Below are the side effects and other information about the commonly-abused types of drugs known as the "SAMHSA Five." This information is courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration.
Drugs of Abuse
| Drug: |
Amphetamine Derivatives |
| Classification: |
Hallucinogen |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule I |
| Trade or Other Names: |
2,5-DMA; STP; MDA; MDMA; Ecstasy; DOM; DOB |
| Medical Uses: |
None |
| Physical Dependence: |
Unknown |
| Psychological Dependence: |
Unknown |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
Variable |
| Usual Method: |
Oral; Injected |
| Possible Effects: |
Illusions and hallucinations; Altered perception of time and distance |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Longer, more intense "trip" episodes; Psychosis; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Unknown |
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| Drug: |
Amphetamine/Methamphetamine |
| Classification: |
Stimulant |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule II |
| Trade or Other Names: |
Biphetamine; Desoxyn; Dexedrine; Obetrol; Ice |
| Medical Uses: |
Attention deficit disorder; Narcolepsy; Weight control |
| Physical Dependence: |
Possible |
| Psychological Dependence: |
High |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
2-4 |
| Usual Method: |
Oral; Injected; Smoked |
| Possible Effects: |
Increased alertness; Excitation; Euphoria; Increased pulse rate & blood pressure; Insomnia; Loss of appetite |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Agitation; Increased body temperature; Hallucinations; Convulsions; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Apathy; Long periods of sleep; Irritability; Depression; Disorientation |
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| Drug: |
Cocaine |
| Classification: |
Stimulant |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule II |
| Trade or Other Names: |
Coke; Flake; Snow; Crack (Cocaine is designated a narcotic under the CSA) |
| Medical Uses: |
Local anesthetic |
| Physical Dependence: |
Possible |
| Psychological Dependence: |
High |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
1-2 |
| Usual Method: |
Sniffed; Smoked; Injected |
| Possible Effects: |
Increased alertness; Excitation; Euphoria; Increased pulse rate & blood pressure; Insomnia; Loss of appetite |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Agitation; Increased body temperature; Hallucinations; Convulsions; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Apathy; Long periods of sleep; Irritability; Depression; Disorientation |
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| Drug: |
Codeine |
| Classification: |
Narcotic |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule II, III, V |
| Trade or Other Names: |
Tylenol w/Codeine; Empirin w/Codeine; Robitussin A-C; Fiorinal w/Codeine; APAP w/Codeine |
| Medical Uses: |
Analgesic; Antitussive |
| Physical Dependence: |
Moderate |
| Psychological Dependence: |
Moderate |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
3-6 |
| Usual Method: |
Oral; Injected |
| Possible Effects: |
Euphoria; Drowsiness; Respiratory depression; Constricted pupils; Nausea |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Slow and shallow breathing; Clammy skin; Convulsions; Coma; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Watery eyes; Runny nose; Yawning; Loss of appetite; Irritability; Tremors; Panic; Cramps; Nausea; Chills & sweating |
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| Drug: |
Heroin |
| Classification: |
Narcotic |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule I |
| Trade or Other Names: |
Diacetylmorphine; Horse; Smack |
| Medical Uses: |
None in United States; Analgesic; Antitussive |
| Physical Dependence: |
High |
| Psychological Dependence: |
High |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
3-6 |
| Usual Method: |
Injected; Sniffed; Smoked |
| Possible Effects: |
Euphoria; Drowsiness; Respiratory depression; Constricted pupils; Nausea |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Slow and shallow breathing; Clammy skin; Convulsions; Coma; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Watery eyes; Runny nose; Yawning; Loss of appetite; Irritability; Tremors; Panic; Cramps; Nausea; Chills & sweating |
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| Drug: |
Marijuana (Hashish/Hashish Oil) |
| Classification: |
Cannabis |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule I |
| Trade or Other Names: |
Pot; Acapulco Gold; Grass; Reefer; Sinsemilla; Thai sticks |
| Medical Uses: |
None |
| Physical Dependence: |
Unknown |
| Psychological Dependence: |
Moderate |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
2-4 |
| Usual Method: |
Smoked; Oral |
| Possible Effects: |
Euphoria; Relaxed inhibitions; Increased appetite; Disorientation |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Fatigue; Paranoia; Possible psychosis |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Occasional reports of insomnia; Hyperactivity; Decreased appetite |
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| Drug: |
Morphine |
| Classification: |
Narcotic |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule II |
| Trade or Other Names: |
Duramorph; MS-Contin; Roxanol; Oramorph SR |
| Medical Uses: |
Analgesic |
| Physical Dependence: |
High |
| Psychological Dependence: |
High |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
3-6 |
| Usual Method: |
Oral; Smoked; Injected |
| Possible Effects: |
Euphoria; Drowsiness; Respiratory depression; Constricted pupils; Nausea |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Slow and shallow breathing; Clammy skin; Convulsions; Coma; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Watery eyes; Runny nose; Yawning; Loss of appetite; Irritability; Tremors; Panic; Cramps; Nausea; Chills & sweating |
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| Drug: |
Phencyclidine & Analogs |
| Classification: |
Hallucinogen |
| CSA Schedule: |
Schedule I, II |
| Trade or Other Names: |
PCE; PCPy; TCP; PCP; Hog; Loveboat; Angel Dust |
| Medical Uses: |
None |
| Physical Dependence: |
Unknown |
| Psychological Dependence: |
High |
| Tolerance: |
Yes |
| Duration (hours): |
Days |
| Usual Method: |
Oral; Smoked |
| Possible Effects: |
Illusions and hallucinations; Altered perception of time and distance |
| Effects of Overdose: |
Longer, more intense "trip" episodes; Psychosis; Possible death |
| Withdrawal Syndrome: |
Unknown |
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Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacture among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use. Schedule II drugs are available only through prescription, cannot have refills and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available with prescription, may have 5 refills in 6 months and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.
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