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Drugs
of Abuse Frequently Asked Questions
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Heroin
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- MDMA or Ecstasy
- PCP or Angel Dust
- Barbiturates
- Antidepressants
- Methadone
- Marijuana drug testing facts:
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a green or gray mixture of dried, shredded
flowers and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.
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Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa |
Cannabis In a Dried Form |
How is Marijuana consumed?
It is usually smoked as a cigarette (called a joint or a
nail) or in a pipe or bong. In recent years, it has appeared
in blunts. These are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco
and re-filled with marijuana, often in combination with
another drug, such as crack. Some users also mix marijuana
into foods or use it to brew tea.
What are the effects of Marijuana?
The short-term effects of marijuana use include problems
with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty
in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and
increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks. Marijuana
users experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers,
such as bronchitis, emphysema and bronchial asthma. Some
of the effects of marijuana use also include: an increased
heart rate, dryness of the mouth, reddening if the eyes,
impaired motor skills and concentration, and frequent hunger
and an increased desire for sweets. Occasionally hallucinations,
fantasies and paranoia are reported.
How can you tell if someone has been using marijuana?
If someone is high on marijuana, he or she might
* seem dizzy and have trouble walking;
* seem silly and giggly for no reason;
* have very red, bloodshot eyes; and
* have a hard time remembering things that just happened.
When the early effects fade, over a few hours, the user
can become very sleepy.
What are common street names for Marijuana?
There are over 200 slang terms for marijuana including "pot,"
"herb," "weed," "boom," "Mary
Jane," "gangster," and "chronic."
What is the detection period for Marijuana?
Marijuana is detectable in urine for 48-72 hours after single
use. Habitual or chronic use can be detected in urine for
up to 12 weeks depending on quantity, duration, and frequency
of use. It is advised to establish a random marijuana
drug testing at home at a very early age.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Substances that may cause a false positive are:
Efavirenz (Sustiva)
Dronabinol (Marinol) (True Positive)
Hempseed Oil (True Positive)
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- Cocaine:
What is Cocaine?
In its pure form, cocaine is a white crystalline powder
extracted from the leaves of the South American coca plant.
On the street, pure cocaine is diluted or "cut"
with other substances to increase the quantity, and thereby
increase the profits of its sellers.
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Powder Cocaine |
Crack Cocaine |
How is Cocaine consumed?
Cocaine users most often inhale the powder sharply through
the nose, where it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
But it also can be heated into a liquid and its fumes inhaled
through a pipe in a method called "freebasing".
Freebasing is also a common method of using a form of cocaine
called "crack". Crack resembles small pieces of
rock and is often called "rock" on the street.
What are the effects of Cocaine?
Addicts are preoccupied with getting their drug, and most
of their thoughts and behaviors are directed to that end.
Cocaine interferes with judgment and produces exaggerated
feelings of well-being and confidence. High doses can produce
paranoia, and users can become aggressive and violent. In
rare cases, cocaine can produce death, after first use or
after prolonged use. Death occurs from cardiac arrest (the
person's heart stops beating), or seizures followed by respiratory
arrest (the person stops breathing). Some signs of use may
include: dilation of the pupils, runny or stuffed-up nose,
inflammation of the nasal membranes, less need for food
or rest, more talkative and sociable.
What are common street names for Cocaine?
Some common street names for cocaine are: Coke, blow, powder,
sugar, nose candy, rock, crack, and base.
What is the detection period for Cocaine?
Cocaine is detectable in urine for 48-72 hours after use.
Very low concentrations of cocaine may be detected in urine
during the initial several hours, but benzoylegonine persists
in urine at detectable concentrations for 48 hours. Long-term
habitual users may have traces of cocaine remain in their
system for longer than the standard 3 days.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Substances that may cause a false positive are:
Isoxsuprine (Vasodilan)
Some Inca Teas (True Positive
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- Opiates:
What are opiates?
