What is heroin?

At one point in history, heroin was called morphine diacetate. It is a derivative of the opium poppy and synthesized from morphine. According to the DEA, 87% of the world’s supply of opium and its many derivatives (heroin included) was being produced in Afghanistan as of 2004. However, between 2007 and 2011, the production of heroin in Mexico has increased 600%. As a result, Mexico is now viewed as the second leading producer of heroin in the world and those numbers continue to grow according to law enforcement sources.

Identifying the signs and symptoms of heroin use

According to healthcare officials and medical professionals, there are numerous signs and symptoms of heroin use. Initially, the heroin user is able to hide these warning signs so that family members, friends, and others do not realize that the individual is using the drug. However, over time the individual becomes increasingly more careless about concealing the fact that they are using heroin and the signs and symptoms become obvious.

The 4 primary signs and symptoms of heroin use are categorized as follows:

Behavioral indicators – one of the most obvious signs or symptoms is that the individual avoids interaction with others and tries to live in seclusion as much as possible. They will manufacture numerous excuses to justify their behavior. Additionally, they will start taking numerous mysterious or unexplained trips out of the home and say they are running errands when in reality they are hooking up with their supplier.

Financial issues – in the beginning, the heroin user may only use the drug a few times a week, maybe once a day at most. Over time, they will start using increasingly more of the drug and their habit will cost them a lot of money. Eventually, they will run out of money by draining their checking and/or savings accounts.

They will make excuses as to why they can never afford anything. As the addiction or dependency on the drug gets more severe, they will lose their jobs, be late on paying their bills (or stop paying them altogether), and start borrowing money from family and friends. They may even start stealing in order to pay for their habit.

Suspicious paraphernalia – whether the drug is injected, smoked, or snorted, there is certain paraphernalia that is required to use heroin. When they are injecting the drug, some of the more common pieces are belts or shoelaces, foil or gum wrappers, needles (new or used), spoons, and syringes. If they are smoking or snorting it, you will notice glass pipes, razor blades, and straws lying around with their belongings.

Physical signs and symptoms of heroin use – these include dilated pupils, drooping eyelids, and vomiting are indications of having recently used heroin. Wearing sunglasses, even when it is dark outside is another indicator of heroin use along with significant weight loss resulting from a loss of appetite. Constant sniffing and/or runny nose, coughing and sneezing, flushed skin, needle marks, and slowed breathing or other signs and symptoms of heroin use to watch for.

Getting professional help is critical

Heroin abuse, addiction, and dependency is not only a serious issue, it can be fatal when an individual ingests a large amount after having reached their limit. The Freedom Center and their experienced and highly skilled professional staff members want you to know that they are here for you or a loved one if you are dealing with heroin use and its side effects. Please contact us today at the toll-free phone number listed above and speak with one of our specialists about our facility and drug rehab and recovery programs.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is administered intramuscularly or intravenously as a general anesthetic and is typically used for minor surgical procedures where the relaxation of the muscles is not required. It is found in both human and veterinary medicine, oftentimes being referred to as horse tranquilizers. It has become extremely popular for recreational drug use and is classified as a club or date rape drug because of its hallucinogenic characteristics. You will normally find the drug circulating among teens and younger adults at parties or raves.

Medicinal and recreational uses

In humans, Ketamine exhibits a wide range of effects which includes analgesia (painkilling), anesthesia, bronchodilation, and elevated blood pressure. It is also a hallucinogen which is what makes it so popular with the recreational drug user. From a medicinal standpoint, Ketamine is used primarily for inducing and maintaining anesthesia and is oftentimes used in combination with other sedatives. It is also used in emergency medicine as an analgesic (painkiller), sedation in CCU and ICU environments, and as a treatment for bronchospasms.

Additionally, Ketamine has been found to be effective for the treatment of bi-polar disorder with individuals suffering with depression and when other anti-depressants are not effective. It produces a rapid effect for those individuals suffering with a major depressive disorder, usually acting within a couple of hours as opposed to other anti-depressants that take up to two weeks to be effective. Veterinarians will typically use Ketamine as an anesthetic, hence the nickname “horse tranquilizer.”

Effects based on dosage

Ketamine tends to be a mild if not somewhat strange type of stimulant when taken in low doses. It is classified in a group of drugs that includes DXM or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and PCP (angel dust). When it is taken in medium to high doses, the effects become more severe as the drug becomes a paralyzing and powerful hallucinogen (psychedelic) with effects similar to that of LSD. Users claim that in high doses, it is almost like ingesting a combination of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, nitrous oxide, and opium.

