Substance abuse: medical and slang terminology.

Abstract: Substance abuse is among one of the major problems plaguing our society. It has come to the attention of several healthcare professionals that a communication gap exists between themselves and substance abusers. Most of the time the substance abusers are only familiar with the slang terms of abused substances, a terminology that medical professionals are usually unaware of. This paper is an attempt to close that communication gap, allowing health care professionals to understand the slang terminology that their patients use, thus enabling them to make appropriate treatment decisions. In addition, the article presents some key features (including active ingredient, pharmacological classification, medical use, abuse form, usage method, combinations used, effects sought, long-term possible effects, and detectability in urine) of the most commonly abused substances.

Key Words: addiction, drugs, medical terminology, slang, substance abuse

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Substance abuse is one of the major problems currently plaguing our society. A recent survey found the lifetime prevalence of a diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence to be 16.7% among the United States population over 18 years of age. (1) The widespread excessive use of these habit-forming substances is associated with a significant degree of morbidity and mortality. (1-4) Frequently, a communication gap exists between substance abusers and health care providers. Generally, the substance abusers are only familiar with the slang terms of abused substances, a terminology that the medical professionals are usually unaware of. The following is an attempt to close that communication gap, allowing health care professionals to understand the slang terminology that their patients use, thus enabling them to make appropriate treatment decisions. The article first presents some of the key features of most commonly abused substances, using medical terminology. At the end is an index of reference for slang terms, providing the corresponding medical terminology. (1-11)

Alcohol

Slang terms

Booze, beverage, juice, sauce, brew, vino

Active ingredient

Ethanol, ethyl alcohol

Source

Natural (from fruits, grains, vegetables)

Pharmacological classification

CNS depressant

Medical use

Solvent, antiseptic, sedative, historically used to delay premature labor

Abuse form

Clear absolute alcohol liquid diluted and/or blended as wine, beer, liquor (distilled spirits) or liqueur. Small amounts used in products such as mouthwash and cough medicine. Non-beverage isopropyl alcohol and methyl alcohol are "alley juice" drinks for street alcoholics and teenagers.

Usage Method

Taken orally, applied topically, experimentally provided by inhalation

Effects Sought

Intoxication, sensory alteration, anxiety reduction

Adverse Effects

Toxic psychosis, neurologic and liver damage, fetal alcohol syndrome

Detectable In Urine

Yes (also detectable in exhaled gas and levels can be measured in plasma)

Amphetamines

Slang terms

Bennies, billy, black beauties, copilots, crank, crystal, desoxyn, dexedrine, dexies, eye openers, lid poppers, meth, pep pills, Rx diet pills, speed, ups, uppers, wake-ups, whizz

Active ingredient

Amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

CNS stimulant

Medical use

Control of appetite, narcolepsy, depression, some childhood behavior disorders (particularly attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder)

Abuse form

Tablets, capsules, liquid, powder (white)

Usage method

Taken orally, sniffed, or injected

Combinations

Barbiturates with methamphetamine; or cocaine and heroin ("speedball") with LSD and PCP

Effects sought

Increases alertness and energy

Adverse Effects

Loss of appetite, delusions, hallucinations, toxic psychosis

Detectable in urine

Yes

Barbiturates

Slang terms

Amytal (amobarbial), barbs, bluebirds, blues, butisol (butabarbital), downers, goofballs, luminal (phenobarbital), 'ludes, 714s (methaqualone), seconal (secobarbital), nembutal (pentobarbital), tooties, yellow jackets

Active ingredient

Phenobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, amobarbital

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Sedative hypnotic

Medical use

Sedation, epilepsy

Abuse form

Tablets, capsules, liquid solution

Usage method

Taken orally, injected, or inserted as rectal suppository

Combinations

Amobarbital or secobarbital with butalbital, and caffeine [right arrow] "tuinal"; with weak street heroin and methamphetamine [right arrow] "fiorinal".

Effects sought

Anxiety reduction, euphoria.