Opiates are narcotics that contain Opium. Opium is derived
from the pod of the poppy Papover somniferum. There are
two processes that remove the extract. The narcotics which
opium is an ingredient in are: Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine
and Heroin (see Heroin section). Morphine is used exclusively
in hospitals, excluding the use by drug abusers, as a pain
reliever. Codeine is produced from morphine and is found
in several legal products outside of a hospital. It is for
moderate pain relief and is sometimes combined with aspirin,
acetaminophen, Robitussin AC, Cheracol and elixir of terpin
hydrate. Thebaine is a minor constituent of opium, an alkaloid
present in another species of poppy Papover bracteatum.
Although thebaine is like morphine and codeine, it produces
stimulant effects rather than a depressant effect.
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Opium Poppy Papover somniferum |
Red Rock Opium |
How are opiates consumed?
It is allowed into the body in several ways including: injection
under the skin, intramuscularly, or intravenously. It is
also marketed as white crystals for smoking, and tablets
for oral ingestion. Most of the morphine obtained from opium
is converted to codeine, and secondarily, to hydro morphine.
What are the effects of Opiates?
General effects of narcotic analgesics include: sedation,
slowed reflexes, raspy speech, sluggish "rubber-like"
movements, slowed breathing, cold skin, and possible vomiting.
However, as a user continues to abuse narcotic analgesics
he or she will build a tolerance to the drug, therefore
causing the effects to diminish. If the abuser wishes to
maintain the same effect, he or she will have to take steadily
larger doses as the tolerance develops. If a user is addicted
to opiates he or she will suffer withdrawal symptoms if
they don't receive another dose, or "fix", before
the drug is completely out of their system. Withdrawal effects
can be chills, aches of the muscles and joints, nausea and
insomnia.
What are common street names for Opiates?
Some common street names for opiates include:
Morphine: M, Miss Emma, Mister Blue, and Morph
Codeine: Schoolboy
Dilaudid: Lords
Methadone: Fizzies, Dollies
What is the detection period for Opiates?
Opiates can stay in your system for anywhere between 1-4
days. Morphine stays in the body for at least 84 hours;
Codeine, for at least 2-5 days; and Opium for 24-48 hours.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Substances that may cause a false positive are:
Poppy Seeds (True Positive)
Tylenol with codeine (True Positive)
Most prescription pain medications
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- Heroin:
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both
the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates.
It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as
the black sticky substance known on the streets as "black
tar heroin." Although purer heroin is becoming more
common, most street heroin is "cut" with other
drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered
milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine
or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the
actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are
at risk of overdose or death.
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Samples of Heroin |
Heroin (powdered form) |
How is Heroin consumed?
Heroin is usually injected, sniffed/snorted, or smoked.
Although smoking and sniffing heroin do not produce a "rush"
as quickly or as intensely as intravenous injection, NIDA
researchers have confirmed that all three forms of heroin
administration are addictive.
What are the effects of Heroin?
One of the most detrimental long-term effects of heroin
is addiction itself. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease,
characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, and by
neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain. Heroin
also produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical
dependence, which are also powerful motivating factors for
compulsive use and abuse. As with abusers of any addictive
drug, heroin abusers gradually spend more and more time
and energy obtaining and using the drug. Once they are addicted,
the heroin abusers' primary purpose in life becomes seeking
and using drugs. The drugs literally change their brains.
Opiates tend to relax the user. When opiates are injected,
the user feels an immediate "rush." Other initial
and unpleasant effects include restlessness, nausea, and
vomiting. The user may go "on the nod," going
back and forth from feeling alert to drowsy. With very large
doses, the user cannot be awakened, pupils become smaller,
and the skin becomes cold, moist, and bluish in color. Breathing
slows down and death may occur.
What are common street names for Heroin?
Street names associated with heroin include "smack,"
"H," "skag," and "junk." Other
names may refer to types of heroin produced in a specific
geographical area, such as "Mexican black tar."
What is the detection period for Heroin?
