MORE ABOUT OTHER DRUGS

♥updated 4/24/2020

All drugs have the potential to be misused, whether legally prescribed by a doctor, purchased over-the-counter at the local drug store, or bought illegally on the street.

Taken in combination with other drugs or with alcohol, even drugs normally considered safe can cause death or serious long-term consequences.

CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK FOR ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE, ACCOUNTING FOR OVER ONE MILLION POISONINGS EACH YEAR FROM DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND OTHER CHEMICALS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AND WHO HAVE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS ARE ALSO AT HIGH RISK FOR DRUG OVERDOSE.

BENZODIAZEPINE are FDA approved medications.

These include but are not limited to:

Valium
Xanax
Lorazepam
Klonopin
Librium

These medications, like any sedatives, can be helpful in treating medically diagnosed:

insomnia
anxiety
seizure disorders.

HOWEVER DEPENDENCY IS EASILY DEVELOPED EVEN WHEN TAKEN AS DIRECTED BY A PHYSICIAN.

ATTEMPTING TO STOP TAKING THESE MEDICATIONS ON YOUR OWN MAY PUT A PERSON AT SERIOUS RISK OF SEIZURES OR PSYCHOTIC EPISODES.

Other kinds of sedatives, tranquilizers and hypnotics should

be discontinued only under a doctor’s care.

CAMPOBELLO PROVIDES A SAFE DETOX FOR THESE SUBSTANCES.

However, if medications are needed, there are numerous NON- Benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety disorders. You should talk to your doctor about these.

Rx STIMULATES approved by the FDA include:

Adderall
Dexedrine
DextroStat
Desoxyn

These medications might be useful in treatment for Attention Deficient Disorders (ADHD) and Narcolepsy.

STIMULATES ARE OFTEN HABIT FORMING AND CAN LEAD TO A VARIETY OF HEALTH CONCERNS.

METHAMPHETAMINES Nonprescription illicit stimulates: amphetamine and methamphetamine, known often as “speed”, “meth” and “crank” are dangerous for several reason:

Of unknown origin
Untested ingredients
Often used with unsafe sexual practice
Mood Swings
Possible Psychosis
Possession and use is prohibited by State and Federal laws

Illicit meth abusers are more likely to have been addicted to other drugs before they turned to meth. In many cases, these individuals become tolerant to other drugs and that is why they start abusing a stronger drug like meth.

SYNTHETIC “CLUB DRUGS like MDMA (Molly), Bath Salts, Cannabinoids (K2/Spice) these are a few of the drugs that can cause serious problems:

mental health issues
rapid heart rate
vomiting
dehydration
depression
erratic and violent behavior
suicidal thoughts
CALL 9-1-1 IF ANY OF THESE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT.

MAINTENANCE MEDICATIONS

Sometimes referred to as:

Harm Reduction,

Detoxification,

or Anti-Craving Medications.

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. These are prescribed medication to help reduce the urge to use, or to detox from drugs.

METHADONE The most commonly known drug prescribed for medication assisted treatment (MAT) is methadone.

Other MAT medications include, but are not limited to:

acamprosate
disulfiram
buprenorphinenaltrexone

Methadone is part of a category called opioids. It was created by German doctors during World War II. When it arrived in the United States, it was used to treat people with extreme pain. Today, doctors may use it as part of your treatment for an addiction to heroin or narcotic painkillers.

Methadone works a lot like morphine does. You can take it as a tablet, a powder, or a liquid.

METHODONE MUST BE PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR.

People who take it illegally often inject it,

which exposes them to diseases like Hepatitis and HIV.

Even though Methadone safer than some other narcotics, your doctor should keep a close watch on you while you take methadone. Taking it can lead to addiction or abuse.

WHAT DOES IT DO? Methadone changes the way your brain and nervous system respond to pain so that you feel relief. Its effects are slower than those of other strong painkillers like morphine. It blocks the high you get from drugs like codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone.

Your doctor may prescribe methadone if you’re in a lot of pain from an injury, surgery, or chronic illness.

Methadone can help if you’re in treatment for addiction to other opioids.

It can give a similar feeling and prevent withdrawal symptoms. You may hear this called maintenance or replacement therapy. Methadone replaces the opioids in your system with milder effects.

Taking any form of opiates, along with alcohol and/or sedatives can lead to respiratory arrest, heart failure, coma, and death.

Methadone, like other MAT drugs a used as one part of your treatment plan.

IT ISN’T A CURE FOR ADDICTION.

USES AND SIDE EFFECTS: While there’s no set amount of time you’ll take methadone to treat an addiction, experts say it should be at least a year, and maybe more than that. The doctor will carefully track your body’s response to it and adjust your treatment. When it’s time to stop taking it, he’ll help you stop slowly to prevent withdrawal.

With short-term use, you may notice:

Restlessness
Nausea or vomiting
Slow breathing
Lethargy and Coma
Itchy skin
Heavy sweating
Constipation
Sexual problems

SOME SIDE EFFECTS ARE MORE SERIOUS.

CALL 9-1-1 IF ANY OF THESE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS ARE PRESENT.

Have trouble breathing or can only take shallow breaths
Feel lightheaded or faint
Get hives or a rash
Have swollen lips, tongue, throat, or face
Have chest pain or a rapid heartbeat
Have hallucinations or feel confused
Becoming unconscious

If you use the drug for a long time, it might lead to lung and breathing problems. It can also change a woman’s menstrual cycle. If you get pregnant, talk to your doctor about changing your dose. It can cause complications.

SOME PEOPLE SHOULDN’T TAKE METHADONE. TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE:

Heart disease
A heart rhythm disorder
An electrolyte imbalance
Breathing problems or lung disease
A history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures
Liver or kidney disease
Problems urinating
Gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid problems
A condition for which you take sedatives

Drugs than can affect methadone include:

Other narcotics
Drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing
Drugs that change your serotonin level

You can become dependent on Methadone.

Your brain may begin to rely on the pain relief it brings.

Even though the effects of Methadone are milder than other opioids,

your body can still adapt to it.

This means that you’ll need to take more to feel the same relief from pain or withdrawal symptoms, which can lead to abuse and addiction. Your doctor will call this tolerance.

No two people react the same to methadone. Your doctor calculates the dose that’s right for you. Changing it can lead to dangerous side effects or an overdose.

Diagnosis of any possible drug overdose may be based on the symptoms that develop; however, the drug may do extensive damage to the body before significant symptoms develop.

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE BUT NOT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Slow breathing
Slow heart rate
Severe drowsiness
Weak muscles
Cold, clammy skin
Small pupils
Fainting

OVERDOSE CAN BE DISABLING AND FATAL.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE HONEST WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR USE OF ANY MEDICATIONS YOU MAY BE USING. CALL 911 IF AN OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED.

Even if the patient wakes up or seems better, as emergency medical assistance may still be necessary.

A medical professional should evaluate anyone who has experienced an overdose as soon as possible.

Reliable Resources:

SAMHSA The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.

Find Help and Treatment

The National Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential referrals and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline
800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 800-487-4889

For additional information on finding help and treatment options, visit www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment.

General Questions

For general questions about SAMHSA, including information about mental and substance use disorders:

SAMHSAInfo@samhsa.hhs.gov
877-SAMHSA-7 (726-4727)
TTY: 800-487-4889

SAMHSA Publication Questions

To download or order SAMHSA publications:

SAMHSAInfo@SAMHSA.hhs.gov
877-SAMHSA-7 (726-4727)
TTY: 800-487-4889