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Illegal substance abuse is defined as a dependence on illegal drugs or legal drugs that are used or distributed illegally. These drugs contain chemicals that affect both the body and the brain.
Effects from illegal drugs can often be long-lasting, and there may even be permanent side effects after a person has ceased taking the substance. Worse yet, there’s no way to know or verify how strong illegal drugs are or what else is in them. This makes them incredibly dangerous and sometimes even deadly. So it’s important to get help quickly.
Fortunately, substance abuse counseling and drug treatment programs are available. Recovering from abuse or addiction is hard. It requires support from family, friends and professionals. But with the help of a drug rehabilitation center, there is hope.
Addiction Treatment Advantages at Daylight Recovery Services
Commonly Abused Illegal Substances and Street Names
There are countless illegal drugs on the market today. It’s important to understand that each illegal substance can have several street names and technical names that addicts may use in order to make their drug abuse or addiction less conspicuous. The following are drugs that are sometimes or always illegal, and often abused. We’ve also listed many of their nicknames, but this list is not exhaustive.
If you believe that you or a loved one may be dealing with an addiction to one of these drugs or any other substance, it’s time to seek help.
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Cannabinoids
Hashish (also known as boom, gangster, hash, hash oil and hemp)
Marijuana (also known as blunt, bud, dope, ganja, green, herb, joint, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, sinsemilla, smoke, skunk, trees and weed)
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Hallucinogens/Psychedelic Drugs
LSD (also known as: Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, acid, blotter, blue heaven, cubes, microdot and yellow sunshine)
Mescaline (also known as: buttons, cactus, mesc and peyote)
Psilocybin (also known as: little smoke, magic mushrooms, purple passion and shrooms)
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Opioids
Fentanyl (also known as: Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze, Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, tango and cash)
Heroin (also known as: Diacetylmorphine, diamorphine, rat poison, caffeine, powdered, laundry detergent, baking soda, starch, sugar, brown sugar, China white, dope, H, horse, junk, skag, skunk, smack and white horse)
Opium (also known as: Laudanum, Paregoric, big O, black stuff, block, gum and hop)
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Other Illegal Compounds
Anabolic Steroids (also known as: Anadrol, Depo-Testosterone, Durabolin, Equipoise, Oxandrin, gym candy, juice, pumpers and roids)
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Club Drugs
Flunitrazepam (also known as: Rohypnol, date rape drug, forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, roach, Roche, roofies, rohypnol, rope and rophies)
GHB (also known as: Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, G, Georgia home boy, goop, grievous bodily harm, liquid ecstasy, scoop, soap and liquid X)
MDMA (also known as: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Adam, clarity, ecstasy, Eve, lovers’ speed, Molly, peace and uppers)
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Dissociative Hallucinogen Drugs
Dextromethorphan (also known as: DXM, robotripping, robo and triple C)
Ketamine (also known as: Ketalar SV, cat Valium, K, Special K and vitamin K)
PCP and Analogs (also known as: Phencyclidine, angel dust, boat, hog, love boat and peace pill)
Salvia Divinorum (also known as: magic mint, Maria Pastora, Sally-D, Salvia, Shepherdess’s Herb)
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Stimulants
Amphetamines (also known as Biphetamine, Dexedrine, beauties, bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers and uppers)
Bath Salts (also known as: Cloud 9, vanilla sky, white lightning, bloom, scarface, bliss, drone, energy-1, meow meow, pure ivory, blue silk, stardust, lunar wave, wicked X)
Cocaine (also known as: Cocaine hydrochloride, blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, flake, snow and toot)
Crack Cocaine (also known as: Crack, rock, speedball, spaceball, woo-woo, coco puffs, woolies, boy-girl, candy flipping, bumping up, snow seals, flamethrowers)
Methamphetamine (also known as Desoxyn, chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass, go fast, ice, meth and speed)
Symptoms and Side Effects of Illegal Substance Abuse
Illegal substances can be taken through injection, ingestion or inhalation. The effect that the drug has on the body will depend on the method of delivery – but all drugs affect the brain. When taken, they can cause large amounts of dopamine to flood the brain, producing a high. With continued, compulsive use, this can lead to dependency or even addiction. The following are some common symptoms and side effects of illegal substance abuse.
