What Subcategories of Drugs Are Illegal and Prescribed?
Thousands of drugs are in use today, each with its unique chemical makeup and psychological and physical effects. Based on their chemical similarities, scientists frequently classify them into broad categories to aid in organization.
According to federal law, five drug schedules in the United States place restrictions on the use of particular substances based on their recognized medical benefits and propensity for abuse and addiction. Narcotics, psychoactive substances, and synthetic drugs are all included in these schedules.
Stimulants are medications that momentarily increase the nervous system’s capacity to function, leading to various effects, like boosted mental clarity, increased physical activity, and suppressed appetite. Among the many legal and illicit stimulants are caffeine, nicotine, and the prescription drugs Adderall and Ritalin.
These drugs are used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Methamphetamine, crystal meth, cocaine, and ecstasy are illegal stimulants (MDMA).
Inappropriate use of stimulants can result in serious health issues and even death, especially in young adults. Overuse can result in fatal complications, and repeated use can lead to physical and psychological dependence.
A class of medications known as depressants works by decreasing the central nervous system’s activity. They go by the name “downers” as well.
These medications can be used to treat illnesses like anxiety and sleep disorders. However, if they are abused or misused, they have the potential to become dangerous.
Depressants’ main risk is overdose, which can be fatal if taken excessively or at high doses. This can result in fatally low levels of breathing and heart rate, which can lead to seizures or death.
The most popular class of depressant medication used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders is benzodiazepines. Both prescription and over-the-counter versions are offered.
Hallucinations and other strange sensations are brought on by hallucinogens, which alter a person’s perception of reality. They are abusable and can occasionally result in addiction.
The legal status of psychedelic drugs varies from state to state and from country to country. It also depends on how the substance was grown or manufactured.
Hallucinogens include psilocybin (magic mushrooms), DMT, LSD, PCP, and Ketamine. They all cause hallucinations and other unusual sensory experiences.
Opioids are a family of drugs, including prescription pain relievers like oxycodone (OxyContin(r)), hydrocodone (Vicodin(r)), codeine, morphine, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. They reduce pain but also can cause drowsiness, confusion, and euphoria.
Prescription opioids are often used to help people with severe health conditions, like cancer, recover from surgery and manage chronic pain. However, misuse and addiction can occur with these medications.
Taking opioids in higher amounts or more frequently than prescribed increases your risk of an overdose, which can be fatal. The risk increases even more when you take them using methods other than the ones your doctor recommends, such as crushing a pill and snorting or injecting it.
Inhalants are a group of breathable chemical vapors or gases that produce mind-altering effects when inhaled. These include solvents (liquids that vaporize at room temperature), aerosols (spraying liquids containing propellants), and gases, such as nitrous oxide or amyl nitrite.
The use of inhalants, particularly by children and adolescents, is becoming a severe problem throughout the United States. About 1.9 million people aged 12 and older used an inhalant in the past year, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
Inhalants are a group of chemicals that produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects when inhaled. These substances are commonly found in household products such as spray paints, glues, and cleaning fluids.
