People dealing with substance abuse do not often refer to their drug of choice by its common name. This slang for drugs may be a way of hiding their use from friends and family. It can also be a way to hide drug use from law enforcement. Below is a compilation of drug slang that may help when determining if someone you know is talking in code.
Drug Slang for Cannabinoids
These are going to be any drug that is made from compounds of the cannabis plant. The main compound, THC, can cause euphoria, enhanced sensory perception, and impaired memory.
Marijuana: As the most common cannabinoid, marijuana is typically smoked or ingested. Some slang terms for marijuana are:
- Weed
- Pot
- Hashish or Hash
- Green
- Bud
- Grass
- Trees
- Reefer
- Herb
- Mary Jane or Aunt Mary
- Ganja
- Hemp
- Dope
- Chronic
- Kush
- Sinsemilla
- Purple Haze
- Skunk
- Cannabis
- 420
- Stems
- Smoke
- Doja or Dojo
- Jamaican Gold
- Catnip
- Leaf, Gold Leaf
- Blue Crush
- Khalifa
- Stavia
- Green Goblin
- African Bush
- Zambi
- Colorado Cocktail
- Broccoli
Synthetic Marijuana: Manmade chemicals are mixed with marijuana leaves or other dried leaves to create a mind-altering drug. Synthetic marijuana is often called:
- Spice
- K2, K2 Drug, K3 Drug
- Bliss
- Black Mamba
- Yucatan Fire
- Skunk
- Genie
- Bombay Blue
- Solar Flare
- Zohai
- Joker
- Kush
- Kronic
- Moon Rocks
- Fake Weed
Drug Slang For Depressants
A depressant is going to be any drug that lowers the level of neurotransmitters within the central nervous system. These drugs can cause reduced arousal, drowsiness, and a depressed mood.
Barbiturates: These drugs are often prescribed to treat headaches, insomnia, or seizures but are highly addictive and can lead to an overdose. Common names include:
- Barbs
- Phennies, Phenos
- Red Birds, Reds, Red Bullets
- Tooies
- Yellow Jackets, Yellows
- Downers
- Blues, Blue Bullets
- Blue Angels, Blue Tips
- Blue Heavens, Blue Dolls
- Blue Devil, Bluebirds
- Green Frog
- Pink Ladies
- Marshmallow Reds
- Rainbows
- Strawberries
- Quad or Quas
- Bambs
- Luds or Ludes
- Softballs
- Seggy
Benzodiazepines: Anti-anxiety drugs are often prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, or seizures. They are, however, addictive and can produce deadly withdrawal symptoms. They are often called:
- Xannies
- Bars, Z-Bars or Zanbars
- Handlebars
- Planks
- Bricks
- Benzos
- Blue Footballs
- Upjohn
- School Bus
- Bicycle Parts
- Yellow Boys
- White Boys or White Girls
Flunitrazepam: This benzo is used to treat insomnia and often assists with anesthesia. It is more commonly known as Rohypnol.
- Circles
- Date Rape Drug
- Forget-Me Pill or Mind Eraser
- La Rocha
- Lunch Money
- Mexican Valium
- Pingus
- R2
- Reynolds
- Rib
- Roach/Roaches/Roachies
- Roapies, Rope
- Roofies/Ruffies
- Row-Shay
- Trip-and-Fall
- Wolfies
GHB: Known as a party drug, GHB is a sedative that can also be used to treat narcolepsy.
- G
- Georgia Home Boy
- Goop
- Grievous Bodily Harm
- Liquid Ecstasy
- Liquid X
- Soap
- Scoop
Xanax: Xanax is a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety. It is widely abused in younger adults and college students and can be called:
- Bars or Z-Bars
- Zannies/Xanies
- School Bus
- Planks
- Footballs
- Sticks
Drug Slang for Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are a psychoactive drug that alters a person’s perception. They can cause hallucinations and changes to thoughts and consciousness.
Ayahuasca: This hallucinogen is brewed as a tea. It is often used as a ceremonial spiritual medicine in South America.
- Aya
- Yage
- Hoasca
Dextromethorphan (DXM) or Cough Syrup: Over-the-counter cough syrups, like Robitussin, can treat cold symptoms. If used improperly, they can cause addiction or overdose.
- Dexies
- Drex
- Robo
- Rojo
- Red Devils
- Poor Man’s Ecstasy
- Orange Crush
- Tussin
- Velvet
- Triple C
- Drank or Purple Drank
- Sizzurp
DMT: DMT is a naturally occurring psychedelic drug, also known as Dimitri.
Ketamine: Ketamine is used in anesthesia. It can cause dissociation and a trance-like state of mind for pain relief and amnesia. It is also known as:
- K, Ket, Special K, Vitamin K, or Green K
- Super C
- Super Acid
- Special La Coke
- Jet
- Purple
- Kit Kat
- Cat Valium
- Honey Oil
LSD: A psychedelic drug that causes intensified thoughts and emotions. It can also induce visual and auditory hallucinations.
