Commonly Abused Drugs

Most drugs of abuse are addictive. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences and by long-lasting changes in the brain. People who are addicted have strong cravings for the drug, making it difficult to stop using. Most drugs alter a person's thinking and judgment, which can increase the risk of injury or death from drugged driving or infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS, hepatitis) from unsafe sexual practices or needle sharing. Drug use during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition in which a baby can suffer from dependence and withdrawal symptoms after birth. Pregnancy-related issues are listed in the chart below for drugs where there is enough scientific evidence to connect the drug use to negative effects. However, most drugs could potentially harm an unborn baby.

In the chart, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) schedule indicates the drug's acceptable medical use and its potential for abuse or dependence. More information can be found on the DEA website. For more comprehensive information about treatment options for drug addiction.

Source: Nora D. Volkow, M.D., https://web.archive.org/web/20150328061425/http:/www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs
This work is in the Public Domain.

Alcohol

People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people – and throughout history, people have struggled to understand and manage alcohol's power. Why does alcohol cause people to act and feel differently? How much is too much? Why do some people become addicted while others do not? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is researching the answers to these, and many other questions about alcohol. Here's what is known:

Alcohol's effects vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors, including:

How much you drink
How often you drink
Your age
Your health status
Your family history

While drinking alcohol is itself not necessarily a problem – drinking too much can cause a range of consequences, and increase your risk for a variety of problems. For more information on alcohol's effects on the body, please see the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's related web page describing alcohol's effects on the body.

Ayahyasca

A hallucinogenic tea made in the Amazon from a DMT-containing plant (Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana or other) along with another vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) that contains an MAO Inhibitor preventing the natural breakdown of DMT in the digestive system, thereby facilitating a prolonged hallucinatory experience. It was used historically in Amazonian religious and healing rituals and is increasingly used by tourists. For more information, see the Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Aya, Yagé, Hoasca	No commercial uses	Brewed as tea	Swallowed as tea	DMT is Schedule I but plants containing it are not controlled

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Strong hallucinations including perceptions of otherworldly imagery, altered visual and auditory perceptions; increased blood pressure, vomiting.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Unknown.
In Combination with Alcohol	Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	It is not known whether ayahuasca is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to ayahuasca or other hallucinogens.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if ayahuasca is addictive and, if so, whether behavioral therapies are effective.

Cocaine

A powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Blow, Bump, C, Candy, Charlie, Coke, Crack, Flake, Rock, Snow, Toot	Cocaine hydrochloride topical solution (anesthetic rarely used in medical procedures)	White powder, whitish rock crystal	Snorted, smoked, injected	II

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Narrowed blood vessels; enlarged pupils; increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; headache; abdominal pain and nausea; euphoria; increased energy, alertness; insomnia, restlessness; anxiety; erratic and violent behavior, panic attacks, paranoia, psychosis; heart rhythm problems, heart attack; stroke, seizure, coma.
Long-term	Loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, nasal damage and trouble swallowing from snorting; infection and death of bowel tissue from decreased blood flow; poor nutrition and weight loss from decreased appetite.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: premature delivery, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Greater risk of overdose and sudden death than from either drug alone.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Depression, tiredness, increased appetite, insomnia, vivid unpleasant dreams, slowed thinking and movement, restlessness.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Community reinforcement approach plus vouchers Contingency management, or motivational incentives The matrix model 12-Step facilitation therapy

DMT

A synthetic drug producing intense but relatively short-lived hallucinogenic experiences; also naturally occurring in some South American plants (See Ayahuasca).

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
DMT, Dimitri	No commercial uses	White or yellow crystalline powder	Smoked, injected	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Intense visual hallucinations, depersonalization, auditory distortions, and an altered perception of time and body image, usually resolving in 30-45 minutes or less. Physical effects include hypertension, increased heart rate, agitation, seizures, dilated pupils, involuntary rapid eye movements, dizziness, incoordination.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	At high doses, coma and respiratory arrest have occurred.
In Combination with Alcohol	Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	It is not known whether DMT is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to DMT or other hallucinogens.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if DMT is addictive and, if so, whether behavioral therapies are effective.

