Have you ever overheard someone referring to a substance by a name that didn’t quite make sense? This isn’t just casual chatter – it’s the hidden language of drug users. Street names for drugs aren’t just slang; they’re an essential part of a secretive culture. These names help users and dealers keep their activities under the radar, allowing them to communicate covertly. In this article, we’ll uncover the most common street names used for illicit drugs, giving you the knowledge you need to spot them in everyday conversations.
Breaking Down the Categories
Street names are not just random terms; they often correlate with specific drug categories. Here’s a breakdown of the most common drugs and their street names, grouped by type for easy understanding.
Benzodiazepines (Anti-anxiety Medications) Common street names for these calming medications include “bars”, “blues”, and “zannies”. Drugs like Xanax and Valium are frequently abused for their sedative effects, leading to widespread misuse and addiction.
Hallucinogens (Mind-Altering Substances) These substances, known for altering perception, come with names like “acid” for LSD and “shrooms” for Psilocybin mushrooms. These names reflect the mind-bending experiences users seek.
Opioids (Painkillers and Their Alternatives) Opioid pain relievers like “Percs” (Oxycodone) or “Fent” (Fentanyl) have street names that reflect their potent effects. Unfortunately, the popularity of these drugs often leads to dangerous dependency and overdose.
Stimulants (Energizing Substances) Drugs like “speed” (Amphetamines) and “ice” (Methamphetamine) come with street names that reflect their stimulating effects, making users feel energized and alert, though often at a steep cost to their health.
Spotting Drugs by Their Street Names
Below is a curated list of some of the most commonly used street names for drugs. Familiarizing yourself with these terms is an essential step toward spotting abuse.
Cocaine
Cocaine’s stimulating effects are the reason it’s referred to by these names. The slang can vary based on its form (e.g., “crack” for the crystallized form). Street names for cocaine include:
- Blow
- Snow
- Yayo
- Powder
Marijuana
These names are derived from marijuana’s appearance, aroma, and the cultural association of its use. Street names for Marijuana include:
- Pot
- Ganja
- Weed
- Mary Jane
Ketamine
While ketamine is typically used by veterinarians to treat animals, it can create hallucinogenic symptoms in humans. It often comes in a liquid or white powder form and is frequently injected, smoked, or snorted. Street names for ketamine include:
- Cat Valium
- Vitamin K
- Special K
- K
LSD
LSD is a chemical derived from a specific type of fungus. It also produces hallucinogenic side effects, lowering your ability to think clearly. Most commonly, it’s distributed as a tablet, capsule, clear liquid, or square of paper. You can swallow it or let it absorb through your mouth. Street names for LSD include:
- Yellow Sunshine
- Microdot
- Acid
- Blotter
- Cubes
- Blue Heaven
PCP
PCP used to be used as an intravenous anesthetic, but this was discontinued because of the adverse side effects. As a dissociative drug, PCP produces hallucinations. It typically comes in a white powder, capsule, or clear liquid, and you can take it by injecting, snorting, swallowing, or smoking it. Street names for PCP include:
- Peace Pill
- Angel Dust
- Love Boat
- Boat
- Hog
Prescription Stimulants
There are several kinds of commonly abused prescription stimulants. These drugs increase your energy levels, making you feel hyper-alert. In most cases, they are swallowed, smoked, injected, or snorted.
Amphetamine
- Uppers
- Bennies
- Truck Drivers
- Black Beauties
- Speed
- Crosses
- LA Turnaround
- Hearts
Methylphenidate
- Vitamin R
- JIF
- The Smart Drug
- MPH
- Skippy
- R-ball
Prescription Opioids
Naturally, the most commonly abused group of drugs are prescription opioids. Medically, they are a vital tool for pain relief; however, because of their high propensity for addiction, many users get dependent on them just through the course of a normal prescription written by their doctor. Other than pain relief, opioids also produce euphoria. They come in many different forms, from capsules to lozenges, and you can swallow, snort, or inject them.
Codeine
- Pancakes and Syrup
- Captain Cody
- Loads
- Cody
- Doors and Fours
- Lean
- Schoolboy
- Purple Drank
- Sizzurp
Fentanyl
- TNT
- Apache
- Tango and Cash
- China Girl
- Murder 8
- China White
- Jackpot
- Dance Fever
- Goodfella
- Friend
Hydrocodone
- Watson-387
- Vike
Hydromorphone
- Smack
- D
- Juice
- Dillies
- Footballs
Meperidine
- Demmies
- Pain Killer
Methadone
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Fizzies
- Amidone
Morphine
- White Stuff
- M
- Monkey
- Miss Emma
Oxycodone
- Percs
- O.C.
- Hillbilly Heroin
- Oxycet
- Ocy
- Oxycotton
Oxymorphone
- Stop Signs
- Biscuits
- Octagons
- Blue Heaven
- O Bomb
- Blues
- Mrs. O
Heroin
Heroin is a natural opioid drug that’s more potent than prescription opioids. It comes as a white or brown powder or in a sticky, black form. Users typically snort, smoke, or inject it. Street names for heroin include:
- Cheese
- Brown Sugar
- White Horse
- China White
- Smack
- Dope
- Skunk
- H
- Skag
- Horse
- Junk
Understanding street names for drugs is an essential first step in recognizing potential substance abuse, but knowing where to turn for help is just as important. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, seeking professional treatment can be life-changing. Contact us today as we provide access to a range of addiction treatment services that can support you through detox, rehab, and beyond.
