Drugs A - Z
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The information provided here is a guide to some generally well known drugs, it is by no means exhaustive but covers the more likely forms of drug abuse in Scotland. Remember, substance abuse can take many forms (Including Alchohol), you may know someone who needs help but doesn't neccssarily take any of the following, but the symptoms (and the problems) may be the same.
| 2CB | Ecstasy | LSD |
| Anabolic Steroid | GHB | Magic Mushrooms |
| Cannabis | Heroin | Methadone |
| Cocaine/Crack | Ketamine | Opiates |
| Khat | Tobacco | |
Category Hallucinogen (related to ecstasy)
Trade/Slang Nexus or Brom. Known by chemist as (4-Brom, 5‑Dimethoxyphenethylamine).
Legal Status Controlled Drug Class A
Average Price £5 for standard dose 20mg going up to £25 for stronger doses of around 40mg.
Short term effects Similar to Ecstasy it can make one have lots of energy. Heighten visual imagery, acute awareness of ones body, increased sensitivity to smells, tastes and sexual stimulation.
Long term effects Like Ecstasy it can leave the user feeling fatigued, disorientated and anxious. Many feel depressed. May also have visual illusions and panic attacks, also depersonalisation.
How taken Normally swallowed, but also snorted or smoked
Addictive
Anabolic Steroid
Category Stimulant
Trade/Slang Anadrol, Nandrolene, Testosterone
Legal Status Class C. Prescription only (Illegal to supply, but not illegal to possess them for personal use)
Average Price £15 - £25 per 100 tablets, £5 per ml for liquid sterioids
Short term effects No immediate mood altering effects. Heightens sex drive.
Long term effects Risks from injection. Increase muscle tissue. Can increase aggression. Lower sex drive. Possible liver and heart damage. Alter hormone balance body hair, deeper voice, stunts growth in young people often irreversible.
How taken Pills - swallowed; Liquid form - injected
Addictive Psychological dependence.
Cannabis
Category Depressant/mild hallucinogen
Trade/Slang Hash, blow, puff, weed, shit, pot, grass, ganja, skunk (a strong type of herbal cannabis)
Legal Status Herbal Resin ; Class C Reclassification does not mean Cannabis is Legal, Cannabis Oil can be Class A
Average Price £15 for 1/8 ounce (3.5 grammes); £25 - £30 for 1 ounce (7 grammes); £60 - £120 for 1 ounce (28 grammes); Prices vary dependant on quality i.e. skunk may be £40 per ounce
Short term effects First time users feel confused and distressed, panic and anxiety attacks are common. Dependent on expectation, mood, amount used, state of relaxation, talkativeness, heightened appreciation of sight, sound and taste. Depreciation of short term memory, concentration and motion skills. Can cause psychological distress and aggravate any underlying mental disorders, e.g. paranoia.
Long term effects If smoked aggravates respiratory problems i.e. bronchitis. Cannabis produces no physical dependence, but can produce mild withdrawal symptoms. Prolonged use can result in a psychological need for the drug. Can often result in apathy and lack of energy for user. Can cause premature birth in pregnancy. Cannot be overdosed on. Can cause lung cancer
How taken Smoked, eaten, infused (i.e. tea)
Addictive; Regular heavy use may cause nerve damage and affect learning abilities which may not be reversible.
Category Stimulant
Trade/Slang Coke, snow, crack, freebase, base, rock, wash stone
Legal Status Class A Prescription only Medicines Controlled Drug
Average Price £40 - £60/gramme
Short term effects Physiological arousal accompanied by exhilaration, feelings of well being. When sniffed the psychological effects peak after about 15-30 minutes and then diminish. When smoked as crack the effects are almost immediate and very intense but more short-lived. After effects include agitation, restlessness, anxiety and paranoia.
Long term effects Users may well develop a strong psychological dependence on the feelings of physical and mental well-being afforded by the drug, and are often tempted to step up the dose. Fatigue, depression if use stopped, may develop into paranoid psychosis. Damages nasal membrane when sniffed.
How taken sniffed, smoked and injected
Addictive Users may develop a strong psychological dependence. Dependence appears more likely and more severe and its onset more rapid if cocaine or crack is smoked.
DMT/N N DMT/ 5-MEO DMT/Dimethyltryptamine
Trade/Slang
Legal Status Class A
Average Price Wraps of 40mg of DMT approximately £25.00 each.
Short term effects Almost immediate effect. Heart rate and blood pressure increase, trips last from 10 - 30 minutes. Unaware of surrounding, feeling sick and shaky. Often feelings of extreme confusion and distress. Tolerance is rapid.
