Types of Drugs

It is important for parents to know that the drug scene is much more complicated than it used to be, and the onslaught of prescription drugs has been a major contribuing factor. For example, in the opiate category, in addition to heroin and morphine, there are now many prescription narcotics that are very widely abused. These drugs include hydrocodone products such as Vicodin and Lortab, as well as oxycodone drugs that include Oxycontin. In addition, there is methadone, Fentanyl patches, Dilaudid, Darvocet, Lorcet, Percocet, and the list goes on. These prescription ipiates can be very bit as deadly as their street drug counterparts such as heroin.

Another prescription cateogry that has many people dependent on these drugs is the class of sedatives and tranquilizers, called central nervous system depressants. These drugs include benzodiazapines such as Xanax, Valium and Klonapin. These drugs are often used in conjunction with other drugs such as opiates, alcohol and/or marijuana.

There is a wide variety of stimulants being abused these days as well. For example, in addition to crack and cocaine, there are multiple types of methamphetamine. Some meth is made in local clandestine laboratories while other forms come from large 'super labs' that produce many hundreds of pounds of it. Crystal meth, also known as "ice" is becoming more prevalant as law enforcement has tried to cut down the availability of ephedrine-based products for homemade meth labs. Another huge category of stimulants include prescription amphetamines such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall. These drugs are sometimes called 'kiddie cocaine' because they are handed out to kids but they are highly addictive and create a much greater problem for the child in the future because their body develops a tolerance and they naturally seek something stronger.

Alcohol is the most widely abused drug in the country and it is easy for many alcoholics to deny they need help because drinking is socially acceptable. There are also other drugs being abused the require and intervention such as ecstasy, LSD, marijuana, PCP and more. Contact us for more information on specific drugs and how we can help.

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