Common Drugs of Abuse

A comprehensive guide to the most commonly abused drugsCommon Drugs of Abuse

1Table of ContentsAmphetaminesCocaineMarijuanaOpiatesPhencyclidineMDMABarbituratesBenzodiazepinesMethadoneMethqualonePropoxypheneGHBRohypnolKetamineLSDAnabolic Steroids

AmphetaminesUppersSpeedBlack BeautiesMethWhitesJelly BeansDexiesCrankWhite CrossBennyCrystalStreet Names

More than 70% of substance abusers hold jobs.-American Council for Drug EducationWhat to Look ForTablets of varying colors, possible chain smoking.

Physical SymptomsLong periods without rest or sleep, loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability, rapid speech, tremors, mood elevation.

Substances / Time DetectableMethamphetamineUrine: 1 to 3 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hoursAmphetamineUrine: 1 to 3 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hours

DangersDisorientation, severe depression, paranoia, possible hallucinations, increase in blood pressure, fatigue.

CocaineCokeNose CandyCrackSnowWhite CandyCFlakeFreebaseTootBlowRockStreet Names

What to Look ForGlassine envelopes, razors, small spoons, bitter white crystaline powder, granular rocks.

Physical SymptomsShort-lived euphoria changing to depression, irritability, nervousness, tightness of muscles.

Substances / Time DetectableBenzoylegonineUrine: 1 to 3 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hoursDangersShallow breathing, fever, anxiety, tremors, possible death from convulsions or respiratory arrest.MarijuanaDope

Pot

Reefer

Joint

Smoke

WeedStreet Names

Americans consume 60% of the worlds production of illegal drugs. In fact, 23 million individuals use marijuana at least 4 times a week and 6 million regularly use cocaine..-American Council for Drug EducationWhat to Look ForPlastic baggies, rolling paper, roach clips, odor of burnt rope.

Physical SymptomsAlterated perception, dialated pupils, lack of concentration and coordination, craving for sweets, increased appetite, laughter.

Substances / Time Detectable11-Nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acidUrine: occasional use, 1 to 3 daysUrine: habitual / chronic use, up to 90 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolOral Fluid: less than 24 hours

DangersPsychological dependence, increased heart rate, impaired short-term memory, anxiety, lung damage, possible pyschosis with chronic use.

OpiatesHeroin (Smack, Horse, Junk, China White)Morphine (M, Miss Emma)Codeine (School boy)Hydrocodone (Vicodin )Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)Oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan, Oxycontin)Oxymorphone (Mumorphan)

Street Names

What to Look ForGlassine envelopes, needles and syringes, caps or spoons, tourniquets, needle marks on arms

Physical SymptomsInsensitivity to pain, euphoria, sedation, nausea, vomiting, itchiness, watery eyes, running nose

Substances / Time DetectableCodeine, MorphineUrine: 1 to 3 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hoursHydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, , 6-MonoacetylmorphineUrine: 1 to 3 days (< 1 day for 6-monoacetylmorphine)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hours (not applicable for oxycodone or oxymorphone)

DangersLethargy, weight loss, hepatits, slow and shallow breathing, possible death.

PhencyclidineAngel Dust

Devil Stick

PCP

Dummy Dust

Wack

Street Names

What to Look ForLiquid capsules, white or brown powder on paper stamps, sugar cubes, cigarettes, joints, injection paraphernalia.

Physical SymptomsIncreased pulse and heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, possible mood and perception alteration, paranoia, panic, anxiety, nausea, tremors, suicidal urge.

Substances / Time DetectablePhencyclidineUrine: occasional use, 1 to 5 daysUrine: habitul/chronic use, up to 30 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hours

DangersUnpredictable behavior, flashbacks, possible emotional instability and psychosis, hallucinations.

MDMAEcstasyAdamXTCXHug DrugBeansLove DrugLovers Speed

Street Names

What to Look ForWhite odorless crystalline powder, tablets in various colors and stamped with various patterns

Physical SymptomsEuphoria, empathetic and unusually warm toward people, touch and sight sense often heightened

Substances / Time Detectable3-4 Methylene dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3-4 Methylene dioxyamphetamine (MDA)Urine: 1 to 3 daysHair: up to 90 days (depending on hair length)Oral Fluid: 24 to 36 hours

DangersTachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, mydriasis, diaphoresis, stimulant, entactogenic effects, visual hallucinations.

BenzodiazepinesDowners

TranqsStreet Names

What to Look ForPills and injection paraphernalia

Physical SymptomsSlurred speech, disorientation, drunken behavior without odor of alcohol

Substances / Time Detectable

Some commonly used brand names are: Ativan (lorazepam), Dalmane (flurazepam), Diastat or Valium (diazepam), Doral (quazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Serax (oxazepam), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Xanax (alprazolam) Urine: varies from 1 to 14 days (depending on specific benzodiazepine)

DangersShallow respiration, cold and clammy skin, dialated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, possible death

MethadoneDone

Dolophine

Methadose

DollsStreet Names

What to Look ForWhite crystalline powder, tablets, liquid (injectable)

Physical SymptomsEuphoria, drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea.