Long term effects Little is known of long term effects. Fatigue, mental and physical often lasting a number of days. Possible strong flashbacks psychological problems.
How taken Snorting/smoking/injected.
Addictive Generally experimental/one-off.
Category Hallucinogen/Stimulant
Trade/Slang (E) MDMA, love doves, burgers, disco biscuits, love hearts, rhubarb and custard, hug drug, dolphins, brownies.
Legal Status Controlled Drug Class A. Penalties for possession of ecstasy could be up to 7 years in prison and a fine.
Average Price £3 - £8 depending on type of pill and where you live
Short term effects (75 - 100mg) effects are experienced after (20 - 60) minutes and can last several hours. Pupils dilate, the jaw tightens, maybe brief nausea, sweating, dry mouth and throat, blood pressure higher and heart rate, also loss of appetite. Difficult body co-ordination/therefore dangerous to drive or operate machinery. May enhance sensual experience of sex. Feeling of wellbeing and empathy. Danger from overheating and dehydration can bring on heat-stroke and be fatal.
Long term effects Lowers immune system increase in minor ailments i.e. cold, flu and sore throats. Infections on women/genito-urinary tract. It may affect the immune system, possible liver damage. Depression and anxiety. Can alter brain function and these changes may be long term.
How taken Usually swallowed/rarely injected (snorted) and maybe sprinkled into joints and smoked.
Addictive Can result in psychological dependence. Can be detected in urine for about 2-4 days
Category Depressant
Trade/Slang GBH or liquid ecstasy, gammahydroxybutrate
Legal Status Classed as medicinal and is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act so possession is not an offence.
Average Price £5 for a capful of liquid and £10 - £15 a bottle. Mail order Price is around £16 for 20 capsules each containing 250mg.
Short term effects effects are noticeable between 10 minutes and an hour after taking the drug and have been reported as lasting a day or longer. In small doses GBH can break down social inhibitions and increase libido. As the dosage increases, euphoria gives way to powerful sedative effects. There have been reports of nausea, vomiting and stiffening of muscles, disorientation, convulsions, coma and respiratory collapse.
Long term effects There is the potential for physical and psychological dependence.
How taken Mainly orally but there is at least one report of users injecting.
Addictive Potentially.
Category Very Strong Painkiller/Depressant made from opium
Trade/Slang Junk, skag, H, Smack, brown, kit, horse, gear
Legal Status Class A Prescription only Medicine
Average Price approximately £80/g can be bought in £10 wraps
Short term effects Gives feeling of warmth and euphoria, blocks physical and emotional pain. Depresses central nervous system activity, including reflex functions such as coughing, respiration and heart rate. Dilate blood vessels (giving a feeling of warmth/euphoria). Can be fatal due to respiratory failure. Also associated risks if injected.
Long term effects Tolerance develops quickly requiring higher dosage. Withdrawals are unpleasant with cramps, sweats and cravings. Long term damage to veins etc if injected. Injection also greatly increases chances of Hep C and HIV/Aids especially when sharing equipment. Constipation common.
How taken Smoked, injected and snorted.
Addictive Both physically and psychologically addictive. Physical dependence is not as significant as the extreme psychological dependence developed through sustained use.
Category Hallucinogen
Trade/Slang Super K, Vitamin K, Green, Special K Chemically related to phencyclidine
Legal Status Prescription only.
Average Price Prices range from £6-£25 for a wrap of powder though this may not always be Ketamine.
Short term effects Initial cocaine-like rush, vomiting and nausea, slurring or speech and vision, numbness and ataxia (irregular muscle co-ordination). Temporary paralysis, out-of-body flying or floating sensations.
Long term effects Flashbacks, there may be memory, attention and vision impairment, one authority has concluded that frequent and prolonged use of ketamine could cause psychological dependence, psychosis and gradual loss of contact with the real world.
How taken Can be injected, taken orally in pills, sniffed in powder form, or smoked.
Addictive Physical dependence and withdrawal are not a feature or ketamine use, psychological dependence can occur with frequent and prolonged use, also psychosis.
Khat (used mostly in Africa, but is getting more common in Europe particularly immigrant communities)
Category Stimulant
Trade/Slang Khat, gat, gaadka, quat, chat, catha edulis MEOW MEOW (derivative of drug)
Legal Status Class C Not a controlled drug as such, but ingredients cathinong and cathine may not be lawfully possessed. (Cathine can be prescribed)
Average Price A Hit (small bunch of leaves) 2-3 ounces - £4 (leaves).
