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Drug Abuse and Addiction Research: 25 Years of Discovery to Advance the Health of the Public
Appendix: Commonly Abused Drugs

This is Archived Content. This content is available for historical purposes only. It may not reflect the current state of science or language from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Find current research and publications at nida.nih.gov.

Substance Examples of Proprietary or Street Names Medical Uses Route of Adminis-
tration		 DEA Sch* Period
of
Detection
Stimulants
Amphetamine Biphetamine, Dexedrine; Black Beauties, Crosses, Hearts Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, narcolepsy Injected, oral, smoked, sniffed II 1-2 days
Cocaine Coke, Crack, Flake, Rocks, Snow Local anesthetic, vasoconstrictor Injected, smoked, sniffed II 1-4 days
Methamphetamine Desoxyn;Crank, Crystal, Glass, Ice, Speed ADHD, obesity, narcolepsy Injected, oral, smoked, sniffed II 1-2 days
Methylphenidate Ritalin ADHD, narcolepsy Injected, oral II 1-2 days
Nicotine Habitrol patch, Nicorette gum, Nicotrol spray, Prostep patch; Cigars, Cigarettes, Smokeless tobacco, Snuff, Spit tobacco Treatment for nicotine dependence Smoked, sniffed, oral, transdermal NS 1-2 days
Hallucinogens and Other Compounds
LSD Acid, Microdot None Oral I 8 hours
Mescaline Buttons, Cactus, Mesc, Peyote None Oral I 2-3 days
Phencyclidine & Analogs PCP; Angel Dust, Boat, Hog, Love Boat Anesthetic (veterinary) Injected, oral, smoked I, II 2-8 days
Psilocybin Magic Mushroom, Purple Passion, Shrooms None Oral I 8 hours
Amphetamine variants DOB, DOM, MDA, MDMA; Adam, Ecstasy, STP, XTC None Oral I 1-2 days
Marijuana Blunt, Grass, Herb, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Smoke, Weed None Oral, smoked I 1 day - 5 weeks
Hashish Hash None Oral, smoked I 1 day - 5 weeks
Tetrahydro-
cannabinol		 Marinol, THC Antiemetic Oral, smoked I,II 1 day - 5 weeks
Anabolic Steroids Testosterone (T/E ratio), Stanazolol, Nandrolene Hormone Replacement Therapy Oral, injected III Oral: up to 3 weeks (for testosterone and others); Injected: up to 3 months (Nandrolene up to 9 months)
Opioids and Morphine Derivatives
Codeine Tylenol w/codeine, Robitussin A-C, Empirin w/codeine, Fiorinal w/codeine Analgesic, antitussive Injected, oral II,III,IV 1-2 days
Heroin Diacetylmorphine; Horse, Smack None Injected, smoked, sniffed I 1-2 days
Methadone Amidone, Dolophine, Methadose Analgesic, treatment for opiate dependence Injected, oral II 1 day - 1 week
Morphine Roxanol, Duramorph Analgesic Injected, oral, smoked II,III 1-2 days
Opium Laudanum, Paregoric; Dover's Powder Analgesic, antidiarrheal Oral, smoked II,III,V 1-2 days
Depressants
Alcohol Beer, Wine, Liquor Antidote for methanol poisoning Oral NS 6-10 hours
Barbiturates Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; Barbs Anesthetic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative Injected, oral II,III,IV 2-10 days
Benzodiazepines Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Rohypnol, Valium; Roofies, Tranks, Xanax Antianxiety, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative Injected, oral IV 1-6 weeks
Methaqualone Quaalude, Ludes None Oral I 2 weeks

* Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacture among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use. Schedule II drugs are available only through prescription, cannot have refills and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available with prescription, may have 5 refills in 6 months and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.