AADICTIVE DRUGS

The following are major categories of addictive drugs:

Sedatives

These drugs interact with central nervous system to depress its activities. Sedative drugs induce dizziness, lethargy, slow brain function and depression. Long-term use of sedative induces suicidal thoughts.

Narcotics

Narcotics are strong painkillers. These drugs are often prescribed in conjunction with other less potent painkillers.

These are used to relieve pain for patients with chronic diseases such as cancer. These are also used to relieve acute pain after operations. But some people may abuse narcotics for ecstatic effects.

Morphine and codeine are the narcotics, derived from opium. Morphine acts directly on central nervous system to relieve pain. Morphine has a high potential for addition. The most commonly abused narcotic i.e. heroin is a semi-synthetic drug from morphine. It affects on central nervous system and causes drowsiness.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are that drugs that cause changes in perception, thought, emotion and consciousness. The group includes mescaline, which comes from a cactus and psilocin, which comes from a mushroom.

Physiologically, hallucinogens affect on the sympathetic nervous system, causing dilation of pupils, constriction of some arteries and rise in blood pressure.

Marijuana (hashish)

Marijuana is a hallucinogen, which smoked. It is obtained from the flowers, stems and leaves of the marijuana plant. Small doses of marijuana result in a feeling of well-being that lasts two to three hours. High doses increase heart rate. It also affects the production of sperm in men and also weakens the short-term memory.