These drugs are used mainly for the treatment of

- these drugs are used mainly for the treatment of psychosis, a severe mental disorder
characterized by disordered thought processes, blunted or inappropriate emotional responses, bizarre
behavior ranging from hypoactivity to hyperactivity, with agitation, aggressiveness, hostility and
combativeness
● Phenothiazines - these drugs are historically important because Thorazine , the first drug to effectively
treat psychotic disorders, belongs to this group
PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE SYMPTOMS MATCHING
● CNS stimulants - hyperactivity, agitation, euphoria, insomnia, anorexia, increased pulse
○ Intoxication: euphoria, grandiosity, fighting, elevated vital signs, nausea and vomiting,
psychomotor agitation
○ Withdrawal: anxiety, depressed mood, insomnia or hypersomnia, craving for the drug, suicidal
ideas (with amphetamines and cocaine)
● Opioids - euphoria, lethargy, drowsiness, lack of motivation
○ Intoxication: euphoria, lethargy, somnolence, apathy, dysphoria, impaired judgement, slurred
speech, constipation, decreased respiratory rate and blood pressure
○ Withdrawal: craving for the drug, nausea/vomiting, muscle aches, lacrimation, rhinorrhea,

piloerection or sweating, diarrhea, yawning, fever, insomnia
● Inhalants - relaxation, loss of inhibitions, lack of concentration, slurred speech, euphoria
○ Intoxication: belligerence, assaultiveness, apathy, impaired judgement, dizziness, nystagmus,
slurred speech, unsteady gait, lethargy, depressed reflexes, tremor, blurred vision, stupor or
coma, euphoria, irritation around eyes, throat, and nose
● Cannabinoids - relaxation, talkativeness, lowered inhibitions, euphoria, mood swings
○ Intoxication: impaired judgement, loss of recent memory, tremors, muscle rigidity, conjunctival
redness, panic, paranoia
○ Withdrawal: the occurrence of a withdrawal syndrome with these substances has not been
established
● Hallucinogens - visual hallucinations, disorientation, confusion, paranoia, euphoria, anxiety, panic,
increased pulse
○ Intoxication: belligerence, impulsiveness, psychomotor agitation, increased heart rate and blood
pressure, ataxia, seizures, panic reaction, delirium
○ Withdrawal: if high doses are used for a prolonged period, symptoms of nervousness, tremor,
insomnia and restlessness may occur upon cessation of use
● CNS depressants - relaxation, loss of inhibitions, lack of concentration, drowsiness, slurred speech
○ Aggressiveness, disinhibition, impaired judgement, incoordination, unsteady gait, slurred
speech, disorientation, confusion
○ Withdrawal: tremors, nausea/vomiting, insomnia, seizures, hallucinations, irritability