Short term effects Talkativeness, calming effects and mild euphoria.
Long term effects Depression, anxiety and paranoia. Oral cancer, heart disease and can lead to psychosis.
How taken Orally (chewed)
Addictive No physical dependence but when stopping using it you can feel depressed.
Category Hallucinogen
Trade/Slang LSD, acid, tabs, Trips (you can get many different names for acid tabes. LSD is known for the pictures on them e.g. strawberries
Legal Status Class A Controlled Drug
Average Price £1 - £5 per tab
Short term effects takes effect after 30 minutes. Can last up to 12 hours (more often 4 - 6). Visual effects/distortions/aural effects. Can cause anxiety/depression/disorientation/paranoia. Effect co-ordination. Experiences can vary each time. Can produce psychosis, including hallucinations and paranoia
Long term effects No long term physical dangers. Can produce psychological problems and flashbacks especially with users with underlying mental health problems. Psychological problems and flashbacks are well recognised complications of long term use.
How taken Orally
Addictive No physical dependence. Prolonged use creates tolerance after 3 - 4 days. Can create psychological dependence.
Category Hallucinogen
Trade/Slang Magic mushroom, liberty cap, mushies, shrooms, liberties, magics. Fly agaric- more toxic kind
Legal Status Not illegal to pick, but illegal to prepare!. Class A if used in preparation or other product.
Average Price Free if you know where to find them £5 per bag approximately 30 mushrooms (handful).
Short term effects Takes effect approximately 30 minutes giving visual and aural distortions, peak after 3 hours dependant on the amount taken. Heart rate and blood pressure rise, pupils dilate. Can cause nausea vomiting and stomach pains. If wrong ones are picked, may be poisonous and fatal.
Long term effects Possibility of flashbacks/psychotic episodes if unusually high doses take. Can cause psychological problems.
How taken Eaten raw/ cooked or made into a tea. Crushed into tablets
Addictive No apparent physical dependence. No significant withdrawal symptoms. Can create psychological need.
Category Painkiller
Trade/Slang Meth, Physeptone, meth, juice
Legal Status Prescription only, Controlled Drug Class A
Average Price £1 per 10mls
Short term effects Slow release opiate used to reduce heroin withdrawal. Feeling of warmth. High risk of overdose when used with other drugs � heroin/ alcohol/tranquillisers.
Long term effects Physical dependence common in long term users. Tendency to respiratory problems, constipation, menstrual irregularity and instability of mood. Damage to teeth.
How taken Orally
Addictive Both physically and psychologically addictive.
Opiates
(Oxycontin, Tramadol, Codeine, Morphine, Fentanyl, Dihydrocodone, etc)
Category Painkiller
Trade/Slang Oxy, Morph, Cyclimorph, DFs, Diffs
Legal Status Prescription Only Medicines. Most are controlled drugs - Class A or B, that are illegal to possess or sell without legal authority.
Short Term Effects Analgesic (painkilling) properties. Also reduce breathing rate and heart rate, hunger and anxiety. These effects, combined with an increase in blood flow to the skin, give the warm contented and sometimes euphoric feeling that is often reported. First time users may vomit but this stops with repeated use. At low doses, opiates do not interfere with physical co-ordination or mental alertness. After high doses, opiates produce a stupor.
Long Term Effects The physical effects of long-term opiate use are not often serious in themselves. Common side-effects include constipation, irregular periods and weight loss.Physical risks, including overdose, increases after a period of abstinence as this leads to lack of tolerance, and when opiates are mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or alcohol.
How Taken Smoked, Sniffed, Inhaled or Injected depending on drug type.
Addictive Addiction to opiates rpaidly developes.
Category Stimulant
Trade/Slang Nicotine, cigarettes, fags, snuff, ciggies, rollies
Legal Status Illegal to sell to children under 16. Otherwise unrestricted.
Average Price £4 - £5 per pack of 20, smoking 20 a day for 5 years will cost you over £8,000.oo!!!
Short term effects Inhalation has almost immediate effect. Rapid decline in nicotine levels permits frequent use. First time users often feel sick and dizzy.
Long term effects Long term smoking makes one more likely to suffer from heart disease, blood clots, lung infections and cancer. If no irreversible damage has been done an ex-smoker can regain normal health.
How taken Smoked. Snuff is sniffed up the nose.
Addictive Tolerance rapidly develops to the effects of nicotine. Tobacco is addictive and when stopped some users may become irritable and depressed. Is both physically and psychologically addictive.