Heroin can stay in your system for up to 4 days after initial
use. Long-term habitual users may have traces of heroin
remain in their system for longer than the standard detection
period.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Substances that may cause a false positive are:
Poppy Seeds
Tylenol with codeine
Most prescription pain medications
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- Amphetamines:
What are amphetamines?
The amphetamines are potent psychomotor stimulants. Their
use causes a release of the excitatory neurotransmitters
dopamine and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) from storage
vesicles in the Central Nervous System. Amphetamines are
a whole family of related drugs - each with its own recipe
- and are taken in different ways. They can be in the form
of powder, tablets, capsules, crystals or red liquid. They
can come as a white through to a brown powder, sometimes
even orange and dark purple. Amphetamines have a strong
smell and bitter taste.
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Amphetamine Capsules |
Amphetamine Crystals |
How are amphetamines consumed?
Amphetamines may be sniffed, swallowed, snorted or injected.
What are the effects of amphetamines?
Amphetamines speed up the body's activity. Heart rate, breathing
and blood pressure increase. A dry mouth, increased sweating,
enlargement of the eye's pupils and headaches may occur.
Users can feel energetic and full of confidence, with a
heightened sense of well-being. Other effects include feeling
wide-awake and alert, becoming talkative, restless, excited,
and having difficulty sleeping. Panic attacks may also be
experienced. Withdrawal symptoms may include hunger, extreme
fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and depression. People may
also have a long but restless sleep, often interrupted by
nightmares. Some experience severe distress or feelings
of panic.
What are common street names for amphetamines?
The common names are speed, up, fast, louee, goey, whiz,
pep pills, and uppers.
What is the detection period for amphetamines?
Amphetamines are normally detectable in urine for 24-72
hours after use.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Some substances that may cause false positives include:
Amphetaminil
Adderall (True Positive)
Clobenzorex (Asenlix)
Deprenil (Selegiline Eldepryl)
Benzphetamine (Didrex)
Dimethylamphetamine
Ethylamphetamine
Famprofazone
Fencamine
Fenethylline
Fenproporex
Furfenorex
Mefenorex
Mesocarb
Prenylamine
Phentermine
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- Methamphetamine:
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that
dramatically affects the central nervous system. The drug
is made easily in clandestine laboratories with relatively
inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. These factors
combine to make methamphetamine a drug with high potential
for widespread abuse. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting
crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.
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Methamphetamine Crystals |
Tablets and Capsules |
How is Methamphetamine consumed?
Meth can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally,
and its appearance varies depending on how it is used.
What are the effects of methamphetamine?
Like amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased
appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects
of methamphetamine can last 6 to 8 hours. After the initial
"rush," there is typically a state of high agitation
that in some individuals can lead to violent behavior. As
a powerful stimulant, methamphetamine, even in small doses,
can increase wakefulness and physical activity and decrease
appetite. Those who smoke or inject methamphetamine report
a brief, intense sensation, or rush. Oral ingestion or snorting
produces a long lasting high instead of a rush, which reportedly
can continue for as long as half a day.
What are common street names for methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is commonly known as "speed,"
"meth," and "chalk." In its smoked form
it is often referred to as "ice," "crystal,"
"crank," and "glass."
What is the detection period for methamphetamine?
Amphetamines are normally detectable in urine for 24-72
hours after use. Methamphetamines stay in the system slightly
longer, 24-96 hours.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Some substances that may cause false positives include:
Benzphetamine (Didrex)
Deprenyl (Eldepryl, Selegiline)
Dimethylamphetamine
Famprofazone
Fencamine
Furfenorex
Vick's Inhaler (Deoxyephedrine)
Ranitidine (Zantac)
High doses of Ephedrine/Ma Hunag
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- MDMA or Ecstasy:
What is MDMA?