GHB

A depressant approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disorder that causes daytime "sleep attacks".

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
G, Georgia Home Boy, Goop, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Soap, Scoop	Gamma-hydroxybutyrate or sodium oxybate (Xyrem^®)	Colorless liquid, white powder	Swallowed (often combined with alcohol or other beverages)	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Euphoria, drowsiness, decreased anxiety, confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, excited and aggressive behavior, nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness, seizures, slowed heart rate and breathing, lower body temperature, coma, death.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Sometimes used as a date rape drug.
In Combination with Alcohol	Nausea, problems with breathing, greatly increased depressant effects.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Insomnia, anxiety, tremors, sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, psychotic thoughts.
Treatment options
Medications	Benzodiazepines.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat GHB addiction.

Halluncinogens

Drugs that cause profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality, such as ketamine, LSD, mescaline (peyote), PCP, psilocybin, salvia, DMT, and ayahuasca.

Heroin

An opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian opium poppy plant.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Brown sugar, China White, Dope, H, Horse, Junk, Skag, Skunk, Smack, White Horse With OTC cold medicine and antihistamine: Cheese	No commercial uses	White or brownish powder, or black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin”	Injected, smoked, snorted	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Euphoria; warm flushing of skin; dry mouth; heavy feeling in the hands and feet; clouded thinking; alternate wakeful and drowsy states; itching; nausea; vomiting; slowed breathing and heart rate.
Long-term	Collapsed veins; abscesses (swollen tissue with pus); infection of the lining and valves in the heart; constipation and stomach cramps; liver or kidney disease; pneumonia.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: miscarriage, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Dangerous slowdown of heart rate and breathing, coma, death.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), leg movements.
Treatment options
Medications	Methadone Buprenorphine Naltrexone (short and long-acting forms)
Behavioral Therapies	Contingency management, or motivational incentives 12-Step facilitation therapy

Inhalants

Solvents, aerosols, and gases found in household products such as spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids; also nitrites (e.g., amyl nitrite), which are prescription medications for chest pain.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Poppers, snappers, whippets, laughing gas	Various	Paint thinners or removers, degreasers, dry-cleaning fluids, gasoline, lighter fluids, correction fluids, permanent markers, electronics cleaners and freeze sprays, glue, spray paint, hair or deodorant sprays, fabric protector sprays, aerosol computer cleaning products, vegetable oil sprays, butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream aerosol containers, refrigerant gases, ether, chloroform, halothane, nitrous oxide	Inhaled through the nose or mouth	Not scheduled

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Confusion; nausea; slurred speech; lack of coordination; euphoria; dizziness; drowsiness; disinhibition, lightheadedness, hallucinations/delusions; headaches; sudden sniffing death due to heart failure (from butane, propane, and other chemicals in aerosols); death from asphyxiation, suffocation, convulsions or seizures, coma, or choking. Nitrites: enlarged blood vessels, enhanced sexual pleasure, increased heart rate, brief sensation of heat and excitement, dizziness, headache.
Long-term	Liver and kidney damage; bone marrow damage; limb spasms due to nerve damage; brain damage from lack of oxygen that can cause problems with thinking, movement, vision, and hearing. Nitrites: increased risk of pneumonia.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: low birth weight, bone problems, delayed behavioral development due to brain problems, altered metabolism and body composition.
In Combination with Alcohol	Nitrites: dangerously low blood pressure.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Nausea, loss of appetite, sweating, tics, problems sleeping, and mood changes.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat inhalant addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat inhalant addiction.

Ketamine

A dissociative drug used as an anesthetic in veterinary practice. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Cat Valium, K, Special K, Vitamin K	Ketalar^®	Liquid, white powder	Injected, snorted, smoked (powder added to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes), swallowed	III

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Problems with attention, learning, and memory; dreamlike states, hallucinations; sedation; confusion and problems speaking; loss of memory; problems moving, to the point of being immobile; raised blood pressure; unconsciousness; slowed breathing that can lead to death.
Long-term	Ulcers and pain in the bladder; kidney problems; stomach pain; depression; poor memory.
Other Health-related Issues	Sometimes used as a date rape drug. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Increased risk of adverse effects.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to ketamine or other dissociative drugs.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs.

