Abstract

This chapter discusses the pharmacological properties and clinical epidemiology of psychoactive substances. Drugs alter neurotransmission, affect central nervous system (CNS) functioning, and create behavioral change. Drugs can be classified in many ways. On the basis of pharmacological effects on the CNS, they can be classified into narcotics, CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, and psychotomimetics. Narcotics include opioids such as opium, heroin, codeine, morphine, and methadone; CNS depressants include alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and solvent inhalants; CNS stimulants include amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, and methylphenidate; and psychotomimetics, also known as psychedelics or hallucinogens, include cannabinoids, LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin. Another commonly encountered classification system is the one used by the U.S. government, which classifies drugs according to their abuse potential and medical usefulness. The chapter presents the specific effects of each drug on the user including acute psychological and bodily effects, toxic reactions, and symptoms of chronic use. Measurement of the epidemiology of psychoactive substance use and abuse is primarily conducted with adolescents. There are three sources frequently referred to in order to track trends of substance use and abuse, namely National High School Senior Survey (NSS), National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, and Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).

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