LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall drug abuse assessment and treatment procedures and patient handling techniques.

Drug abuse is the use of drugs for purposes or in quantities for which they were not intended. Drugs of abuse may be swallowed, inhaled, snorted (or by nose drops), injected, or even absorbed through the skin, rectum, or vagina. When abused, therapeutic drugs become a source of "poison" to the body. Drug abuse can lead to serious illness, dependency, and death. Death is usually because of acute intoxication or overdoses.

Drugs of abuse can be classified in many different ways. This chapter will classify drugs of abuse based on the symptoms they produce: CNS depression, CNS stimulation, and hallucinations. The CNS depressants include narcotics, ethanol, barbiturates, non- barbiturate sedative-hypnotics (including benzo- diazepines). The CNS stimulants include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, and cocaine. The hallucinogens include LSD, PCP, and marijuana.

Table 5-6 lists many of the most frequently abused drugs with their recognizable trade names, some commonly used street names, and observable symptoms of abuse.

The following sections contain specific information about commonly abused drugs, as classified in table 5-6, including availability and methods of administration.