Substances / Time DetectableMethadone and MetaboliteUrine: 1 to 3 days

DangersSlow and/or shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, possible death.

MethaqualoneLudes

Sopor

Lemon

Quaalude

MequinStreet Names

The percentage of the U.S. population using illegal drugs increased from 6.3% in 1999 and 2000 to 7.1% in 2001; this translates to 15.9 million Americans.-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)What to Look ForTablets

Physical SymptomsSlow heart rate and breathing, lowered blood pressure, sleepiness, feelings of well-being, loss of coordination, laziness, impaired perception, confusion, later hangover

Substances / Time DetectableMethaqualoneUrine: 1 to 7 days

DangersAnxiety, insomnia

Street NamesPropoxypheneNone knownIn the workplace, substance abusers increase the risk of accidents, lower productivity, compromise product quality, increase the workload of others, raise costs and reduce profits.-American Council for Drug Education

What to Look ForTablets, capsules

Physical SymptomsDizziness, drowsiness, headache, euphoria, sysphoria, asthenia

Substances / Time DetectableNorpropoxypheneUrine: 1 to 3 days

DangersSkin rash and other allergic reactions occur occasionally and may be accompanied by drug fever and mucosal lesions, stupor or coma, convulsions, and respiratory depression.

G H BLiquid Ecstasy

Liquid X

Everclear

Soap

Easy Lay

Goops

Georgia Home BoyStreet Names

What to Look ForWhite, odorless powder, tablet or capsule

Physical SymptomsRelaxes or sedates the body and slows breathing and heart rate.

Substances / Time DetectableGamma hydroxybutyrateUrine: up to 72 hours

DangersBradycardia, respiratory depression, hallucinations, amnesia.

RohypnolRoophies

Roofies

Roach

Rope

Circles

Mexican ValiumStreet Names

What to Look ForOdorless, tasteless white tablet

Physical SymptomsSedative effects, including amnesia, muscle relaxation and the slowing of psychomotor performance

Substances / Time DetectableFlunitrazepam metabolite (7-Aminoflunitrazepam)Urine: 1 to 3 days

DangersRespiratory depression, hypotension, disorientation, dizziness, visual disturbances, anterrograde amnesia.KetamineSpecial KLady KayVitamin KJetKKeetsSuper CCat ValiumK - holeStreet Names

What to Look ForLiquid or white powder

Physical SymptomsIt is a dissocaitive drug that produces effects similar to PCP; large doses put users into a dreamlike, hallucinogenic state.

Substances / Time DetectableKetamine metabolite (Dehydronorketamine)Urine: 1 to 2 days

DangersTachycardia, hypertension, nystagmus, respiratory depression, visual hallucinations, cataleptic state.

L S D Acid

L

Blotter

Trips

Cid

Tabs

MicrodotsStreet Names

What to Look ForColorless, odorless tablets or capsules (microdots), liquid solution on gelatine (window panes), liquid solution diluted and impregnated on blotting paper (blotter)

Physical SymptomsMood altering effects, flashbacks, severe depression

Substances / Time DetectableLysergic acid diethylamideUrine: 8 hours

DangersTachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, mydriasis, lacrimation, visual hallucinations, synthesias ataxia, tremors.

Anabolic Steroids Testosterone and its synthetic analogs are listed as controlled substances

AndrostenediolsAndrostenediones and their 19-nor versionsDehydroepian-drosteroneDesigner anabolic steroidsStreet Names

What to Look ForOil-based injectable intramuscular (IM) solutions (ampules, vials, syringes, bottles), tablets or lozenges for oral administration, sprays, skin lotions.

Physical SymptomsYellow tint skin color, acne, gynecomastia (in males), weight gain, fluid accumulation, psychological disorders such as agressiveness.In females: marked masculinazation, deeper voice, male pattern hair growth.

Substances / Time DetectableMultiple metabolites, some parent steroids. Testosterone to epitesterone rario (T/E) for detection of endogenous steroid abuse.Urine: if drug taken orally, up to 3 weeks.Urine: if drug injected, 3 months to 1 year

DangersLiver dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, infertility, virilization (in females)

For further informationU.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSAs National Clearinghouse for Alcohol &Drug Information List of drugs: http://store.health.org/catalog/drugs.aspxNIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Main page: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpagesMedical Review Officer Handbook, 8th edition, Theodore F. Schults, MS, JD, Quadrangle Research LLC, 2002