Adverse effects

Severe withdrawal symptoms, possible convulsions, toxic psychosis

Detectable in urine

Yes

Butyl Nitrite

Slang terms

Liquid incense, room deodorizer, rush, locker room, Poppers

Active ingredient

Butyl nitrite

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Vasodilator

Medical use

None (amyl nitrite used in angina pectoris)

Abuse form

Liquid

Usage method

Inhaled

Effects sought

Exhilaration

Adverse effects

Damage to heart and blood vessels; may aggravate heart problems

Detectable in urine

Methemaglobin in blood

Cannabis, see Marijuana Cocaine

Slang terms

Blow, "C", charlie, coke, devil's dandruff, pearl flake, peruvian marching powder, rock, snow, stardust, toot

Active ingredient

Cocaine hydrochloride

Source

Natural (from coca leaves)

Pharmacological classification

Local or topical anesthesia

Medical use

Local or topical anesthesia, nose bleeds

Abuse Form

Powder (white) or liquid

Usage Method

Snorted; taken orally; injected; applied to mucous membranes of mouth, vagina, rectum (powder)

Combination

With heroin, "dynamite," "speed ball," or "whiz-bang"; with morphine, also "whiz-bang"; dissolved in liquid

Effects Sought

Stimulation, excitation, euphoria

Adverse Effects

Loss of appetite, depression, paranoia, psychosis, convulsions, nasal passage injury, heart attack, stroke, seizure

Detectable in urine

Yes

Cocaine Free Base

Slang terms

Base, crack, free-base, french fries (three-inch sticks), readyrock, rock

Active ingredient

Cocaine base

Source

Natural (prepared from cocaine hydrochloride)

Pharmacological Classification

Local or topical anesthesia

Medical use

Topical anesthetic ointments

Abuse form

White crystal, slivers resembling soap shavings

Usage method

Smoked (inhaled vapors)

Combinations

With heroin, "dynamite" "speedball" or "whiz-bang"; with morphine, also "whiz-bang

Effects sought

Intensified cocaine effects

Adverse effects

Weight loss, depression, hypertension, hallucinations, psychosis, chronic cough, heart attack, stroke, seizure

Detectable in urine

Yes

Codeine

Slang terms

Schoolboy

Active ingredient

Methylmorphine

Source

Natural (from opium), semisynthetic (from morphine)

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic analgesic

Medical use

Ease pain and coughing

Abuse form

Tablets or liquid (in cough syrup)

Usage method

Taken orally or injected

Effects sought

Euphoria

Adverse effects

Addiction, constipation, loss of appetite

Detectable in urine

Yes

Caffeine

Slang terms

Cafe, cafergot, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, cola drinks, cold/cough medications, espresso, guarana, guaranine, natural stimulant, tea, pep pill, yerba mate

Active ingredient

Caffeine

Source

Natural

Pharmacological classification

CNS stimulant

Medical use

Mild stimulant

Abuse form

White, crystalline powder solution; seeds of coffea arabica (coffee); leaves of thea sinensis (tea); seeds of theobroma cacao (cocoa, chocolate); leaves of Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate); kola nuts of cola acuminata (cola drinks)

Usage method

Taken orally

Combinations

With asprin and/or codeine (cold and cough medications); with ergotamine (cafergot); with theophylline or dextrose (stimulants)

Effects sought

Alertness; headache treatment; pain relievers; cold/allergy treatment; muscle relaxant; diuretic

Adverse effects

Irritability, insomnia, tremors, hyperalertness, and may aggravate heart problems

Detectable in urine

Yes

Ecstasy, see MDMA

Flunitrazepam

Slang terms rohypnol, sexual assault drug, roach, roche (ro-shay), roofies, run-trip-and-fall, R-2, Mexican valium, ropynol, rib, rope

Active ingredient

Benzodiazepine

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Strong sedative (ten times the potency of diazepam)

