Nida Commonly Abused Drugs Chart Page 2

Substances: Category and Name

Examples of Commercial and Street Names

DEA Schedule*/ How Administered**

Acute Effects/Health Risks

Prescription Medications

CNS Depressants

Stimulants

For more information on prescription medications, please visit

Opioid Pain Relievers

* Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacturing, among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use; Schedule II drugs are available

only by prescription (unrefillable) and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available by prescription, may have five refills in 6 months, and may be ordered orally. Some Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.

** Some of the health risks are directly related to the route of drug administration. For example, injection drug use can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococci, HIV, hepatitis, and other organisms.

*** Associated with sexual assaults.

Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment

More than three decades of scientific research show that treatment can help drug-addicted individuals stop drug use, avoid relapse and

successfully recover their lives. Based on this research, 13 fundamental principles that characterize effective drug abuse treatment have

been developed. These principles are detailed in NIDA’s Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. The guide

also describes different types of science-based treatments and provides answers to commonly asked questions.

1. Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and

require medication, medical services, family therapy, parenting instruction, vocational

behavior. Drugs alter the brain’s structure and how it functions, resulting in changes that

rehabilitation and/or social and legal services. For many patients, a continuing care

persist long after drug use has ceased. This may help explain why abusers are at risk for

approach provides the best results, with treatment intensity varying according to a

relapse even after long periods of abstinence.

person’s changing needs.

2. No single treatment is appropriate for everyone. Matching treatment settings,

9. Many drug-addicted individuals also have other mental disorders. Because drug

interventions, and services to an individual’s particular problems and needs is critical to

abuse and addiction—both of which are mental disorders—often co-occur with other

his or her ultimate success.

mental illnesses, patients presenting with one condition should be assessed for the

other(s). And when these problems co-occur, treatment should address both (or all),

3. Treatment needs to be readily available. Because drug-addicted individuals may be

including the use of medications as appropriate.

uncertain about entering treatment, taking advantage of available services the moment

people are ready for treatment is critical. Potential patients can be lost if treatment is not

10. Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment

and by itself does little to change long-term drug abuse. Although medically

immediately available or readily accessible.

assisted detoxification can safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal,

4. Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her

detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicted individuals achieve long-term

drug abuse. To be effective, treatment must address the individual’s drug abuse and any

abstinence. Thus, patients should be encouraged to continue drug treatment following

associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems.

detoxification.

5. Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical. The appropriate

11. Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective. Sanctions or enticements

duration for an individual depends on the type and degree of his or her problems and

from family, employment settings, and/or the criminal justice system can significantly

needs. Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in

increase treatment entry, retention rates, and the ultimate success of drug treatment

treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes occur

interventions.

with longer durations of treatment.

12. Drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously, as lapses during

6. Counseling—individual and/or group—and other behavioral therapies are the most

treatment do occur. Knowing their drug use is being monitored can be a powerful

commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment. Behavioral therapies vary in their

incentive for patients and can help them withstand urges to use drugs. Monitoring also

focus and may involve addressing a patient’s motivations to change, building skills to

provides an early indication of a return to drug use, signaling a possible need to adjust an

resist drug use, replacing drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding activities,

individual’s treatment plan to better meet his or her needs.

improving problemsolving skills, and facilitating better interpersonal relationships.

13. Treatment programs should assess patients for the presence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis

7. Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially

B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, as well as provide targeted

when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies. For example,

risk-reduction counseling to help patients modify or change behaviors that place

methadone and buprenorphine are effective in helping individuals addicted to heroin

them at risk of contracting or spreading infectious diseases. Targeted counseling

or other opioids stabilize their lives and reduce their illicit drug use. Also, for persons

specifically focused on reducing infectious disease risk can help patients further reduce

addicted to nicotine, a nicotine replacement product (nicotine patches or gum) or an oral

or avoid substance-related and other high-risk behaviors. Treatment providers should

medication (buproprion or varenicline), can be an effective component of treatment when

encourage and support HIV screening and inform patients that highly active antiretroviral

part of a comprehensive behavioral treatment program.

therapy (HAART) has proven effective in combating HIV, including among drug-abusing

8. An individual’s treatment and services plan must be assessed continually and

populations.

modified as necessary to ensure it meets his or her changing needs. A patient may

Order NIDA publications from DrugPubs:

require varying combinations of services and treatment components during the course

1-877-643-2644 or 1-240-645-0228 (TTY/TDD)

of treatment and recovery. In addition to counseling or psychotherapy, a patient may

Revised March 2011

This chart may be reprinted. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Reprinted April 2012