Many drugs can alter a person’s thinking and judgment, and can lead to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving, infectious disease, and adverse effects on pregnancy. Information on commonly used drugs with the potential for misuse or addiction can be found here.
For information on alcohol’s health effects, please visit theNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism(NIAAA)website.
A tea made in the Amazon from a plant (Psychotria viridis) containing the hallucinogen DMT, along with another vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) that contains an MAO inhibitor preventing the natural breakdown of DMT in the digestive system, which enhances serotonergic activity. It was used historically in Amazonian religious and healing rituals. For more information, seePsychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses | Brewed as tea | Swallowed as tea | DMT is Schedule I**, but plants containing it are not controlled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Strong hallucinations including altered visual and auditory perceptions; increased heart rate and blood pressure; nausea; burning sensation in the stomach; tingling sensations and increased skin sensitivity. |
| Long-term | Possible changes to the serotoninergic and immune systems, although more research is needed. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | It is not known whether ayahuasca is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to ayahuasca or other hallucinogens. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if ayahuasca is addictive and, if so, whether behavioral therapies are effective. |
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Marijuana is made from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. For more information, see the Cannabis Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various brand names in states where the sale of marijuana is legal | Greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and/or flowers; resin (hashish) or sticky, black liquid (hash oil) | Smoked, Vaped, Eaten (mixed in food or brewed as tea) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Enhanced sensory perception and euphoria followed by drowsiness/relaxation; slowed reaction time; problems with balance and coordination; increased heart rate and appetite; problems with learning and memory; anxiety. |
| Long-term | Mental health problems, chronic cough, frequent respiratory infections. |
| Other Health-related Issues | THC vaping products mixed with the filler Vitamin E acetate (and possibly other chemicals) has led to serious lung illnesses and deaths. Pregnancy: babies born with problems with attention, memory, and problem solving. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Increased heart rate, blood pressure; further slowing of mental processing and reaction time. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Irritability, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, anxiety. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat marijuana addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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Medications that slow brain activity, which makes them useful for treating anxiety and sleep problems. For more information, see the Misuse of Prescription Drugs Research Report.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbiturates: pentobarbital (Nembutal®) | Pill, capsule, liquid | Swallowed, injected | II, III, IV |
| Benzodiazepines: alprazolam (Xanax®), chlorodiazepoxide (Librium®), diazepam (Valium®), lorazepam (Ativan®), triazolam (Halicon®) | Pill, capsule, liquid | Swallowed, snorted | IV |
| Sleep Medications: eszopiclone (Lunesta®), zaleplon (Sonata®), zolpidem (Ambien®) | Pill, capsule, liquid | Swallowed, snorted | IV |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Drowsiness, slurred speech, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness, problems with movement and memory, lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Sleep medications are sometimes used as date rape drugs. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Further slows heart rate and breathing, which can lead to death. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Must be discussed with a health care provider; barbiturate withdrawal can cause a serious abstinence syndrome that may even include seizures. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to prescription sedatives; lowering the dose over time must be done with the help of a health care provider. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to prescription sedatives. |
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A powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. For more information, see the Cocaine Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocaine hydrochloride topical solution (low dose anesthetic used in certain medical procedures) | White powder, whitish rock crystal | Snorted, smoked, injected | II** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Narrowed blood vessels; enlarged pupils; increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; headache; abdominal pain and nausea; euphoria; increased energy, alertness; insomnia, restlessness; anxiety; erratic and violent behavior, panic attacks, paranoia, psychosis; heart rhythm problems, heart attack; stroke, seizure, coma. |
| Long-term | Loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, nasal damage and trouble swallowing from snorting; infection and death of bowel tissue from decreased blood flow; poor nutrition and weight loss; lung damage from smoking. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Pregnancy: premature delivery, low birth weight, deficits in self-regulation and attention in school-aged children prenatally exposed. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Greater risk of cardiac toxicity than from either drug alone. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Depression, tiredness, increased appetite, insomnia, vivid unpleasant dreams, slowed thinking and movement, restlessness. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a depressant approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disorder that causes daytime "sleep attacks".
