Classifying drugs by chemical similarities is helpful because drugs that are chemically similar often have similar risks and impacts. A person who is addicted to a drug is also more likely to abuse and become addicted to other drugs if they are chemically similar. Despite these general similarities, chemically similar drugs may have very different legal and medical impacts.
Drug Classifications By Chemical Composition
- Alcohol
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance all over the world, including in the United States. Although alcohol is legal to a certain extent in all 50 states, alcohol impacts numerous body systems, resulting in numerous dangerous or even life threatening effects in its users. There are many types of alcohol, including:
- – Liquor
- – Beer
- – Wine
- Opioids
Also known as “opiates”, opioids either stem from the drug opium or the chemicals designed to copy it. Opioids work by interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain and blocking the signals that they are sending. This enables opioids to act as powerful painkillers, but can also cause feelings of intense pleasure, which lead to addiction. Some of the most popular opioids include:
- – Heroin
- – Oxycodone
- – Fentanyl
- Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or “Benzos” are a class of drugs that work 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. Examples of Benzos include:
- – Xanax
- – Valium
- – Ativan
- Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a class of drugs that have a similar chemical makeup to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active agent in marijuana. Cannabinoids create feelings of elation, known as a high, but they also negatively impact physical and mental functions. Cannabinoids are the most widely abused drugs after alcohol, and they are increasingly gaining legal acceptance. Examples of cannabinoids include:
- – Marijuana
- – Hashish
- Barbiturates
Barbiturates affect the central nervous system by slowing down its functions. Barbiturates are derivatives of the chemical barbituric acid. Barbiturates were historically popular for the treatment of sleep and psychiatric disorders, and they are still used for anesthesia, 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:
- – Luminal
- – Amytal
- – Pentobarbital
At 449 Recovery, helping each client overcome every challenge on the road to recovery is our greatest goal. We believe that healing is best obtained in an environment that will encourage it. The endless monitored detoxification, in conjunction with long term treatment programs at 449 Recovery are provided in a caring and structured atmosphere. Our goal is to execute practices that will leave a lifelong impact on the recipients. We aim for no one to leave unchanged, but for everyone to lead a happier and healthier lifestyle. Procrastination is the enemy of success, so please give us a call atAnabolic steroids are prescribed or illegally obtained by people who desire a stronger physical appearance and to develop muscle mass in a short period of time, usually resulting in boosted confidence and self-esteem. There are more than 100 kinds of anabolic steroids, yet only a small portion have been cleared for medical use.
Though steroids don’t chemically produce a state of euphoria or a “high” like a typical addictive substance, those who continuously abuse these drugs are at risk of developing an addiction. Anabolic steroids are addictive due to two main factors. The first is the behavior of many individuals with substance use disorders, which is the compulsion to seek out and use anabolic steroids. The second is the emergence of withdrawal symptoms due to the user cutting back or stopping using steroids altogether.
The obsessive-compulsive behavior to keep using anabolic steroids often starts when the steroids enhance physical strength and appearance in a short time period, which can eventually result in an addiction developing.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs that imitates testosterone, the male sex hormone. The complete name of these drugs is “anabolic-androgenic steroids.” The word “anabolic” is in reference to the drug’s muscle-building effects, and “androgenic” refers to its masculinizing effects.
There is another kind of steroid known as corticosteroids; these shouldn’t be confused with anabolic steroids. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are often used to treat allergic reactions. These steroids don’t have the same effects as anabolic steroids, as they don’t facilitate muscle growth and don’t mimic the male sex hormone.
There are three common ways people abuse anabolic steroids. They are:
- Cycling – Cycling is a process of taking steroids during predetermined periods of time, usually 6-12 weeks. Users who are cycling take multiple doses for several weeks, stop for several weeks, and then start taking the steroids again. Steroid abusers use off-cycles to allow the body to produce its own testosterone and to reduce damage to internal organs.
- Pyramiding – Pyramiding is a method of taking steroids during a cycle. In the beginning of the cycle, users start with a low dose and gradually increase to a maximum dose mid-cycle. In the second half of the cycle, the user slowly tapers down their steroid dose.
- Stacking – Stacking is taking multiple types of steroids at once or mixing oral and injectable formulations. Many steroid abusers believe feel that this increases results, but this method has not been scientifically proven.
At 449 Recovery, helping each client overcome every challenge on the road to recovery is our greatest goal. We believe that healing is best obtained in an environment that will encourage it. The endless monitored detoxification, in conjunction with long term treatment programs at 449 Recovery are provided in a caring and structured atmosphere. Our goal is to execute practices that will leave a lifelong impact on the recipients. We aim for no one to leave unchanged, but for everyone to lead a happier and healthier lifestyle. Procrastination is the enemy of success, so please give us a call at (855) 435-7449 to gain more insight about our all inclusive alcohol and drug addiction treatment program today!