Medical use

Presurgical anesthetic; insomnia

Abuse form

White tablets

Usage method

Taken orally, snorted

Effects sought

Intoxication, sleepiness, deep sedation

Adverse effects

Respiratory distress, blackouts, amnesia, death with overdose

Detectable in urine

Yes

[gamma]-Hydroxybutyrate

Slang terms

GHB, sexual assault drug, date rape drug, grievous bodily harm, easy lay, gook, gamma 10, liquid X, liquid E, liquid G, Georgia home boy, soap, scoop, salty water, somatomax, GG-riffick, cherry meth, fantasy, organic quaalude, nature's quaalude, zonked

Active ingredient

[gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

CNS depressant

Medical use

Once sold in health food stores as performance enhancing additive to body builder formulae, now banned by FDA; analgesic effects plus amnesia

Abuse form

Capsules; grainy, white to sandy-colored powder

Usage method

Taken orally or dissolved in liquids like water and alcoholic beverages

Effects sought

Intoxication, deep sedation

Adverse effects

Chemical burns to esophagus, mouth and throat; amnesia; seizures, respiratory depression; coma and possible death with overdose

Detectable in urine

Yes

Heroin

Slang terms

Black tar, china white, dust, "H", horse, J junk, Mexican mud, scag, smack

Active ingredient

Diacetyl morphine

Source

Semisynthetic (from morphine)

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic analgesic

Medical use

None legally

Abuse form

Powder (white, gray, brown)

Usage method

Injected (bloodstream, under skin, or into muscle), snorted, smoked ("chasing the dragon"), or taken orally (powder wrapped in bread)

Combinations

With amphetamine, "bombita"; with cocaine, "dynamite," "speedball," or "whizbang"; with marijuana, "atombomb" or "A-bomb"

Effects sought

Euphoria

Adverse effects

Addiction, constipation, loss of appetite

Detectable in urine

Yes

Inhalants

Slang terms

Solvents, aerosols, nitrites (poppers), nitrous oxide, glue, transmission fluid, typewriter correction fluid, sniff

Active ingredient

Organic solvents

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Sedative/hypnotic, anesthetic

Medical use

Few used for anesthetic purposes

Abuse form

Various (primarily hydrocarbon solvents as liquid or gas)

Usage method

Inhaled as gas or vapor; sniffed; taken po; injected into bloodstream

Combinations

Anti-freeze, gasoline, de-greaser; windshield washers, foam dispensers, acetone; cleaning-fluid, spot remover, nail polish remover, shoe polish; gasoline, household cements, lacquer thinners, lighter fluid, model cements; airplane glue, plastic cements, rubber tire patching cement; paint and varnish removers, paint brush cleaners, household waxes; type-writer correcting fluids and thinners, general household cleaners; floor wax removers, suede cleaners, liquid incense, room deodorizer

Effects sought

Intoxication

Adverse effects

Impaired perception, coordination, judgment; toxicity from solvent impurities; dementia

Detectable in urine

Specialized testing required

Ketamine

Slang terms

Special K, K, vitamin K, cat valiums, ket

Active ingredient

Methadone

Source

Semisynthetic

Pharmacological classification

Analgesic

Medical use

Anesthetic purpose (90% sold for veterinary use)

Abuse form

Powder or liquid

Usage method

Snorted, smoked, or injected intramuscularly

Combinations

Often snorted or smoked with marijuana or tobacco products; with alcohol

Effects sought

Euphoria (causes dream-like states and hallucinations); has been used in rape

Adverse effects

Delirium, amnesia, impaired memory, impaired motor function, hypertension, depression, respiratory failure, and heart failure

Detectable in urine

Yes

LSD

Slang terms

Acid, LSD-25, blotter acid, blotters, dots, windowpane, named after pictures on paper, mesc, microdots, trips, tabs

Active ingredient

D-lysergic acid diethylamide

Source

Semisynthetic (from ergot alkaloids)

