Commonly Abused Drugs

Prescription Drugs - click on the left to learn more about prescription drugs

Substance Names DEA Schedule*/
Administered**
Effects /
Potential Consequences
Cannaboids
hashish

boom, chronic, gangster, hash, hash oil, hemp

I/swallowed, smoked

euphoria, slowed thinking and reaction time, confusion, impaired balance and coordination/cough, frequent respiratory infections; impaired memory and learning; increased heart rate, anxiety; panic attacks; tolerance, addiction

marijuana

blunt, dope, ganja, grass, herb, joints, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, sinsemilla, skunk, weed

I/swallowed, smoked

Depressants
barbiturates

Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets

II, III, V/injected, swallowed

reduced anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration/fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, judgment; addiction; respiratory depression and arrest, death

Also, for barbiturates—sedation, drowsiness/depression, unusual excitement, fever, irritability, poor judgment, slurred speech, dizziness, life-threatening withdrawal.

for benzodiazepines—sedation, drowsiness/dizziness

for flunitrazepam—visual and gastrointestinal disturbances, urinary retention, memory loss for the time under the drug's effects

for GHB—drowsiness, nausea/vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness, loss of reflexes, seizures, coma, death

for methaqualone—euphoria/depression, poor reflexes, slurred speech, coma
benzodiazepines
(other than flunitrazepam)

Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax; candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks

IV/swallowed, injected

flunitrazepam***

Rohypnol; forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies

IV/swallowed, snorted

GHB***

gamma-
hydroxybutyrate;
G, Georgia home boy, grievous bodily harm, liquid ecstasy

I/swallowed

methaqualone

Quaalude, Sopor, Parest; ludes, mandrex, quad, quay

I/injected, swallowed

Dissociative Anesthetics
ketamine

Ketalar SV; cat Valiums, K, Special K, vitamin K

III/injected, snorted, smoked

increased heart rate and blood pressure, impaired motor function/memory loss; numbness; nausea/vomiting

Also, for ketamine—at high doses, delirium, depression, respiratory depression and arrest

for PCP and analogs—possible decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, panic, aggression, violence/loss of appetite, depression

PCP and analogs

phencyclidine; angel dust, boat, hog, love boat, peace pill

I, II/injected, swallowed, smoked

Hallucinogens
LSD

lysergic acid diethylamide; acid, blotter, boomers, cubes, microdot, yellow sunshines

I/swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues

altered states of perception and feeling; nausea; persisting perception disorder (flashbacks)

Also, for LSD and mescaline—increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure; loss of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, tremors

for LSD —persistent mental disorders

for psilocybin—nervousness, paranoia

mescaline

buttons, cactus, mesc, peyote

I/swallowed, smoked

psilocybin

magic mushroom, purple passion, shrooms

I/swallowed

Opioids and Morphine Derivatives
codeine

Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide) doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup

II, III, IV/injected, swallowed

pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness/nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death

Also, for codeine—less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than morphine

for heroin—staggering gait
fentanyl and fentanyl
analogs

Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze; Apache , China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash

I, II/injected, smoked, snorted

heroin

diacetyl-
morphine;
brown sugar, dope, H, horse, junk, skag, skunk, smack, white horse

I/injected, smoked, snorted

morphine

Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff

II, III/injected, swallowed, smoked

opium

laudanum, paregoric; big O, black stuff, block, gum, hop

II, III, V/swallowed, smoked

oxycodone HCL

Oxycontin; Oxy, O.C., killer

II/swallowed, snorted, injected

hydrocodone bitartrate,
acetaminophen

Vicodin; vike, Watson-387

II/swallowed

Stimulants
amphetamine

Biphetamine, Dexedrine; bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers

II/injected, swallowed, smoked, snorted

increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, increased mental alertness/rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, insomnia

Also, for amphetamine—rapid breathing/ tremor, loss of coordination; irritability, anxiousness, restlessness, delirium, panic, paranoia, impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, tolerance, addiction, psychosis

for cocaine—increased temperature/chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea, abdominal pain, strokes, seizures, headaches, malnutrition, panic attacks

for MDMA—mild hallucinogenic effects, increased tactile sensitivity, empathic feelings/impaired memory and learning, hyperthermia, cardiac toxicity, renal failure, liver toxicity

for methamphetamine—aggression, violence, psychotic behavior/memory loss, cardiac and neurological damage; impaired memory and learning, tolerance, addiction

for nicotine—additional effects attributable to tobacco exposure, adverse pregnancy outcomes, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, tolerance, addiction

cocaine

Cocaine hydrochloride; blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, rock, snow, toot

II/injected, smoked, snorted

MDMA (methylenedioxy-
methamphetamine)

Adam, clarity, ecstasy, Eve, lover's speed, peace, STP, X, XTC

I/swallowed

methamphetamine

Desoxyn; chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass, go fast, ice, meth, speed

II/injected, swallowed, smoked, snorted

methylphenidate (safe
and effective for
treatment of ADHD)

Ritalin; JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R

II/injected, swallowed, snorted

nicotine

cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuff, spit tobacco, bidis, chew

not scheduled/smoked, snorted, taken in snuff and spit tobacco

Other Compounds
anabolic steroids

Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, Depo-
Testosterone, Equipoise;
roids, juice

III/injected, swallowed, applied to skin

no intoxication effects/hypertension, blood clotting and cholesterol changes, liver cysts and cancer, kidney cancer, hostility and aggression, acne; in adolescents, premature stoppage of growth; in males, prostate cancer, reduced sperm production, shrunken testicles, breast enlargement; in females, menstrual irregularities, development of beard and other masculine characteristics

inhalants

Solvents (paint thinners, gasoline, glues), gases (butane, propane, aerosol propellants, nitrous oxide), nitrites (isoamyl, isobutyl, cyclohexyl); laughing gas, poppers, snappers, whippets

not scheduled/inhaled through nose or mouth

stimulation, loss of inhibition; headache; nausea or vomiting; slurred speech, loss of motor coordination; wheezing/unconsciousness, cramps, weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, memory impairment, damage to cardiovascular and nervous systems, sudden death


* Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacturing, among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use; Schedule II drugs are available only by prescription (unrefillable) and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available by prescription, may have five refills in 6 months, and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.

** Taking drugs by injection can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococci, HIV, hepatitis, and other organisms.

*** Associated with sexual assaults.


This table was taken from the web site for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).