Types of Drugs

Understanding Drug Categories: Effects and Risks

Physicians and scientists have long recognized that different drugs affect the body and brain in specific ways. The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) system classifies drugs into seven main categories based on how they influence the central nervous system (CNS). Many of these substances can impair judgment, reaction time, and physical control—posing serious health and safety risks.

1. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

How they work: Slow down brain activity and bodily functions.
Examples: Alcohol, benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax), barbiturates, GHB, Rohypnol, antidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac).
Effects: Relaxation, drowsiness, slowed breathing, impaired coordination.
Risks: Addiction, memory loss, respiratory depression, overdose—especially when combined with alcohol. GHB and Rohypnol are also known as "date rape drugs" due to their sedative effects and ability to impair memory.

2. CNS Stimulants

How they work: Increase brain activity, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Examples: Cocaine, crack, methamphetamine ("meth," "crank"), amphetamines (Adderall, Ritalin).
Effects: Alertness, energy, euphoria.
Risks: Heart attack, stroke, paranoia, aggression, addiction, seizures. Long-term use may cause psychosis or violent behaviour.

3. Hallucinogens

How they work: Disrupt the brain’s ability to process sensory information, altering perception and mood.
Examples: LSD (acid), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), peyote, MDMA (Ecstasy).
Effects: Visual/auditory hallucinations, distorted time, emotional swings.
Risks: Anxiety, psychosis, flashbacks, overheating (with MDMA), dehydration, serotonin syndrome. Can lead to long-term mental health issues.

4. Dissociative Anesthetics

How they work: Distort perception of sight and sound, and create feelings of detachment from the environment and self.
Examples: PCP, ketamine, dextromethorphan (DXM, found in cough syrups).
Effects: Numbness, hallucinations, confusion, detachment.
Risks: Violent behavior, delusions, memory loss, depression, coma, overdose. Can be especially dangerous due to high doses or mixed use.

5. Narcotic Analgesics (Opioids)

How they work: Bind to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain and produce euphoria.
Examples: Heroin, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone (OxyContin), Vicodin.
Effects: Pain relief, relaxation, euphoria.
Risks: Highly addictive, respiratory depression, overdose (especially with fentanyl), death. Combining with alcohol can be fatal. Withdrawal is intense and painful.

6. Inhalants

How they work: Vapors inhaled through the nose or mouth produce mind-altering effects by depriving the brain of oxygen.
Examples: Paint thinners, gasoline, glue, aerosols (hair spray), nitrous oxide.
Effects: Dizziness, euphoria, slurred speech, hallucinations.
Risks: Sudden sniffing death, heart failure, brain damage, liver and kidney failure—even after a single use.

7. Cannabis

How it works: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active compound in marijuana, alters brain function by acting on cannabinoid receptors.
Examples: Marijuana, hashish, synthetic cannabinoids (Spice, K2).
Effects: Relaxation, altered perception, increased appetite, impaired memory and coordination.
Risks: Anxiety, paranoia, psychosis (in high doses or susceptible individuals), respiratory issues (smoking), reduced motivation, especially in teens.

Commonly Misused Drugs

Substances from any category can be misused. Some of the most commonly abused drugs include:

Alcohol – Legal but addictive; impairs judgment, and slows reaction time.

Cocaine/Crack – Short-lived euphoria followed by a crash; high addiction risk.

Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid; small amounts can cause death.

Methamphetamine – Highly addictive stimulant; causes extreme behavioural changes.

Heroin – Street opioid; intense addiction and overdose risk.

MDMA (Ecstasy) – Can cause overheating, dehydration, and long-term brain damage.

LSD & Mushrooms – Hallucinogenic; risk of long-lasting mental health effects.

Ketamine/PCP – Risk of disorientation, hallucinations, and aggressive behaviour.

Xylazine (tranq) – Animal sedative found in illicit opioids; causes skin ulcers and unresponsive states.

Cough & cold meds (DXM) – High doses can cause hallucinations, dissociation, and heart problems

Prescription drugs – Pain relievers, stimulants, and sedatives can all be misused with serious consequences.

For a visual representation, check out this link:  Mouse Party Drug site 

Long-Term Consequences of Drug Use

• Addiction & Dependence – Both physical and psychological.

• Mental Health Issues – Depression, anxiety, psychosis, suicidal thoughts.

• Infectious Disease – HIV, hepatitis from sharing needles.

• Brain Damage – Especially from inhalants or extended use of stimulants and depressants.

• Legal Problems – Arrest, imprisonment, custody loss.

• Financial Crisis – Debts, job loss, and criminal behaviour to fund addiction.

The Brain and Addiction

• Your brain is the control center for every thought, feeling, and behaviour. Drugs interfere with how the brain communicates by flooding the reward system with dopamine—causing intense pleasure and teaching the brain to seek more.

• Over time, drug use dulls natural rewards, impairs judgment, and builds tolerance. Users need more to feel the same effects, and stopping becomes difficult. Brain areas affected include:

• Basal Ganglia (reward/motivation)

• Extended Amygdala (stress/withdrawal)

• Prefrontal Cortex (decision-making/self-control)
  
  Even after long-term abstinence, environmental cues can trigger cravings. This is why addiction is considered a chronic, relapsing brain disease—but it is treatable with support, therapy, and the right interventions.