Written by Shannon Weir, RN | Updated on Jun 28, 2024
A street name is a slang term for an illicit substance. People use street names to ensure privacy when they are talking about substances and substance use to avoid being overheard by a police officer, parent, or someone else in authority while communicating either verbally or through writing. The names can have to do with the way the drug looks, its effects on an individual, or it can be an abbreviated form of the name of the drug.
It’s important for everyone to recognize the common street names for various drugs so they can pick up on the fact that someone they love is engaging in substance abuse, and they can get them the help that they need before it is too late. The following is a list of illicit substances and the street names that are commonly associated with them.
Common Street Names for Cocaine
- Blow
- Bump
- C
- Coke
- Snow
- Coca
- Soda Cot
Common Street Names for Heroin
- Brown Sugar
- China White
- Dope
- H
- Hell Dust
- Tar
- Thunder
- Smack
- White Horse
- Junk
- Horse
Common Street Names for Fentanyl
- Apache
- China Girl
- China Town
- China White
- Dance Fever
- Goodfellas
- Great Bear
- Poison
- Tango
- Cash
Common Street Names for Marijuana
- Mary Jane
- Bud
- Blunt
- Weed
- Grass
- Dope
- Aunt Mary
- Chronic
- Green
- Herb
- Pot
- Skunk
- Smoke Trees
Common Street Names for Xanax
- Z-bars
- Bars
- School Bus
- Yellow Boys
- Handlebars
- Zanzibar
- Zulu
- Zizo
- Xylophone
- Lil Zan
- Zannies
- Zan
Common Street Names for Valium
- Eggs
- Jellies
- Moggies
- Vallies
Common Street Names for GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyric)
- Date Rape Drug
- G
- Geeb
- Liquid E
- Liquid X
- Bodily Harm
- Scoop
Common Street Names for Ketamine
- Blind Squid
- Cat Valium
- Green
- Jet
- K
- K-Hold
- Special K
- Super Acid
- Vitamin K
Common Street Names for Kratom
- Biak-biak
- Herbal Speedball
- Ithanng
- Kahyam
- Ketum
- Thom
Common Street Names for LSD (D-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
- Acid
- Blotter
- Dots
- Yellow Sunshine
- Sugar Cubes
- Purple Haze
- Electric Kool-Aid
- Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Common Street Names for PCP (Phencyclidine)
- Angel
- Angel Dust
- Zombie
- Rocket Fuel
- Purple Rain
- Dust
- Stardust
- Wet
- Yellow Fever
Common Street Names for Crack Cocaine
- Apple Jacks
- Nuggets
- Base
- Ball
- Crack
- Yam
- Yay
- Sleet
- Space Rocks
- Black Rock
- Chemical
- Dice
- Grit
- Hail
- Hard Rock
- Rocks
- Poor Man’s Cocaine
- Redneck Cocaine
- Super Block
- Topoo
- Tornado
Common Street Names for MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin X
- Vowel
- X
- Candy
- Clarity
- Happy Pills
- Speed
- Lover’s Speed
- Scooby Speed
- Malcolm X
- Smartees
- Triple Stacks
- E
- E-Bomb
- Rolls
Common Street Names for Hydrocodone
- Bananas
- Dro
- Fluff
- Hydros
- Tabs
- Vikes
- 357s
- Watson-387
Common Street Names for Methadone
- Tootsie Roll
- Red Rock
- Dolls
- Dollies
- Mud
- Amidone
Common Street Names for OxyContin
- Oxy
- 30s
- As
- Berries
- Blues
- Blueberries
- Hillbilly Heroin
- Ms
- O.C.
- Oxycet
- Oxycotton
- Ozone
- Rocky
Signs That Someone Is Engaging in Substance Misuse
If you suspect your loved one is engaging in substance misuse but want to be sure before you confront them, there are some signs that you can look out for, including:
- Are they acting secretive, hiding things, or isolating themselves from others?
- Are they struggling financially, asking to borrow money, or stealing money from those around them?
- Are they struggling to keep up with personal or professional obligations?
- Are they neglecting their hygiene?
- Have they stopped participating in hobbies that used to give them joy?
- Have they experienced unusual weight loss or weight gain?
- Have their eating habits changed?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your loved one may be struggling with a substance use disorder and need professional treatment.
What You Should Do If You Suspect Your Loved One Is Engaging in Substance Misuse
It can be challenging to know how to confront someone you love who has a substance use disorder. You may worry that they will get angry and become defensive or put a strain on the relationship. While this might be true, it is still not a reason to avoid confronting them. Without being confronted by a loved one, they might continue to engage in substance misuse for an extended period of time. This can lead to severe health problems, overdose, and even death.
The most important thing to remember when confronting someone about their substance use disorder is to come from a place of love and not judgment. The goal is to help the individual realize that they do have a problem, and it hurts not only them but also those around them. While they might not think they are capable of change, there is treatment available to them, and they don’t have to continue living this way.
People use street names when discussing illicit substances in order to avoid being overheard by a law enforcement officer, parent, or another authority figure. The names can be associated with the way a particular drug looks, what effects it has on the person using it, or it may be an abbreviated version of the drug name. It is important to be able to recognize the street names for commonly misused drugs so that if someone you love is engaging in substance misuse, you can confront them and encourage them to seek treatment before it is too late. The best way to confront someone with a substance use disorder is to do so lovingly and without judgment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, our team at Gallus Medical Detox Centers is here to help.
Shannon Weir, RN
Shannon Weir, RN is the Chief Nursing Officer at Gallus Medical Detox Centers. She has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years, Shannon’s experience ranges from critical care to flight nursing, medical detox, sexual assault exams, and SWAT nursing. Shannon has been with Gallus Medical Detox Centers since 2010 and is a vital part of our organization.
Steve B 
Casey Wilson