drug reference guide

Class	Names	Immediate effects	Long-term effects & associated risks	Withdrawal effects
DEPRESSANTS
1. Sedative hypnotics
Ethyl alcohol	alcohol booze grog piss beer, wine, etc...	Relaxation Feelings of happiness and well being Unsteadiness in standing and walking Slurred speech Euphoria Confusion Impaired judgment Disinhibition Dry mouth Mood swings Low blood pressure Hangover	Brain and other nervous system damage Heart, pancreas, stomach and liver damage	Sweating Tremor Convulsions, seizures Delirium tremens (may cause death) Insomnia Nausea and vomiting Delusions and hallucinations
Benzodiazepines	chlordiazepoxide (Librium) diazepam (Valium, Vs, Ducene, Propam, Antenex) nitrazepam (Mogadon, moggies, Alodorm, Dormicum, Nitepam) oxazepam (Serepax, seras, Benzotran, Murelax, Alepam) flunitezepam (Rohypnol, rohies) temazepam (Euhypnos, Normison, footballs) clonazepam (Rivotril)	Lasts 12 to 24 hours depending on half life Relief of anxiety and tension Large doses may cause drowsiness (possibly sleep) Muscular incoordination Blurred vision Slurred speech Unsteadiness in standing or walking Persistent jerky eye movement Low blood pressure Drooling Dilated pupils In some cases, excitability	Continued heavy use may cause depression or excitability	Anxiety Insomnia Tremor Convulsions / seizures Perceptual disorders Cramps
Barbiturates	Nowadays, rarely used methaqualone (Mandrax, mandies)
Non-barbiturates	chloral hydrate (Dormel)
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate)	liquid E fantasy GBH (grievous bodily harm)	Lasts 14 hours Relaxation, well-being, euphoria Unsteadiness in standing or walking Slurred speech Impaired judgment Aphrodisia Confusion Disinhibition Sleep Coma	Anxiety Seizures Overdose (particularly in combination with alcohol) Death in some circumstances	Anxiety Inability to sleep Arrhythmias (erratic heart beat) Tremors Sweating
2. Opiate analgesics
	opium morphine codeine heroin (H, junk, scag, shit, smack) pethidine dextropropoxyphene (Doloxene, dollies) methadone (and Physeptone, tablet form of methadone) (done)	Heroin lasts 46 hours: some opioids can last up to 24 hours Relief of pain and anxiety Feelings of well-being Decreased awareness of outside world Vomiting Constipation Drowsiness and sleep in some individuals Pinpoint pupils Itching/scratching Slowed pulse Low blood pressure Respiratory depression (unconsciousness / death)	Self-injecting with dirty syringes may cause abscesses and blood poisoning Sharing of syringes carries a high risk of contracting blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis Risk of death by overdose	Symptoms are flu-like (vary in degree) Sweating Muscular and abdominal cramps Runny nose and eyes Vomiting Insomnia Joint pain Insomnia Seizures, twitches
3. Cannabis (in low doses)
	grass dope hooch green skunk	Can last up to 5 hours Relaxation, laughter, increased appetite, slowing down of time, loss of concentration, decreased coordination and bloodshot eyes Can be hallucinogenic	Respiratory complications Can decrease concentration and memory Psychiatric problems possible if schizophrenic condition already exists	Insomnia Hypersensitivity Cravings Nightmares Anxiety

Class	Names	Immediate effects	Long-term effects & associated risks	Withdrawal effects
STIMULANTS
1. Nicotine
	cigarettes nicotine patches snuff smokeless tobacco tobacco	High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Insomnia Feeling of relaxation Increased alertness Decreased appetite	Hypertension Heart disease * Lung and other cancers * * Associated with smoking tobacco	Irritability Increased appetite Depression
2. Amphetamines and related drugs (speed)
	dexamphetamine (Dexedrine) methamphetamine methylphenidate (Ritalin) methylenedioxymetham- phetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) ephedrine / pseudoephedrine ‘diet pills’: phentermine (Duromine), diethylproprion (Tenuate) ice, shabu, crystal meth, base khat	Lasts 48 hours Hyperactive Excited state Disinhibited Sense of omnipotence and invincibility Decreased appetite Dilated pupils High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Insomnia	Inability to sleep High degree of excitation Skin complaints Malnutrition Psychiatric disturbances Paranoia and hallucinations Depression	Voracious appetite Prolonged sleep Nightmares Anxiety Severe depression (often with suicidal intensity)
3. Cocaine
	coke snow crack	Can last up to 4 hours Feeling of self-confidence and power, increased energy and decreased appetite	Loss of concentration and motivation Dizziness, aggression and mental disturbances Can cause psychiatric complications Inhalation can lead to tearing of the nasal wall	Craving Sleep disturbance Anxiety Depression
4. Caffeine
	coffee CocaCola cocoa chocolate bars	Lasts 24 hours Increased alertness Larger doses can delay sleep	Restlessness Upset stomach Can be harmful for people with heart problems	Headaches Irritability Tiredness
HALLUCINOGENS
1. LSD-type effects (psychedelics acting on serotonin)
	lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD (acid) dimethyltryptamine or DMT (businessman’s LSD, businessman’s lunch) bromo-DMA psylocibin (magic mushrooms) lysergic acid amide (active ingredient in morning glory plant)	Lasts 612 hours Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling or thinking things that don’t exist) Anxious feelings, panic and nausea can occur	Can increase the risk of severe mental disturbances Can cause ‘flashbacks’ (where drug experience can recur at any time)	No physical withdrawal symptoms
2. Amphetamine-like in low doses, LSD-like in high doses (psychedelics acting on norepinephrine) (speed, go, zoom, ice)
	mescaline (peyote cactus) DOM or STP (a synthetic mescaline derivative) methylenedioxymetham-phetamine (MDMA, ecstasy, XTC, adam) myristin and elemicin (active ingredients in nutmeg and mace, similar in structure to mescaline)	Lasts 48 hours Highly stimulating Excitement, increased activity and decreased appetite Large doses delay sleep	Inability to sleep, restlessness, headaches, aggression Can cause severe mental and emotional disturbances	Fatigue Hunger Depression Sleep disturbance Agitation Anxiety Cravings Irritability
3. Psychedelic anaesthetics
	phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust) ketamine (K, special K)	Intense hallucinations Nausea / vomiting Numbness, loss of coordination Inability to move or feel pain Coma	Psychiatric disturbance Possible brain damage Blackouts