Amphetamines Stimulant (Art: pills, capsules, needles)
Speed, uppers, pep pills, Benzedrine, bennies, Dexedrine, bumblebees.

Consumed orally, smoked, snorted and injected.

Methamphetamines Stimulant (Art: pipe, broken glass, ice)
Meth, speed, crank, ice, crystal, fire, white cross, crypto, glass.

Consumed orally, smoked, snorted and injected.

Effects:
Addictive with high risk of HIV and hepatitis if injected. Causes many of same effects as amphetamines with more powerful consequences. Higher levels of compulsive behaviors, hallucinations and heart and blood level toxicity with arrhythmia.
Other important facts:
Excessive loss of appetite and malnutrition. Formication can occur with the sensation of insects creeping on or under the skin. Strokes may result from high blood pressure and convulsions.

Club Drugs Depressants, Stimulants, and Hallucinogens. (Art: Pills, powder, abstracts)
Special K, rohypnol, roofies, Ritalin, west coast, XTC, Ecstasy, Adam, GHB, speed, ice, crystal, meth, boomers, acid, rave energy, goodfella and many others.

Consumed orally, smoked, snorted and injected. In some instances without user intent or knowledge. As in "date rape" incidents as termed "forget me" drugs.

Effects:
A wide range of mood altering substances, these drugs are often taken in combination with little or no knowledge of consequences. Some are fabricated by illegal drug makers/dealers and some when used in combination can be lethal in very small dosages. The drugs generally disrupt the neurons of the brain and impair the senses. The different substances offer a broad range of effects including "out of body" experiences and profound loss of bodily controls.

So-called "designer drugs," those that are fentanyl-based have been known to cause instant respiratory failure. Others cause loss of consciousness leading to deep comas. Effects of usage are often rapid with very dramatic consequences. Recovery may take up to days or weeks and doses of only one gram can be fatal.

Cocaine & Crack Stimulant (Art: white powder & rocks)
Coke, nose candy, blow, big C, rock, freebase and other street names.

Snorted, or dissolved in water and injected. Crack: heated and smoked in pipe.

Effects:
Even first time users can suffer stroke, heart attack or respiratory failure. It is highly addictive and in "crack" or rock form, seems to trigger compulsive dependency most rapidly. Addiction to cocaine and crack causes serious damage to both physical and mental health.
Since both use and possession of these drugs are criminal acts, users face not only addiction but possible imprisonment. When either product is used with alcohol they pose particular concern for heart failure and loss of consciousness. Cocaine and crack have been major factors in auto accidents, deaths by drowning and suicide. Injected cocaine increases risk of HIV and hepatitis infections.

Heroin Opiate (Art: Needle, powder, bent spoon)
Smack, horse, H, junk, black tar, dope

Injected, smoked and snorted.

Effects:
Since heroin enters the brain so rapidly it generates a "rush" that is particularly appealing and addictive. Euphoria is induced quickly when injected and mental functions are quickly clouded. The heart is slowed, breathing diminishes. Heroin's history is rife with deadly overdoses as the "purity" of the drug is often unknown and its addictive qualities are so high. Because needle sharing is so common with users they are very prone to HIV and hepatitis infections.
After physical dependency sets in the addict requires ever-increased dosages to attain new highs. If dosages are reduced withdrawal symptoms result. These may include muscle and joint pain, chills and uncontrolled leg movements. Such symptoms may last for many months even under medical treatment.

Learn more about heroin addiction treatment.

OxyContin - Oxycodone Opiate Substitute (Art: Pills of various sizes)
Oxies, Oxy, killers, oxycotton, OC's, Oceans, O's, oxycoffins

Consumed orally by chewing and may also be snorted.

Effects:
Oxycodone is a drug approved by the FDA as an extremely effective painkiller. The leading product is sold under the brand name: OxyContin. It is being abused as a substitute for Heroin and is highly addictive when not used as prescribed. The popularity of Oxy screened its sometimes fatal consequences when used with alcohol and some other drugs. Presently authorities are generating widespread warnings about misuse by addicts and first time abusers. Over the past several years over 300 persons have died from overdoses, usually in combination with alcohol.
OxyContin was hailed as a "miracle drug" for patients in severe pain. They were treated with dosages ranging from 10 to 160mg. Crushing and snorting the pills bypasses time release factors and will cause deadly consequences much like "pure" heroin use.

Learn more about Oxycontin addiction treatment.

Marijuana/Hashish Hallucinogen (Art: pipe, bong, rolled)
Weed, pot, reefer, grass, ganja, Mary Jane, gangster, kif.

Smoked in a variety of ways and eaten as candy or pastry.

Effects:
Most widely used illicit drug in the U.S. , marijuana and hashish are derivatives of the Indian hemp plant and contain many natural, chemical components. Cannabis is its Latin name and hashish is the more ancient form. It is sometimes used in religious ceremonies in other world cultures. Long considered a "first indicator" or introduction to later substance abuse in the U.S. , marijuana impairs perception, judgement and the cognitive processes.
If used to excess it can result in psychological dependencies. Research indicates the drug reduces the ability to perform tasks requiring coordination. Other physical effects are bloodshot eyes and dry throat. It is often smoked in homemade pipes and bongs made from soda containers.

The Beachcomber Family Center for Addiction Recovery
4493 North Ocean Boulevard (A1A) • Delray Beach, FL 33483
(561) 734-1818 • Delray: (561) 276-6226 • Broward: (954) 421-6226
Dade: (305) 373-7411 • Fax: (561) 265-1349
Toll Free: (877) 270-6226