Drugs can be categorized based upon their effects on users. There are essentially seven different drug types, each with its own set of characteristics, effects and dangers. Categories include stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, dissociatives, opioids, inhalants and cannabis.
The 7 Types of Drugs
One of the most devastating truths aboutdrug abuseis that it doesn’t just affect the person using it; it also affects their friends and families. Relationships can suffer, and trust may be broken throughout their substance abuse.
It’s difficult to pinpoint when recreational drug use triggers an outright addiction, but the physical and psychological risks of drug use are many. It’s important to understand the underlyingcauses of addiction— fromprescription drug abuseto an attempt to self-medicatemental illness.
Article at a Glance:
There are many types of commonly abused drugs that can produce a variety of effects, each having risks associated with consuming them. These effects range from providing the person with energy to relaxing them and producing feelings of euphoria or happiness. There may be overlapping effects within the seven types of drugs. This overview discusses which specific drug classes create certain effects. The different types of drugs include:
- Stimulantsspeed up the nervous system
- Depressantsslow down the nervous system.
- Opioidscreate a sense of euphoria and are habit-forming.
- Hallucinogens and dissociativesalter a person’s perception of reality.
- Inhalantscreate a euphoric feeling, usually with household items ingested as gases or fumes.
- Cannabishas depressant-like effects and also acts as a hallucinogen.
Stimulants
Stimulantsor “uppers”impact the body’s central nervous system(CNS), causing the user to feel as if they are “speeding up.” These drugs increase the user’s level of alertness, pumping up heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and blood glucose levels.
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Doctors primarilyprescribe stimulantsforADHDand narcolepsy. The drugs can also help aid weight loss, as they can decrease appetite.Stimulant abusecan occur in school or college when students wish to enhance performance in school or sports.
Stimulants often come in pill form but are also consumed via snorting or even as food and drink. For example, caffeine is found in many beverages, and cocaine is a snorted powder.
Different types of stimulants include:
- Adderall
- Ritalin
- Synthetic marijuana
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
- Ecstasy
- Caffeine
Risks of Stimulant Abuse
When abused, stimulants can cause a variety of undesirable consequences. Theseeffectscan include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- High body temperature
- Depression
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Seizures
Opioids
Among the most addictive types of drugs,opioidsare powerful painkillers that produce a sense of euphoria. Derived from the poppy plant,opioids are often prescribedto patients who are suffering from intense pain. They are extremely habit-forming, and it may only take acouple of weeksto become physically addicted to these types of drugs. In some rare instances, studies have demonstrated that it is possible to become addicted after justone dose of an opioid.
Opioids can be smoked, eaten, drank, injected or taken as pills. Examples of opioids include:
Risks of Opioid Abuse
Opioid abusecan devastate a person’s life. Unfortunately, when someone decides to stop using opioids, they may suffer tremendously. For example,opioid withdrawalcan be especially difficult, riddling sufferers withflu-like symptoms. Other withdrawal effectsinclude:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Inability to sleep
- Hot and cold flashes
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
Depressants
Like stimulants,depressantsalso impact the body’s CNS but with the opposite effect, making users feel as if things are “slowing down.” Thus, they are often called “downers” on the street.
Doctorsprescribesome depressants foranxiety,insomnia,obsessive-compulsive disorderand other medical issues that prevent the sufferer from fully relaxing. These drugs often offer a sedative experience, making them a tempting choice for teens and adults who wish to escape everyday stresses.
Examples of depressants include:
- Barbiturates
- Phenobarbital
- Pentobarbital
- Benzodiazepines
- Alcohol
Alcohol as a Depressant
Alcoholacts as a depressant, making it a popular choice for people who need or want to relax. Although drinking is often associated with immediate bursts of energy, the person’s vital functions inevitably slow down. This slowing down can lead to slurred speech, altered judgment and unsteady movement.Overdosing on alcoholcan cause severe toxicity and even death.
