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Prescription Drug Abuse

Eric Bennion

Different Types

Opioids- Pain killers like hydrocodone,


oxycodone etc

Depressants- Drugs like Xanax,


Valium, Ambien

Stimulants- Adderall, Concerta, and


Vyvanse

Opioids

How do opioids work?

Opioids attach to specific proteins


called opioid receptors, which are
found in the brain, spinal cord, and
gastrointestinal tract. When the
drugs attach to certain opioid
receptors, they block the
transmission of pain messages to the
brain.

Why Opioids are Abused

Pain killers can provide a euphoric


feeling

Once a prescription runs out, users


may turn to alternatives, like heroin
or other drugs.

Depressants

How do depressants work in the


brain?

Depressants act on the brain by


affecting the neurotransmitter
gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA).

Increasing GABA makes the user


sleepy, and lose anxiety they might
have

Why Depressants are


Abused

Brain activity is slowed and


simplified, so the user no longer feels
anxious, nervous, etc.

Users become tolerant rather quickly,


needing more of the drug to get the
same effect.

Stimulants

How do stimulants work in the brain?

They act in the brain similarly to a


family of key brain neurotransmitters
called monoamines, which include
norepinephrine and dopamine.
Stimulants enhance the effects of
these chemicals in the brain.

Why are Stimulants Abued

Stimulants can provide a euphoric


feeling when taken non-medically,
due to the increase in dopamine.

Similar to meth, just not as severe of


side effects.

Interesting Fact

Morphine, the key ingredient in


opium, which is used to make all pain
killers, was first used by Alexander
the Great during his conquests.

Named after the Greek God


Morpheus, it allowed soldiers to
morph themselves into better
soldiers, having no fear.

War on Prescription Drugs

Controlled Substance Act- 1970

This gave drugs a classification


depending on their strength and
addictive qualities.

Schedule I drugs

Drugs that are highly addictive


and/or have no medical use

Marijuana, Heroin, LSD, MDMA are all


schedule I drugs, making it highly
illegal to obtain.

Schedule II drugs

Drugs that have highly addictive


qualities, and have restricted medical
use.

Adderall, Ritalin, surprisingly cocaine.

Schedule III

Drugs that may lead to moderate or


low physical dependence.

Anabolic Steroids, Subutex,


Hydrocodone syrups.

Schedule IV

Low potential for abuse, and low


potential for physical dependence.

Xanax, tramadol,

Schedule V

Low physical dependence, and little


to no potential for abuse

Lyrica, pyrovaleron

Pseudophedrine

In the Combat Methamphetamine Act


of 2005, a national database of
Pseudophedrine users was issued.

Users are restricted in how much


they can buy in one time

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmacy industry is the most


regulated division in the government.

The DEA takes particular interest in


pharmacies and the inventory.

Personal Respones

I personally believe that doctors need


to be smarter with the prescriptions
they write, and pay better attention
to patients that show addictive
qualities.

Works cited

http://isate.memphis.edu/opiate.html

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications
/research-reports/prescription-drugs/
stimulants/how-do-stimulants-affect-b
rain-body

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