INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL AND ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES

Unfortunately there continues to be wide and ever increasing number of drugs and controlled substances that are being abused by citizens across the United States. Abused substances can range from alcohol to highly addictive substances like heroin and cocaine.

Many employers are unaware of many of the types of drugs used by their employees and the effects that these drugs have in the workplace. It is essential that supervisors have this knowledge. At CSAP we work diligently to provide information and resources to employers that will assist in identifying and solving substance abuse problems. The effects of drugs differ from person to person and depend on quantities absorbed into the body. The following is a brief list of substances and their approximate impact on the human body and behavior.

DEPRESSANTS

Alcohol
Found in or also known as: Beer, wine, liquor, distilled spirits, and over the counter medications such as Nyquil
Time substance remains in system: Depending on quantities alcohol can remain in an individuals body for 6-10 hours
Effects: Slows reaction time, reduction of concentration and reduced motor coordination, dizziness, nausea, fetal alcohol syndrome

Barbiturates
Found in or also known as: Ativan, Butisol, Fiorinal, Luminal, Nembutal, Seconal, Yellows, black beauties, Amytal, Phenobarbital, reds
Time substance remains in system: 2-10 days
Effects: Slowed pulse and breathing, fatigue, drowsiness, poor concentration, confusion, anesthetic, sedative, anticonvulsant, slurred speech, lack of coordination, impairment of memory and judgment

Benzodiazepines
Found in or also known as: Antivan, Dalmane, Halcion, Librium, Serax, Tranxene, Valium, Xanax, Versed, Restoril, downers
Time substance remains in system: 3 days-6 weeks
Effects: anxiety, sedative, anticonvulsant, drowsiness, dizziness

Methaqualone
Found in or also known as: ludes, maoa, soapers, quaalude, sopor, parest, mandrex, quad
Time substance remains in system: 2 weeks
Effects: sedative, hypnotic, euphoria/depression, poor reflexes, slurred speech, minor tranquilizer, coma

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STIMULANTS

Amphetamines
Found in or also known as: Benzedrine, Biphetamine, Delcobase, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Obetrol, reds, speed, uppers, white crosses, bennies, ice, black beauties, pep pills
Time substance remains in system: 1-3 days
Effects: Attention deficiency, narcolepsy, weight control, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, anxiety, sleeplessness, paranoia

Cocaine
Found in or also known as: coke, crack, snow, toot, lady, nose candy, speedball, rock, freebase, blow
Time substance remains in system: 2-4 days
Effects: Local anesthetic, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, paranoia, hallucinations, increased body temperature, respiratory failure

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NARCOTICS

Codeine
Found in or also known as: Empirin w/Codeine, Fiorinal w/Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol w/Codeine
Time substance remains in system: 1-3 days
Effects: Analgesic, antitussive, sedation, nausea, drowsiness, depressed respiration

Heroin
Found in or also known as: Diacetylmorphine, horse, smack, white lady, brown sugar, black tar, H, junk
Time substance remains in system: 1-2 days
Effects: slowed and slurred speech, respiratory depression and failure, dry itching skin

Hydromorphone
Found in or also known as: Dilaudid
Time substance remains in system: 1-3 days
Effects: Analgesic

Meperidine
Found in or also known as: Demerol, Petidine
Time substance remains in system: 1-2 days
Effects: Analgesic, dizziness, mood changes, vomiting, sweating, drowsiness

Methadone
Found in or also known as: Amidone, Dolophine, Methadone
Time substance remains in system: 5-10 days
Effects: Analgesic, difficulty sleeping, tremors, muscle spasm, nausea, below normal drop in body temperature, lowered blood pressure, heart palpitations, dizziness

Morphine
Found in or also known as: Duramorph, junk, Roxanol-SR, white stuff, M,
Time substance remains in system: 1-3 days
Effects: Analgesic

Oxycodone
Found in or also known as: Percodan, Percocet, Oxycodone, Oxynorm
Time substance remains in system: 10-24 hours
Effects: Analgesic, upset stomach, dry mouth

Propoxyphene
Found in or also known as: Darvocet-N, Darvon, yellow footballs
Time substance remains in system: 1-4 days
Effects: Analgesic

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HALLUCINOGENS

LSD
Found in or also known as: Acid, Lysergide, Microdot, white lightning, sugar cubes, blotter, yellow sunshines
Time substance remains in system: 8-12 hours
Effects: Elevated body temperature and blood pressure, suppressed appetite, sleeplessness, tremors, chronic recurring hallucinations, altered states of perception and feeling

Marijuana
Found in or also known as: Acapulco gold, grass, hash, hashish, pot, sinsemilla, weed, mary jane, chronic, 420
Time substance remains in system: 2 days-6 weeks
Effects: impaired or reduced comprehension, paranoia, intense anxiety attacks, impairments in judgment, increased heart rate, panic attacks

Phencyclidine (PCP)
Found in or also known as: Angel dust, hog, killer weed, D.O.A, elephant juice, ozone, rocket fuel, peace pill
Time substance remains in system: 1-8 days
Effects: Anesthetic, hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, disorientation, aggressive behavior, impaired motor coordination, fear, panic, possible decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Found in or also known as: Marinol, Dronabinol
Time substance remains in system: 1 day-6 weeks
Effects: Antinauseant, antiemetic

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