Illicit Drugs

Illicit Drugs:  highly addictive, illegal substances sold by dealers

Withdrawal: unpleasant physical symptoms that occur when stopping use

Reinforcing value: euphoric or positive feelings associated with a drug

Tolerance: repeated use of a drug which causes the effects of the drug to lessen. The user then has to use more or stronger levels of the drug to get the same high

Intoxication: when substance use causes the impairment of normal physical functions

Dependence: how quickly a substance causes addiction 

Types of Illicit Drugs:

Inhalants: vapors, gases, or fumes produced from toxic substances found in many common household products, inhaled for the purpose of getting high. 

Steroids: substances derived from testosterone (or synthesized) that are usually prescribed by doctors to help heal injury. They have psychoactive properties and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase muscle mass.

Cocaine: a powerfully addictive stimulant obtained from the leaves of a coca plant.

Opioids: prescription drugs used to relieve pain. As an illicit drug, they are used with or without a prescription for the purpose of getting high. Common opioids are codeine, oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, hydrocodone, fentanyl, tramadol, and morphine. 

Fentanyl: a powerful synthetic opioid used medically to help manage severe pain, like after surgery or for advanced-stage cancer patients. It is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Illegal use has contributed to about 150 deaths daily.

Hallucinogens: drugs that cause hallucinations like LSD, Ketamine and PCP. 

Ecstasy: a synthetic combination of a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

Xanax:  a type of benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures.

• Drug and Alcohol Addiction Screener 

  The Addiction Test is for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs. The questions focus on lifetime alcohol and drug use.  

• Brief Situational Confidence Questionnaire (BSCQ)

  Assess your child's confidence level in eight different situations that could tempt someone to engage in substance use or compulsive behavior. 

ACTIVITIES

• Mouse Party

  Explore inside the brains of mice on drugs to see the different, unique molecular mechanism of each with your teen.

• Family Day

  Learn the prevention benefits of family dinners by reading this Parent Tool Kit.

LINKS

• Science of Addiction: Brain and Genetics

  Learn about the science of addiction and the role of genes. 

• Why Do Kids Use Drugs

  Get Smart About Drugs-A resource for parents, educators, & caregivers.

• Partnership to End Addiction

  Personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction, while mobilizing policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale.

ORGANIZATIONS

• Tips for Teens from SAMHSA

  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tip sheet for teens deliver the science in fact sheet form.

READINGS & RESEARCH

• Get the Drug Facts

  Get the facts about the most commonly used drugs. Learn what they are and how using drugs can affect your body and your mind.

Illicit Drugs:  highly addictive, illegal substances sold by dealers

Withdrawal: unpleasant physical symptoms that occur when stopping use

Reinforcing value: euphoric or positive feelings associated with a drug

Tolerance: repeated use of a drug which causes the effects of the drug to lessen. The user then has to use more or stronger levels of the drug to get the same high

Intoxication: when substance use causes the impairment of normal physical functions

Dependence: how quickly a substance causes addiction 

Types of Illicit Drugs:

Inhalants: vapors, gases, or fumes produced from toxic substances found in many common household products, inhaled for the purpose of getting high. 

Steroids: substances derived from testosterone (or synthesized) that are usually prescribed by doctors to help heal injury. They have psychoactive properties and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase muscle mass.

Cocaine: a powerfully addictive stimulant obtained from the leaves of a coca plant.

Opioids: prescription drugs used to relieve pain. As an illicit drug, they are used with or without a prescription for the purpose of getting high. Common opioids are codeine, oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, hydrocodone, fentanyl, tramadol, and morphine. 

Fentanyl: a powerful synthetic opioid used medically to help manage severe pain, like after surgery or for advanced-stage cancer patients. It is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Illegal use has contributed to about 150 deaths daily.

Hallucinogens: drugs that cause hallucinations like LSD, Ketamine and PCP. 

Ecstasy: a synthetic combination of a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

Xanax:  a type of benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures.

• Drug and Alcohol Addiction Screener 

  The Addiction Test is for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs. The questions focus on lifetime alcohol and drug use.  

• Brief Situational Confidence Questionnaire (BSCQ)

  Assess your child's confidence level in eight different situations that could tempt someone to engage in substance use or compulsive behavior. 

ACTIVITIES

Mouse Party

• Explore inside the brains of mice on drugs to see the different, unique molecular mechanism of each with your teen.

• Family Day

  Learn the prevention benefits of family dinners by reading this Parent Tool Kit.

LINKS

• The Science of Addiction: Learn the Genetics

  Learn about the genetics of addiction from the Genetic Science Learning Center.

• Addictionary

  Take caution when using words that are heavily stigmatized and learn a language about substance use disorders that's unified.

ORGANIZATIONS

• Tips for Teens from SAMHSA

  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tip sheet for teens deliver the science in fact sheet form.

READINGS & RESEARCH

• Get the Drug Facts

  Get the facts about the most commonly used drugs. Learn what they are and how using drugs can affect your body and your mind.