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamma-hydroxybutyrate or sodium oxybate (Xyrem®) | Colorless liquid, white powder | Swallowed (often combined with alcohol or other beverages) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, memory loss, unconsciousness, slowed heart rate and breathing, lower body temperature, seizures, coma, death. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Sometimes used as a date rape drug. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Nausea, problems with breathing, greatly increased depressant effects. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, psychotic thoughts. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | Benzodiazepines. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat GHB addiction. |
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Drugs that cause profound distortions in a person’s perceptions of reality, such as ketamine, LSD, mescaline (peyote), PCP, psilocybin, salvia,and ayahuasca. For more information, seePsychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
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An opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of various opium poppy plants. For more information, see the Heroin Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses | White or brownish powder, or black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin” | Injected, smoked, snorted | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Euphoria; dry mouth; itching; nausea; vomiting; analgesia; slowed breathing and heart rate. |
| Long-term | Collapsed veins; abscesses (swollen tissue with pus); infection of the lining and valves in the heart; constipation and stomach cramps; liver or kidney disease; pneumonia. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Pregnancy: miscarriage, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Dangerous slowdown of heart rate and breathing, coma, death. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"). |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications |
|
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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Solvents, aerosols, and gases found in household products such as spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids; also prescription nitrites. For more information, see the Inhalants Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various household products Amyl nitrite (a prescription solution) is used to relieve pain of angina attacks (chest pain). | Paint thinners or removers, degreasers, dry-cleaning fluids, gasoline, lighter fluids, correction fluids, permanent markers, electronics cleaners and freeze sprays, glue, spray paint, hair or deodorant sprays, fabric protector sprays, aerosol computer cleaning products, vegetable oil sprays, butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream aerosol containers, refrigerant gases, ether, chloroform, halothane, nitrous oxide, prescription nitrites | Inhaled through the nose or mouth | Not scheduled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Confusion; nausea; slurred speech; lack of coordination; euphoria; dizziness; drowsiness; disinhibition, lightheadedness, hallucinations/delusions; headaches; sudden sniffing death due to heart failure (from butane, propane, and other chemicals in aerosols); death from asphyxiation, suffocation, convulsions or seizures, coma, or choking. Nitrites: enlarged blood vessels, enhanced sexual pleasure, increased heart rate, brief sensation of heat and excitement, dizziness, headache. |
| Long-term | Liver and kidney damage; bone marrow damage; limb spasms due to nerve damage; brain damage from lack of oxygen that can cause problems with thinking, movement, vision, and hearing. Nitrites: increased risk of pneumonia. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Pregnancy: low birth weight, bone problems, delayed behavioral development due to brain problems, altered metabolism and body composition. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Nausea, tremors, irritability, problems sleeping, and mood changes. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat inhalant addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat inhalant addiction. |
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A dissociative drug used as an anesthetic in veterinary practice. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. For more information, seePsychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketalar®, a surgical anesthetic SpravatoTM(esketamine),prescribedfor treatment resistant depressionused under strict medical supervision Ketaset,a surgical anesthesia used by veterinarians | Liquid, white powder | When misused: Injected, snorted, smoked (powder added to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes), swallowed Prescription formulas are injections or nasal sprays. | III** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Problems with attention, learning, and memory; dreamlike states, hallucinations; sedation; confusion; loss of memory; raised blood pressure; unconsciousness; dangerously slowed breathing. |
| Long-term | Ulcers and pain in the bladder; kidney problems; stomach pain; depression; poor memory. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Sometimes used as a date rape drug. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Increased risk of adverse effects. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to ketamine or other dissociative drugs. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs. |
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Pronounced "cot," a shrub (Catha edulis) found in East Africa and southern Arabia; contains the psychoactive chemicals cathinone and cathine. People from African and Arabian regions (up to an estimated 20 million worldwide) have used khat for centuries as part of cultural tradition and for its stimulant-like effects.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses | Fresh or dried leaves | Chewed, brewed as tea | Cathinone is a Schedule I drug**, making khat use illegal, but the khat plant is not controlled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Euphoria, increased alertness and arousal, increased blood pressure and heart rate, depression, paranoia, headaches, loss of appetite, insomnia, fine tremors, loss of short-term memory. |
