Common Street Drugs

Amphetamines

Street Drug Names: Bennies, Black Beauties, Bumble Bees, Co-pilots, Crank, Cross Tops, Crystal Meth, Dexies, Footballs, Hearts, Hot Ice, Ice, L.A. Glass, Meth, MDMA, Pep Pills, Speed, Uppers, Wake Ups
Toxicology Detection: 48 to 72 hours
Psychological Effects: A low dose can cause alertness, euphoria, increased motor performance and energy, as well as irritability, restlessness, and panic. High doses can cause brief psychosis, increased aggressiveness, and antisocial behaviors
Physical Effects: Body becomes ready for “fight or flight” response; can cause stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure
Withdrawal Symptoms: Confusion, apathy, irritability, depression, increased appetite and need for sleep

Barbiturates

Street Drug Names: Amytal, Downers, Nembutal, Phenobarbital, Reds, Red Birds, Red Devils, Seconal, Tuninal, Yellowjackets
Toxicology Detection: Slowly, about half is metabolized within 48 hours; Phenobarbital may be detected 4 weeks later
Psychological Effects: Like alcohol inebriation, but with greater euphoria and loss of inhibition. Higher doses can lead to memory loss, greater impairment in judgment, paranoia and suicidal ideation
Physical Effects: Sleepiness, slurred speech, decreased respiration, and can lead to death. Tolerance develops quickly and danger of an overdose, especially when taken with another drug, is significant
Withdrawal Symptoms: Same as those of alcohol. Withdrawal can be life-threatening.

Benzodiazepines

Street Drug Names: Rohypnol, Roofies, Flunitrazepam, Ruffies, Roches, R-2, Valium
Toxicology Detection: 7 to 30 days
Psychological Effects: Aggressiveness, high energy, decreased inhibition, may be used prior to “slam dancing” or “Date Rape”
Physical Effects: Drowsiness, loss of memory, consciousness, and motor control; headaches, dizziness, and nightmares afterwards
Withdrawal Symptoms: Withdrawal is life-threatening due to risk of seizures

Cocaine

Street Drug Names: Tina, YaYo, Coke, Blow, Tardust
Toxicology Detection: 48 to 72 hours
Psychological Effects: Varies with dose and tolerance, but increased energy, alertness, and euphoria, as well as irritability and insomnia. High doses can cause psychosis, paranoia, and aggressive and antisocial behavior
Physical Effects: High blood pressure and pulse, increased risk for seizures, strokes, heart attacks, and death
Withdrawal Symptoms: Intense physical cravings, irritability, depression, paranoia, and suicidal ideation, sometimes delusions and hallucinations

LSD

Street Drug Names: Acid, Bartman, Bart Simpson, Microdots, Gelatin Chips, Window Panes/Blotter, Paper/Blotter, Fry, Sarament
Toxicology Detection: 30 hours
Psychological Effects: Hallucinations, distortion of time and space, good trips with pleasant affect, bad trips with paranoia, panic, and agitation
Physical Effects: Subtle changes in body temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, as well as sweating, chills, headache, and nausea
Withdrawal Symptoms: None

Marijuana

Street Drug Names: Hash Oil, Pot, Refer, Weed, Mary Jane, Tex-Mex
Toxicology Detection: Occasional use, 1-3 days: Weekly use, persistently positive test: Heavy use, even 1 month after cessation
Psychological Effects: Mild euphoria and relaxation, impaired motor and memory control, sometimes panic and paranoia. Chronic use may lead to apathy, poor judgment, decreased personal hygiene, and some lasting short-term memory impairments
Physical Effects: Higher blood pressure and pulse, increased appetite (munchies), dry (cotton) mouth, dizziness and nausea. Males have low sperm counts, females have irregular menstrual cycles
Withdrawal Symptoms: Insomnia, loss of appetite and weight, irritability, and rebound in REM sleep

Opiates

Street Drug Names: Codeine, China White, Darvon, Darvocet, Demerol, Dilaudid, Heroin, Methadone, Morphine, Percocet, Percodan, Talwin, Vicodin
Toxicology Detection: Sometimes 2 to 4 days
Psychological Effects: Pain relief, sleepiness, euphoria (on the “nod”)
Physical Effects: Decreased respiration and motor control, nausea. China White is especially potent
Withdrawal Symptoms: 1 to 3 weeks, physical craving, anxiety, loss of appetite and weight, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea; symptoms last 1 to 3 weeks; not life-threatening

PCP

Street Drug Names: Angel Dust, Heaven and Hell, Hog, Horse Tranquilizer, Killer Joints, Peace Pill, Sherman Sticks/Tanks
Toxicology Detection: Up to 7 days
Psychological Effects: Feelings of being disconnected from reality, visual distortions, increased strength and aggressiveness, may cause brief psychotic episode
Physical Effects: Stupor, muscle rigidity, coma, convulsions
Withdrawal Symptoms: Violence, muscle rigidity, convulsions, coma and psychosis.