Tobacco as a Depressant
Theactive ingredientin tobacco is nicotine, a chemical that acts as both a stimulant and a depressant. Tobacco gives users a minor, immediate rush, followed by a feeling of relaxation. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances available on the market and is dangerous to even try.
Risks of Depressant Abuse
Depressants can be useful when used properly, but depressant abuse can cause ahost of issuesin both the long and short term, including:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Extreme sleepiness
- Slowed heart rate
- Difficulty speaking
- Inability to concentrate
- Lack of coordination
- Labored or shallow breathing
- Death
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogensare a class of drugs that alter a person’s perception of reality. They work by disrupting brain activity, affecting mood, sensory perception and muscle control. They can be made synthetically or found naturally.
Although research is currently being conducted on medicinal uses for these drugs, most of these drugs are not prescribed and are considered recreational. Examples of hallucinogensinclude:
- Psilocybin(mushrooms)
- Peyote (mescaline)
- LSD(acid)
Risks of Hallucinogen Abuse
Hallucinogen abuse can havedevastating effectsthat can last a lifetime:
- Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, also known as flashbacks
- Fear
- Distorted cognition
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Anxiety
- Increased blood pressure
- Nausea
Dissociatives
Dissociativesdistort the user’s perception of reality and cause people to “dissociate” or feel as if they are watching themselves from outside their own bodies. They may gain a false sense of invincibility then engage in risky behavior such as driving under the influence or having unsafe sex.
These drugs work by interfering with the brain’s receptors for the chemical glutamate, which plays a significant role in cognition, emotionality and pain perception. Dissociatives can be taken as liquids, powders, solids or gases. The drugsinclude:
Risks of Dissociative Abuse
Dissociatives are very dangerous, especially when used over extended periods of time. However, their immediateimpactcan be quite distressing as well:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Speech difficulties
- Social withdrawal
- Hallucinations
- Detachment from reality
- Numbness
- Memory loss
Inhalants
Mostly made up of everyday household items, these drugscausebrief feelings of euphoria. As the name suggests,inhalantsare always inhaled as gases or fumes. The “highs” slightly differ between inhalants, but most people who abuse inhalants are willing to huff whatever substance they can get.
Examples of inhalantsinclude:
- Fumes of markers, paint, paint thinner, gasoline and glue
- Nitrous oxide
- Aerosol sprays
- Room deodorizers
Risks of Inhalant Abuse
Inhalant abuse can havedevastating effects, both immediate and in the long run:
- Loss of smell
- Brain damage
- Nosebleeds
- Weakness
- Euphoria
- Increased heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Hallucinations
- Slurred speech
Cannabis
Most commonly recognized asmarijuana, cannabisacts likea hallucinogen but also produces depressant-like effects. It is aSchedule I drug(i.e., it has a high potential for addiction) but has increasing medicinal uses in the United States. Still, marijuana is often abused by those who do not medically require it.
Cannabis can be smoked, vaporized and even eaten if the THC is first rendered from the plant matter. Examples of cannabisinclude:
- Marijuana leaves
- Hashish
- Hash oil
- Cannabis-based medicines, such as Sativex
Risks of Cannabis Abuse
Despite being one of the most widely used types of drugs,cannabis abusecan destroy lives and have both short- and long-termimpacts, including:
- Lowered immunity to illness
- Depression
- Chronic anxiety
- Reduced sperm count in men
- Sedation
- Slowed reaction times
- Enhanced senses, such as seeing brighter colors
- Impaired sense of time
More on Specific Drugs
No matter the type, all drugs have the potential to be dangerous. It is important to talk to yourloved onesabout drugs and how these substances can negatively impact their lives. We offer a number of free resources to help facilitate discussion, including our comprehensiveDrug Index A-Z.
If you or a loved one struggles with drug abuse and addiction, we can help. The Recovery Village offers comprehensive, compassionateaddiction treatment programsled by licensed medical professionals.Contact our helpful representativesto learn more, get your questions answered and start your road to lifelong recovery.