| Long-term | Gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, ulcers, and stomach inflammation; and increased risk of heart attack. |
| Other Health-related Issues | In rare cases associated with heavy use: psychotic reactions such as fear, anxiety, grandiose delusions (fantastical beliefs that one has superior qualities such as fame, power, and wealth), hallucinations, and paranoia. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Depression, nightmares, low blood pressure, and lack of energy. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | It is not known whether khat is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to khat. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if khat is addictive and, if so, whether behavioral therapies are effective. |
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A tropical deciduous tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain many compounds, including mitragynine, a psychotropic (mind-altering) opioid. Kratom is consumed for mood-lifting effects and pain relief and as an aphrodisiac. For more information, see the Kratom Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | Fresh or dried leaves, powder, liquid, gum | Chewed (whole leaves); eaten (mixed in food or brewed as tea); occasionally smoked | Not scheduled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Nausea, dizziness, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, loss of appetite. Low doses: increased energy, sociability, alertness. High doses: sedation, euphoria, decreased pain. |
| Long-term | Anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, skin darkening, dry mouth, frequent urination, constipation. Hallucinations with long-term use at high doses in some users. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Muscle aches, insomnia, hostility, aggression, emotional changes, runny nose, jerky movements. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | No clinical trials have been conducted on medications for kratom addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to kratom. |
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A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific name lysergic acid diethylamide. For more information, see Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses | Tablet; capsule; clear liquid; small, decorated squares of absorbent paper that liquid has been added to | Swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues (paper squares) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Rapid emotional swings; distortion of a person’s ability to recognize reality, think rationally, or communicate with others; raised blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature; dizziness; loss of appetite; tremors; enlarged pupils. |
| Long-term | Frightening flashbacks (called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder [HPPD]); ongoing visual disturbances, disorganized thinking, paranoia, and mood swings. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to LSD or other hallucinogens. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to hallucinogens. |
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A synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. MDMA is an abbreviation of the scientific name 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine. For more information, see the MDMA (Ecstasy) Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses; is being researched as therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) under strict medical supervision. | Colorful tablets with imprinted logos, capsules, powder, liquid | Swallowed, snorted | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Lowered inhibition; enhanced sensory perception; increased heart rate and blood pressure; muscle tension; nausea; faintness; chills or sweating; sharp rise in body temperature leading to kidney failure or death. |
| Long-term | Long-lasting confusion, depression, problems with attention, memory, and sleep; increased anxiety, impulsiveness; less interest in sex. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | MDMA decreases some of alcohol’s effects. Alcohol can increase plasma concentrations of MDMA, which may increase the risk of neurotoxic effects. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, trouble concentrating. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There is conflicting evidence about whether MDMA is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat MDMA addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat MDMA addiction. |
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A hallucinogen found in disk-shaped “buttons” in the crown of several cacti, including peyote. For more information, see Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses | Fresh or dried buttons, capsule | Swallowed (chewed or soaked in water and drunk) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Enhanced perception and feeling; hallucinations; euphoria; anxiety; increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure; sweating; problems with movement. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to mescaline or other hallucinogens. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to hallucinogens. |
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An extremely addictive stimulant amphetamine drug. For more information, see the Methamphetamine Research Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desoxyn® used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | White powder or pill; crystal meth looks like pieces of glass or shiny blue-white “rocks” of different sizes | Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected | II** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Increased wakefulness and physical activity; decreased appetite; increased breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature; irregular heartbeat. |
