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Drug Classification Overview

Gateway drug theory suggests that use of certain drugs may increase the probability of using other drugs. Possible causes include biological and attitudinal factors. Scientific research on causes is important for health policy. Depressants lower neurotransmission in the brain and are referred to as "downers" as they reduce arousal, while stimulants increase mental and physical function and are referred to as "uppers". Narcotics controlled under international treaties include opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, methadone, and cannabis. Hallucinogens alter perceptions, thinking, time, and emotions and include LSD, PCP, magic mushrooms, ketamine, and morning glory seeds. Inhalants are volatile substances that

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636 views6 pages

Drug Classification Overview

Gateway drug theory suggests that use of certain drugs may increase the probability of using other drugs. Possible causes include biological and attitudinal factors. Scientific research on causes is important for health policy. Depressants lower neurotransmission in the brain and are referred to as "downers" as they reduce arousal, while stimulants increase mental and physical function and are referred to as "uppers". Narcotics controlled under international treaties include opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, methadone, and cannabis. Hallucinogens alter perceptions, thinking, time, and emotions and include LSD, PCP, magic mushrooms, ketamine, and morning glory seeds. Inhalants are volatile substances that

Uploaded by

DaddyDiddy Delos Reyes
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Classification of Drugs: Introduces the classification of drugs with a focus on gateway drug theory and its impact.
  • Depressant Drugs: Describes the properties and uses of depressant drugs, including their effect on neurotransmission.
  • Stimulant Drugs: Explains how stimulant drugs affect the central nervous system and their medical uses.
  • Narcotics: Covers the control and usage of narcotics, with an emphasis on both plant-based and synthetic types.
  • Hallucinogens: Discusses hallucinogenic drugs and their effects on perception and emotions, providing examples.
  • Inhalants: Describes inhalants and their psychoactive effects along with examples of substances used as inhalants.

6 Classification of Drugs

Gateway

Gateway drug theory (alternatively, stepping-stone theory, escalation


hypothesis, or progression hypothesis) is a comprehensive catchphrase for
the medical theory that the use of a psychoactive drug can be coupled to an
increased probability of the use of further drugs. Possible causes are
biological alterations in the brain due to the earlier drug and similar
attitudes of users across different drugs (common liability). Scientific
investigation of the possible causes is considered important for health policy
concerning education and law making.
Depressant Drugs

A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug that


lowers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or
reduce arousal or stimulation, in various areas of the brain.[1] Depressants are
also occasionally referred to as "downers" as they lower the level of arousal
when taken. Stimulants or "uppers" increase mental and/or physical function,
hence the opposite drug class of depressants is stimulants,
not antidepressants. Depressants are widely used throughout the world
as prescription medicines and as illicit substances.
Stimulant Drugs

Stimulants are drugs that speed up the activity of the central nervous system.
Stimulants are useful in treating many medical conditions, including ADHD,
narcolepsy, asthma, obesity, and depression. There are several types
of stimulants, including caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, and
methamphetamines.
Narcotics

The 1961 Convention exercises control over more than 116 narcotic drugs.
They include mainly plant-based products such as opium and its derivatives
morphine, codeine and heroin, but also synthetic narcotics such as
methadone and pethidine, as well as cannabis, coca and cocaine.
Hallucinogen

Hallucinogenic drugs, also known as ‘psychedelics’, are drugs that change


the way a person perceives the world. Hallucinogens affect all the senses,
altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions.

Some examples of hallucinogens include:

 LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide);


 PCP (phencyclidine);
 magic mushrooms (psilocybin);
 ketamine;
 mescaline (peyote cactus);
 morning glory seeds;
 datura.
Inahalants

Inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can be
inhaled to induce a psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect. Although other
abused substances can be inhaled, the term "inhalants" is used to describe a
variety of substances whose main common characteristic is that they are
rarely, if ever, taken by any route other than inhalation.

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