LSD

A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific name, lysergic acid diethylamide.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Acid, Blotter, Blue Heaven, Cubes, Microdot, Yellow Sunshine	No commercial uses	Tablet; capsule; clear liquid; small, decorated squares of absorbent paper that liquid has been added to	Swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues (paper squares)	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Rapid emotional swings; distortion of a person's ability to recognize reality, think rationally, or communicate with others; raised blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature; dizziness and insomnia; loss of appetite; dry mouth; sweating; numbness; weakness; tremors; enlarged pupils.
Long-term	Frightening flashbacks (called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder ([HPPD]); ongoing visual disturbances, disorganized thinking, paranoia, and mood swings.
Other Health-related Issues	Unknown.
In Combination with Alcohol	May decrease the perceived effects of alcohol.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to LSD or other hallucinogens.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to hallucinogens.

Marijuana (Cannabis)

Marijuana is made from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Blunt, Bud, Dope, Ganja, Grass, Green, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Trees, Weed; Hashish: Boom, Gangster, Hash, Hemp	Various brand names in states where the sale of marijuana is legal	Greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and/or flowers; resin (hashish) or sticky, black liquid (hash oil)	Smoked, eaten (mixed in food or brewed as tea)	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Enhanced sensory perception and euphoria followed by drowsiness/relaxation; slowed reaction time; problems with balance and coordination; increased heart rate and appetite; problems with learning and memory; hallucinations; anxiety; panic attacks; psychosis.
Long-term	Mental health problems; chronic cough; frequent respiratory infections.
Other Health-related Issues	Youth: possible loss of IQ points when repeated use begins in adolescence. Pregnancy: babies born with problems with attention, memory, and problem solving.
In Combination with Alcohol	Increased heart rate, blood pressure; further slowing of mental processing and reaction time.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Irritability, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, anxiety.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat marijuana addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Contingency management, or motivational incentives Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) Behavioral treatments geared to adolescents

MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)

A synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. MDMA is an abbreviation of the scientific name, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Adam, Clarity, Eve, Lover's Speed, Peace, Uppers	No commercial uses	Colorful tablets with imprinted logos, capsules, powder, liquid	Swallowed, snorted	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Lowered inhibition; enhanced sensory perception; confusion; depression; sleep problems; anxiety; increased heart rate and blood pressure; muscle tension; teeth clenching; nausea; blurred vision; faintness; chills or sweating; sharp rise in body temperature leading to liver, kidney, or heart failure and death.
Long-term	Long-lasting confusion, depression, problems with attention, memory, and sleep; increased anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression; loss of appetite; less interest in sex.
Other Health-related Issues	Unknown.
In Combination with Alcohol	May increase the risk of cell and organ damage.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, trouble concentrating.
Treatment options
Medications	There is conflicting evidence about whether MDMA is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat MDMA addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat MDMA addiction.

Mescaline (Peyote)

A hallucinogen found in disk-shaped "buttons" in the crown of several cacti, including peyote.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Buttons, Cactus, Mesc	No commercial uses	Fresh or dried buttons, capsule	Swallowed (chewed or soaked in water and drunk)	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Enhanced perception and feeling; hallucinations; euphoria; anxiety; increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure; sweating; problems with movement.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Unknown.
In Combination with Alcohol	Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
	Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to mescaline or other hallucinogens.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to hallucinogens.

