In the first three parts of the Substance Abuse and Drug Rehab Glossary, we talked about many of the most prevalent slang terms among drug users. In this final installment, we’ll cover several more phrases. These words are not mere colloquialisms – they are tools which allow people to hide their addictions from parents, friends, and other loved ones. Even if you don’t use drugs yourself, understanding these phrases could be crucial for helping those you care about.
Taxing: People often purchase and smoke crack together in abandoned houses. Taxing refers to the practice of some users charging others a fee to use their house and stash of drugs. These fees are often changed depending on the race and familiarity of particular addicts.
Trip: When people use LSD, they are said to be “tripping” or having a “trip.” They often experience intense hallucinations and even out-of-body experiences. Some LSD users have even reported flashback hallucinations after years of sobriety.
Tweaking: This term usually refers to paranoid, hyperactive behavior in meth addicts. They may exhibit these behaviors while high, but they may act this way when they’re searching for drugs and experiencing short-term withdrawal symptoms.
Truck Drivers: Given the popularity of stimulants among truck drivers, this term is used for ephedrine and methamphetamines.
Up Against the Stem: The state of being addicted to marijuana. While cannabis doesn’t usually cause people to form chemical dependencies, users can become psychologically reliant on the feelings of relaxation and well-being they experience. Frequent marijuana use may also worsen depression, compelling some people to stay high as often as possible.
Uppers: Commonly refers to methamphetamines but can include any strong stimulant. These drugs tend to have very different effects from those of “downers” such as alcohol and heroin.
V: Short for Valium, the brand name of diazepam. In medical settings, it is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, muscle spasms, and even alcohol withdrawal. Recreationally, large doses are used to induce feelings similar to drunkenness. A very fast-acting drug, Valium is known to cause rapid habit formation.
Vitamins: People often refer to drugs as “vitamins.” For instance, ketamine may be called vitamin-K, and Ritalin is often called vitamin-R.
Wasted: Intoxicated from alcohol or a combination of substances. Even non-addicts will sometimes refer to “getting wasted” in a positive light.
Works: A large mass of drug paraphernalia may be called “works” or “the works.” The term is most often used for injecting equipment such as needles and tourniquets.
X: Short for ecstasy.
Yellow Submarine: A slang term for marijuana. As an allusion to the popular Beatles song, someone who is constantly high might be said to be “living in a yellow submarine.”
Yin Yang: LSD. Synonyms include hit, tab, microdot, Lucy, Rainbow Skittles, and European tick-tacks.
Zannie: Xanax, the brand name of alprazolam. Xanax is a popular prescription antidepressant, but many people use it for recreational purposes. Like other benzodiazepines, it can cause rapidly-formed addictions and severe withdrawal symptoms.
Zombie: This term can refer specifically to PCP, or to someone who is extremely intoxicated from a variety of substances.
This concludes the Substance Abuse and Drug Rehab Glossary. If any of the terms you have learned are familiar to you, then call the number at the top of your screen for a toll-free consultation. Our dedicated counselors can help you or your loved ones get the best drug rehab services possible. Addiction is a deadly disease, so don’t delay any longer.