Pharmacological classification

Hallucinogen

Medical use

Experimental research only

Abuse form

Tablets, capsules, liquid, or paper squares

Usage method

Taken orally

Effects sought

Insight, distortion of senses, exhilaration, mystical/religious experience

Adverse effects

May intensify existing psychosis; panic reactions, flashback psychotic experiences described

Detectable in urine

Yes

Marijuana (Cannabis)

Slang terms

Acapulco gold, ace, bhang, cannabis stiva, Colombian, concentrated resin--hash, dope, ganja, grass, weed, hashish, hashish oil, hemp, home-grown, honey oil, Indian, indica, Jamaican, jive, joint, mary jane, maui-wowie, Mexican, Panama red, Panama gold, pot, ragweed, reefer, roach, sativa, sinse, sinsemilla, tea, thaisticks, weed oil

Active ingredient

Tetrhydrocannabinolis (THC)

Source

Natural (from cannabis sativa)

Pharmacological classification

CNS depressant, hallucinogen

Medical use

Anti-emetic in cancer, chemotherapy, glaucoma, epilepsy, muscle spasm due to multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury

Abuse form

Plant particles (dark green or brown dry leaf), resin oil, leaf oil

Usage method

Smoked (a joint, bong, or pipe); may be cooked in foods and eaten

Combinations

With PCP, "supergrass" or "killer weed"; with opium, "O J"; with heroin, "atomb bomb" or "A-bomb"

Effects sought

Euphoria, relaxation, increased perception

Adverse effects

Bronchitis, conjunctivitis, possible birth defects, reduces drive and motivation

Detectable in urine

Yes

MDMA (MDA, MDE, MMDA)

Slang terms

Love drug, ecstasy, XTC, adam, "E," doves, disco biscuits, echoes, hug drug, eccies, burgers, fantasy

Active ingredient

Various methoxylated amphetamines

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Amphetamine-based hallucinogen

Medical use

Briefly used to augment psychotherapy

Abuse form

Tablets or capsules

Usage method

Taken orally

Effects sought

Same as LSD

Adverse effects

Neurotoxic, particularly to serotoninergic neurons

Detectable in urine

Yes

Meperidine

Slang terms

None

Active ingredient

Meperidine hydrochloride

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic Analgesic

Medical use

Pain relief, prevent withdrawal discomfort

Abuse form

Tablets or liquid

Usage method

Taken orally or injected

Effects sought

Euphoria

Adverse effects

Addiction, constipation, loss of appetite

Detectable in urine

Yes

Mescaline (Peyote Cactus)

Slang terms

Mesc, peyote, peyote buttons

Active ingredient

Mescaline

Source

Natural (from peyote cactus)

Pharmacological classification

Hallucinogen

Medical use

Used in traditional healing practices

Abuse form

Tablets, capsules, raw drug (buttons)

Usage method

Taken orally

Effects sought

Same as LSD

Adverse effects

Milder than LSD

Detectable in urine

No

Methadone

Slang terms

Dolly

Active ingredient

Methadone hydrochloride

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic analgesic

Medical use

Pain relief, treatment of narcotic addiction

Abuse form

Tablets or liquid

Usage method

Taken orally or injected

Effects sought

Euphoria

Adverse effects

Addiction, constipation, loss of appetite

Detectable in urine

Yes

Methaqualone

Slang terms

Ludes, 714's, spoor

Active ingredient

Methaqualone

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Sedative hypnotic

Medical use

Sedation

Abuse form

Tablets

Usage method

Taken orally or snorted

Effects sought

Euphoria, aphrodisiac

Adverse effects

Coma, convulsions

Detectable in urine

Yes

Morphine

Slang terms

White stuff, M, morf

Active ingredient

Morphine sulfate

Source

Natural (from opium)

