PROHIBITED DRUGS

These drugs are those not allowed for use in the country.

Example: Shabu, Cocaine, Marijuana, Ecstacy. REGULATED DRUGS

Those medications with prescription from the physician.

DRUG DEPENDENT any individual suffering from drug dependence. DRUG DEPENDENCE a strong desire or a sense of compulsion to take the substance and the difficulties in controlling substances taking behavior in terms of its level of use. Reason of Abuse: 1. 2. 3. 4. Curiosity humans naturally desire to experience something new. Low self esteem - several individuals have poor opinions of themselves. Peer pressure mostly in stages of adolescence, individuals have a strong need to belong to the group. Adult modeling young people try to be grown-ups and they see drugs use as a form of adult behavior imitated. 5. Mood alteration some individuals use drugs merely to change their emotions. 6. Boredom 7. Alienation there are individuals feeling little or no power to control their destiny. They also feel unwanted and unloved.
Depressants - are substances that depress the activity of the central nervous system. Depressants are often referred to as "downers" because of their sedative, hypnotic and tranquilizing effects. There are both legal and illegal depressants. Alcohol is the most common legal depressant. Other depressants that are legal are often prescribed medications used to induce sleep, relieve stress, and subdue anxiety. These prescriptions are often abused as well, such as the case with rohypnol. GHB is an illegal depressant often used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults because of its sedative properties.

Examples of depressants -tranquilizers, barbiturates, inhalants and chloral hydrate.

What Are Barbiturates?

Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates are depressant drugs used to induce sleep/short term treatment for insomnia and relieve tension / anxiety Produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. Used in treatment of anxiety like tranquilizers, as sedatives or as hypnotics. Phenobarbital are used in convulsive disorder caused by conditions like epilepsy or tetanus They have addiction potential, both physical and psychological.

Other Names for Barbiturates:

Generic Name Amobarbital Pentobarbital Phenobarbital Secobarbital Tuinal

Street Name Downers, blue heavens, blue velvet, blue devils Nembies, yellow jackets, abbots, Mexican yellows Purple hearts, goof balls Reds, red birds, red devils, lilly, F-40s, pinks, pink ladies, seggy Rainbows, reds and blues, tooies, double trouble, gorilla pills, F-66s

Types of Barbiturates There are many different barbiturates. The primary difference among them is how long their effects last. The effects of some of the long-acting drugs may last up to 2 days. Others are very short acting. Their effects last only a few minutes. Test for Barbiturates Urine Test

Barbiturate Abuse Causes The increase in the abuse of barbiturates may be due to the popularity of stimulating drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines. The barbiturates ("downers") counteract the excitement and alertness obtained from the stimulating drugs. Todays drug abusers may be too young to remember the death and dangerous effects barbiturates ,they underestimate the risks of using them. Barbiturates are also commonly used in suicide attempts. People who abuse barbiturates use them to obtain a high, which is described as being similar to alcohol intoxication, or to counteract the effects of stimulant drugs. Barbiturates were abused to reduce anxiety, decrease inhibitions, and treat unwanted effects of illicit drugs

Barbiturate Abuse In general, barbiturates can be a so-called brain relaxers. Alcohol is also a brain relaxer. The effects of barbiturates and alcohol are very similar. Pain medicines, sleeping pills, and antihistamines also cause symptoms similar to those of barbiturates.

In small doses, the person who abuses barbiturates feels drowsy, disinhibited, and intoxicated.

In higher doses, the user staggers as if drunk, develops slurred speech, and is confused. At even higher doses, the person is unable to be aroused (coma) and may stop breathing. Death is possible. The difference between the dose causing drowsiness and one causing death may be small. In the medical profession, this difference is called a narrow therapeutic-to-toxic range. This is the reason why barbiturates are dangerous. It is also why barbiturates are not often prescribed today. barbiturates are also addictive. If taken daily for longer than about 1 month, the brain develops a need for the barbiturate, which causes severe symptoms if the drug is withheld. Symptoms of withdrawal or abstinence include tremors, difficulty sleeping, and agitation. These symptoms can become worse, resulting in life-threatening symptoms, including hallucinations, high temperature, and seizures. Pregnant women taking barbiturates can cause their baby to become addicted, and the newborn may have withdrawal symptoms. Elderly people can be more sensitive to barbiturates and develop a coma with small doses. Because children are smaller and weigh less than adults, even small doses of barbiturates could be life threatening.

EFFECTS OF BARBITURATES The main effect and use of barbiturate is as depressant. Half dose moderate sedation and drowsiness. One dose makes a person sleep. Quarter dose relief anxiety and tension. Between half and 1 dose the user will feel elated or high 5 times the dose coma 10 doses can lead to death.

Short Term Effects of Barbiturates: (last for 15 hours after ingestion) Relief of tension and anxiety Sleepiness Feeling of drunkenness / intoxication Slurred speech Inability to control simple bodily functions (walking, balance, etc...) Memory impairment Emotional instability Long Term Effects of Barbiturates: Chronic tiredness General uncoordination Vision problems Dizziness Slowed reflexes and response Sexual dysfunction Menstrual irregularities Breathing disorders Tolerance: Develops very rapidly Ten times the original dosage may be required to produce the same high Withdrawal symptoms: Hallucinations Eating disorders Disorientation

 Vomiting Sleep disorders