A Desk Reference Manual on Drugs and Substances of Abuse for LAP Directors

Introduction

This Desk Reference Manual on Drugs and Substances of Abuse for LAP Directors addresses the need for addiction practitioners to have at-hand a simple and understandable guide to various medications, toxic chemicals and illegal substances that are used and abused by lawyers, judges and law students.

It is the goal of this manual to provide some level of information on illegal drugs, street drugs and other substances as well as prescription and non-prescription medications which are used and abused by addicts.

There are hundreds of prescription and other drugs and substances that warrant concern by LAP directors and peer volunteers who assist lawyers, judges and law students with personal difficulties and addictive illnesses. As new medications and substances appear, new concerns and new challenges evolve, both in terms of keeping up with the latest news and information, and in developing new and effective strategies to help people in trouble.

The signs and symptoms of prescription and other drug addiction are so varied and so different depending on the specific combination of drugs, including alcohol, as well as:

• the age, health and gender of the user
• length of use and amounts used
• the mental health and circumstances of the user

For some drugs and substances, we can provide a fairly reliable list of signs, symptoms and behaviors. In the case of other drugs and substances, it becomes virtually impossible to provide a comprehensive list that will have any validity or provide any definitive guidance.

Detoxification from drugs requires medical supervision, especially if more than one drug or alcohol is involved. It can be very dangerous to attempt withdrawal outside of a detox or treatment facility.

The medications, toxic chemicals and illegal drugs of abuse considered in this manual can be classified into four general categories which can be found in the first four chapters. A fifth chapter looks at steroids.

Chapters:

1. Central Nervous System Depressants
2. Narcotics/Opiates/Opioids
3. Central Nervous System Stimulants
4. Perception Distorting Drugs

5. Steroids