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic analgesic

Medical use

Pain relief

Abuse form

Powder (white), tablets, or liquid

Usage method

Taken Orally or injected

Effects sought

Euphoria

Adverse effects

Addiction, constipation, loss of appetite

Detectable in urine

Yes

Nitrous Oxide

Slang terms

Laughing gas, gas, whippitts, nitrous, blue bottle

Active ingredient

Nitrous oxide

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Inhalation anesthetic

Medical use

Anesthesia

Abuse form

Gas in pressurized containers

Usage method

Inhaled

Effects sought

Euphoria, relaxation

Adverse effects

Kidney or liver damage, peripheral neuropathy, spontaneous abortion

Oxycodone

Slang terms

None known at the time

Active ingredient

14-hydroxydihydro-codeinone

Source

Semisynthetic (morphine-like)

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic analgesic

Medical use

Pain relief

Abuse form

Tablets or liquid

Usage method

Taken orally or injected

Effects sought

Euphoria

Adverse effects

Addiction, constipation, loss of appetite

Detectable in urine

Yes

Peyote Cactus, see Mescaline

Phencyclidine (PCP)

Slang terms

Angel dust, crystal, hog, horse tranquilizer, peace pill, tea, tic, THC, zoot

Active ingredient

Phencyclidine

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Dissociative anesthetic

Medical use

Once used as a veterinary anesthetic

Abuse form

Tablets, powder in smoking mixtures

Usage method

Smoked, snorted, taken orally, injected

Combinations

With LSD; with marijuana, tobacco, or parsley [right arrow] "supergrass" or "killer weed"

Effects sought

Distortion of senses

Adverse effects

Psychotic behavior, violent acts, psychosis

Detectable in urine

Yes

Psilocybin

Slang terms

Magic mushrooms, shrooms

Active ingredient

Psilocybin

Source

Natural (from psilocybe fungus--a type of mushroom)

Pharmacological classification

Hallucinogen

Medical use

None

Abuse form

Mushrooms, rarely as tablets or capsules

Usage method

Taken orally

Effects sought

Same as LSD

Advserse effects

Milder than LSD

Detectable in urine

No

Rohypnol, see Flunitrazepam

Synthetic Narcotics (Analogs)

Slang terms

China white, synthetic heroin, MPTP, MPPP, PEPAP

Active ingredient

Analogs of synthetic narcotics (fentanyl meperidine phencyclidine)

Source

Synthetic

Pharmacological classification

Narcotic analgesic

Medical use

None

Abuse form

Powders

Usage method

Injected or snorted

Effects sought

Euphoria

Long-Term Effects

Addiction, MPTP induced Parkinsonism

Detectable in urine

Yes

Tobacco

Slang terms

Cigs, smokes, butts, cancer sticks

Active ingredient

Nicotine

Source

Natural (from Nicotinia Tabacum)

Pharmacological classification

CNS toxin

Medical use

Emetic

Abuse form

Snuff, pipe cut particles, cigars, cigarettes

Usage method

Smoked, snorted, chewed

Effects sought

Relaxation

Advserse Effects

Loss of appetite; addictive lung cancer; retarded fetal growth

Detectable in urine

Yes

Well done is better than well said.
--Benjamin Franklin

Appendix: Listing by Slang Terms

A-bomb: combination of marijuana with heroin

Atom Bomb: see A-bomb

Acapulco Gold: marijuana

Acid: LSD

Adam: MDA, MDE, MDMA, MMDA

Alley juice: nonbeverage isopropyl and methyl alcohol

Amytal: amobarbital

Angel Dust: PCP

Base: cocaine free base

Barbs: barbiturates

Bennies: amphetamines/speed

Beverage: alcohol

Bhang: marijuana

Billy: speed

Black Beauties: amphetamine/speed

Black Tar: heroin

Blotter Acid: LSD

Blotters: LSD

Blow: cocaine

Bluebirds: barbiturates

Blues: barbiturates

Blue-Bottle: nitrous oxide

Bombitas: combination of heroin with amphetamines

Booze: alcohol

Brew: alcohol

Burgers: ecstasy

Butisol: butabarbital

Butts: tobacco

"C": cocaine

Cafe: caffeine

Cafergot: combination of caffeine with ergotamine

Cancer Sticks: tobacco

Cannabis Sativa: marijuana

Cat Valium: ketamine

Charlie: cocaine

Chasing the dragon: smoking (vapor)

