This document outlines the six classifications of drugs of abuse: 1. Gateway drugs include legal drugs like tobacco and alcohol that can lead to use of more dangerous drugs. 2. Depressant drugs slow the central nervous system and include alcohol, barbiturates, and tranquilizers. They are sometimes prescribed to treat conditions like anxiety. 3. Stimulant drugs speed up the central nervous system and include amphetamines, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, and methamphetamine. They provide energy but can cause depression and tiredness. 4. Narcotics relieve pain and induce sleep and include opioids like heroin and marijuana. They are sometimes prescribed for pain but are also abused recreationally.

1. THE SIX
CLASSIFICATIONS
OF DRUGS OF
ABUSEPrepared by: Daniel M. Alcazarin
Science Teacher I
Talangan Integrated National High School

2. A drug, is any substance
that, when absorbed into
the body of a living
organism, alters normal
bodily function. Drugs are
chemicals that change the
way a person's body works
by altering emotions and
thoughts.
DRUGS –
WHAT THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY DO ?

3. Drugs
Drugs Abuse
Drugs
Dependence
(Addiction)
Drug abuse is an intense desire to obtain increasing amounts of a particular substance.
Drug dependence is the body's physical need, or addiction, to a specific agent. Over
the long term, this dependence results in physical harm and behavior problems which
causes tolerance and cross tolerance. Thus, it creates a vicious cycle.

6. WHY DO SO MANY TEENAGERS START DOWN THIS
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PATH ?

7. THE SIX
CLASSIFICATIONS
OF DRUGS OF
ABUSE

8. 1. GATEWAY DRUGS
•Are legal drugs that a non-drug
user might try, which can lead
him/her to more dangerous drugs
such as marijuana and shabu.
•Teenagers who engage in early
smoking & drinking have higher
chance of using and
experimenting with dangerous
drugs of abuse.

10. 2. DEPRESSANT DRUGS
• Slows down a persons central nervous
system (brain, spinal cord, nerves).
• Doctors commonly prescribe
depressants to help people who have
anger management issues, stressed or
tensed.
• Depressants relax muscles and nerves.
• These drugs make patients feel sleepy
and light headed.
Examples are: alcohol,
barbiturates & tranquilizers.

11. A barbiturate is a drug that acts
as a central nervous system
depressant, and can therefore
produce a wide spectrum of
effects, from mild sedation to total
anesthesia. They are also effective
as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and
anticonvulsants.

12. 3. STIMULANT DRUGS
•Speed up a persons central
nervous system.
•Has the opposite effect of
depressants.
•Makes a person’s energy high
•Side effects are depression
and tiredness.
Examples are amphetamines
(shabu, caffeine, nicotine,
cocaine)

13. •Amphetamine is a potent
central nervous system
stimulant that is used in the
treatment of Attention Deficit
Disorder (ADD), narcolepsy,
and obesity.

14. •Methamphetamine
(SHABU) is a strong central
nervous system stimulant
that is mainly used as a
recreational drug and less
commonly as a treatment for
attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder and obesity.

15. •Caffeine is a central nervous
system stimulant of the
methylxanthine class. It is the
world's most widely
consumed psychoactive
drug. Unlike many other
psychoactive substances, it
is legal and unregulated in
nearly all parts of the world.

16. •Nicotine is a potent
parasympathomimetic
stimulant and an alkaloid
found in the nightshade
family of plants.

17. •Cocaine, also known as
coke, is a strong stimulant
mostly used as a
recreational drug. It is
commonly snorted, inhaled
as smoke, or as a solution
injected into a vein.

18. 4. NARCOTICS
•Are drugs which relieve pain
and induce sleepiness.
•These are prescribed to
patients with mental disorders
or with patients dealing with
severe pain like cancer.
•These drugs are illicit and
dangerous if taken.
• Examples are cocaine, heroin
and marijuana.

19. •Heroin, also known as
morphine among other
names, is an opioid most
commonly used as a
recreational drug for its
euphoric effects. Medically it
is used in several countries to
relieve pain.

20. •Marijuana refers to the dried
leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds
from the Cannabis
sativa or Cannabis indicaplant.
The plant contains the mind-
altering chemical THC and other
similar compounds. It is also
called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud,
ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast
number of other slang terms.

21. 5. HALLUCINOGENS
•Drugs which distort reality
and facts.
•Affects all senses; makes a
user feel, hear, see things that
don’t exist in the time being.
•Came from the word
hallucinate (to perceive
illusions)
• Examples are: Lysergic Acid
diethylamide, psilocybin (obtained
from mushrooms and mescaline

22. •Lysergic acid diethylamide,
also known as acid, is a
psychedelic drug known for
its psychological effects.

23. •Psilocybin mushrooms, also
known as psychedelic
mushrooms, are a
polyphyletic group of
mushrooms that contain the
psychedelic compounds
psilocybin, psilocin and
baeocystin. Common
colloquial terms include
magic mushrooms and
shrooms.

24. 6. INHALANTS
• Found in ordinary household
chemical products and anesthetics.
• Readily available and accessible to
young children
• Inhalant toxins are similar to those
of alcohol, the only difference is
the foul smell.
• Abuse can lead to delusions, brain
damage, liver damage, comatose
and death.
• Examples are acetone, rugby
(solvent), spray paints, cleaning
fluids and air conditioner fluids
(Freon).

25. • Examples are acetone, rugby
(solvent), spray paints, cleaning
fluids and air conditioner fluids
(Freon).

26. 6 CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS
ARE:
1.Gateway Drugs
2.Depressant Drugs
3.Stimulant Drugs
4.Narcotics
5.Hallucinogens
6.Inhalants

27. GUIDE QUESTIONS 
1. Why is it important to know the
classifications of drugs?
2. Do you think knowing the classification
of drugs will help us someday in our
lives?

28. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
REGION IV – A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF LAGUNA
DISTRICT OF NAGCARLAN-RIZAL
TALANGAN INTEGRATED
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Talangan, Nagcarlan, Laguna
Daniel M. Alcazarin
MAPEH/ Science Teacher I
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