For as long as there have been drugs, these substances have been referred to by nicknames. While most call drugs by their proper names — or scientific names if they are researchers or physicians — those who actually use such compounds do the exact opposite. Drug use and the industry which supports it are enigmatic by nature.
Methamphetamine
Most people think of known street names for drugs when they hear the word “drugs.” These classic names include smack, dope, H, and skag. They don’t refer to any specific form of the drug as they do not refer to its color, purity, state, potency, or link to other opioid drugs. To create awareness and treat addiction, we must keep up with the changing language of drugs. Understanding the street drug slang meanings will facilitate in articulating non-judgmental dialogues when it comes to addiction and drug abuse and its health effects.
Today, the term “dope” is mostly used in reference to heroin rather than weed, although “dope” can also mean crystal meth. Many terms used to describe illegal drugs have evolved, and in some cases, this has simply been because the previous drug terms had become too well-known. Some street drug terms are relatively universal, such as “speed,” which refers to methamphetamine. For example, on the West Coast where black tar heroin imported from Mexico is most prevalent, users may refer to the substance as tar or black tar. Blues is a slang term for oxycodone pills, which are a type of prescription opioid painkiller. The term “blues” likely comes from the blue color of the pills, as they are often manufactured in a blue hue.
What Is Gas Station Heroin?
This term is a common slang for cannabis, a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. It is often used to refer to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the plant that are typically smoked or consumed for their intoxicating effects. This term refers to the drug MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which is commonly known as ecstasy. Ecstasy is a synthetic psychoactive drug that produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, and empathy. This term is a common slang for marijuana, a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. Marijuana, a drug made from the flower of the cannabis plant, is a mind-altering substance that produces euphoric effects.
Understanding ‘Phat’: The Evolution of Slang
We have a proven track record of successful, caring treatment at our Palmer Lake, Colorado facility. After all, just like the English language, the street vernacular is fluid. To make things even more complicated, some words are used for multiple drugs. There is no telling which labels will see everyday usage years down the road. But, as of today, the most common terms for a number of drugs can be found below. As umbrella terms, “opioids” and “opiates” do not have corresponding street terminology.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 15,400 Americans died from a heroin overdose in 2016. Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that can cause distortions in reality. Dissociative drugs are a subclass of hallucinogens that can lead to intense trips and temporary psychosis.
What is Heroin?
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) is also known for its sedating effects and is often used to commit assault on others (spiking). Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller often obtained through a prescription and abused by crushing and snorting. OxyContin, Percocet, and Roxicodone are some of the most commonly smack drug slang seen brand-name versions of oxycodone. If it’s time to take the next step in recovering from substance abuse, contact us today.
- Heroin is among the most dangerous drugs, often leading to physical dependence and addiction.
- When users inject, snort, or smoke heroin, the drug produces a powerful euphoria followed by intense depression and nausea.
- For example, “powdering one’s nose” could have a completely innocent meaning relating to putting on makeup, or, it could signify snorting narcotics in the restroom.
- People suffering from addiction often harbor secrets to hide their disease from loved ones.
- Benign nicknames are in some ways a justification for experimentation.
Hundreds of street names exist for drugs, and some names are more common than others. While many people know that “weed” is a slang term for marijuana, they may not know that “wrecking crew” and “devil smoke” are street names of crack cocaine. Smack, as a slang term for heroin, embodies the dangers of this substance. While recovery is a difficult journey, it is also attainable with the right support, resources, and determination. It can also lead to heroin addiction, commonly known as opioid use disorder. Heroin abuse can even lead to death from overdose, drug-related accidents, or illnesses.
- Marijuana is immensely popular among adults and with the growing legalization of weed, the demand has skyrocketed in a short time.
- Other benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and triazolam (Halcion).
- However, barbiturates can impair memory, judgement and coordination.
- You can also take a peek at life after rehab to understand how it will change for your loved ones or yourself.
- Heroin, a highly addictive opioid, has a variety of street names and nicknames.
- Before joining our company, she wrote and edited content about alcohol, THC, opioids, and other psychoactive substances.
- Ketamine is a dissociative drug that is sometimes prescribed as an anesthetic.
Marijuana
Bud is a slang term for marijuana, specifically referring to the flower or “bud” of the cannabis plant. It is commonly used to smoke or consume cannabis for its psychoactive effects. This term is slang for the drug cocaine, which is a powerful stimulant. Anabolic steroids are man-made substances that people often abuse to enhance their physical appearance, athletic ability or sexual performance.
Methadone Addiction – What are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
They also help in distinguishing heroin from other drugs, especially when dealing with multiple substances. Most prescription medications used for drug abuse come in capsule form and are painkillers for managing chronic pain. Some of them are also used for drug abuse treatment to cope with withdrawal symptoms. For example, to prevent the effects of opioids and alcohol doctors prescribe Naltrexone which lowers the possibility of future relapse. Drug slang — or a vocabulary originating from the streets — helps maintain the down-low status quo. It is an unofficial, official coded language that separates the have from the have-no-clues.