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There are thousands of different drugs, both legal and illegal. Because of this variety, it is often necessary to classify drugs into several types for legal, medical, and treatment purposes. There are several ways to classify drugs, including by chemical similarities, effects on the mind and body, and legal definitions.
The classification of drugs is a subject that generates substantial disagreement, even among specialists. Consequently, two schemes may assign distinct classifications to the same substance or use categories bearing the same name. It is impossible to establish a “definitive” set of drug classifications due to these disagreements.
Drug classification based on chemical similarities is relevant because medications with comparable chemical properties frequently have similar effects and hazards. A person who is addicted to one drug is more prone to abuse another with a similar chemical makeup. Furthermore, chemically related medications frequently respond to the same treatment. Despite these generalisations, chemically equivalent medications can have vastly different legal and medical consequences.
An extensive classification of substances is based on their effects on the mind and body. Certain substances tend to induce feelings of activity and vigour in their users, whereas others induce feelings of relaxation and tranquilly. These particular categories of substances could be categorised as “uppers” and “downers,” correspondingly.
For illicit drugs, many countries have a legal classification system. These systems ascertain the conditions, if any, that render a particular substance lawful, as well as the obligations and legal repercussions that may be incurred in relation to its production, distribution, or ownership. In general, legal classifications of drugs are determined by their perceived risk and peril in addition to their perceived medical value.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance across most of the world, including in the United States. Legal to some extent in all 50 states, alcohol impacts numerous body systems and causes a host of effects in the user. Alcohol creates feelings of euphoria and lowers inhibitions, but it also severely impairs judgment, perception, and reaction times. Alcohol is a Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant, but it causes the most severe long-term damage to the liver. There are many forms of alcohol, including:
OPIOIDS
Also called Opiates, Opioids are either derived from the drug Opium or from chemicals designed to mimic it. Opioids work by acting on receptors in the brain, sometimes by mimicking the effects of neurotransmitters. This can enable Opioids to serve as powerful Painkillers, but also can cause feelings of intense pleasure and lead to addiction. Opioid addiction is one of the most serious problems faced by America today. Opioids are some of the most addictive of all known substances, and they are also some of the deadliest. Some of the most well-known Opioids include:
BENZODIAZEPINES
Benzodiazepines, or Benzos, are a class of drugs that function by interacting with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A). Each Benzo interacts with GABA-A differently, which is why each Benzo impacts the body and mind differently. Benzos are prescribed to treat a wide variety of psychiatric and sleep conditions, but they are very commonly abused. Benzos are highly addictive and can cause numerous medical and psychiatric problems when not used as intended. Examples of Benzos include:
CANNABINOIDS
Cannabinoids are a class of drugs that are chemically similar to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active agent in Marijuana. Cannabinoids create feelings of elation, known as a high, but they also negatively impact mental and physical functioning. Cannabinoids are the most widely abused drugs after alcohol, and they are increasingly gaining legal acceptance. Although considered less addictive than other drug classifications, Cannabinoids can seriously damage a person’s mental and physical health. Examples of Cannabinoids include:
BARBITURATES
Barbiturates act on the central nervous system by slowing down its functioning. Barbiturates are derivatives of the chemical barbituric acid. Barbiturates were historically popular for the treatment of psychiatric and sleep disorders, and they are still used for anesthesia and treatment of conditions like epilepsy and headaches. Barbiturates are highly addictive, and they also present a very high overdose risk as they cause many body systems to shut down. Examples of Barbiturates include:
DEPRESSANTS
More commonly referred to as “downers,” Depressants create feelings of relaxation and tiredness. While many serve legitimate purposes in the fight against mental illness and sleep deprivation, they are very commonly abused because they may also create feelings of euphoria. Depressants are not only some of the most highly addictive drugs, but they are also some of the most highly dangerous and likely to cause overdose. Examples of Depressants include:
STIMULANTS
Also known as “uppers,” the primary use of Stimulants is to increase energy, concentration, and wakefulness. Stimulants are said to provide a “rush.” In the short term, Stimulants are believed to increase productivity and performance while producing an excited high of pleasure. In the long term, Stimulants are incredibly addictive and have a very high potential for abuse. Examples of Stimulants include:
HALLUCINOGENS
Hallucinogens alter the user’s perception of reality. Often this results in auditory and visual hallucinations, a process known as “tripping.” Although Hallucinogens are generally less addictive than other drug classifications, their immediate impacts are generally more severe and dangerous. Examples of Hallucinogens include:
LSD
INHALANTS
Inhalants are a vast range of chemicals that are ingested primarily by breathing them in, or huffing. Most inhalants are commonly used materials that are in no way designed to be ingested by humans. While there is incredible variety between inhalants, most produce feelings of a high. Inhalants are less studied than most other drugs. While they tend to be less addictive than many other substances, the use of Inhalants is incredibly dangerous and causes many serious health effects. Examples of commonly abused Inhalants include:
Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential. These lists are intended as general references and are not comprehensive listings of all controlled substances.
