Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

312 Substance Abuse
Drug Name
ALKYL NITRITES
DRUG SLANG
Slang Names
rush, locker room, rave, poppers, snappers
AMPHETAMINES
speed, go-pill, upper
BARBITURATES
yellow jackets, reds, blues, rainbows, downers, barbs, goofballs
COCAINE
coke, snow, flake, blow, big C, lady, nose candy, white, party favors
DEXTROMETHORPHAN
DXM, skittles, candy, c-c-c, dex, DM, Drex, red devils, tussin, velvet
FLUNITRAZEPAM (Rohypnol)
roofies, rophies, roach, rope, forget-me pill
GAMMA HYDROXYBUTYRATE (GHB)
liquid ecstasy, soap, easy lay, vita-G, Georgia home boy
HEROIN
smack, horse, brown sugar, junk, black tar, big H, bag
KETAMINE
special K, vitamin K, super K, keets
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
marijuana
acid, blotter, trip, hit, sugar cube, microdot, tab, purple haze
pot, weed, reefer, mary jane, aunt mary, boom, kif, skunk, herb, dope, gangster
METHAMPHETAMINE
speed, crank, crystal, ice, glass, meth, crystal meth
METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (MDMA)
XTC, X, hug drug, ecstasy, ecstacy
PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
angel dust, ozone, wack, rocket fuel, crystal supergrass, embalming fluid, killer joint
Often the break from the addictive behaviors
occurs as a consequence of intervention, either by
family members and friends or through legal
processes such as court-imposed sentencing to a
substance abuse program. Unfortunately, such
intervention all too often comes at the cost of
injury to self or others. Alcohol is a factor in more
than half of MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS in the United
States. Other substances that alter perception,
judgment, and reaction time further contribute to
traffic accidents, which are the leading cause of
accidental injury and death. These substances
include CANNABIS products (marijuana, hashish,
hash oil), as well as STIMULANTS, BARBITURATES, BEN-
ZODIAZEPINES, and HALLUCINOGENS.
Two thirds of new HIV/AIDS INFECTION among
women in the United States result directly or indirectly
from injected drug use: either the woman
herself injects illicit drugs or has sexual partners
who inject illicit drugs. Intravenous drug use is
also the leading means of transmitting infection
with HEPATITIS B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D. Intravenous
drug users face numerous other risks
including ENDOCARDITIS (bacterial infection of the
HEART valves), damaged and destroyed veins, cellulitis
(infection of the skin and underlying tissue),
MALNUTRITION, and poisoning from the unknown
ingredients illicit drugs contain as fillers.
Special Risks: Substance Abuse During Pregnancy
Substance abuse during PREGNANCY poses unique
risks for the developing FETUS, which may experience
health crises at birth and lifelong health consequences.
Among the most toxic substances of
abuse is alcohol, which is teratogenic at nearly
every stage of pregnancy. FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME