When referring to illicit substances, many people use slang terms to maintain secrecy and privacy. Most slang terms are derived from the name, shape, or color of the drug, and sometimes how that drug makes you feel when it is abused. Over the years, slang terms for drugs have changed, with some falling out of popularity and use and new terms emerging.
What is drug slang?
Often, people who use drugs refer to them in slang terms. This is generally so that conversations about drugs can take place without raising suspicion from parents, teachers, or law enforcement. Terms for various drugs have developed and changed over time, with slang terms being introduced and updated with each new generation. Currently, emojis have become one of the most prevalent forms of drug slang. [1]
Parents might find themselves confused by some of the language their children use and wonder whether they are referring to the use of substances. Being aware of the terms for various drugs can help in detecting drug-using behaviors. Listed below are some of the more commonly used slang terms for different types of drugs. [1][2][3]
Slang terms for marijuana
Marijuana, or cannabis, is a plant that is typically smoked and is a widely used drug across the US and worldwide. There are various terms used to refer to marijuana that is smoked, as well as variants of the drug such as edible items and oils.
Slang terms for marijuana include:
- Weed
- Spliff
- Joint
- 420
- Green
- Bud
- Dope
- Ganja
- Grass
- Hash
- Puff
- Purple haze
- Mary Jane
- Pot
- Skunk
- Gummies (edibles)
- Dabs (oil)
Slang terms for oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller often obtained through a prescription and abused by crushing and snorting. OxyContin, Percocet, and Roxicodone are some of the most commonly seen brand-name versions of oxycodone.
Slang terms for oxycodone include:
- Oxycotton (OxyContin)
- Percs (Percocet)
- Oxy
- O
- OC
- Hillbilly heroin
- Roxy or Roxies (Roxicodone)
- Bean
- Blues
- Buttons
- Kickers
Slang terms for heroin
Slang terms for fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is significantly stronger than other opioids like heroin and morphine. Medicinal and illicitly produced fentanyl are sold and often mixed with other drugs because it is cheap and powerful.
Slang terms for fentanyl include:
- Fent
- Tango
- F
- Fenty
- TNT
- China town
- China white
- Apache
- Cash
- Goodfella
- Dance fever
Slang terms for other opioids
Many other opioids are widely abused, including prescription opioids such as hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, and methadone.
Slang terms for other opioids include:
- Percs (Percocet)
- Dreamer (morphine)
- Miss Emma (morphine)
- Morpho (morphine)
- Monkey (morphine)
- Fluff (Vicodin)
- Vics (Vicodin)
- Hydros (hydrocodone)
- Cody (codeine)
- Schoolboy (codeine)
- Done (methadone)
- Dollies (methadone)
Slang terms for cocaine
Cocaine is one of the most widely abused substances and is often used as a powder to be snorted, smoked, or injected, or as a crystal (crack cocaine) which is usually smoked.
Slang terms for cocaine include:
- Blow
- Nose candy
- Rail
- Coke
- Crack
- Snow
- White
- Sniff
- Bump
- Rock (crack)
Slang terms for meth
Methamphetamine, meth, or crystal meth is a powerful stimulant that is sold as a white powder or crystal. It is highly addictive with a high potential for abuse and harmful effects.
Slang terms for meth include:
- Crystal
- Ice
- Amp
- Crank
- Blue
- Chalk
- Chicken feed
- Shatter
- Speed
- Tina
- Super ice
- Tweak
Slang terms for Adderall
Adderall is a medication commonly prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also widely abused by young people to improve academic or athletic performance and is easily accessible due to the regularity with which it is prescribed.
Slang terms for Adderall include:
- Christmas trees
- Addy
- Smarties
- Study skittles
- Beans
- Dexies
- Pep pills
- Study buddies
- Zing
Slang terms for other stimulants
Stimulants include amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and Adderall, as well as other substances such as methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta).
Slang terms for other stimulants include:
- Kiddie cocaine (methylphenidate)
- Pineapple (methylphenidate)
- Rittys (Ritalin)
- Smarties (methylphenidate)
Slang terms for Xanax
Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine, commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, are highly addictive and are widely abused.
Slang terms for Xanax include:
- Zannies
- Xanies
- Bars
- Benzos
- Footballs
- Upjohns
- Yellow boys
- Bricks
Slang terms for other benzodiazepines
Other benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and triazolam (Halcion). Benzodiazepines can be prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and sleep disorders such as insomnia, due to their sedating effect. Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) is also known for its sedating effects and is often used to commit assault on others (spiking).
Slang terms for other benzodiazepines include:
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