FIRST SCHEDULE
List of Narcotics Drugs
1. Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) its preparations, derivatives, alkaloids and salts, as for example:
( 1) Opium
( 2) Codeine
(3-methylmorphine)
( 3) Morphine
( 4) Narcotine
( 5) Papaverine
( 6) Thebaine, and their preparations, derivatives and salts, as for example
( 7) Actorphine (3-0-acetyltetrahydro-7×41-hydroxy-1- methylbuty1)-6, 14-endoetheno-oripavine)
( 8) Acetyldihydrocodeine
( 9) Benzylmorphine (3-benzylmorphine)
(10) Codoxime (dihydro codeinone-6-carboxymethyloxime)
(11) Desomorphine (dihydrodeoxymorphine)
(12) Dihydrocodeine
(13) Dihydromorphine
(14) Ethylmorphine (3-ethyhrorphine)
(15) Etorphine (tetrahydro-7×41-hydroxy-1-methylbutyl )16, 14-endoetheno-oripavine
(16) Hydrocodone (dihydrocodeinone)
(17) Hydromorphone (dihydromorphinone)
(18) Hydromorphinol (14-hydroxydihydromorpbine)
(19) Methyldesorphine (6-methyl-delta-6-deoxymorphine)
(20) Methyldihydromorphine (6-methyldihydromorphine)
(21) Metopen (5-methyldihydromorphinone)
(22) Morphine
(23) Morphine Methobromide and other pentavalent nitrogen morphine derivatives, including in particular the morphineN-oxide derivatives, one of which is Codeine-N-Oxide
(24) Morphine-N-Oxide
(25) Myrophine (myristylbenzylmorphine) (26) Nalorphine (N-allylnormorphine)
(27) Nicocodine (6-nicotinvlcodcine)
(28) Nicodicodine (6-nicotinyldihydrocodeine)
(29) Nicomorphine (3,-6-dinicotinylmorphine)
(30) Norcodeine (N-demethylcodeine)
SECOND SCHEDULE
List of Psychotropic Substances
(1) AMPHETAMINE
(2)DEXAMPHETAMINE
(3)METHAMPHETAMINE
(4)PHENCYCLIDINE
(5)PHENMETRAZINE
THIRD SCHEDULE
Prohibited Plants
FOURTH SCHEDULE
List of Precursor Chemicals
(1) N. Acetylantranilic acid
(2) Acetic anhydride
(3) Acetone
(4) Anthranilic acid
(5) Benone
(6)Berryl chloride
(7) Benzyl cyanide
(8) Butanone (methyl ethyl ketone)
(9) Ephedrine
(10) Ergonovine 11. Ergotamine
(11) Ethyl ether
(12) Hydrochloric acid
(13) Methylene Chloride
(14) Methylenedioxphenyle-2-propanone
(15) Norpsecudo ephedrine
(16) Phenylacetone acid
(17) Phenylacetone 19. Piperidine
(18) Potassium permanganate
(19) Pseudo ephedrine
(20) Sulphuric and
(21) Toluene
(22) Phenyl-2-propanone
(23) Phenylacetic acid and its salex
(24) Phenylpropanolmamine and its salte
(25) manobenzyl cyanide
(26) Lysergicadd
(27) Eropometrine and its salis
(28) Sodium sulphate
(29) Potassium carbonate
(30) Sodium carbonate
(31)Isosafron (cis+trans)I
(32) Piperonal
(33) Safrole
(34) Methylethyl Ketone (MEK)
The Salts of the substances listed in this schedule whenever the existenceof such salts is possible.