Common Substances of Abuse

1. Alcohol - Alcohol is a depressant drug, produced by the fermentation of fruits, vegetables orgrains, that helps to lessen inhibitions and to relax.

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health:

Alcohol.

Booze

Liquor

Spirits

Whisky
Brandy
Rum
Vodka
Gin.

Beer

Cider

Wine

Fenny

Arrack

Kallu

Toddy

General-
Brief period of Excitation
CNS depression
Increased-

a. Reaction time
b. Distractibility

Slowed/Reduced-
- a. Thinking
- b. Motor control
Dysarthria.(slurred speech)
Ataxia(unbalanced gait)
In-coordination
Loss of self-control
Disinhibited behavior
Amnesia
Blackouts

General-
Mild tremors
Nausea
Vomiting
Weakness
Irritability
Insomnia
Anxiety
Withdrawal Syndrome-

a. Delirium, tremens
b. Alcoholic seizures(Rum fits)
c. Hallucinosis

Neuropsychiatric Complications
Alcoholic dementia
Cerebellar degeneration
Peripheral Neuropathy

2. 'Marijuana' - which is a mixture of the dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, is the most commonly abused illicit drug.

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health:

'Marijuana', or 'Marihuana'

Pot

Weed

Grass

Ganja

Skunk

Hashish/Charas

Hash oil

Bhang

Herb

Reefer

Boom

Gangster

General-

Mild impairment

Consciousness
Orientation

Feelings of-

Light-headedness
Sense of floating in air

Tachycardia (increased heart rate)

Alteration (Increase or decrease) in psychomotor activities

Tremors

Lacrimation(crying)

Reddening of Conjunctiva

Dry mouth

Increased appetite

General-

No serious adverse complications yet associated

Respiratory tract irritant

Carcinogenic

Psychiatric disorders

Anxiety
Psychosis

Toxic confusional states

Hysteria

A motivational syndrome

Lethargy

Apathy

Loss of

Interest
Ambition

Anergia

3. Narcotics

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health

Heroin

Opium

Morphine

Pethidine

Methadone

Diacetyl-morphine

Brown sugar

Dope

Horse

Junk

Skag

Skunk

Smack

White horse

General-

Pain relief
Euphoria
Drowsiness
Unsteady gait
Constricted pupils

General-

Nausea
Constipation
Confusion
Sedation
Respiratory depression & arrest
Unconsciousness
Coma
Death

4. Stimulants / Uppers - Stimulants, also known as Uppers or Speed, are a group ofdrugs that bring about feelings of increased alertness and physical activity, making the user seemingly less tired, mentally and physically

Drugs:	Common Street Names	Effects:	Complication on Health
	Crack Coke Blow Bump Candy Charlie Rock Snow Toot	General- Increased- Heart rate Blood pressure Temperature Metabolism Mental alertness Feelings of- Exhilaration Energy	General- Rapid or irregular heart beat Reduced appetite Weight loss Heart failure Nervousness Insomnia Chest pain Respiratory failure Nausea Abdominal pain Strokes Seizures Headaches Malnutrition Panic attacks
Amphetamines	Biphetamine Dexedrine. Bennies Black--beauties Crosses. Hearts. Speed.Truck drivers. Uppers	In addition to the above: Users of amphetamines also exhibit-Feelings of- Aggression. Violence Psychotic behavior	In addition to the above: Other complications with Amphetamines users- Tremor Loss of coordination Irritability Anxiousness Restlessness Delirium Paranoia Impulsive behavior Aggressive behavior Psychosis.
Methamphetaine	Desoxyn Chalk Crank Crystal Fire Glass Go fast Ice Meth	Above-mentioned general effects	In addition to the general complications-Other complications with Methamphetaine users- Memory loss Impaired memory & learning Cardiac damage Neurological damage
MDMA (Club drugs)	Ecstasy Adam Eve Clarity Lover's speed Peace STP X XTC	In addition to the general effects-Users of MDMA also exhibit- Increased- Tactile sensitivity Sensations of newly discovered insights Perceptions Feelings of- Mild hallucinogenic effects Empathic feelings Positive mood states associated with- Euphoria Sociability Intimacy	In addition to the general complications-Other complications with MDMA users are- Impaired memory & learning Hypothermia Loss of appetite Tachycardia Bruxism(grinding of teeth) Sweating Cardiac toxicity Renal failure Liver toxicity Paranoid psychoses

5. Depressants / Downers - Depressants are substances thatsoothe the excitable nervous system by calming the nerves and relaxing the muscles.

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health:

Benzodiazepanes

Xanax

Downers

Sleeping pills

Tranquillizers

Ativan

Halcion

Librium

Valium

Candy

Tranks

General-

Reduced-

Anxiety
Inhibitions
Pulse
Blood pressure
Breathing
Concentration levels

Feeling of-

Well-being
Sedation
Drowsiness

General-

Fatigue
Confusion
Impaired

a. Coordination
b. Memory
c. Judgment

Sedation
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Respiratory depression, arrest, & death.

Barbiturates

Amytal

Nembutal

Seconal

Phenobarbital

Barbs

Reds

Red birds

Phennies

Tooies

Yellows

Yellow jackets.

Above-mentioned general effects.

Other complications with Barbiturate users are-

Depression
Unusual excitement
Fever
Irritability
Slurred speech
Dizziness.

Life-threatening

withdrawal symptoms.

6. Hallucinogens / Acids - Hallucinogens are drugs that affect a person's sense of perception, sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions. These drugs are obtained either naturally, or like LSD, from synthetic sources.

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health:

LSD(Lysergic acid diethyl-amide)

Psychedelics

Acid

Blotter

Boomers

Cubes

Microdot

Yellow sunshine

General-

Altered states of-

Perception
Feeling
Distortion of body image

Nausea

Dilated pupils

Increased-Body temperature. Heart rate.

Blood pressure

Loss of appetite

Sleeplessness

Numbness

Weakness

Tremors

Persistent mental disorders-

Panic attacks
Fear of Insanity
Distress
Acute anexity

General-

Flashbacks. (Persisting perception disorder)
Schizophrenia

7. Steroids - Steroids are man-made substances that are related to male sex hormones. They are useful for muscle building (Anabolic) and to increase masculine (androgenic) characteristics . Athletes aspiring to enhance their performances and individuals wishing to improve their physical appearances generally abuse steroids.

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health:

Anabolic steroids

Anadrol

Oxandrin

Durabolin

Depo-testosterone

Equipoise

Roids

Juice

No intoxication effects

Hypertension

Blood clotting and cholesterol changes

Liver cysts

Cancer of kidneys

Hostility and aggression

Acne

In adolescents-

Premature stoppage of growth

Males-

Prostate cancer
Reduced sperm production
Shrunken testicles
Breast enlargement

Females-

Menstrual irregularities
Development of beard and other masculine characteristics.

8. Volatile solvents / Inhalants - These are a wide range of chemical substances like petrol, spray paints, glues, laughing gas, which give off vapors or gas at room temperature, that can produce an intoxicating effect.

Drugs:

Common Street Names

Effects:

Complication on Health:

Phencyclidine

Angel dust

Boat

Hog

Love boat

Peace pill

General-

Increased-