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Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Glossary
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This glossary contains various words and phrases associated with drug use. Some of the words or phrases are medical terms while others are slang terms that may be used by adolescents. It is helpful to have a general knowledge of these terms so you will understand the information you read on these webpages and other drug abuse resources. If you are a parent, being able to recognize slang terms assoicated with drug abuse may make it easier to communicate with your child about drugs and to spot a potential drug abuse problem in your child. If you are an adolescent, you may also benefit by understanding the terminology as you will be more aware of potentially dangerous situations and may be more confident about avoiding drug use. Acid: street name for the hallucinogen LSD Addiction: intense physiological and psychological craving for a drug Adolescence: the period between when a young person leaves childhood, around the age of puberty, and grows up enough to accept young adult responsibilities for independence, eight to twelve years later Aerosol: gas that is used to propel (push) other substances out of a pressurized can AIDS: (Acquired Immodeficiency Syndrome): fatal disease, usually spread by sexual contact or by exposure to contaminated blood through hypodermic needles Alcoholic: person who is suffering from the disease of alcoholism, who has lost the ability to control drinking Alcoholism: an illness that causes people to become dependent on alcohol because of changes in the brain Anesthetics: gases and drugs that are used to cause unconsciousness and numbness to pain BAC (Blood Alcohol Content): used to measure the amount of alcohol in the body and whether or not a person is legally intoxicated Black Market: an illegal market or illegal selling and buying of products or services Blackout: no memory of what went on while drinking or using other drugs Bummer: slang term for an unpleasant reaction to a drug that is expected to provide a high Candy Flipping: slang term for mixing LSD with MDMA, also know as ecstasy Carcinogen: Substance that causes cancer Chemical Dependence: a strong feeling or need for a drug that causes people to keep taking the drug even when it is harmful Cirrhosis: scar tissue replaces normal liver tissue and is accompanied by a decline in liver function; the most advanced form of alcoholic liver injury Cocaine: a powerful central nervous system stimulant taken from the leaves of the coca plant and made into a powder that is sniffed, smoked, or injected Codependency: when one person takes responsibility for fixing another person's substance abuse or addiction, and sacrifices personal well-being trying to change what he or she cannot control Coke: slang term for cocaine Convulsion: intense, uncontrollable contraction of muscles Crack: a highly addictive form of cocaine, made by mixing cocaine with baking soda and water Crash: physical pain and mental depression that follows the high of a drug Denial: convincing oneself that what has happened, is happening, or is going to happen did not, is not, or will not happen Depressant: substance that decreases the activity of the nervous system Depression: deep feeling of sadness; can be temporary or of long duration Detoxification: the process of ridding the body of alcohol or other drugs Dextromethorphan: an over-the-counter cough suppressant that when abused causes hallucinogenic and dissocative effects Drug: a chemical substance that changes how the mind or body functions Drug Raid: entering a place and then serving a search warrant to someone who is suspected of selling drugs. People can be arrested, and drugs and money can be taken by Drug Enforcement Administration agents or police officers during drug raids Drug Trafficking: smuggling, selling, and distributing illegal and legal drugs DUI: driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs DWI: driving while intoxicated Emphysema: serious disease of the lungs, often caused by smoking Enabling: helping to protect someone from the hurtful consequences of his or her destructive choices, so he or she just keeps engaging in problem-causing behavior Ether: liquid used to freebase cocaine Flashback: a recurrence of a drug-induced hallucinatory experience some time after the drug has been taken Freebase: a paste of cocaine and chemicals that is smoked to give a greater high than cocaine alone Freebasing: a dangerous process of mixing cocaine with ether so it can be smoked Freon: Brand name of a common aerosol propellant and refrigerant Gateway Drugs: drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, that can lead to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine and crack Grass: slang term for marijuana Hallucination: false perception of objects or events, often as a result of drug use Hallucinogen: agent that produces hallucinations Hangover: headache and other negative effects usually felt the morning after consuming alcohol or other drugs Heroin: a strong, physically addictive narcotic HIV: (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): virus that is believed to cause AIDS High: slang term for reaction to hallucinogenic drugs Hooked: being addicted to alcohol or other drugs Inhalant: a chemical that is volatile and gives off fumes Intervention: when a group of concerned people meet the alcoholic (or drug user) face to face with