Cherry Meth: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

China White: heroin (or analogs of synthetic narcotics)

Chocolate: contains caffeine

Cigs: tobacco

Cocoa: contains caffeine

Coffee: seeds of Coffea arabica with caffeine as active ingredient

Coke: cocaine

Colombian: marijuana

Concentrated Resin: marijuana (concentrated resin form)

Copilots: amphetamines/speed

Cough medicine: contains alcohol

Crack: cocaine free base

Crank: amphetamines

Crystal: PCP or amphetamines/speed

Desoxyn: amphetamines/speed

Dexedrine: amphetamines/speed

Dexies: amphetamines/speed

Devil's Dandruff: cocaine

Diet pills (Rx): amphetamines

Disco Biscuits: ecstasy

Dolly: methadone

Dope: marijuana

Dots: LSD

Doves: ecstasy

Downers: barbiturates

Dust: heroin

Dynamite: combination of cocaine with heroin

Easy Lay: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Eccies: ecstasy

Echoes: ecstasy

Ecstasy: MDA, MDE, MDMA, MMDA

Espresso: caffeine

Eye openers: amphetamines/speed

Fantasy: ecstasy or [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Fiorinal: combination of amobarbital and secobarbital with weak heroin and methamphetamine

Flake: cocaine

Free-base: cocaine free base

French fries: crack cocaine (free base cocaine)

[gamma]-10: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Ganja: marijuana

Gas: Nitrous Oxide

Georgia Home Boy: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Get Roached: to be under the influence of flunitrazepam

GHB: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Glue: inhalant

Goofball: barbiturates

Gook: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Grass: marijuana

Grievous Bodily Harm: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

G-riffick: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Guarana: caffeine

Guaranine: caffeine

"H": heroin

Hash: marijuana (concentrated resin form)

Hashish: marijuana

Hashish Oil: marijuana

Hemp: marijuana

Home-Grown: marijuana

Honey Oil: marijuana

Horse: heroin

Hug Drug: ecstasy

Indian: marijuana

Indica: marijuana

Jamaican: marijuana

Jive: marijuana

Joint: marijuana

Juice: alcohol

Junk: heroin

K: ketamine

Ket: ketamine

Killer Weed: combination of marijuana with PCP

LSD-25: LSD

Laughing Gas: nitrous oxide

Lid poppers: amphetamines/speed

Liquid-E: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Liquid-G: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Liquid Incense: butyl nitrite

Liquid-X: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Locker Room: butyl nitrite

Look-alike Amphetamine: combination of caffeine with PPA and ephedrine

Love Drug: MDA, MDE, MDMA, MMDA

Ludes: methaqualone

Luminal: phenobarbital

"M": morphine

Magic Mushrooms: psilocybin

Mainlining: solution injected into bloodstream

Marching Powder: cocaine

Mary Jane: marijuana

Maui-Wowie: marijuana

Meth: amphetamines/speed

Mexican: marijuana

Mexican Mud: heroin

Mexican Valium: flunitrazepam

Microdots: LSD

Morf: morphine

Mouthwash: contains alcohol

MPPP: analogs of synthetic narcotics

MPTP: analogs of synthetic narcotics

Natural Stimulant: caffeine

Nature's Quaalude: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Nembutal: pentobarbital

Nitrous: nitrous oxide

O J: combination of marijuana with opium

Organic Quaalude: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Panama Gold: marijuana

Panama Red: marijuana

PCP: phencyclidine

Peace Pill: PCP

Pearl-Flake: cocaine

PEPAP: analogs of synthetic narcotics

Pep-Pill: caffeine OR amphetamines/speed

Peruvian Marching Powder: cocaine

Peyote: mescaline

Peyote Buttons: mescaline (peyote cactus)

Poppers: butyl nitrite

Pot: marijuana

R-2: flunitrazepam

Ragweed: marijuana

Readyrock: crack cocaine (free base cocaine)