MDMA, or 'ecstasy' is a 'psychedelic amphetamine' that has
gained popularity over the past 20 years because of its
ability to produce strong feelings of comfort, empathy,
and connection to others. It most frequently comes in tablet
form, although it is occasionally sold in capsules or as
powder. Because MDMA is so popular and because it goes well
with dance parties, the demand for it usually exceeds supply--especially
at any given location on any given night. This creates an
opening for unscrupulous individuals to sell virtually anything
as 'ecstasy'. While 'ecstasy' is the popular name for MDMA,
the functional definition of ecstasy is any pill represented
as MDMA on the street. Ecstasy pills are notoriously unreliable
in content, more so than most other street drugs, and commonly
can contain caffeine, ephedrine, amphetamines, and don't
necessarily contain MDMA or any psychoactive.
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Ecstasy (MDMA) Tablets |
How is MDMA consumed?
It is most frequently used orally and rarely snorted.
What are the effects of MDMA?
Depending on how much and how recently one has eaten, MDMA
generally takes 30-60 minutes (although sometimes as long
as 2 hours) to take effect. Unlike with many other psycho
actives, the onset of MDMA is very quick. Often at the point
one realizes that perhaps they are starting to notice effects,
they are already 'launching' quickly towards the peak. This
quick and extremely sharp 'launch' can be unnerving, feeling
a bit like it's too quick and hard to know when it's going
to end, but the feeling generally only lasts a few minutes
until the full effects are reached. The primary effects
of MDMA last approximately 3-4 hours when taken orally.
For many people there is an additional period of time (2-6
hrs) where it is difficult to go to sleep and there is definitely
a noticeable difference from everyday reality, but which
is not strong enough to be considered 'tripping'. When the
full effects of MDMA manifest, barring an uncommon negative
reaction, users are likely to find that suddenly everything
is right with the world. The primary effects sought by those
using MDMA recreationally are the emotional openness, euphoria,
stimulation, reduction of critical and cynical thoughts,
and decrease of inhibitions that can accompany its use.
What are common street names for MDMA?
MDMA is most commonly known as Ecstasy or "E".
What is the detection period for MDMA?
Though MDMA is not specifically tested for in the standard
'NIDA-5" drug tests, it is chemically closely enough
related to amphetamines that recent MDMA users will test
positive in both amphetamines (a common test) and methamphetamines
(a somewhat newer and less common test). Because of this,
the detection periods for MDMA are going to be very similar
to those for amphetamines. Another important point is that
many tablets of street ecstasy are not pure MDMA and frequently
includes amphetamines. Amphetamines are normally detectable
in urine for 24-72 hours after use. Methamphetamines stay
in the system slightly longer, 24-96 hours.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a false
positive?
Some substances that may cause false positives include:
MDA (Methylenedioxyamphetamine)
MDEA (Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine)
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- PCP or Angel
Dust:
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PCP or Angel Dust |
What is PCP?
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a synthetic chemical in the dissociate
anesthetic class. It is perhaps best known by the media
hype it received in the late 1970's portraying it as a extremely
dangerous chemical causing madness, psychotic reactions,
and super-human strength. It is found in a variety of forms
including crystals/powder, tablets, and liquid. PCP is used
in very small quantities with 5-10 mg considered an average
dose.
How is PCP consumed?
Recently it seems to be available on the underground market
most commonly as cannabis joints, regular cigarettes or
cannabis leaf dipped in liquid PCP, and usually marketed
as something else, seldom as 'PCP'.
What are the effects of PCP?
Using PCP can cause Numbness; Cramps; Loss of muscular
coordination; Nausea; Involuntary movements of the eyeballs;
Problems with speaking; Decreased sensitivity to touch,
pain and position. Chronic use will cause difficulty with
thought, memory problems, stuttering, depression, anxiety
and brain damage.
What are common street names for PCP?
PCP is commonly known as Angel Dust, Peace pill, Dust,
Sherman's, Crystal, Rocket fuel, DOA, and Supergrass.
What is the detection period for PCP?
PCP is cleared from the bloodstream with a relatively
long half life of 7-11 hours. Because it is a lipid (fat)
soluble drug, detection in the urine is possible up to
48 hours or longer post dose.
