There are many different names and drug slang for alcohol and other substances. These vary from drug to drug and can be tough to follow at times. Over time, many different names have begun to emerge. Individuals may use certain phrases to describe the users, the amount, and the drugs themselves. Regardless of what a drug may be called, there are a number of negative health risks involved with almost all substances and alcohol. 

It is important to be aware of some of these phrases so you can help identify possible drug abuse in a loved one. Of course, there are more obvious signs that indicate a problem but knowing the different drug slang and names can be useful. If you do suspect that a loved one may be abusing drugs it may be time to get help. 

Coastal Detox and our wonderful staff are ready to help you towards recovery. No matter what a drug may be called, it’s important to get comprehensive help for the future. Let us help you towards a better place for you and your family. Don’t wait to get help today!

General Addiction and Drug Use Slang

There are certain phrases that are used to describe people who use and abuse drugs. There are also nick-names and drug slang for those who sell the substances. These general terms can be broken down into categories: people who abuse drugs, people who sell drugs, addiction slang, and withdrawal slang. Let’s break each of these down. 

Slang Terms for People Who Abuse Drugs Heavily

These terms are used for those who are addicted to drugs and use a frequent basis. These can sound generic and are typically used in a derogatory way. Drug addiction is not a good situation, regardless of the name you put to it. These include the following slang terms:

  • Addict 
  • Burnout 
  • Dopehead 
  • Doper
  • Druggie
  • Fiend
  • Hophead
  • Junkie
  • Stoner 
  • User
  • Zombie

Even with a negative connotation to these terms, it’s not too late to get help nor should you be discouraged to do so. 

Slang Terms for People Who Sell Drugs (Illegally) 

These terms are used to describe people who illegally sell drugs to others. This is an important term to keep in mind. Loved ones may be buying from dealers illegally, which is just one of many issues of drug use.

Common terms for sellers include:

  • Cooker
  • Dealer
  • Dope peddler
  • Dummy man
  • Hookup
  • Mad hatter
  • Middleman
  • Mule
  • Pill lady
  • Potrepeneur
  • Pump
  • Pusher
  • Source

The term addiction also has its associated slang. Addiction refers to someone who has become dependent and consumed by a drug. When not taking a drug, they will experience a number of intense withdrawal symptoms. Addiction goes by many names and can be absolutely crippling to a person’s life and family.

Alternative names for addiction include:

  • Bag
  • Bent
  • Kick
  • Hang-up
  • Hooked
  • Jonesing
  • Strung out
  • Dependence
  • Monkey on your back
  • Substance use disorder

Common Slang Phrases Regarding Withdrawal 

Surprisingly, there are also other names for withdrawal. Withdrawal occurs when someone suddenly stops taking a drug and their body has become dependent on it. These can vary depending on the drug and period of time when the addiction started. Here are other words for withdrawal:

  • Detox
  • DT’s
  • Jonesing
  • Shakes
  • Super-flu
  • Clucking
  • Around the turn (the moment after a withdrawal occurs)
  • Cold turkey (when a person completely stops drug use)

Alcohol is one of the most widely abused drugs in the United States. Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. While enjoying a drink once in a while is fine, excessively drinking on a frequent basis may indicate a problem. Alcoholism and alcohol use disorder can completely take over your life. Some people become so dependent on alcohol, they can’t function without it in their system. 

When it comes to drug slang, there are a number of different terms that describe people who drink alcohol excessively and those who are under the influence. It is important to get help before the consequences of alcoholism worsen.

Slang for someone who excessively drinking alcohol includes:

  • Alcoholic
  • Boozer 
  • Tippler
  • Drinker 
  • Drunk
  • Drunkard 
  • Drunken
  • Inebriate 
  • Dipsomaniac
  • Heavy drinker 
  • Problem drinker

Slang for being under the influence of alcohol includes:

  • Addled
  • Badgered
  • Bashed
  • Blasted
  • Blitzed
  • Blotto
  • Bombed
  • Boozy
  • Blasted
  • Canned
  • Cockeyed
  • Drunken
  • Hammered
  • High
  • Intoxicated
  • Lit
  • Oiled
  • Ripped
  • Stoned
  • Stiff
  • Wasted
  • Tipsy
  • Wiped out
  • Zonked

Heroin is a highly addictive opioid that usually comes in the form of a white or brown powder. It is typically snorted, smoked, or injected. Heroin gives the user a euphoric rush. Over time a person will begin to experience some severe health complications (overdose, liver and kidney disease, infections, death, etc.). The withdrawal symptoms are also very intense for heroin users. 

