FEDERAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULES

Controlled Substances Act

Under the Controlled Substances Act, drugs and related compounds the government determines to be controlled substances are divided into five different levels or schedules. A complete, updated list of these schedules is published annually in the United States; other countries such as Canada and the U.K. have similar schemes. These substances are organized into the various schedules or groups based on:

Whether the chemicals have currently accepted medical use in treatment in the respective country
Their relative abuse potential
The likelihood of causing dependence when abused

Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970; it was signed into law by President Nixon. The CSA is the federal U.S. drug policy under which the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain substances is regulated. Two federal agencies — the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — determine which drugs are added to or taken off the various schedules.

According to the DEA, the drug schedules are intended as general references only and are not comprehensive listings of all controlled substances.

Although individual US states have for the most part adopted the federal drug schedules, many states have modified the lists, with some states having seven schedules or more (e.g., Tennessee) rather than the standard five federal controlled substance schedules.

Some examples of the drugs in each of the five schedule are listed below.

Schedule I Controlled Substances

Substances in this schedule have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.

Schedule I examples: heroin, LSD, marijuana, peyote, methaqualone (Quaalude®), and ecstasy.

Schedule II Controlled Substances

Substances in this schedule — primarily opioids, or narcotics, and stimulants — have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Examples of Schedule II narcotics: morphine, opium, hydromorphone (Dilaudid®), methadone (Dolophine®), meperidine (Demerol®), oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®), and fentanyl (Duragesic®).

Examples of Schedule II stimulants: amphetamine (Dexedrine®, Adderall®), methamphetamine (Desoxyn®), and methylphenidate (Ritalin®).

Other Schedule II substances: amobarbital, glutethimide, and pentobarbital.

Schedule III Controlled Substances

Substances in this schedule have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

Examples of Schedule III narcotics: combination products containing less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin®), products containing not more than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with Codeine®), and buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Subutex®).

Examples of Schedule III non-narcotics: benzphetamine (Didrex®), phendimetrazine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids such as Depo®-Testosterone.

Schedule IV Controlled Substances

Substances in this schedule, largely benzodiazepines, have a low potential for abuse relative to substances in Schedule III.

Examples of Schedule IV drugs: carisoprodol (Soma®), alprazolam (Xanax®), diazepam (Valium®) clonazepam (Klonopin®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), lorazepam (Ativan®), midazolam (Versed®), and triazolam (Halcion®).

Schedule V Controlled Substances

Substances in this schedule have a low potential for abuse relative to substances listed in Schedule IV and consist primarily of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics.

Examples of Schedule V drugs: cough preparations containing not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams (Robitussin AC®, Phenergan with Codeine®, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin), and ezogabine.

Federal Controlled Substance Schedules

Testimonials

Discovery Place was the answer for my son. He did the 90 day and then the step down program and sober living. We give this organization 10 stars. They met my son where he was …emotionally, mentally, physically. They helped him put his life back on track. Discovery Place employees care about their guests. If your son, brother, nephew, grandson or husband needs excellent supportive care THIS is indeed the facility.

Kim Morton

Alumni Parent
I have remained sober and it is because of DP. DP is the best place there is, hands down. I keep everyone there in my prayers, and I encourage everyone there to take what they are practicing and do it in their lives, after.

Roy Mantelli

Alumni
Over the past year, I’ve been putting into actin what Discovery Place taught me, and I have experienced a complete perspective change of the world, and the people in it. I get to be a man of service and love today, and for that I am grateful to Discovery Place.

Matt Kassay

Alumni
Discovery Place means the world to me. They showed me the tools that I’ve tried to use everyday in my life to think less often of myself, and more frequently of others. I am learning to lend a hand when I am able and to have a honest and humble relationship with God and the people around me. Not only am I clean and sober, but also I am happy and fulfilled.

Tommy Parker

Alumni
Discovery Place and the men who work there made recovery attractive, and more importantly, fun. There is strength in the struggle. I am forever grateful for my time at Discovery Place.

Creed McClellan

Alumni
When I got to Discovery Place my whole life was in shambles, but I didn’t know it. I spent 6 months in their programs, participating in all three phases, and was met with kindness and love all along the way. It is unbelievable to me, where I am now relative to where I was when I arrived at DP.

Lance Duke

Alumni
I can never say enough good things about Discovery Place and the people who work there. Before checking in to DP, I was out of options and out of answers. Fortunately, Discovery Place has a solution. Taking suggestions from the staff at DP saved my life, and as a result, I’m now more content and hopeful about life. I’m grateful for Discovery Place showing me how to live a healthy life so that I can become a better man and help the next guy.”

Tyler Buckingham

Alumni

Federal Controlled Substances Schedules