Are there substances or conditions that may cause a
false positive?
Venlafaxine (Effexor).
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- Barbiturates:
What are Barbiturates?
Barbiturates are basically the opposite of amphetamines:
that is, they act to depress the central nervous system.
In small doses they act as tranquilizers, but in larger
doses they are sleeping pills. The sleep induced by barbiturates
is not a normal sleep, in the sense that it seriously cuts
down on the normal dream activity. Prolonged use of sleeping
pills can lead to complete psychological crack-ups, as the
mind has no way to release itself. Barbiturates are often
a means of committing suicide.
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Barbiturate Samples |
Barbiturate Tablets |
How are Barbiturates consumed?
Barbiturates are taken orally or intravenously.
What are the effects of Barbiturates?
Barbiturates mimic alcohol inebriation. Mild euphoria, disinhibition,
relief of anxiety, sleepiness can occur. In higher doses
impairment of memory, judgment and coordination, irritability,
paranoid and suicidal ideation can occur. The user may also
experience sleepy, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, and
decreased respiration. Death occurs due to depression of
the respiratory center in the brain. Tolerance develops
quickly and larger doses are used, increasing the danger
of an overdose.
What are common street names for Barbiturates?
Barbiturates are known as downers, barbs, red devils, goof
balls, yellow jackets, block busters, pinks reds and blues,
Christmas trees.
What is the detection period for Barbiturates?
Variable. Range of 3O hrs to several weeks depending on
duration of action of the drug taken.
False Positive: Possibly Phenytoin (5.5 -
Diphenylhydantoin)
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- Antidepressants:
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) are commonly used for the
treatment of depressive disorders. They have a half-life
ranging from 2-70 hours. The are taken orally and sometimes
by injection. TCAs are metabolized in the liver and excreted
via the kidneys. TCA overdoses can result in the profound
central nervous system depression, cardio toxicity and anticholineric
effects. TCA overdose is the most common cause of death
from prescription drugs.
TCA False Positive:
Quetiapine,
Carbamazepine (High dose),
Cyproheptadine ( Periactin)
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Methadone:
What is Methadone?
Methadone is a synthetic opioid. It is prescribed to dependent
users of heroin and other opioids as a substitute for
these drugs.
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Methadone |
How is methadone consumed?
In methadone maintenance treatment programs, methadone
usually comes as a syrup that patients drink with fruit
juice or cordial. Methadone is sometimes available in
powder or tablet form. Methadone can be injected. Some
users illicitly "divert" methadone from treatment
programs and inject it, or sell it to others for this
purpose.
What are the effects of Methadone?
Methadone has similar depressant and analgesic effects
to other opioids. However, methadone's effects last much
longer (24 hours as opposed to a few hours). Methadone
does not have the euphoric effects that heroin does.
If an excessively low dose of methadone is prescribed,
effects similar to those of heroin withdrawal may be experienced
(that is, flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, aches,
irritability and insomnia). On the contrary, an excessively
high dose can cause similar effects to those associated
with long-term heroin use (for example, drowsiness, nausea,
dizziness, shallow breathing, low body temperature, slow
pulse, heart palpitations).
Side effects of methadone (not related to the dosage level)
can include excessive sweating, constipation, aches, rashes,
fluid retention, loss of appetite and stomach cramps.
Long-term methadone use causes tooth decay. Taking methadone
in combination with other depressants increases the risk
of overdose. If someone who is not dependent on opioids
takes methadone the effects are very strong and the risk
of overdose is very high.
What are common street names for Methadone?
Common street names are: done, junk, jungle juice, meth,
and metho.
What is the detection period for Methadone?
Methadone can be detected in urine for up to 48 hours.
Depending on duration of drug use, it may be detectable
for up to a week.
Are there substances or conditions that my cause a
false positive?
Like the other opioids, substances that may case false
positives are:
Possible False Positive:
Due to metabolites of Disopyramide, Verapamil
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