Examples are cocaine, heroin and

marijuana.

THE SIX 6. 5. HALLUCINOGENS

CLASSIFICATIONS OF
DRUGS OF ABUSE
. GATEWAY DRUG
•Are legal drugs that a non-drug
user might try, which can lead him/her
to more dangerous drugs such as
marijuana and shabu. •Teenagers who
engage in early smoking & drinking
have higher chance of using and
experimenting with dangerous drugs
of abuse.
3. 2. DEPRESSANT DRUGS
• Slows down a persons central
nervous system (brain, spinal cord,
nerves). • Doctors commonly
prescribe depressants to help people
who have anger management issues,
stressed or tensed. • Depressants
relax muscles and nerves. • These
drugs make patients feel sleepy and
light headed. Examples are: alcohol,
barbiturates & tranquilizers.
•Drugs which distort reality and
facts. •Affects all senses; makes a
user feel, hear, see things that don’t
exist in the time being. •Came from
the word hallucinate (to perceive
illusions) • Examples are: Lysergic
Acid diethylamide, psilocybin
(obtained from mushrooms and
mescaline
7. 6. INHALANTS
• Found in ordinary household
chemical products and anesthetics. •
Readily available and accessible to
young children • Inhalant toxins are
similar to those of alcohol, the only
difference is the foul smell. • Abuse
can lead to delusions, brain damage,
liver damage, comatose and death. •
Examples are acetone, rugby
(solvent), spray paints, cleaning fluids
and air conditioner fluids (Freon).

4. 3. STIMULANT DRUGS

•Speed up a persons central

nervous system. •Has the opposite
effect of depressants. •Makes a
person’s energy high •Side effects are
depression and tiredness. Examples
are amphetamines (shabu, caffeine,
nicotine, cocaine)

5. 4. NARCOTICS
•Are drugs which relieve pain and
induce sleepiness. •These are
prescribed to patients with mental
disorders or with patients dealing with
severe pain like cancer. •These drugs
are illicit and dangerous if taken. •