Reefer: marijuana

Rib: flunitrazepam

Roach: marijuana

Roach: flunitrazepam

Roche: flunitrazepam

Rock: cocaine free base

Rohypnol: flunitrazepam

Roofies: flunitrazepam

Room Deodorizer: butyl nitrite

Rope: flunitrazepam

Ro-Shay: flunitrazepam

Run-Trip-and-Fall: flunitrazepam

Rush: butyl nitrite

Salty Water: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Sauce: alcohol

Scag: heroin

Schoolboy: codeine

Scoop: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Seconal: secobarbital

Sexual Assault drug: flunitrazepam or [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Shrooms: psilocybin

Sinse: marijuana

Sinsemilla: marijuana

Skin-popping: injected under skin

Smack: heroin

Smokes: tobacco

Snorting: sniffing (powder)

Snow: cocaine

Soap: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Solvent: inhalant

Somatomax: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

Sopor: methaqualone

Special K: ketamine

Speed: amphetamines

Speedball: combination of cocaine with heroin

Stardust: cocaine

Sticks: marijuana

Stiva: marijuana

Supergrass: combination of marijuana with PCP

Synthetic Heroin: analogs of synthetic narcotics

Tabs: LSD

Tea: leaves of Thea sinesis (term sometimes used for marijuana or PCP)

Thai-sticks: see "Sticks"

THC: PCP

Three-inch Sticks: crack cocaine (free base cocaine)

Toot: Cocaine

Tooties: barbiturates

Transmission Fluid: inhalant

Trips: LSD

Tuinal: amobarbital and secobarbital with butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine

Typewriter Correction Fluid: inhalant

Ups: amphetamines (or nonprescription stimulants)

Uppers: amphetamines (or nonprescription stimulants)

Vino: alcohol

Vitamin K: ketamine

Wake-ups: amphetamines/speed

Weed: marijuana

Weed Oil: marijuana

Whippitts: nitrous oxide

White Stuff: morphine

Whiz-bang: combination of cocaine with heroin OR cocaine with morphine

Whizz: speed

Windowpane: LSD

XTC: MDMA, Ecstasy

Yellow-Jackets: barbiturates

Yerba mate: caffeine from leaves of ilex paraguariensis

Zonked: [gamma]-hydroxybutyrate

714's: methaqualone

Accepted June 22, 2004.

References

1. Kaplan HI, Sadock, GJ, and Grebb JA. Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis Of Psychiatry--Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, 1994, ed 7.

2. National Institute of Drug Abuse. Community Drug Alert Bulletin. http://www.nida.nih.gov/ClubAlert/Clubdrugalert.html.AQ

3. The Times of India. Use of designer drugs on the rise. http://www.timesofindia.com/170100/'7mbom17.htm.

4. The Dangers of Designer Drugs. http://www.pediatrx.com/designerdrugs/index.html.

5. Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. http://www.tcada.state.tx.us.

6. Drug Free Resource Net, Partnership for a Drug Free America. http://www.drugfreeamerica.org.

7. Drugs of Abuse. Washington, DC: Drug Enforcement Administration, 1996. http://www.usdoj.gov/pubs/abuse/contents.htm.

8. Addictive substances used for non-medical purposes. Jefferson Country Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center. Louisville, Kentucky. 2001.

9. Facts about Drugs. Patient information handouts. 1989 Parlay International.

10. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. USP DI--17th Edition. Vol 1. Rockville: The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.; 1997.

11. Discussions with the staff members of Jefferson County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center.

RELATED ARTICLE: Key Points

* A listing of medical and slang names for commonly abused drugs is presented.

* Subjective and objective effects of these drugs are presented.

* Medical and street utility of the drugs are also presented.

Humera Hamid, BA, Rif S. El-Mallakh, MD, and Keith Vandeveir, CADC

From the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.

Reprint requests to Rif S. El-Mallakh, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Room 210, 500 South Preston Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Email: [e-mail]