What Are Drug Classifications?
Drug classifications are a way to organize drugs into categories. There are many reasons to do this.
Classifying drugs by chemical similarities is useful because drugs that are chemically similar often have similar impacts and risks. An individual who is addicted to a drug is also more likely to abuse and become addicted to another drug if it is chemically similar. Also, the same treatment is often effective for chemically similar drugs. Despite these generalities, chemically similar drugs may have very different legal and medical impacts.
Many people classify drugs by how they impact the mind and body. For example, some drugs have a tendency to make a user active and energetic while others make an individual feel relaxed and calm. Many of these drug classifications have little basis in chemical similarity or legal outcomes, although there is often overlap.
here is a considerable disagreement about how drugs should be classified, even among experts. This means that the same drug may be classified differently under two schemes or two systems may use categories with the same name. Due to these disagreements, it’s impossible to create a “definitive” set of drug classifications. However, some of the most common are listed below.
Drug Classifications Based on Chemical Makeup
Opioids
Also called opiates, opioids are either derived from the drug opium or chemicals designed to mimic it. Opioids work by interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain and blocking the signals that they are sending. This enables opioids to serve as powerful pain killers, but it also can cause feelings of intense pleasure, leading to addiction. Opioid addiction is one of the most serious problems faced by America today. Opioids are some of the most addictive of all known substances, and they are also some of the deadliest. Some of the most well-known opioids include:
Interventions may stand the best chance of being successful when conducted under the guidance of an outside professional. An interventionist’s assistance may mean the difference between life and death. But first, you’ll need to know the signs and symptoms of substance addiction so that you can determine whether an intervention is necessary or not.
- * Heroin
- * Fentanyl
- * Oxycodone
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or Benzos, are a class of drugs that function by interacting with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A). Each Benzo interacts with GABA-A differently, which is why each Benzo impacts the body and mind differently. Benzos are prescribed to treat a wide variety of psychiatric and sleep conditions, but they are very commonly abused. Benzos are highly addictive, and can cause numerous medical and psychiatric problems when not used as intended. Examples of Benzos include:
- * Ativan
- * Valium
- * Xanax
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are a class of drugs that are chemically similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active agent in marijuana. Cannabinoids create feelings of elation, known as a high, but they also negatively impact mental and physical functioning. Cannabinoids are the most widely abused drugs after alcohol, and they are increasingly gaining legal acceptance. Although considered less addictive than other drug classifications, cannabinoids can seriously damage a person’s mental and physical health. Examples of cannabinoids include:
- * Marijuana
- * Hashish
Don’t Let Any Drug Ruin Your Life
Don’t Let Any Drug Ruin Your Life It doesn’t matter whether you or a loved one are addicted to a Schedule V benzodiazepine or a Schedule I opioid. Addiction is a terrible condition, and it holds you back from leading the life you deserve to live. While all drug classifications will require specialized treatment, there is a rehab center out there that can help you. Contact a treatment provider now to find the best treatment option for your situation.