Have you recently overheard a friend or family member talking about a substance or pill, but they referenced it by a “street name?” Over the years, users of these drugs have come up with code names to try and throw off others who might suspect they’re abusing. Use this glossary of commonly abused drugs to get a better understanding of the code names dealers and users utilize when making a transaction.
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
This isn’t a comprehensive list of drug street names, but it’s a good place to start. If you abuse any of these drugs, know you can get the help you need in order to stop at a drug and alcohol detox center. In a drug detox facility, you’ll have medical supervision to help wean you off your substance of choice. Afterwards, you can enter a drug and alcohol rehab. In drug rehab, you’ll receive the therapy and education you need to maintain a drug-free lifestyle.