Methamphetamine

An extremely addictive stimulant amphetamine drug.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Crank, Chalk, Crystal, Fire, Glass, Go Fast, Ice, Meth, Speed	Desoxyn^®	White powder or pill; crystal meth looks like pieces of glass or shiny blue-white "rocks" of different sizes	Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected	II

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Increased wakefulness and physical activity; decreased appetite; increased breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature; irregular heart beat.
Long-term	Anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood problems, violent behavior; paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, weight loss, severe dental problems ("meth mouth"), intense itching leading to skin sores from scratching.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: premature delivery; separation of the placenta from the uterus; low birth weight; lethargy; heart and brain problems. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Masks the depressant effect of alcohol, increasing risk of alcohol overdose; may increase blood pressure and jitters.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Depression, anxiety, tiredness.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Contingency management or motivational incentives The matrix model 12-Step facilitation therapy

Over the counter cough/cold medicines (Dextromethorphan or DMX)

Psychoactive when taken in higher-than-recommended amounts.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Robotripping, Robo, Triple C	Various (many brand names include "DM")	Syrup, capsule	Swallowed	Not scheduled

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Euphoria; slurred speech; increased heart rate, blood pressure, temperature; numbness; dizziness; nausea; vomiting; confusion; paranoia; altered visual perceptions; problems with movement; buildup of excess acid in body fluids.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Breathing problems, seizures, and increased heart rate may occur from other ingredients in cough/cold medicines.
In Combination with Alcohol	Increased risk of adverse effects.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to over-the-counter cough/cold medicines.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to over-the-counter cough/cold medicines.

PCP

A dissociative drug developed as an intravenous anesthetic that has been discontinued due to serious adverse effects. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. PCP is an abbreviation of the scientific name, phencyclidine.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Angel Dust, Boat, Hog, Love Boat, Peace Pill	No commercial uses	White or colored powder, tablet, or capsule; clear liquid	Injected, snorted, swallowed, smoked (powder added to mint, parsley, oregano, or marijuana)	I, II

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, problems thinking, a sense of distance from one's environment, anxiety. Low doses: slight increase in breathing rate; increased blood pressure and heart rate; shallow breathing; face redness and sweating; numbness of the hands or feet; problems with movement. High doses: lowered blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate; nausea; vomiting, blurred vision; flicking up and down of the eyes; drooling; loss of balance; dizziness; violence; suicidal thoughts; seizures, coma, and death.
Long-term	Memory loss, problems with speech and thinking, depression, weight loss, anxiety.
Other Health-related Issues	PCP has been linked to self-injury. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Increased risk of coma.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Headaches, sweating.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to PCP or other dissociative drugs.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs.

Prescription Opioids

Pain relievers with an origin similar to that of heroin. Opioids can cause euphoria and are often used nonmedically, leading to overdose deaths.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Captain Cody, Cody, Lean, Schoolboy, Sizzurp, Purple Drank With glutethimide: Doors & Fours, Loads, Pancakes and Syrup	Codeine (various brand names)	Tablet, capsule, liquid	Injected, swallowed (often mixed with soda and flavorings)	II, III, V
Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, Tango and Cash, TNT	Fentanyl (Actiq^®, Duragesic^®, Sublimaze^®)	Lozenge, sublingual tablet, film, buccal tablet	Injected, smoked, snorted	II
Vike, Watson-387	Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone (Vicodin^®, Lortab^®, Lorcet^®, and others)	Capsule, liquid, tablet	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II
D, Dillies, Footballs, Juice, Smack	Hydromorphone (Dilaudid^®)	Liquid, suppository	Injected, rectal	II
Demmies, Pain Killer	Meperidine (Demerol^®)	Tablet, liquid	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II
Amidone, Fizzies With MDMA: Chocolate Chip Cookies	Methadone (Dolophine^®, Methadose^®)	Tablet, dispersible tablet, liquid	Swallowed, injected	II
M, Miss Emma, Monkey, White Stuff	Morphine (Duramorph^®, Roxanol^®)	Tablet, liquid, capsule, suppository	Injected, swallowed, smoked	II, III
O.C., Oxycet, Oxycotton, Oxy, Hillbilly Heroin, Percs	Oxycodone (OxyContin^®, Percodan^®, Percocet^®, and others)	Capsule, liquid, tablet	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II
Biscuits, Blue Heaven, Blues, Mrs. O, O Bomb, Octagons, Stop Signs	Oxymorphone (Opana^®)	Tablet	Swallowed, snorted, injected	II

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Pain relief, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, euphoria, confusion, slowed breathing, death.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: Miscarriage; low birth weight; neonatal abstinence syndrome. Older Adults: Higher risk of accidental misuse or abuse because many older adults have multiple prescriptions, increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions, and breakdown of drugs slows with age; also, many older adults are treated with prescription medications for pain. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Dangerous slowing of heart rate and breathing leading to coma or death.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), leg movements.
Treatment options
Medications	Methadone Buprenorphine Naltrexone (short- and long-acting)
Behavioral Therapies	Behavioral therapies that have helped treat addiction to heroin may be useful in treating prescription opioid addiction.