the goal of getting him or her to be evaluated by a trained professional and following through on the recommendations of the evaluation Intoxication: to ingest a substance that excites the body to the point that physical and mental control is diminished Joint: cigarette made of marijuana; sometimes called a reefer Ketamine: a veterinary tranquilizer that is used for its hallucinagenic effects. It is known on the street as special k or vitamin k Lid: amount of pot (marijuana) sold, usually slightly less than an ounce LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide): a powerful hallucinogen discovered by experiments with the ergot fungus, now artificially made for sale on the black market Magic Mushrooms: certain mushrooms that produce hallucinogenic effects Mainline: to inject a drug directly into a vein Mescal Buttons: the hallucinogenic ingredient in the peyote plant Methadone: a man-made drug that prevents the high of heroin and helps the user stop the use of heroin Narcotic: drug that eases pain and alters the mind Nitrous Oxide: anesthetic commonly used in dentistry and for minor surgery. Also the propellant for whiipped topping, such as whipped cream Overdose: a deadly or toxic amount of drugs Paranoia: an unreasonable feeling of distrust; thinking that everyone is out to get you PCP (Phencyclidine): a drug used for its hallucinogenic effects, known on the street as angel dust and rocket fuel Peer: person who has equal rank with others in age or status, as among adolescents Peer Pressure: urging by one's friends or social group to undertake a particular action Peyote: a hallucinogenic cactus found in parts of Mexico and Texas. It is used among American Indians in religious ceremonies Prevention: keeping legal and illegal drug use and abuse problems from occurring Psilocin: a hallucinogenic ingredient found in magic mushrooms Pot: street name for marijuana Psychedelic: type of drugs that cause hallucinations and other changes in one's feelings and awareness Psychoactive: altering mood or behavior Purifying: mixing coca leaves with acid or kerosene to make cocaine powder Recovery: the process through which a substance abuser or addict learns to live within himself or herself, with other people, and with the world in a healthy and rewarding drug-free way Reefer: cigarette made of marijuana, also called a joint Relapse: resuming substance abuse after drugs or alcohol have been given up Roach: last tiny butt of a joint or reefer Roach Clip: Clip or bobby pin used to hold the roach Robo-ing or Robo-tripping: term used for abusing dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cough suppressant Side Effects: unwanted or negative effects from taking a drug Skin-popping: slang term for injecting heroin just under the skin Skittling: term used for abusing dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cough suppressant, because the pills resemble skittles candy Snorting: taking a drug by inhaling it Snuff: a form of powdered tobacco that is inhaled, chewed, or placed against the gums Sober: a state where no alcohol or other mind altering substance has been used Sobriety: an alcohol-free/drug-free life Social User: person who does not use a drug on a daily basis but may use in social situations Solvent: volatile substance, in which things dissolve Speed: street name for amphetamines: also called uppers, pep pills, bennies, exies, meth, crystal, crank Stash: drug supply Stimulant: drug that speeds up the work of the body Stoned: being high on pot (marijuana) Stoner: hard-core marijuana user Substance Abuse: use of addictive substances, such as drugs and alcohol Synthetic: artificially made from chemicals in a laboratory THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): the main chemical in marijuana Tolerance: needing more of the drug to get the same effect Treatment: medical and psychological help given to people who wish to stop abusing drugs. People who go through treatment usually need help in kicking the habit. Withdrawal: discomfort that happens in the body after drugs that it has grown used to have been taken away Sources McFarland, R. "Drugs and Your Brothers and Sisters." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1993. Sherry, C. "Inhalants." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1994. Pickhardt, C. "Keys to Raising a Drug-Free Child." Barron's; New York: 1999. Myers, A. "Drugs and Peer Pressure." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1995. Smith, S. L. "Peyote and Magic Mushrooms." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1995. Smith, S. L. "Marijuana." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1995. Monroe, J. "LSD, PCP and Hallucinogens: Drug Dangers." Enslow Publisher, Inc.; Berkeley Heights: 2000. Phillips, J. E. "LSD, PCP, & Other Hallucinogens." Chelsea House Publishers: Philadelphia, 2000. Peck, R. G. "Crack." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1997. Hurwitz, S., Shniderman, N. "Drugs and Your Friends." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1993. Sales, P. "Alcohol Abuse: Straight Talk Straight Answers." Ixia Publications; Honolulu: 1999. Smith, S. L. "Heroin." The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.; New York: 1995. www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/straight/words.htm "What Every Parent Needs to Know About Cough Medicine Abuse." Partnership for a Drug-Free America. [Keywords: alcohol, other drugs, prevention] |
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