- Acid
- L, Lucy
- Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
- Cid
- Tabs
- Doses
- Blotter
- California Sunshine
- Yellow Sunshine
- Sunshine
- Dots, Microdot
- Looney Toons
- Blue Heaven, Blue Sky
- Superman
- Cubes
- Purple Haze, Purple Heart
- Pink Panthers
- Hippie
- Golden Dragon
- Battery Acid
- Window Pane
- Dental Floss
- Black Star
- Coffee
- Pure Love
- White Dust
- Zen
- Jesus Christ Acid
- Electric Kool-Aid
- Hawaiian Sunshine
Mescaline or Peyote: Peyote is a cactus found in Mexico and the Southern US that possesses psychoactive properties.
- Buttons
- Cactus
- Mesc
Mushrooms: These are naturally occurring psychoactive mushrooms that can cause hallucinations. They are also known as:
- Magic Mushrooms or Shrooms
- Boomers
- Caps or Liberty Caps/Liberties
- Mushies
- Buttons
- Magics
- Blue Meanies
- Cubes
PCP: As a hallucinogen, PCP is usually smoked, snorted, or injected. Occasionally it is taken by mouth. It can cause distorted perceptions and violent behavior.
- Angel Dust
- Ozone
- Rocket Fuel
- Love Boat
- Embalming Fluid
- Hog
- Superweed
- Wack
- Wet
Salvia: Salvia is a plant that possesses psychoactive properties. People either chew it, smoke it, or drink it as tea.
- Magic Mint
- Maria Pastora
- Sally-D
- Shepherdess’ Herb
- Diviner’s Sage
Drug Slang for Opioids
Opioids are a combination of legal prescriptions for pain relief and illegal drugs such as heroin. These drugs cause euphoria and pain relief, making them easy to abuse.
Codeine: Codeine is a medication prescribed to treat pain and coughs. It is highly addictive and can cause death, especially if combined with alcohol. It is also referred to as:
- Captain Cody or Cody
- Lean
- Schoolboy
- Sizzurp
- Purple Drank
- Doors and Fours
- Loads
- Pancakes and Syrup
Fentanyl: It’s a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It can be used to treat severe pain after surgery. It is also one of the most common drugs involved in overdose and death in the US.
- Apache
- China Girl, China, China Town
- White, China White
- Dance Fever
- Friend
- Good-Fella
- Jackpot
- Murder 8
- Tango and Cash
- TNT
- Birria
- China Town
- Dragon’s Breath or Dragon
- Shoes
- Toe Tag Dope
- King Ivory
- He-Man
- Crazy One
- Fent or Fenty
- Lollipop
- Butter
- Jacket
Heroin: An illegal drug processed from morphine. It can be injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked. Heroin is also called:
- H, Big H, Capital H
- Smack
- Dope
- China White
- Horse
- Skag
- Junk
- Black Tar, Black
- Brown Sugar
- Mexican Brown, Brown
- Mud
- Dragon
- Boy
- Thunder
- Skunk
- Snow
- Sheep
- Roofing Tar
- Tootsie Roll
- Wings
- Cement
- Salt
- Chocolate
- Diesel
- Antifreeze
- Bird
- Capital
- Aunt Hazel
- Brick Gun
- DOA
- Black Olives
Hydrocodone: Prescribed to treat severe pain. It can also be used as a cough suppressant.
- Vike
- Watsons, Watson-387
- Vics, Vicos
- Hydros
- Lorris
- Fluff
- Scratch
- Norco
- Idiot Pills
- Tabs
- 357s
Hydromorphone: Prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain.
- D
- Dillies
- Footballs
- Juice
- Smack
Kratom: Kratom is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia and has opioid properties and stimulant effects.
- Herbal Speedball
- Biak-Biak
- Ketum Kahuam
- Ithang
- Thom
Meperidine: A synthetic painkiller also used for women during labor. It is also known as Demmies.
Morphine: Morphine is an opioid medication used to treat pain. When used outside of the specific prescription, it can be addictive.
- M
- Miss Emma
- Minkey
- White Stuff
Oxycodone: A prescription drug used to treat pain. Its street names are:
- O.C.
- Oxycet, Oxycotton, Oxy, O, Ox
- Hillbilly Heroin
- Percs
- Blue
- 512s
- Kickers
- Killers
Oxymorphone: It’s used as both a pain reliever and to help anesthesia during surgery.
- Biscuits
- Blue Heaven, Blues
- Mrs. O
- O Bomb
- Octagon
- Stop Signs
Drug Slang For Stimulants
Stimulant drugs increase activity within the central nervous system. They can cause a spike in energy and alertness and increase the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Amphetamines: These are typically prescribed to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and obesity.
