Drug abuse, including alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and heroin, remains a major concern throughout the United States, especially among teenagers and pre-teens. A recent uptick in drug use over the past several years has been a consequence of the isolation and separation felt by many due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Different drugs pose different dangers. Drug abuse, including alcohol, can lead to addiction, serious health problems, injury, personality changes and, too often, overdose and death. In combating alcohol and drug abuse, it is important to be educated on the different drugs most often abused, what the differences are among them, be familiar with the street names used for these drugs and know what symptoms to look for in the event you suspect a loved one or someone close to you may be having an alcohol or drug problem.
Below are the drugs most often being used illegally and an overview of those drugs, including their prescribed uses, illegal uses, prescribed drug trade names, street names and how the drugs are most often taken on the street.
Gateway Drugs
Alcohol
Marijuana
Illegal Drugs
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
Amphetamines
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Fentanyl
Methamphetamine
