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Drug Information

Pain Killers - Narcotic Analgesics-Opiates

Opiates are all drugs derived from the opium poppy. There are also synthetic opiates, opioids. The sensations vary from feeling nauseus to a rush of warmth producing an overall feeling of calm, warm, dreamy, self sufficiency. Troubles are placed at a distance, producing contentment. The sensations of pain are diminished. Despite the body slowing down, the brain can remain clear and active apart from in response to pain.

Physical and psychological dependence can occur after daily use of 2 weeks. A tolerance will build up with repeated regular use. Overdose is more common with these drugs than all others.

In the U.K. some commonly used opiates include:

  • Heroin (Skag, brown, smack, diamorphine)
  • Morphine (MST's)
  • Codeine (Paracodol, veganin, nurofen plus, codeine linctus etc)
  • Dihydrocodeine (Df118s)

Commonly used opioids (synthetic opiates) include:

  • Methadone (Juice, linctus, green)
  • Pethidine
  • Dextromoramide (Palfium)
  • Dipipanone (Diconal)
  • Buprenorphine (Subutex)

Ref: Street Drugs. Andrew Morton

Stimulants

Stimulants generally increase energy levels, confidence levels and the powers of concentration by stimulating the central nervous system. Arousal and a greater responsiveness to the outside world is experienced. The increase in energy is not given by these drugs but taken from the body's natural resources. The desire for sleep and the appetite is greatly reduced until after the effects have worn off and nurturing the body back to normality is necessary.

Amphetamine resembles the body's own chemical transmitter norepinephrine which plays an important role in the fight or flight response to stress and emotion. At high doses and with no nurturing toxic psychosis can occur resulting in paranoia, confusion, hypersensitivity and reality distortions eg speed bugs.

In the U.K we have a number of commonly used stimulants:

  • Dexamphetamine (Dexedrine, dexies)
  • Dex and laevo amphetamine (Amphetamine sulphate, speed, whizz)
  • Base (Amphetamine base)
  • Methamphetamine (Ice, crank)
  • Cocaine hydrochloride (Coke, harlie, snow, Bolivian marching powder)
  • Crack (Cocaine base,Stones, rocks)
  • Ecstasy (E's, pills, mitsi's, doves)
  • Ritalin (methylphenidate
  • Cathinone (Khat)
  • Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate)
  • Nicoteine (cigarettes, tobacco, patches)

Other less common stimulants include:

  • Methylamphetamine (Methedrine)
  • Laevo amphetamine (Benzedrine)

Ref: Street Drugs. Andrew Morton

Hallucinogens

The hallucinogens are a group of substances of great chemical and structural variance, some from laboratories, others from the earth, which have a common ability to shake up the users internal world.
Typically a trip will include visual and auditory distortions, leaps of the imagination, introspection, mood changes and moments of intense excitement or fear. A hallucinogen may also be quite mild and create more subtle changes in a users feelings or perception. They can be extremely responsive to the flickering of the human emotions.

Some hallucinogens have strong stimulant effects (ecstasy) while at the other end of the spectrum a purer experience of the head rather than the body is found (LSD, peyote)

In the UK we have a number of commonly used hallucinogenics:

Other less common hallucinogens include:

  • Henbane
  • Belladonna
  • Mandrake
  • Nutmeg

Do hallucinogens expand the mind or distort reality?

Ref: Street Drugs. Andrew Morton

Depressants

Depressants have an ability to unshackle normal behaviour restraints and depress the central nervous system. They provoke no deep contemplation or dreaming experiences but may produce feelings of tranquillity and relaxation at low doses. Anxieties are often smothered. Moving into a state of sleep is often easier with depressants. Intellectual sharpness will blur and co-ordination will decrease. They can also however release inhibitions so that people become talkative, are not so worried or self conscious and feel more confident and care free.

Physical and psychological dependence could occur after daily use of more than 2 weeks.

In the U.K. we have a number of depressants being used:

  • Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol, booze, drink)
  • Methyl and ethyl combined (methylated spirits)
  • Methyl alcohol (paint stripper, anti freeze)
  • Barbiturates (seconal, tuinal)
  • Minor tranquillisers (valium, temazepam)
  • Major tranquillisers (chlorpromazine largactil)

Ref: Street Drugs. Andrew Morton

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