine are much more
potent, longer lasting, and more harmful to the central nervous system
(CNS). Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant which means it has a
high potential for abuse and is available only through a prescription
that cannot be refilled. It can be made in small, illegal laboratories;
however, its production endangers the people in the laboratories,
neighbors, and the environment. Street methamphetamine is referred to
by many names such as ‘speed,’ ‘meth,’ and ‘chalk.’ Methamphetamine
hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be
inhaled by smoking, is referred to as ‘ice,’ crystal,’ ‘glass,’ and
‘tina.’
Demerol
Demerol is a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is
similar to morphine. Demerol is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.
Used beyond a prescriptive dosage, Demerol can be highly addictive.
Ecstasy
The chemical name of ecstasy is
methylenedioxymethylamphetamine. It is generally known in
scientific terms and medical circles as MDMA. Many users simply call it
‘M.’ Ecstasy can lead to serious addiction. It influences nerve cells
of the brain that release ‘Serotonin.’ Serotonin controls sleep,
depression, anxiety, appetite, sexual behavior, and emotional
instability. Due to the effects of MDMA on Serotonin, a user will feel
tired, depressed, or moody. The drug has unpredictable effects on
different individuals, even if they have taken the same dosage. Other
effects of MDMA can be a loss of body temperature regulation, leading
to precipitous rises and falls of body temperature. Unpredictable
changes in blood pressure and heart rate usually occur as well.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an analgesic with the potency of approximately eighty times
that of morphine. It was introduced into medical practice in the 1960s
as an intravenous anesthetic under the trade name Sublimaze. Duragesic
is a Fentanyl transdermal patch used in chronic pain management. Actiq
is a solid formulation of Fentanyl citrate on a stick that dissolves
slowly in the mouth for transmucosal absorption. Actiq is intended for
opiate-tolerant individuals and is effective in treating breakthrough
pain in cancer patients.
GHB
GHB (Gama Hydroxybutyric Acid) is a synthetic depressant produced in
clandestine laboratories. While available as a prescription for sleep
disorders in some other countries, GHB was banned in the United States
by the FDA in 1990 because of the dangers associated with its use.
However, on July 17, 2002, GHB was approved by the FDA for treatment of
a rare form of narcolepsy. Most of the GHB used in the United States is
illegally manufactured within its borders. Like Rohypnol, GHB and its
analogs are considered ‘date rape’ drugs because they can be mixed with
liquids (even water) and a victim will not detect its presence by
smelling or seeing it. GHB, by itself, has a soapy or salty taste, but
when mixed with liquid, is it difficult to detect.
Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug and is the most widely abused and
most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine,
a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain
varieties of poppy plants.
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and analgesic agent
for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies
indicate that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than
codeine for cough suppression and nearly equipotent to morphine for
pain relief.
LSD
LSD (Lysergic Acid Dethylamide) is one of the major drugs making up the
hallucinogen class of drugs. Hallucinogens cause hallucinations –
profound distortions in a person’s perception of reality. Hallucinogens
cause their effects by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and
the neurotransmitter, Serotonin. Distributed throughout the brain and
spinal cord, the Serotonin system is involved in the control of
behavior, perceptual and regulatory systems, and the LSD interruption
will affect mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, muscle
control, and sensory perception.
Marijuana
Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves,
stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa). Cannabis
is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same
plant including sinsemilla, hashish, and hash oil. All forms of
cannabis are mind-altering, psychoactive drugs. The main active
chemical in marijuana is THC ( Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol).
Short-term effects of marijuana uses include problems with memory and
learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and problem
solving, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, and anxiety.
Morphine
Morphine is a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. Morphine
is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Short-acting morphine is
taken as needed for pain. Extended-release morphine is for use when
around-the-clock pain relief is needed. Morphine in not for treating
pain following surgery unless the patient is already taking morphine
before surgery.
Methadone
Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. It also
reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other
narcotic drugs without causing the "high" associated with the drug
addiction. Methadone is used as a pain reliever and as part of drug
addiction detoxification and maintenance programs.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is
similar to morphine.
Oxycodone is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The
extended-release form of this medication is for around-the-clock
treatment of pain.
Oxycontin
OxyContin is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is
similar to morphine. OxyContin is used to treat moderate to severe
pain. The extended-release form of this medication is for
around-the-clock treatment of pain.
Opiates
Opiates, sometimes referred to as narcotics, are a group of drugs,
which are used medically to relieve pain and have a high potential for
abuse. Some opiates come from a resin taken from the seed pod of the
Asian poppy. This group of drugs includes opium, morphine, heroin, and
codeine. Other opiates, such as meperidine (Demerol), are synthesized
or manufactured. Opium appears as dark brown chunks or as a powder and
is usually smoked or eaten. Heroin can be a white or brownish powder,
which is usually dissolved in water and then injected. Most street
preparations of heroin are diluted, or cut, with other substances such
as sugar or quinine. Other opiates come in a variety of forms including
capsules, tablets, syrups, solutions, and suppositories.
Percoset
Percoset is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is
in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. The addition of
acetaminophen, a less potent pain reliever, actually increases the
effects of the oxycodone and is used to relieve moderate-to-severe
pain. It is an opiate and should never be taken with alcohol or other
drugs.
Percodan
Percodan is a combination of oxycodone and aspirin and is in a class of
drugs called narcotic analgesics. It is an effective pain reliever for
moderate-to-severe pain when used as prescribed. Percodan is highly
addictive.
Roxicodone
RoxicodoneŽ (oxycodone hydrochloride tablets USP) is an opioid
analgesic. Each tablet for oral administration contains 15 mg or 30 mg
of oxycodone hydrochloride USP. Oxycodone hydrochloride is a white,
odorless crystalline powder derived from the opium alkaloid, thebaine.
Suboxone
Buprenorphine is an opioid medication. Buprenorphine is similar to
other opioids such as morphine, codeine, and heroin however, it
produces less euphoric ("high") effects and therefore may be easier to
stop taking.
Valium
Valium (diazepam) is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on this medication. Diazepam is a member of
the benzodiazepine family. Benzodiazepines are sedatives that cause
dose-related depression of the central nervous system (CNS). They are
useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms.
Vicodin
Vicodin can be habit forming. If you take this drug over a long period
of time, you can become mentally and physically addicted to it and you
may find the drug no longer works to relieve moderate-to-severe pain at
the originally prescribed dosage.
Xanax
Xanax is in a group of drugs called
benzodiazepines. Xanax affects chemicals in the brain that may become
unbalanced and cause anxiety. Xanax is used to treat anxiety disorders,
panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression.