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Cannabinoids
(Hashish and Marijuana)
- Euphoria Relaxation
- Increased heart rate
- Cough Slow reaction time
- Increased appetite
- Distorted sensory perception
- Anxiety
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Impaired learning and memory
- Psychosis Panic attacks
- Possible mental health decline
- Impaired balance and coordination
- Addiction
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Hallucinogens
LSD and Mescaline
- Increased body temperature
- Flashbacks of experience caused by hallucinogenic drugs (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder)
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Rapid emotional shifts
- Impulsive behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeplessness
- Feeling of numbness
- Dizziness and weakness
- Sweating Tremors
Psilocybin
- Panic
- Paranoia
- Nervousness
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Opioids
(Heroin and Opium)
- Euphoria
- A feeling of heaviness
- Drowsiness Constipation
- Impaired coordination
- Nausea Breathing problems
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Hepatitis HIV Sedation
- Endocardium infection
- Addiction Death
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Stimulants
(Amphetamine, Cocaine and Methamphetamine)
- Increased energy
- Irritability
- Violent behavior
- Psychosis Tremors
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Increased metabolism
- Reduced appetite Weight loss
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Paranoia
- Cardiac or cardiovascular complications
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Addiction
Cocaine-specific symptoms
- Nasal damage
Methamphetamine-specific symptoms
- Serious dental issues
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Other Illegal Compounds
Anabolic Steroids and Inhalants
- Blood clotting
- Acne Shifts in cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Hostility and aggression
- Liver cysts
- Premature stoppage of growth
- Males may experience or develop reduced sperm counts, shrunken testicles, breast enlargement and prostate cancer
- Females may experience or develop menstrual irregularities, facial hair and other masculine characteristics
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Club Drugs
GHB
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Lack of coordination
- Unconsciousness
- Disorientation
- Seizures Coma
Flunitrazepam
- Memory loss
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
- Muscle relaxation
- Confusion Addiction
MDMA
- Mild hallucinogenic effects
- Increased tactile sensitivity
- Empathetic Lowered inhibition
- Depression Teeth clenching
- Sleep disturbances
- Chills
- Sweats
- Anxiety
- Impaired memory
- Hyperthermia
- Addiction
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Dissociative Hallucinogen Drugs
Dextromethorphan, Ketamine, PCP and Analogs, and Salvia Divinorum
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- The feeling of being disconnected and separate from one’s body and surrounding environment
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Impaired motor function
- Tremors A feeling of numbness
- Memory loss
- Headaches
- Lack of coordination
- Unconsciousness
- Disorientation
- Seizures
- Coma
Dextromethorphan-specific symptoms
- Euphoria
- Distorted
- visual perceptions
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness and confusion
Ketamine-specific symptoms
- Inability to feel pain
- Delirium
- Impaired memory
- Respiratory problems
- Death
PCP and Analog-specific symptoms
- Hallucinations
- Inability to feel pain
- Aggression Violence
- Psychosis
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination
Specific Kinds of Illegal Substance Abuse and Addiction
Daylight Recovery Services offers drug rehab programs for many different types of illegal drug addictions. Following evaluations, treatment plans are customized based on each person’s unique needs. The following are just a few of the addictions our trained and knowledgeable staff can help treat:
Substance Abuse Treatment Programs and What to Expect
Substance abuse rehabilitation at Daylight Recovery Services begins with residential drug treatment. The first stage of most drug rehab programs is the drug detoxification phase. During this time, the body will be rid of any substances that have created a dependence.
The next step involves professional substance abuse counseling, therapeutic treatments, and other services and activities, which may include:
- Trauma therapy
- Meditation
- Reiki
- Sound healing
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- And time to use our other calming amenities
Each person’s schedule is determined by their unique needs. Our experienced and knowledgeable team can help design a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan for you or your loved one.patient
Let Daylight Recovery Help
Treatment is always possible. At Daylight Recovery, our experts are trained to help you or your loved one toward recovery. Have a question or need more information? Reach out today for a free consultation. Take the first steps toward sobriety with Daylight Recovery.