| Long-term | Anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood problems, violent behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, weight loss, severe dental problems, intense itching leading to skin sores from scratching. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Pregnancy: premature delivery; separation of the placenta from the uterus; low birth weight; lethargy; heart and brain problems. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Masks the depressant effect of alcohol, increasing risk of alcohol overdose; may increase blood pressure. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Depression, anxiety, tiredness. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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Psychoactive when taken in higher-than-recommended amounts. For more information, see the Over the Counter Medicines DrugFacts.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various (many brand names include “DM”) | Syrup, capsule | Swallowed | Not scheduled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Cough relief; euphoria; slurred speech; increased heart rate and blood pressure; dizziness; nausea; vomiting. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Breathing problems, seizures, and increased heart rate may occur from other ingredients in cough/cold medicines. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to dextromethorphan. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dextromethorphan. |
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An anti-diarrheal that can cause euphoria when taken in higher-than-recommended doses. For more information, see the Over the Counter Medicines DrugFacts.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imodium®, an OTC medication for diarrhea | Tablet, capsule, or liquid | Swallowed | Not scheduled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Controls diarrhea symptoms. In high does, can produce euphoria. May lessen cravings and withdrawal symptoms of other drugs. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Fainting, stomach pain, constipation, loss of consciousness, cardiovascular toxicity, pupil dilation, drowsiness, dizziness, and kidney failure from urinary retention. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Severe anxiety, vomiting, and diarrhea. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat loperamide addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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A dissociative drug developed as an intravenous anesthetic that has been discontinued due to serious adverse effects. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. PCP is an abbreviation of the scientific name, phencyclidine. For more information, see Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses | White or colored powder, tablet, or capsule; clear liquid | Injected, snorted, swallowed, smoked (powder added to mint, parsley, oregano, or marijuana) | I, II** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, problems thinking, a sense of distance from one’s environment, anxiety. Low doses: slight increase in breathing rate; increased blood pressure and heart rate; shallow breathing; face redness and sweating; numbness of the hands or feet; problems with movement. High doses: nausea; vomiting; flicking up and down of the eyes; drooling; loss of balance; dizziness; violence; seizures, coma, and death. |
| Long-term | Memory loss, problems with speech and thinking, loss of appetite, anxiety. |
| Other Health-related Issues | PCP has been linked to self-injury. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Headaches, increased appetite, sleepiness, depression. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to PCP or other dissociative drugs. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs. |
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Pain relievers with an origin similar to that of heroin. Opioids can cause euphoria and are often used nonmedically, leading to overdose deaths. For more information, see the Misuse ofPrescription Drugs Research Report.
Prescription cough medicines that contain promethazine (an antihistamine) and codeine are sometimes combined with soda and candy in a drink called “lean” or “sizzurp.”
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codeine (various brand names) | Tablet, capsule, liquid | Injected, swallowed (often mixed with soda and flavorings) | II, III, V** |
| Fentanyl (Actiq®, Duragesic®, Sublimaze®) | Lozenge, sublingual tablet, film, buccal tablet | Injected, smoked, snorted | II** |
| Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone (Vicodin®, Norco®, Zohydro®, and others) | Capsule, liquid, tablet | Swallowed, snorted, injected | II** |
| Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) | Liquid, suppository | Injected, rectal | II** |
| Meperidine (Demerol®) | Tablet, liquid | Swallowed, snorted, injected | II** |
| Methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®) | Tablet, dispersible tablet, liquid | Swallowed, injected | II** |
| Morphine (Duramorph®, MS Contin®) | Tablet, liquid, capsule, suppository | Injected, swallowed, smoked | II, III** |
| Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, and others) | Capsule, liquid, tablet | Swallowed, snorted, injected | II** |
| Oxymorphone (Opana®) | Tablet | Swallowed, snorted, injected | II** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Pain relief, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, euphoria, slowed breathing, death. |
| Long-term | Increased risk of overdose or addiction if misused. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Pregnancy: Miscarriage, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome. Older adults: higher risk of accidental misuse because many older adults have multiple prescriptions, increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions, and breakdown of drugs slows with age; also, many older adults are treated with prescription medications for pain. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Dangerous slowing of heart rate and breathing leading to coma or death. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), leg movements. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications |
