Types of Drugs

Our Types of Drugs section is information provided by Castle Craig Hospital

- one of Europe's leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres. This section of
the site has extensive information about drugs. Most psychoactive drugs fall into
the categories of stimulants, depressants, opiates and hallucinogens. All these types
of drugs are addictive, induce dependence and have different effects on the human
brain and body.
Stimulants
Stimulants act on the central nervous system and are associated with feelings of
extreme well-being, increased mental and motor activity. Examples include
cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines (speed) and ecstasy (which is also a
hallucinogen).

Depressants
Depressants are chemicals that slow down the central nervous system and suppress
brain activity causing relief from anxiety. The most common depressants are
alcohol and cannabis. Others include barbiturates and benzodiazepines (e.g.
valium, temazepam).

Opiates
Opiate drugs provide pain relief, euphoria, sedation and in increasing doses induce
coma. Examples include heroin, morphine, opium, methadone, dipipanone and
pethidine.

Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens cause changes in a person's perception of reality. These include
cannabis, LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin (magic mushrooms).