Why not just spoon feed it to them? Give out dosages, and how to do better acting?

Why not just spoon feed it to them?  Give out dosages, and how to do better acting?

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/prescription-drugs

Prescription Drugs

Drugs of Abuse

• Alcohol
• Club Drugs
• Cocaine
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Inhalants
• LSD (Acid)
• Marijuana
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Methamphetamine
• PCP/Phencyclidine
• Prescription Drugs
• Steroids (Anabolic)
• Tobacco Addiction (Nicotine)

Emerging Drugs

Get more information onK2/Spice, Salvia and Bath Salts. NIDA will update this page with the latest research findings on these and other emerging drugs as they develop.

Commonly Abused Drugs

• Commonly Abused Drugs Chart
• Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Chart
• Health Effects

What is Prescription Drug Abuse?

Prescription drug abuse means taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Abuse of prescription drugs can produce serious health effects, including addiction.

Commonly Abused Drugs

Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (for pain), central nervous system (CNS) depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (for ADHD and narcolepsy).

Opioids include:

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
• Oxycodone (OxyContin®)
• Oxymorphone (Opana®)
• Propoxyphene (Darvon®)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
• Meperidine (Demerol®)
• Diphenoxylate (Lomotil®)

Central nervous system depressants include:

• Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®)
• Diazepam (Valium®)
• Alprazolam (Xanax®)

Stimulants include:

• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®)
• Amphetamines (Adderall®)

Street Names

Name	Slang
Xanax	Z-bar, Bricks, Benzos
Oxycodone	Oxy’s, Hillbilly Heroin, Dope, 40s, 20s, 80s
Valium	Blues
Ritalin	Vitamin R, Rid, Rittys, Rits
Adderall	Beans, Black Beauties, Speed, Uppers
Vicodin	Vike
Percocet	Percs
Sedatives and Tranquilizers	Chills Pills, French Friends, Tranqs

Effects

Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Opioids can produce drowsiness, constipation and, depending on amount taken, can depress breathing. Central nervous system depressants slow down brain function; if combined with other medications that cause drowsiness or with alcohol, heart rate and respiration can slow down dangerously. Taken repeatedly or in high doses, stimulants can cause anxiety, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeat, or seizures.

Statistics and Trends

In 2009, 16 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2010 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.7% of 8th graders, 7.7% of 10th graders, and 8.0% of 12th graders had abused Vicodin and 2.1% of 8th graders, 4.6% of 10th graders, and 5.1% of 12th graders had abused OxyContin for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site).

Related Publications

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications (DrugFacts)

Published Jun 2009. Revised May 2012.
Provides an overview of commonly abused prescription drugs—opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants—and explains how they affect the brain, treatments available, and reported use.En Español

Stimulant ADHD Medications - Methylphenidate and Amphetamines (DrugFacts)

Revised Jun 2009.
Offers basic facts about stimulant ADHD medications—methylphenidate and amphetamines—including their role in the treatment of ADHD, their affect on the brain, and the extent of abuse.En Español

Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction (Research Reports)

Published Jul 2001. Revised Oct 2011.
Examines the non-medical use of prescription drugs-opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants-describing adverse health effects of their use and the prevention and treatment of addiction.En Español

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Chart

Published Sep 2002. Revised Oct 2011.
Offers a list prescription drugs commonly abused, including depressants, opioids and morphine derivatives, and stimulants, and provides their common and street names, how they are generally administered, and their potential health effects.

Prescription Drug Abuse (Mind Over Matter)

Published Jan 2009. 
Explains how prescription drugs, when used improperly, can cause addiction and other harmful health problems.En Español

Prescription Drug Abuse (Topics in Brief)

Revised Dec 2011.
Provides a brief overview of the non-medical use of prescription drugs, examining prevalence, health risks associated with use, treatment options, and research underway on the topic.

View more related publications

Related NIDA Notes Articles

• Few Teens With Prescription Opioid Use Disorders Receive Treatment (July 2012)
• Elevated Rates of Drug Abuse Continue for Second Year (June 2012)
• Drug Abuse at Highest Level in Nearly a Decade (December 2010)
• Substance Abuse Evaluated Among Women With Children (December 2010)
• Adolescent Cigarette Smoking Holds at Lowest Recorded Levels (October 2010)
• James A. Inciardi (1939-2009) (April 2010)
• Reality Videos Bring NIDA Scientists to Web Site for Teens (April 2010)
• Some Teens Reporting Nonmedical Use of Prescriptions Develop Disorders(April 2010)
• Smoking and Drinking Continue to Decline, But Marijuana Stalls in Latest MTF Survey (October 2009)
• Alcohol Abuse Makes Prescription Drug Abuse More Likely (March 2008)

View more related NIDA Notes

Related News Releases

• NIDA creates easy-to-read website on drug abuse (February 2012)
• New NIDA resource helps families navigate addiction treatment options(January 2012)
• Cigarette and alcohol use at historic low among teens (December 2011)
• Painkiller Abuse Treated by Sustained Buprenorphine/Naloxone(November 2011)
• Scientists show how gene variant linked to ADHD could operate (August 2011)
• Analysis of opioid prescription practices finds areas of concern (April 2011)
• Buprenorphine treatment in pregnancy: less distress to babies (December 2010)
• Studies on Combat Related Substance Use and Abuse to be Funded by NIH and VA (August 2010)
• From Theory into Practice: NIDA's Blending Conference Highlights the Latest in Drug Abuse Treatment (April 2010)
• NIDA Blending Conference Launches New Training Approach for Young Adults Addicted to Opioids (April 2010)

Related Resources

• Prescription Drugs of Abuse Chart
• Efforts of the National Institute on Drug Abuse to Prevent and Treat Prescription Drug Abuse (Testimony to Congress)
• NIDA for Teens: Prescription Drug Use
• NIDA for Teens: PEERx

Other Resources

• MEDLINEplus Health Information on Drug Abuse - National Library of Medicine, NIH
• www.abovetheinfluence.com - Office of National Drug Control Policy
• healthfinder.gov - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.