There are several slang terms for heroin, particularly those who use and the act of using heroin. Heroin addiction is something that should be taken care of sooner than later (to avoid negative health effects). Individuals who suffer from heroin abuse should get professional help right away.

Common slang terms for heroin users include:

  • Hype
  • Junker
  • Poison
  • Cotton shooter
  • Channel
  • Jolly popper
  • Sleepwalker
  • Chipper (those who occasionally use)
  • Dinosaurs (those in their 40’s and 50’s)

Common slang terms for using heroin include:

  • Blow
  • Gravy
  • Jack up
  • Cook down
  • Crangbuistin
  • Chase the dragon
  • Shoot or shoot up
  • Cooking (getting heroin ready for injection)
  • Give wings (teaching a person to use heroin)

Crystal meth is an illegal, highly addictive drug, It typically comes in the form of clear glassy looking chunks or blueish rocks. It can be snorted, injected, or swallowed. Over time, crystal meth can cause a number of negative effects, especially to the mind. You can overdose on crystal meth along with a change of behavior and other health complications. 

Similar to other drugs, there are drug slang terms for crystal meth users, the act of using, and the paraphernalia associated with meth.

Slang terms for crystal meth users include:

  • Cranker
  • Cranker man
  • Geeker
  • Jib head
  • Meth head
  • Meth maggot
  • Meth monster
  • Smack head
  • Speed freak
  • Tweaker

Slang for using crystal meth includes:

  • Blowing clouds
  • Clouds
  • Smokin rain
  • Tweaking
  • Twirling

Slang for crystal meth paraphernalia includes:

  • Booger pipe
  • Bowlo
  • Bubble
  • Chalet
  • Glass rose
  • Jib whistle
  • Monkey crusher
  • Oil burner
  • Pelo
  • Pipa
  • Pookie
  • Schwok
  • Twizzal stick

Cocaine is a strong, addictive stimulant drug that gives off a euphoric high (changes a person’s movements and reward cues in the brain). This drug can cause multiple health issues like strokes, seizures, and permanent damage to the brain and body if left untreated. Cocaine usually comes in the form of a white powdery substance and snorted, smoked, or injected.

Cocaine (also known as crack cocaine) has many different slang terms associated with its users, the act of using, and its paraphernalia. This substance, along with the other drugs mentioned, is a serious situation and needs medical attention sooner than later, don’t wait to get help. 

Slang terms for cocaine users include the following:

  • Base head
  • Beamer
  • Buffer
  • Chaser
  • Binger
  • Geeker
  • Crack jack
  • Cluck
  • Dope fiend
  • Dynamiter
  • Garbage head
  • Gick monster
  • Nickelonians
  • Pipero
  • Puller
  • Toucher
  • Klingon

Slang terms for using crack cocaine include:

  • Basing
  • Chasing
  • Blast
  • Freebasing

Slang term for cocaine paraphernalia include:

  • Crack pipe
  • Crystal ship
  • Pizzie
  • Pookie
  • Rock Pipe
  • Stem
  • Straight shooter
  • Whistle

There are a lot of different drug slang terms for substance and alcohol out there. Being able to identify some of these nicknames and keywords can make a big difference. But the most important thing you can do is get professional help for you or your loved ones. Addiction can cause a series of crippling health issues and mental problems. Doing nothing can potentially cost the life of a loved one. 

Rehab centers like Coastal Detox provide a number of comprehensive treatment options for different drug addictions. Treatment depends entirely on the person and the drug that’s being abused. Some of the common treatment options for drug addiction include:

  • Detoxification – Coastal Detox specialized in detox services. Detoxification is a process that completely rids the body of alcohol or substances. Medication is provided to deal with some of the withdrawal symptoms. Detox is almost always the first step in drug treatment.
  • Therapy – Therapy is used in every case of addiction. Therapy options like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) help change a person’s mindset. In these individualized sessions, a person can learn to control their emotions and addiction
  • Residential Treatment– This allows for the most complete style of addiction treatment. Staying at a trusted rehab facility allows you access to help at all times. 24/7 assistance and access to all amenities and addiction resources (including therapy, group support, etc.)

Don’t Wait to Get Help

Whether it’s knowing the different drug slang or recognizing the potential signs of addiction, help is just around the corner. It’s never too late to get the help you or a loved one deserves. Let Coastal detox help you towards a better life. Contact us today for more information on treatment options and addiction resources.