There are many types and various categories of drugs that are difficult to classify into a single category. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry introduces new compounds every day, which differ from each other in terms of effect and composition. One of the common classifications is as follows:
A: Substances that cause mental and physical dependence:
– Opium and its derivatives such as heroin, morphine, cocaine, etc.
B: Substances that only cause psychological dependence:
– Cocaine
– Amphetamines
– Hashish
– Marijuana
– Catha
– Hallucinogenic drugs
– Volatile liquids (inhalation)
This classification helps us better understand how different substances can affect the human mind and body.
Now let’s discuss the definitions of each type of drug and their methods of usage.
Opium
Opium is a substance obtained from the sap of a plant called “poppy,” which grows in temperate regions and has beautiful dark red flowers. This substance is extracted from the poppy flower by making incisions in its capsule. At the beginning of its release, it is a white sap, but upon exposure to air, its color changes and becomes brown and hard.
Opium usually has a brown color and a paste-like consistency, and its smell is often compared to that of urine or ammonia.
Usage methods: Smoking, swallowing, and mixing with tea or coffee.
Heroin
Heroin is one of the most powerful addictive drugs and has earned names such as “the white devil” and “the round of death.” Heroin is a white crystalline powder that is extracted from morphine through a distillation process.
Heroin melts rapidly in alcohol and is considered one of the most expensive and dangerous types of drugs for the health and well-being of society.
Usage methods: Smoking, inhalation, injection, and heating.
Morphine
Morphine is a light brown or white crystalline powder and is one of the most well-known products derived from opium.
Usage methods: Swallowing, often mixed with tea or coffee, smoking, and injection.
Cocaine
Cocaine is obtained from the coca plant and appears as a white crystalline substance. The coca plant is primarily found in South America but has recently been cultivated in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Jamaica.
Usage methods: Inhalation, smoking, and injection.
Hashish
Hashish is a brown substance obtained from the flower and stem of a plant called “Indian hemp” or “cannabis,” which grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Hashish comes from large bushes that can reach up to two meters in height and bear hazelnut-shaped seeds; the psychoactive substance “hashish” is extracted from its leaves. Hashish is also known by other names such as bang, chars, cannabis, mahjoon, bangab, shara, sharang, qanja, etc.
Usage methods: Smoking and eating or chewing.
Marijuana
Marijuana is a green, tobacco-like powder obtained from a mixture of the flowering and fruiting leaves of the hemp plant.
Usage methods: Smoking and inhalation.
Catha (Qat)
Catha (Qat) is a plant that has small shrubs and grows well in various types of soil and climate. This plant requires minimal attention and cultivation and is resistant to pests and insects.
Usage methods: Chewing and smoking.