Prescription Sedatives (tranquilizers, depressants)

Medications that slow brain activity, which makes them useful for treating anxiety and sleep problems.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Barbs, Phennies, Red Birds, Reds, Tooies, Yellow Jackets, Yellows	Barbiturates: pentobarbital (Nembutal^®), phenobarbital (Luminal^®)	Pill, capsule, liquid	Swallowed, injected	II, III, IV
Candy, Downers, Sleeping Pills, Tranks	Benzodiazepines: alprazolam (Xanax^®), chlorodiazepoxide (Limbitrol^®), diazepam (Valium^®), lorazepam (Ativan^®), triazolam (Halicon^®)	Pill, capsule, liquid	Swallowed, injected	IV
Forget-me Pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, Roofies, Roofinol, Rope, Rophies	Sleep Medications: eszopiclone (Lunesta^®), zaleplon (Sonata^®), zolpidem (Ambien^®)	Pill, capsule, liquid	Swallowed, injected	IV
Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Drowsiness, slurred speech, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness, problems with movement and memory, lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Sleep medications are sometimes used as date rape drugs. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Further slows heart rate and breathing, which can lead to death.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Must be discussed with a health care provider; barbiturate withdrawal can cause a serious abstinence syndrome that may even include seizures.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to prescription sedatives; lowering the dose over time must be done with the help of a health care provider.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to prescription sedatives.

Prescription Stimulants

Medications that increase alertness, attention, energy, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Bennies, Black Beauties, Crosses, Hearts, LA Turnaround, Speed, Truck Drivers, Uppers	Amphetamine (Adderall^®, Benzedrine^®)	Tablet, capsule	Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected	II
JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, The Smart Drug, Vitamin R	Methylphenidate (Concerta^®, Ritalin^®)	Liquid, tablet, chewable tablet, capsule	Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected, chewed	II

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Increased alertness, attention, energy; increased blood pressure and heart rate; narrowed blood vessels; increased blood sugar; opened up breathing passages. High doses: dangerously high body temperature and irregular heartbeat; heart failure; seizures.
Long-term	Heart problems, psychosis, anger, paranoia.
Other Health-related Issues	Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Masks the depressant action of alcohol, increasing risk of alcohol overdose; may increase blood pressure and jitters.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Depression, tiredness, sleep problems.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat stimulant addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	Behavioral therapies that have helped treat addiction to cocaine or methamphetamine may be useful in treating prescription stimulant addiction.

Psilocybin

A hallucinogen in certain types of mushrooms that grow in parts of South America, Mexico, and the United States.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Little Smoke, Magic Mushrooms, Purple Passion, Shrooms	No commercial uses	Fresh or dried mushrooms with long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills	Swallowed (eaten, brewed as tea, or added to other foods)	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Hallucinations, altered perception of time, inability to tell fantasy from reality, panic, muscle relaxation or weakness, problems with movement, enlarged pupils, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness.
Long-term	Risk of flashbacks and memory problems.
Other Health-related Issues	Risk of poisoning if a poisonous mushroom is accidentally used.
In Combination with Alcohol	May decrease the perceived effects of alcohol.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	It is not known whether psilocybin is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to psilocybin or other hallucinogens.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if psilocybin is addictive and whether behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to this or other hallucinogens.

Salvia

A dissociative drug that is an herb in the mint family native to southern Mexico, Salvia divinorum. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Magic mint, Maria Pastora, Sally-D, Shepherdess's Herb, Diviner's Sage	Sold legally in most states as Salvia divinorum.	Fresh or dried leaves	Smoked, chewed, or brewed as tea	Not Scheduled (but labeled drug of concern by DEA and illegal in some states)

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Short-lived but intense hallucinations; altered visual perception, mood, body sensations; mood swings, feelings of detachment from one's body; sweating.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Unknown.
In Combination with Alcohol	Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Unknown.
Treatment options
Medications	It is not known whether salvia is addictive. There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to salvia or other dissociative drugs.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if salvia is addictive, but behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs.

