Types of Drugs

How it is used:
rolled up and smoked as a joint or in a pipe,
mixed into food or brewed in tea, can also be turned into an oil that can be smoked which is called "dabs."

Classification:
Marijuana can be classified as depressant, stimulant
and hallucinogen.

Routes of Administration

Orally

Inhalation

Topically with cream

Effects:
An individual usually feels the effects
between 30 minutes to an hour, they have altered senses,
changes in mood, impaired memory and movement, and if
taken at a high enough dose they can experience hallucinations.

Street Names

Grass

Green

Pot

Weed

Mary Jane

Bud

Flower

Common Forms

Dried flowers of cannabis plant

Wax form used for smoking

Can be mixed with food or topical creams

Short-term & Long-term Concerns

Short-term: users can experience short-term problems with memory, attention, and learning.

Long-term: users can experience affect in their brain development, may reduce learning and memory functions, and these changes can be permanent.

Classification:
Stimulant

Routes of Administration

orally through beverages, food and pills

Street Names

Joe

Go juice

Brew

Common Forms:
Soda, Energy drinks, Food, Pills,
Coffee, Tea

Soda

Energy drinks

Coffee

Tea

Java

Pills

Food

Effects:
After ingestion of caffeine, CNS is stimulated. Can help
individuals be more awake and alert. Caffeine increases heart
rate, body temperature, increased blood flow to extremities.

Short-term & Long-term concerns

Short-term: not a danger unless ingestion of excessive amounts.

Long-term: overdose, insomnia, irritability, dependence and then withdrawal symptoms, muscle tremors, poor appetite, and dizziness.

How it is used:
Caffeine is used as a stimulant, and
most commonly in coffee and energy drinks to help
keep people awake.

Classification:
Is classified as a stimulant

Routes of Administration:

Intravenous

Orally

Inhalation

Street Names:

Crystal

Crank

Ice

Speed

Subtopic

Common Forms

Crystalline powder

Pills

Wax oil base

Effects:

Euphoric rush

Hyperactivity

Stimulates Nervous System

Effects can be felt within seconds-minutes depending on route of administration

Short & Long Term Concerns:

Short-term: aggression, appetite loss, weight loss, inability to sleep, heartbeat abnormalities.

Long-term: hair loss, malnutrition, depression, cardiac arrhythmia, deterioration of oral health, central nervous system hyperactivity and tics.

How it is used:
Meth is used as a stimulant as it produces an euphoric rush that is very addictive.

Classification:
Inhalants are a depressant.

Routes of Administration:

Inhalation

Street Names

Whippets

Bolt

Snappers

Blast

Common Forms

Aerosols

Hair Spray

Air Freshner

Helium

Nitrous Oxide containers: whipped cream cans

Glue

Gasoline

Spray Paint

Effects: After inhalation users will experience a sense of euphoria and a 'head high". Effects can be felt almost instantly.

Short & Long Term Concerns:

Short-term: dizziness, drowsiness, slurred speech, lethargy, general muscle weakness, and increased heart rate.

Long-Term: impaired judgement, belligerence, and impaired functioning in school and social situations.

How it is used:
Users experience a head high after inhalation of aerosols or everyday items such as gasoline or hair spray.

Classification:
Alcohol is classified as a depressant.

Routes of Administration

Orally

Street Names

Booze

Hooch

Shine

Juice

Kool aid

Common Forms

Vodka

Tequila

Beer

Wine

Whiskey

Hard ciders

Gin

Hard seltzers

Effects:
After ingestion of alcohol, an individual
can experience delayed reaction times,
drowsiness, slurred speech, and impairment of motor skills. Depending on the amount of alcohol ingested, the individual will first experience a 'buzz' and then with an increase in consumption will experience the drunk feeling that will intensify the effects.

Short-term & Long-term concerns

Short-term:
Anemia (loss of red blood cells), distorted vision and hearing, blackouts, vomiting, unconsciousness.

Long-term:
alcohol poisoning, high blood pressure, liver disease, nerve damage, damage to the brain, ulcers, malnutrition, gastritis, as well as an increased chance of relational problems.

How it is used:
Alcohol is used as a liquid beverage for most
individuals to help 'loosen up' or unwind. This is
counterproductive though because with enough alcohol
consumption it will produce it's depressant effect.

Classification:
Stimulant

Routes of Administration

Inhalation of smoke

Smokeless forms i.e chew

Street Names

Snuff

Butt

Crop

Bone

Common Forms

Cigarettes

Cigars

Chewing tobacco

Moist snuff

Hookah

Effects:
increased stimulation of brain activity,
increased alertness and concentration,
feelings of relaxation, decreased blood pressure

Short-term & Long-term concerns

Short-term: addiction to nicotine, asthma,
chronic cough, bad breath, tooth decay, receding gums

Long-term: cancers related to mouth, throat, lungs. COPD,
increased risk cardiovascular disease and stroke.

How it is used:
Tobacco is used as a stimulant
and for the feeling of relaxation.

Classification:
Opioids are classified as a stimulant.

Routes of Administration:

Intravenous

Orally

Subcutaneous

Intramuscular

Street Names:

TNT

Smack

Oxy

Percs

H

Black Tar

Brown Sugar

Common Forms

Prescription Drugs

Heroin

Pain relievers such as oxycodone & morphine

Effects:
When taking an opioid it turns off the inhibitory neurons for dopamine that regulate dopamine secretion in the brain, this produces a euphoric feeling that comes with relief and calmness.

Short & Long Term Concerns:

Short-Term:
drowsiness, slowed breathing,
constipation, unconsciousness, nausea,
coma.

Long-Term:
physical dependence and addiction,
withdrawal symptoms can occur if use stops, To regain balance in the brain, the inhibitory neurons work extra hard and harder for the dopamine neurons to release dopamine, so an individual will take more of the opioids to produce the euphoric feeling.

How it is Used:
Opioids in the practical sense are used as pain relievers
such as after an individual receives surgery. When they are misused they are used to produce a euphoric feeling for the user.

Classification: Hallucinogen

Routes of Administration:

Intravenous

Sublingual

Orally

Inhalation

Street Names:

Weed

Sugar

Acid

Trip

K

Angel Dust

Special K

Shrooms

Common Forms

Mushrooms

Acid

LSD

DMT

MDMA

PCP

Marijuana

Effects:
After ingestion of a psychedelic a
user will experience an increased
blood pressure, heart rate, and body
temperature. They also experience loss of
appetite, dry mouth, and sweating. Hallucinations can
include seeing, hearing, colors, smelling or touching in a
distorted way.

Short & Long Term Concerns:

Short Term:
Visual disturbances, hallucinations,
changes in sense of perception or time,
nausea, mixed senses.

Long Term:
Long-term effects can include
tolerance. Hallucinogens can develop
tolerance faster than other drugs, but
typically do not present physical withdrawal
symptoms when use is stopped.

Persistent Psychosis & Flashbacks:
More serious long-term effects, persistent psychosis
includes visual disturbances, disorganized thinking,
and paranoia.
Flashbacks include hallucinations, and more vivid visual
disturbances.

How it is used:
Psychedelics are used primarily
recreationally to change or enhance sensory
perceptions. They are also used in psychotherapy
for psychological research and treatment.