|
| Behavioral Therapies | The same behavioral therapies that have helped treat addiction to heroin are used to treat prescription opioid addiction. |
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Medications that increase alertness, attention, energy, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. For more information, see the Misuse ofPrescription Drugs Research Report.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine (Adderall®) | Tablet, capsule | Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected | II** |
| Methylphenidate (Concerta®, Ritalin®) | Liquid, tablet, chewable tablet, capsule | Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected, chewed | II** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Increased alertness, attention, energy; increased blood pressure and heart rate; narrowed blood vessels; increased blood sugar; opened-up breathing passages. High doses: dangerously high body temperature and irregular heartbeat; heart disease; seizures. |
| Long-term | Heart problems, psychosis, anger, paranoia. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Masks the depressant action of alcohol, increasing risk of alcohol overdose; may increase blood pressure. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Depression, tiredness, sleep problems. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat stimulant addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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A hallucinogen in certain types of mushrooms that grow in parts of South America, Mexico, and the United States. For more information, see Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses; being researched as therapy for treatment-resistant depression under strict medical supervision. | Fresh or dried mushrooms with long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills | Swallowed (eaten, brewed as tea, or added to other foods) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Hallucinations, altered perception of time, inability to tell fantasy from reality, panic, muscle relaxation or weakness, problems with movement, enlarged pupils, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness. | |||
| Long-term | Risk of flashbacks and memory problems. | |||
| Other Health-related Issues | Risk of poisoning if a poisonous mushroom is accidentally used. | |||
| In Combination with Alcohol | May decrease the perceived effects of alcohol. | |||
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. | |||
| Treatment Options | ||||
| Medications | It is not known whether psilocybin is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to psilocybin or other hallucinogens. | |||
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if psilocybin is addictive and whether behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to this or other hallucinogens. | |||
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A benzodiazepine chemically similar to prescription sedatives such as Valium® and Xanax® that may be misused for its psychotropic effects. Rohypnol has been used to commit sexual assaults because of its strong sedation effects. In these cases, offenders may dissolve the drug in a person’s drink without their knowledge.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flunitrazepam, Rohypnol® | Tablet | Swallowed (as a pill or as dissolved in a drink), snorted | IV** - Rohypnol® is not approved for medical use in the United States; it is available as a prescription sleep aid in other countries |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Drowsiness, sedation, sleep; amnesia, blackout; decreased anxiety; muscle relaxation, impaired reaction time and motor coordination; impaired mental functioning and judgment; confusion; aggression; excitability; slurred speech; headache; slowed breathing and heart rate. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Severe sedation, unconsciousness, and slowed heart rate and breathing, which can lead to death. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Headache; muscle pain; extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion, irritability; numbness and tingling of hands or feet; hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, seizures, or shock. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to Rohypnol® or other prescription sedatives. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to Rohypnol® or other prescription sedatives. |
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A dissociative drug(Salvia divinorum) that is an herb in the mint family native to southern Mexico. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. For more information, see Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sold legally in most states as Salvia divinorum | Fresh or dried leaves | Smoked, chewed, or brewed as tea | Not Scheduled (but labeled drug of concern by DEA and illegal in some states) |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Short-lived but intense hallucinations; altered visual perception, mood, body sensations; mood swings, feelings of detachment from one’s body; sweating. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Unknown. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Unknown. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | It is not known whether salvia is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to salvia or other dissociative drugs. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if salvia is addictive, but behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs. |
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Man-made substances used to treat conditions caused by low levels of steroid hormones in the body and misused to enhance athletic and sexual performance and physical appearance. For more information, seeSteroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs).
