Drug abuse is a common issue many people face. It can affect lives, families, employment status, and more. However, drug addiction is a disease that can be treated. Even common and legal drugs can be easily abused if not taken as prescribed by a doctor. There are many classifications of drugs that are often abused. Discover the top most commonly abused drugs in this guide.
Amphetamine
Amphetamines are one of the most commonly abused drugs. They are prescription medications classified as stimulants. These are regularly prescribed to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Amphetamine is commonly used outside of prescription purposes as a study aid, to help people stay awake, and as an appetite suppressant.
Amphetamines are stimulants that cause the body to increase its temperature, blood pressure, and pulse rate. It is also known to cause insomnia, loss of appetite, and the feeling of physical exhaustion.
Prolonged abuse and overuse of the drug can cause psychosis similar to schizophrenia with the symptoms of paranoia, hallucinations, and unpredictable behavior. An overdose of amphetamines can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Below are some common street names for amphetamine drugs:
- Crank
- Speed
- Uppers
- Meth
- Dexies
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are another very commonly misused and abused drug type. These are drugs commonly prescribed to those with seizure disorders, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, and those prone to muscle spasms. Outside of prescribed usages, these drugs, classified as depressants, are used for their sedative and hypnotic side effects.
Barbiturates are depressants that cause lethargy, calmness, sleepiness, loss of memory, judgment, and coordination. They often make those taking them irritable, paranoid, and potentially suicidal. One’s body typically develops a tolerance to these drugs quickly, causing the need for larger doses to feel the same effects. This makes barbiturates very easy and common to overdose on, and overdoses on barbiturates are often fatal.
Below are some common street names for barbiturate drugs:
- Seconal
- Nembutal
- Phenobarbital
- Barbs
- Block Busters
- Christmas Trees
- Goof Balls
- Pinks
- Red Devils
- Yellow Jackets
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are often prescribed to those with sleeping disorders, anxiety disorders, and those who suffer from seizures. These are a commonly abused drug taken for its calming and euphoric-type effects on the body.
Benzodiazepines are depressants that have a calming effect on people. They are known to cause vivid or intensely disturbing dreams, amnesia, loss of memory, hostility, irritability, and unpredictable behavior. Overdoses can be fatal with benzodiazepines. Common signs of an overdose are trouble breathing, clammy skin, dilated pupils, rapid changes in pulse, and a shutdown of motor functions. Suspected overdoses should be treated right away.
Below are some common street names for benzodiazepine drugs:
- Valium
- Librium
- Xanax
- Ativan
- Dalmane
- Benzos
- Downers
- Nerve pills
- Tranks
Cocaine
Cocaine is a very commonly abused drug and a well-known “party drug.” It is not commonly prescribed and is a highly addictive street drug that comes in multiple forms. It is typically either snorted, dissolved in water and injected, or smoked in the crack cocaine form.
This drug is commonly used for its euphoric “rush” effect. It can cause cardiac arrhythmias, rapidly increasing blood pressure and heart rate, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, and increased aggression. It is also known to cause insomnia, loss of appetite, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and convulsions. Cocaine users typically binge on the drug until they run out of it, then experience an intense crash that can last multiple days, bringing on symptoms of depression, physical exhaustion, excessive sleep, and lethargy. Once the crash subsides, the user typically develops an intense craving for the drug again.
Below are some common street names for cocaine:
- Coke
- Coca
- Crack
- Crank
- Flake
- Snow
- Rocks
- Soda Cot
- Blow
- Toot
Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a drug that isn’t typically prescribed unless in the case of emergencies. It is another commonly abused street drug and is also known as a “party drug.” It is ingested in many formats, either in gel capsules, pills, tablets, or snorted, mixed into drinks, and rarely, but still sometimes, smoked.
Ecstasy causes increased motor activity, alertness, and the feeling of euphoria for users. It can also have the side effects of increased heart rate and blood pressure. Chills, blurred vision, confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, dehydration, and reduced inhibitions are all common of the hallucinogenic drug. It can also cause a rapid and steep increase in body temperature which can cause liver, kidney, and cardiovascular failure. These side effects can lead to death.
Below are some common street names for Ecstasy:
- XTC
- Adam
- Essence
- Molly
- MDMA
- Biscuit
- Clarity
- Disco biscuit
- E
- Eve
- Beans
- Peace
- X
- STP
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamines are stimulant drugs that speed up the entire body’s systems. These are commonly prescribed to treat obesity and ADHD. Outside of their prescribed usage, these drugs are used for their stimulant properties in slightly altered versions of the prescription drug.
Some of the effects of methamphetamines are agitation, addiction, rapidly increasing body temperature, trouble breathing, anxiety, and paranoia. This is a highly addictive drug, and taking high doses of it can cause extreme convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke, and even death. Overdosing on methamphetamines is extremely dangerous and often leads to death.
Below are some common street names for methamphetamines:
- Crank
- Meth
- Crystal meth
- Speed
Morphine
Morphine is commonly prescribed for pain relief and is typically used in hospitals. It is a non-synthetic narcotic, otherwise known as an opioid. It is derived from opium and is associated with a high level of drug abuse, as it is commonly misused even by those it is prescribed to.
Morphine is used outside of prescription purposes for its euphoric effects and extreme relief of pain. It’s a highly addictive drug that causes visual impairment, sleepiness, lowered blood pressure, and a calming feeling. High doses and overdoses of morphine can lead to coma and potential death.
Below are some common street names for morphine:
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Dreamer
- Emsel
- First line
- God’s drug
- MS
- Mister blue
- Morph
- Unkie
While any drug as the potential to be abused or misused, these are the most commonly abused ones on the list. Most of these drugs are commonly prescribed or readily available on the streets. When abused, these drugs have adverse side effects and can even lead to death. The use of drug screening kits can potentially save lives by identifying those with addictions and tendencies to use illicit substances in a dangerous manner. Explore our varieties of different drug testing kits to find the right one for your needs.