Steroids (Anabolic)

Man-made substances used to treat conditions caused by low levels of steroid hormones in the body and abused to enhance athletic and sexual performance and physical appearance.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
Juice, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Roids	Nandrolone (Oxandrin^®), oxandrolone (Anadrol^®), oxymetholone (Winstrol^®), stanozolol (Durabolin^®), testosterone cypionate (Depo-testosterone^®)	Tablet, capsule, liquid drops, gel, cream, patch, injectable solution	Injected, swallowed, applied to skin	III

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Headache, acne, fluid retention (especially in the hands and feet), oily skin, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, infection at the injection site.
Long-term	Kidney damage or failure; liver damage; high blood pressure, enlarged heart, or changes in cholesterol leading to increased risk of stroke or heart attack, even in young people; aggression; extreme mood swings; anger ("roid rage"); paranoid jealousy; extreme irritability; delusions; impaired judgment.
Other Health-related Issues	Males: shrunken testicles, lowered sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts, increased risk for prostate cancer. Females: Facial hair, male-pattern baldness, menstrual cycle changes, enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice. Adolescents: Stunted growth. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.
In Combination with Alcohol	Increased risk of violent behavior.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Mood swings; tiredness; restlessness; loss of appetite; insomnia; lowered sex drive; depression, sometimes leading to suicide attempts.
Treatment options
Medications	Hormone therapy
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat steroid addiction.

Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice)

A wide variety of herbal mixtures containing man-made cannabinoid chemicals related to THC in marijuana but often much stronger and more dangerous. Sometimes misleadingly cal"synthetic marijuana" and marketed as a "natural," "safe," legal alternative to marijuana.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
K2, Spice, Black Mamba, Bliss, Bombay Blue, Fake Weed, Fire, Genie, Moon Rocks, Skunk, Smacked, Yucatan, Zohai	No commercial uses	Dried, shredded plant material that looks like potpourri and is sometimes sold as "incense"	Smoked, swallowed (brewed as tea)	I

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Increased heart rate; vomiting; agitation; confusion; hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia; increased blood pressure and reduced blood supply to the heart; heart attack.
Long-term	Unknown.
Other Health-related Issues	Use of synthetic cannabinoids has led to an increase in emergency room visits in certain areas.
In Combination with Alcohol	Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability.
Treatment options
Medications	There are no FDA-approved medications to treat K2/spice addiction.
Behavioral Therapies	More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat synthetic cannabinoid addiction.

Tobacco

Plant grown for its leaves, which are dried and fermented before use. For more information.

Street Names	Commercial Names	Common Forms	Common Ways Taken	DEA Schedule
None	Multiple brand names	Cigarettes, cigars, bidis, hookahs, smokeless tobacco (snuff, spit tobacco, chew)	Smoked, snorted, chewed, vaporized	Not Scheduled

Possible Health Effects
Short-term	Increased blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
Long-term	Greatly increased risk of cancer, especially lung cancer when smoked and oral cancers when chewed; chronic bronchitis; emphysema; heart disease; leukemia; cataracts; pneumonia.
Other Health-related Issues	Pregnancy: miscarriage, low birth weight, premature delivery, stillbirth, learning and behavior problems.
In Combination with Alcohol	Unknown.
Withdrawal Symptoms	Irritability, attention and sleep problems, increased appetite.
Treatment options
Medications	Bupropion (Zyban^®) Varenicline (Chantix^®) Nicotine replacement (gum, patch, lozenge)
Behavioral Therapies	Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) Self-help materials Mail, phone, and Internet quit resources

Site:	Saylor Academy
Course:	PSYCH101: Introduction to Psychology
Book:	Commonly Abused Drugs

Printed by:	Guest user
Date:	Thursday, 3 April 2025, 10:34 AM

Commonly Abused Drugs

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