Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Depressants |
|||
| Name | Examples of Commercial and Street Names | DEA Schedule | How Administered |
| Barbiturates | Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital: barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets | II, III, IV | injected, swallowed |
| Benzodiazepines | Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax: candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks | IV | swallowed |
| Sleep Medications | Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone): forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies | IV | swallowed, snorted |
|
Intoxication Effects - Sedation/drowsiness, reduced anxiety, feelings of well-being, lowered inhibitions, slurred speech, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness, impaired coordination and memory
Potential Health Consequences - lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing, tolerance, withdrawal, addiction; increased risk of respiratory distress and death when combined with alcohol Also, for barbiturates - euphoria, unusual excitement, fever, irritability/life-threatening withdrawal in chronic users |
|||
Opioids and Morphine Derivatives** |
|||
| Name | Examples of Commercial and Street Names | DEA Schedule | How Administered |
| Codeine | Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine: Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide: doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup) | II, III, V | injected, swallowed |
| Morphine | Roxanol, Duramorph: M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff | II, III | injected, swallowed, smoked |
| Methadone | Methadose, Dolophine: fizzies, amidone, (with MDMA: chocolate chip cookies) | II | swallowed, injected |
| Fentanyl & analogs | Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze: Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash | II | injected, smoked, snorted |
| Other opioid pain relievers: Oxycodone HCL, Hydrocodone Bitartrate Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone, Meperidine, Propoxyphene | Tylox, Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet: Oxy, O.C., oxycotton, oxycet, hillbilly heroin, percs Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet; Vike, Watson-387 Dilaudid: juice, smack, D, footballs, dillies Opana, Numporphan, Numorphone; biscuits, blue heaven, blues, Mrs. O, octagons, stop signs, O bomb Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride: demmies, pain killer Darvon, Darvocet |
II, III, V | chewed, swallowed, snorted, injected, suppositories |
|
Intoxication Effects - Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, sedation, weakness, dizziness, nausea, impaired coordination, confusion, dry mouth, itching, sweating, clammy skin, constipation
Potential Health Consequences - slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and blood pressure, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death; risk of death increased when combined with alcohol or other CNS depressants Also for fentanyl - 80-100 times more potent analgesic than morphine Also for oxycodone - muscle relaxation/twice as potent analgesic as morphine; high abuse potential Also for codeine - less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than morphine Also for methadone - used to treat opioid addiction and pain; significant overdose risk when used improperly ** Taking drugs by injection can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococci, HIV, hepatitis, and other organisms. Injection is a more common practice for opioids, but risks apply to any medication taken by injection.
|
|||
Stimulants |
|||
| Name | Examples of Commercial and Street Names | DEA Schedule | How Administered |
| Amphetamines | Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Adderall: bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers | II, III, V | injected, swallowed |
| Methylphenidate | Concerta, Ritalin: JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R | II, III | injected, swallowed, smoked |
|
Intoxication Effects - Feelings of exhilaration, increased energy, mental alertness Potential Health Consequences - increased heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism, reduced appetite, weight loss, nervousness, insomnia, seizures, heart attack, stroke Also, for amphetamines - rapid breathing, tremor, loss of coordination, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness/delirium, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, tolerance, addiction Also, for methylphenidate - increase or decrease in blood pressure, digestive problems, loss of appetite, weight loss |
|||
Other Compounds |
|||
| Name | Examples of Commercial and Street Names | DEA Schedule | How Administered |
| Dextromethorphan (DXM) | Found in some cough and cold medicines: Robotripping, Robo, Triple C | Not scheduled | swallowed |
|
Intoxication Effects - Euphoria, slurred speech Potential Health Consequences - increased heart rate and blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, paranoia, distorted visual perceptions, impaired motor function |
|||
Facts About Prescription Drug Abuse
About 7 Million Americans Reported Past-Month Use of Prescription Drugs for Nonmedical Purposes in 2010
What types of prescription drugs are abused?
Three types of drugs are abused most often:
- Opioids - prescribed for pain relief
- CNS depressants - barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers)
- Stimulants - prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or obesity.
After Marijuana, Prescription and Nonmedical use of Over-the-Counter Medication Account for
Most of the Commonly Abused Drugs
How can you help prevent prescription drug abuse?
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, especially if you are unsure about its effects.
- Keep your doctor informed about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.
- Read the information your pharmacist provides before starting to take medications.
- Take your medication(s) as prescribed.
- Keep all prescription medications secured at all times and properly dispose of any unused medications.
The information provided above is courtesy of www.drugabuse.gov
At A Center for Addiction Recovery offers the following addiction treatment programs:
- Intervention
- Detox
- Drug Addiction Treatment
- Alcohol Addiction Treatment
- 12 Step Program
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Residential Addiction Treatment
- Executive Addiction Treatment
- Addiction Treatment Aftercare