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nandrolone (Oxandrin®), oxandrolone (Anadrol®), oxymetholone (Anadrol-50®), testosterone cypionate (Depo-testosterone®) | Tablet, capsule, liquid drops, gel, cream, patch, injectable solution | Injected, swallowed, applied to skin | III** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Builds muscles, improved athletic performance. Acne, fluid retention (especially in the hands and feet), oily skin, yellowing of the skin, infection. |
| Long-term | Kidney damage or failure; liver damage; high blood pressure, enlarged heart, or changes in cholesterol leading to increased risk of stroke or heart attack, even in young people; aggression; extreme mood swings; anger ("roid rage"); extreme irritability; delusions; impaired judgment. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Males: shrunken testicles, lowered sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts. Females: facial hair, male-pattern baldness, enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice. Adolescents: stunted growth. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Increased risk of violent behavior. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Mood swings; tiredness; restlessness; loss of appetite; insomnia; lowered sex drive; depression, sometimes leading to suicide attempts. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | Hormone therapy |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat steroid addiction. |
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A wide variety of herbal mixtures containing man-made cannabinoid chemicals related to THC in marijuana but often much stronger and more dangerous. Sometimes misleadingly called “synthetic marijuana” and marketed as a “natural,” "safe," legal alternative to marijuana. For more information, see the Synthetic CannabinoidsResearch Topic.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses, but new formulations are sold under various names to attract young adults. Many formulations have been outlawed. | Dried, shredded plant material that looks like potpourri and is sometimes sold as “incense” | Smoked, swallowed (brewed as tea) | I** |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Increased heart rate; vomiting; agitation; confusion; hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia; increased blood pressure. |
| Long-term | Unknown. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Use of synthetic cannabinoids has led to an increase in emergency room visits in certain areas. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat K2/Spice addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies | More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat synthetic cannabinoid addiction. |
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An emerging family of drugs containing one or more synthetic chemicals related to cathinone, a stimulant found naturally in the khat plant. Examples of such chemicals include mephedrone, methylone, and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV). For more information, seeSynthetic Cathinones
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commercial uses for ingested "bath salts." No relation to “Epsom salt,” sold as a bath product. | White or brown crystalline powder sold in small plastic or foil packages labeled "not for human consumption" and sometimes sold as jewelry cleaner; tablet, capsule, liquid | Swallowed, snorted, injected | I Some formulations have been banned by the DEA |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Increased heart rate and blood pressure; euphoria; increased sociability and sex drive; paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations; violent behavior; sweating; nausea, vomiting; insomnia; irritability; dizziness; depression; panic attacks; reduced motor control; cloudy thinking. |
| Long-term | Death. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Depression, anxiety. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to synthetic cathinones. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are dried and fermented before use. Tobacco contains nicotine, an addictive chemical. Nicotine is sometimes extracted from the plant and is used in vaping devices. For more information, see the Tobacco, Nicotine and E-Cigarettes Research Report.
| Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple brand names | cigarettes, vaping devices, e-cigarettes, cigars, bidis, hookahs, kreteks Smokeless tobacco: snuff, spit tobacco, chew | Smoked, snorted, chewed, vaporized | Not Scheduled |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Increased blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. Exposes lungs to a variety of chemicals. Vaping also exposes lungs to metallic vapors created by heating the coils in the device. |
| Long-term | Greatly increased risk of cancer, especially lung cancer when smoked and oral cancers when chewed; chronic bronchitis; emphysema; heart disease; leukemia; cataracts; pneumonia. |
| Other Health-related Issues | Nicotine: in teens it can affect the development of brain circuits that control attention and learning. Tobacco products: Use while pregnant can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth, learning and behavior problems. Vaping products: Some are mixed with the filler Vitamin E acetate and other chemicals, leading to serious lung illnesses and deaths. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Unknown. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Irritability, attention and sleep problems, depression, increased appetite. |
| Treatment Options | |
| Medications |
|
| Behavioral Therapies |
|
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**Drugs are classified into five distinct categories or schedules "depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s use or dependency potential." More information and the most up-to-date scheduling information can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website.
