Addiction Drug Use Print Controlled Drugs in the Controlled Substance Act By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Updated on January 20, 2020 Moussa81 / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand 5 Schedules of Drugs Schedule I Drugs Schedule II Drugs Schedule III Drugs Schedule IV Drugs Schedule V Drugs View All Back To Top Controlled drugs are substances that are controlled under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This act categorizes all substances, which are regulated under federal law into “schedules,” depending on how potentially dangerous they are. 5 Schedules of Drugs The five “schedules” of drugs, detailed below, should not be confused with the five “classes” of drugs, a different way of organizing drugs according to their main properties. The five classes of drugs are narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids. The schedule the drug is placed under depends on its medical use, its potential for abuse, and its safety or how easily people become dependent on it. Careful consideration has gone into this categorization. The control of drugs through law exists to protect people from the harm that these drugs can do. It is based on research from many different sources into the potential harmfulness of the drug, both to individuals and to society. The Many Potential Legal Ramifications for Using Drugs Schedule I Drugs Schedule I drugs or substances have a high potential for abuse. They currently have no federally accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. Examples of Schedule I substances include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and methaqualone. Schedule II Drugs Schedule II drugs or other substance also have a high potential for abuse. They differ from Schedule I drugs in that they do have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse of schedule II drugs may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Examples of Schedule II substances include morphine, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, methadone, and methamphetamine. Schedule III Drugs Schedule III drugs or other substances have less potential for abuse than the drugs or other substances in Schedules I and II. They have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. Examples of Schedule III substances include Anabolic steroids, codeine and hydrocodone with aspirin or Tylenol, and some barbiturates. Schedule IV Drugs The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III. Examples of drugs included in Schedule IV are Darvon, Talwin, Equanil, Valium, and Xanax. Schedule V Drugs The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule IV. The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule IV. Examples of Schedule V drugs include cough medicines with codeine. Is It Actually Illegal to Use Drugs Without a Prescription? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit