Drug Addiction Treatment Centers & Drug Rehab Programs, CA

These include drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin. These are typically used to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. One may abuse these as “uppers” so they can focus more in school and work. Once these drugs get to the brain, they mimic the actions of ephedrine (aka adrenaline), dopamine, and norepinephrine, but in higher quantities than one could naturally produce

This is a class of drugs that causes hallucinations and changes in thoughts, feelings and consciousness. These include LSD, peyote and PCP. They can cause drastic mood swings, flashbacks (even months later) and can impact motor function. Some of their more intense effects occur in the prefrontal cortex- an area which is involved in cognition, perception and mood

More commonly known as muscle relaxers, these include well-known brand names such as Valium and Xanax. These are used as prescribed for cases of anxiety and convulsions. Some may abuse this medication for its relaxing properties. Benzodiazepines are considered anxiolytics and can also induce hypnotic and amnesic effects. Like alcohol, they act as a central nervous system depressant

An extremely addictive stimulant often known on the street as crank, meth and speed. Meth leads to extreme wakefulness, increased breathing and irregular heartbeat. Ingesting meth releases a surge of dopamine, which causes a very intense feeling of pleasure and prolonged euphoria. Prolonged meth use can destroy dopamine receptors, which can make it almost impossible to feel pleasure

These are prescribed to treat intense pain that would normally negatively impact daily life. When taken as prescribed and stopped when no longer needed, opioids can prevent discomfort. However, some individuals will take more of these drugs than needed to enjoy the pleasurable side effects. Opioids take more lives than other illegal substances. They produce their euphoric effects by attaching to proteins called opioid receptors, found in the spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, brain and other organs. When these drugs attach to their receptors, they reduce feelings of pain

A powerful stimulant made from the coca plant. Cocaine is a popular street drug typically sniffed for its euphoric and energetic properties. If used over the long-term it can damage the brain and heart, among other organs. Overdose can culminate in a coma and death. Cocaine blocks the chemicals norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters from being absorbed, which results in a buildup of chemicals between nerves causing a euphoric feeling of being “high”

Despite its name, this drug has no relation to marijuana. Instead, it is comprised of synthetic chemicals added to dried plant material. It comes in many different forms, so users are often not fully aware of what they are ingesting. Some of the original chemical compounds used to make this drug have been banned, but other companies alter the chemical formula and re-market the product. There have been several reported cases of severe hallucinations, seizures, cardiac issues, acute psychosis, tremors and death

This term refers to an emerging class of drugs containing cathinones, an amphetamine-like stimulant found in the khat plant. Like synthetic marijuana, this drug can be purchased in some retail smoke shops and has been remarketed in different chemical formulas, due to its original formula being banned. It produces effects similar to methamphetamines and has shown to be very dangerous. They can produce feelings of euphoria, increased sex drive, severe paranoia, agitation, audio and visual hallucinations. Many cases have been reported where users display highly violent and psychotic behavior

Also known as tranquilizers, these slow brain activity and are used for treating anxiety and sleeping disorders. They work by acting on the brain’s GABA neurotransmitter, which makes the drug stronger

Prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy, this can also be used as a date rape drug. Euphoria can be a side effect of this drug, hence the possibility of abuse. It acts on the brain by initially slowing down the release of dopamine but eventually causes an overproduction and release of the substance into the blood