Health Risks of Controlled Substances | Division of Student Affairs | Case Western Reserve University

The following information is from the Drug Enforcement Agency publication Drugs of Abuse.

Narcotics Uses and Effects

Drugs	Dependence potential	Possible effects	Effects of overdose	Withdrawal syndrome
Heroin Morphine Codeine Hydrocodone Hydromorphone Oxycodone Methadone and LAAM Fentanyl and analogs Other Narcotics	Physical dependence is a consequence of chronic opioid use, and withdrawal takes place when drug use is discontinued. Use can create psychological dependence. Long after the physical need for the drug has passed, the addict may continue to think and talk about using drugs and feel overwhelmed coping with daily activities.	Euphoria Drowsiness Slowed breathing or "respiratory depression" Constricted pupils Nausea	Slow and shallow breathing Clammy skin Convulsions Coma Confusion Extreme drowsiness Constructed pupils Possible death	Yawning Loss of appetite Irritability Tremors Panic Cramps Nausea Runny nose Chills and sweating Watery eyes Depression Vomiting Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Depressants Uses and Effects

Drugs	Dependence potential	Possible effects	Effects of overdose	Withdrawal syndrome
Chloral Hydrate Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Glutethimide Other Depressants	Prolonged use of depressants can lead to physical dependence even at doses recommended for medical treatment. Long-term use of depressants produces psychological dependence and tolerance.	Vomiting Slurred speech Disorientation Drunken behavior without odor of alcohol Amnesia	Shallow respiration Clammy Skin Dialated pupils Weak and rapid pulse Coma Possible death	Anxiety Insomnia Tremors Delirium Convulsions Possible death

Stimulants Uses and Effects

Drugs	Dependence potential	Possible effects	Effects of overdose	Withdrawal syndrome
Cocaine Amphetamine/ Methamph-etamine Methylphenidate Other Stimulants	Tolerance, in which more and more drug is needed to produce the usual effects, can develop rapidly, and psychological dependence occurs.	Increase alertness Euphoria Increased pulse rate and blood pressure Excitation Insomnia Loss of appetite Paranoia	Agitation Increased body temperature Hallucinations Convulsions Cardiovascular collapse Possible death	Depression Anxiety Drug craving Extreme fatigue

Cannabis Uses and Effects

Drugs	Dependence potential	Possible effects	Effects of overdose	Withdrawal syndrome
Marijuana Tetahydra-cannibinol Hashish and hashish oil	Long term, regular use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal following discontinuation, as well as psychic addiction or dependence.	Impaired judgment Euphoria Relaxed inhibitions Increased appetite Disorientation Cancer risk	Fatigue Paranoia Possible psychosis	Occasional reports of insomnia Hyperactivity Decreased appetite

Hallucinogens Uses and Effects

Drugs	Dependence potential	Possible effects	Effects of overdose	Withdrawal syndrome
LSD Mescaline and peyote Phencyclidines and analogs Other hallucinogens	Unknown	Illusions and hallucinations Altered perception of time and distance Increased heart rate Dilated pupils	Longer, more intense "trip" episodes Psychosis Respiratory depression Convulsions Coma Possible death	Unknown

Anabolic Steroids Uses and Effects

Drugs	Dependence potential	Possible effects	Effects of overdose	Withdrawal syndrome
Testosterone (Cypionate, Enanthate) Nandrolone (Decanoate, Phenpropionate) Oxymethalone	Unknown	Virilization Acne Testicular atrophy Gynecomastia Aggressive behavior Edema	Unknown	Possible severe depression

Last Updated: December 2016