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.
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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.
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)
Hallucinogens/Psychedelic DrugsLSD (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)
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)
Other Illegal CompoundsAnabolic Steroids (also known as: Anadrol, Depo-Testosterone, Durabolin, Equipoise, Oxandrin, gym candy, juice, pumpers and roids)
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)
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)
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.
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
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
Club Drugs
GHB
Flunitrazepam
Nausea
Memory loss
Drowsiness
Headaches
Lack of coordination
Unconsciousness
Disorientation
Seizures Coma
MDMA
Mild hallucinogenic effects
Increased tactile sensitivity
Empathetic Lowered inhibition
Depression Teeth clenching
Sleep disturbances
Chills
Sweats
Anxiety
Impaired memory
Hyperthermia
Addiction
Memory loss
Sedation
Dizziness
Impaired coordination
Muscle relaxation
Confusion Addiction
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
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
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
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
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:
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