Methadone Heroin

Question by Nancy E: This one is for all you genius medical professionals? Is there any other reason that “controlled drugs” are
classified as controlled other than the fact that they have the potential to be addictive? Thanks.

God’s Speed and Grace,
Nancy

Best answer:

Answer by omg!twins!1
Drugs are classified as controlled substances based on the ability and extent of abuse, as well as there ability to cause psychological or physiological dependency, and the risk to public health. Which means if it is not used exactly as prescribed could result in death. The classification of drugs is based on their ability to cause abuse, dependency and or risk of harm to the patient.

Answer by seekingthatgem
A drug or chemical substance whose possession and use are regulated under the Controlled Substances Act

Any drug as defined in the five categories of the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970. The categories, or schedules, cover opium and its derivatives, hallucinogens, depressants, and stimulants This is the short version.

Below is the detailed long version: including the five classifications :and the qualifying drugs because of their properties.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was enacted into law by the Congress of the United States as Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970.[1] The CSA is the legal basis by which the manufacture, importation, possession, and distribution of certain drugs are regulated by the federal government of the United States. The Act also served as the national implementing legislation for the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

The legislation created five Schedules (classifications), with varying qualifications for a drug to be included in each. Two federal departments, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services (which includes the Food and Drug Administration) determine which drugs are added or removed from the various schedules, though the statute passed by Congress created the initial listing. Classification decisions are required to be made on the criteria of potential for abuse, accepted medical use in the United States, and potential for addiction

Controlled Substances
Drugs whose general availability is restricted; any one of a number of drugs or other substances which are strictly regulated or outlawed because of their potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs include those classified as narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis.

In illegal trade, controlled substances are known as “drugs” or “dope.” Commonly known controlled substances can be classified as follows:

cannabis- this class includes marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil. Normally smoked, this drug is essentially an intoxicant, and has no mind-affecting (psychoactive) effect or hallucinogenic effect. While it currently has no general medicinal use in this country, it is recognized as a treatment for glaucoma. Cannabis is nonaddictive. Between 1850 and 1937, marijuana was used medicinally as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, from insanity to gout. During Prohibition, recreational use of marijuana became widespread as a response to the lack of alcohol. After Prohibition ended, the Bureau of Narcotics campaigned against marijuana and by 1937, forty-six of the states had outlawed the substance.

depressants- this class includes barbiturates and tranquilizers such as Librium and Valium. These drugs are used to produce sedation, to induce sleep, to combat anxiety, and to treat epilepsy. Excessive doses cause a drunken-like state, and have side effects similar to alcohol, including a hangover.

hallucinogens -this class includes LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline, and peyote. These drugs are often described as psychoactive, that is, affecting the mind. While hallucination is common, other effects of the drug depend upon the conditions surrounding the taker while using the drug. LSD is sometimes used in psychotherapy, but its ultimate effectiveness has not yet been established. These drugs are nonaddictive. Peyote has been used in American Indian rituals since before America was colonized. LSD was discovered in 1938, and has been regulated since the early 1950s. It became very popular during the 1960s counterculture, at which time numerous restrictive laws were passed.

narcotics -can be broken into two groups-opiates, including opium, heroin, morphine and codeine, which are derived from the opium poppy, and nonopiate synthetic narcotics such as Demerol and methadone. Their major medicinal use is as a painkiller and a tranquilizer. Outside of medicine, the recreational use of the drugs produces euphoria, although the exact pleasurable effect has not been identified. All narcotics are physically addicting, with the likelihood of addiction depending upon the drug, the frequency and duration of its usage, and its dosage. Symptoms of withdrawal from the addiction include weakness, depression, nausea, vomiting, irritability, insomnia, and anorexia. During the 19th century, opiates were common as a pain-reliever and as an ingredient in patent medicines. The U.S. First outlawed the sale of opiates except for medicinal purposes through the Harrison Act in 1914 because of trade difficulties with China and Britain.

stimulants -this group includes cocaine, a drug extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant; amphetamines, synthetic drugs first developed during the late 1800s; and other amphetamine-like synthetic drugs. These drugs stimulate the central nervous system and are used medicinally to combat depression and narcolepsy. Excessive doses produce hyperactivity, paranoia, and other psychotic symptoms. Prolonged use and large doses are followed by fatigue and depression. Cocaine can be psychologically addicting, with withdrawal resulting in depression. Cocaine was first outlawed with narcotics in 1914; sale of amphetamines was first regulated in 1954.

I hope this answers your question thoroughly. Controlled substances or drugs are strictly regulated or outlawed because of their potential for abuse and or addiction. and their potential detrimental effects on the health of the general public.

Working in a critical care setting, I’m quite familiar in the use of these drugs. I have to discern the therapeutic effects as well as observe any untoward or adverse reactions; as these drugs are administered under a controlled setting. The pharmacist before me is only familiar with texbook knowledge.

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