- Addys
- Uppers
- Beans
- Black Beauties
- Black Mollies
- Black Birds
- Pep Pills
- Speed
- Dexies
- Zing
- Study Buddies or Smart Pills
- Morning Shots
- Jelly Babies
- Chunk
- Amy
- Diablos
- French Blues
- Cartwheels
- Little Bombs
- Greenies
- Horse Head
- Lid Poppers
- Pixies
- Diet Pills
- Peaches
- Sweeties
- Wheels
- Truck Drivers
- Zoomers
Cocaine: An addictive stimulant drug that is usually snorted. It can cause an increase in energy and alertness. Slang for coke includes:
- Coke
- Blow
- Rock
- Crack
- Yayo
- Snow, White, Blanco
- Sniff
- Sneeze
- Nose Candy
- Bernice
- Toot
- Line
- Dust
- Flakes
- Angel Powder
- Coca-Cola
- Heaven Dust
- Devil’s Dandruff
- Rail
- Blizzard
- Big C
- Paradise White
- Racehorse Charlie
- Sleigh Ride
- White Lady
- Cecil
- Chevy, BMW, Audi
- C-Dust
- Crusty Treats
- Double Bubble
- Death Valley
- Gold Dust
- Movie Star Drug
- A-1
- Belushi
- Candy
- Florida Snow
- Gold Dust
- Icing
- Zip
Crack Cocaine: Crack cocaine is the smokeable version of cocaine. It gives users a short and intense high. Crack cocaine slang names look like:
- 501s
- Bump
- Candy, Ice
- White Ball
- Devil Smoke
- Pony
- Nine
- Bomb
- Blow Cocaine
- Breakfast of Champions
- CD
- Slab
- Eye Opener
- Kryptonite
- Speed Boat
- Yale
- Apple Jack
- Nuggets
- Dime Special
- Beemer
- Cloud
- Pony White Ball
Ecstasy or MDMA: This is a stimulant that causes hallucinations similar to psychoactive drugs. Its effects are altered sensations, increased energy, empathy, and pleasure.
- X, XTC
- E
- Molly
- Rolls
- Hug, Hug Drug
- Love Drug, Lover’s Speed, Love Potion #9
- Beans
- Adam
- Eve
- Clarity
- Mood Rocks
- Happy Pill
- Dancing Shoes
- Scooby Snacks
- Candy
- Peace
- Uppers
- Malcolm, Malcolm X
- Disco Biscuits
- Egg Rolls
- Skittles
- Thizz
- Vitamin E, Vitamin X
- Vowels
- Clarity
- E-Bomb
- Rolling
Khat: A plant native to Ethiopia that is chewed for stimulant effects. It is also called:
- Abyssinian Tea
- African Salad
- Catha
- Chat
- Kat
- Oat
Methamphetamines: This is a very powerful and addictive drug that affects the central nervous system and causes dependence rather quickly.
- Crystal, Crystal Glass
- Meth
- Cristy
- Tina
- Crank
- Crissy
- Tweak
- Glass
- Ice
- Shards
- Go
- Whizz
- Chalk
- Speed
- Hot Ice
- Zip
- Soap Dope
- Aqua
- Bump
- Colorado Rockies
- Batu
- Methlies
- Shabu
- Tine
- Trash
- Hiropon
- L.A. Ice
- Yellow Barn
Methylphenidate: Can be used to treat ADD, ADHD, or narcolepsy. The more common prescription drug for this is Ritalin.
- Vitamin R
- R-balls
- Rids
- Rit
- Diet Coke
- Kiddie Cocaine, Kiddie Coke
- Skippy
- Pineapple
- Kibbles and Bit
- Skittles
- Smarties
- Poor Man’s Cocaine
Bath Salts: Bath Salts are recreational designer drugs that combine man-made chemicals related to cathinone. Bath salts can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected.
- Cloud 9
- Vanilla Sky
- White Lightening
- Bloom
- Scarface
- Bliss
- Drone
- Energy-1
- Meow Meow
- Pure Ivory
- Blue Silk
- Stardust
- Lunar Wave
- Wicked
Other Drugs
Inhalants: Inhalants are typically household chemicals that are inhaled.
- Huff
- Poppers
- Moon Gas
- Snappers
- Bold
- Rush
- Air Blast
- Glad
- Hippie Crack
- Oz
- Discorama
- Whiteout
- Poor Man’s Pot
Nitrous Oxide: This is a gas used for sedation and pain relief.
- Whippets
- Nitrous
- Laughing Gas
Steroids: Steroids are synthetic drugs that resemble hormones. People abuse them to grow muscle and enhance athletic performance.
- Juice
- Gym Candy
- Pumpers
- Roids