Table 2: Central Nervous System Depressants Generic Name Brand Names
Street Names
Common Forms Common Ways Taken
Sleep Medications eszopiclone
Lunesta
• Forget-me pill • Looney Bar • R2 • Roche
• Tic-Tacs • Sleep-easy • Symphony • Zombie flip
• Tablet • Capsule • Liquid
• Swallowed • Snorted
zaleplon
Sonata
zolpidem
Ambien
Note. NIDA, 2020o. Taking CNS depressants for a few days to a few weeks may help to calm nerves or enhance sleep. After a while, however, larger doses may be needed to get the same calm or sleepy feeling. As with opioids, the individual may overdose if the substances are taken in large amounts and mixed with opioids, other substances, or alcohol. Sleep medications are sometimes used as date rape drugs (NIDA, 2020o). (Box 16) Patients addicted to barbiturates or benzodiazepines should not attempt to stop taking the drugs on their own. Withdrawal from these drugs can be dangerous, or in the case of certain CNS depressants, life-threatening. Patients addicted to these medications should undergo medically supervised detoxification because the treatment dose must be gradually tapered off. Inpatient or outpatient counseling can help the individual during this process. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has also successfully been used to help individuals adapt to the removal from benzodiazepine use. Stimulants Stimulants have often been used for weight loss. Other substances such as methylphenidate are used therapeutically for attention deficit disorders and narcolepsy. Stimulants impact the Table 3: Stimulants Generic Name Brand Names Street Names
Box 16: Clinical Signs of Abuse or Overdose
Short-Term
Long-Term • Unknown
• Drowsiness • Slurred speech • Poor concentration
• Confusion • Dizziness • Problems with movement and memory • Decreased alertness • Seizure • Respiratory depression • Decreased heart rate
Note. 2020m; 2020o.
body with a fast jump-start causing a great increase in alertness, energy, and attention to detail (NIDA, 2020m; 2020p). (Table 3 and Box 17)
Common Forms
Common Ways Taken
Amphetamine
• Adderall
• Addys • Bennies • Black beauties • Crosses
• Hearts • Ivy league drug
• Tablet • Capsule
• Swallowed • Snorted • Smoked • Injected
• Speed • Uppers
Methylphenidate
• Concerta • Ritalin
• Diet Coke • Kiddie coke • JIF
• R-pop • Study
• Liquid • Tablet • Chewable tablet • Capsule
• Swallowed • Snorted • Smoked • Injected • Chewed
buddies
• MPH • r-ball
• Skippy • The smart drug • Vitamin R
Note. NIDA, 2020p.
Box 17: Clinical Signs of Abuse or Overdose of Stimulants Short-Term Long-Term • Increased alertness • Energy • Increased body temperature • Increased blood sugar • Tachycardia • Hypertension • Constriction of blood vessels • Irregular heartbeat • Anger • Seizure • Dangerously high body temperature • Cardiovascular system failure • Psychosis • Paranoia
Treatment of an addiction to prescription stimulants is based on behavioral therapies used in treating cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. At this time, no medications are FDA approved for treating stimulant addiction (NIDA, 2020p). Self-Assessment Quiz Question #7 Prescription medications are among the most abused. All of the following categories have been identified as medications at risk for being abused except:
a. Marijuana. b. Stimulants. c. CNS depressants. d. Opioids.
Note. NIDA, 2020m, 2020p.
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