Common kinds of drugs that are misused include depressants, opioids, and stimulants.
DEPRESSANTS
These medicines are also known as tranquilizers and sedatives. They are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep problems.
Types of drugs and their street names include:
- Barbiturates, such as Amytal, Nembutal, phenobarbital, Seconal. Street names include barbs, phennies, reds, red birds, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets
- Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, Halcion, Klonopin Librium, Valium, Xanax. Street names include benzos, blues, candy, chill pills, french fries, downers, sleeping pills, totem poles, tranks, z-bar
- Other sleep medicines, such as Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta. Street names include A-, zombie pills
When used to get high, they cause feelings of well-being, intense happiness, and excitement. As street drugs, depressants come in pills or capsules and are usually swallowed.
Harmful effects of depressants on the body include:
- Decreased attention span
- Impaired judgment
- Lack of coordination
- Lowered blood pressure
- Memory problems
- Slurred speech
Long-time users may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop the drug abruptly.
OPIOIDS
Opioids are powerful painkillers. They are prescribed to treat pain after surgery or a dental procedure. Sometimes they are used to treat severe cough or diarrhea.
Types of opioids and their street names include:
- Codeine. There are many medicines that contain codeine as an ingredient, especially ones for cough such as Robitussin A-C and Tylenol with codeine. Street names for codeine alone include captain cody, cody, little c, and school boy. For Tylenol with codeine, street names include T1, T2, T3, T4, and dors and fours. Codeine syrup mixed with soda can have street namses such as purple drank, sizzup, or Texas tea.
- Fentanyl. Drugs include Actiq, Duragesic, Onsolis, and Sublimaze. Street names include apache, china girl, china white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, percopop, tango and cash.
- Hydrocodone: Drugs include Lorcet, Lortab, and Vicodin. Street names include fluff, hydros, v-itamin, vic, vike, Watson-387.
- Morphine. Drugs include Avinza, Duramorph, Kadian, Ormorph, Roxanol. Street names include dreamer, first line, god's drug, M, miss emma, mister blue, monkey, morf, morpho, vitamin m, white stuff.
- Oxycodone. Drugs include Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox. Street names include cotton, hillbilly heroin, o.c., ox, oxy, oxycet, oxycotton, percs, pills.
When used to get high, opioids cause a person to feel relaxed and intensely happy. As street drugs, they come as powder, pills or capsules, syrup. They can be swallowed, injected, smoked, put into the rectum, or inhaled through the nose (snorted).
Harmful effects of opioids on the body include:
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
- Lack of coordination
- Lowered blood pressure
- Weakness, dizziness, sleepiness
In high doses, opioid intoxication can result, which can cause breathing problems, coma, or death.
STIMULANTS
These are drugs that stimulate the brain and body. They make the messages between the brain and body move faster. As a result, the person is more alert and physically active. Stimulants such as amphetamines are prescribed to treat health problems such as obesity, narcolepsy, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Types of stimulants and their street names include:
- Amphetamines, such as Adderall, Biphetamine, and Dexedrine. Street names include bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers.
- Methylphenidate, such as Concerta, Metadate, Quillivant, and Ritalin. Street names include JIF, kibbles and bits, MPH, pineapple, r-ball, skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R.
When used to get high, stimulants cause a person to feel excited, very alert, and have increased energy. Some people use the drugs, especially amphetamines, to help them stay awake on the job or to study for a test. Others use them to boost their performance in sports.
As street drugs, they come as pills. They can be swallowed, injected, smoked, or inhaled through the nose (snorted).
Harmful effects of stimulants on the body include:
- Heart problems, such as fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure
- High body temperature and skin flushing
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Memory loss and problems thinking clearly
- Mood and emotional problems, such as aggressive or violent behavior
- Restlessness and tremors