Alcohol | Tobacco | Marijuana | Ecstasy | Inhalants | Cough Medicine | Methamphetamine | Amphetamine | Prescription Drugs | Rohypnol
Prescription drugs are highly beneficial – for the people to whom they are prescribed. When unnecessarily taken, these drugs are very dangerous.
Prescription pill use can be categorized by three types: pain relievers, sedatives and tranquilizers, and stimulants.
Pain relievers: (Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin)
Pain relievers are prescribed to those with chronic pain or who have other conditions which produce pain. Pain relievers are opioids and there are various forms – hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and codeine. Morphine is for extremely severe pain and codeine is for mild to moderate pain. These drugs can be taken orally, or snorted or injected. Because these drugs are designed to be slowly released, injecting is extremely dangerous because of the quick release.
What are the effects of pain relievers?
- Drowsiness
- Itchiness
- Constipation
- Reduce breathing
- Possible death
Sedatives/Tranquilizers: (Xanax, Lunesta, Ambien, and Valium)
These are prescribed to people with sleeping disorders or people with high anxiety levels. They slow the central nervous system and brain function. People abuse these because they produce a calming effect and a release of tension.
What are the effects of sedatives and tranquilizers?
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Shallow breathing
- Sluggishness and disorientation
- Lack of coordination
- If combined with alcohol sedatives and tranquilizers can be fatal
Stimulants: (Ritalin and Adderall)
Stimulants are prescribed to people with attention deficit disorders so they can focus and live a productive life. They are also given to people with narcolepsy and in some cases, depression. Stimulants are abused for performance enhancement – they help people focus and stay awake so they can study.
What are the effects of stimulants?
- Increased alertness and energy
- Increased focus and attention
- Increase heart rate and blood pressure
- Extremely high body temperature
- Seizures
- Paranoia
- Lack of appetite