Where the long-term effects of Ketamine are concerned, the drug appears to dissociate or separate the function of the brain from the body. What results is that the brain is freed from its normal functions of reacting to the different sensations of the body. The gap that is vacated by the senses is filled by an increase in perception which gives rise to the more hallucinogenic, mind-altering effects of the drug. In low doses, blood pressure and heart rate increase. In higher doses, the opposite happens and respiratory depression may occur.

Neurological and urinary long-term effects of Ketamine

Cognitive impairments and memory problems are the most common neurological long-term effects of Ketamine and its chronic abuse. Long-term users tend to develop verbal short-term and visual memory impairment. However, the occasional use of the drug appears to be less harmful and the damage that may result appears to be reversible. However, there is still the possibility that the user will suffer with depression even though they have abstained from Ketamine use.

Urinary tract disease is associated with the long-term effects of Ketamine use according to a medical study that was conducted in Bristol, UK and published in the British Medical Journal. The main symptoms of urinary damage are:

•  blood in the urine
•   increased need to urinate
•   leakage of urine
•   painful urination

If you or a loved one has been abusing the drug and is experiencing the long-term effects of Ketamine use, the Freedom Center can customize an addiction treatment and recovery program that will target your clinical and personal needs. Please contact us today at the toll-free phone number listed above for more information.

Cocaine abuse, addiction, and dependency

Every year, we witness tens of thousands of deaths due to overdose and visits to the ER that are associated with cocaine abuse, addiction, or dependency. The drug is on the DEA’s current list of the primary drug threats in the US while the healthcare industry sees the drug and its potential for addiction as a serious public health threat. Most addiction treatment and recovery centers in the US feature cocaine rehab programs so that individuals can get the professional help they need and return to living a substance-free life.

Cocaine side effects

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant and exhibits a high potential for abuse, addiction, and dependency. The initial effects of the drug will last from 10 to 15 minutes depending on the individual and how they respond to the drug. Whenever you use cocaine, will experience at least 4 side effects:

•  alertness
• competent feelings and sexual arousal
• euphoric feelings and extreme well-being
• increased levels of energy and motor activities

The more common side effects of cocaine use include anxiety, paranoia, and restlessness. However, the more extreme cases will see an individual experience convulsions, elevated body temperature, and tremors. Certain health problems will also arise when cocaine abuse, addiction, or dependency becomes severe. Elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, hallucinations, and tachycardia are common after prolonged cocaine abuse.

The mechanism of cocaine

Granted, cocaine works on the central nervous system just like most stimulants do. But what is important is understanding how cocaine affects the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that is naturally produced in the brain, the production of which is stimulated by cocaine use which creates the euphoric effect that cocaine users typically experience. Cocaine works by preventing dopamine reuptake, which in turn intensifies the pleasure signals that the chemical produces.

5 things to look for

In addition to how cocaine affects the brain, there are certain warning signs that indicate when a person has a problem with cocaine. These include:

1. Behavioral issues – when an individual is suffering from cocaine abuse, there are noticeable changes in their behavior which includes:
• being overly talkative
• changes in one’s demeanor
• erratic mood swings
• having panic attacks
• suffering with paranoia
2. Drug use paraphernalia – cocaine is a drug that can be injected, smoked (in crack form), or “snorted” (inhaled).  Over time and as the person’s problems become more apparent, drug use paraphernalia designed for cocaine use will start showing up in the home.  This may include razor blades, storage vials, and cut up straws if they are snorting the drug.  If they are smoking it in crack form, glass pipes are a common piece of paraphernalia.  Finally, if they are injecting cocaine you may find needles and syringes, spoons, and items used as tourniquets such as cords or belts.
3. Financial problems – cocaine addiction is not cheap.  When an individual becomes dependent on the drug, whatever spare cash they have, they will spend on obtaining more of the drug.  Their bank accounts get depleted and the person will make excuses as to why.  In most cases, the reasons they give you won’t add up or make any sense.
4. Leaving the house at all hours of the night – one of the patterns that develops when an individual is abusing cocaine or has developed a dependency on it is that they will start getting late night phone calls from so-called friends.  In reality, it is most likely their supplier calling to let them know they have some for sale.  If the individual has leave when people are still awake in the house, they will have made up an excuse for why they are leaving at all hours of the evening.
5. Physiological warning signs – there are numerous warning signs that the individual displays physically whenever they are having a cocaine problem, whether it is abuse, addiction, or dependency.  These include constant bloody noses, dilated or pinpoint pupils, loss of appetite, runny and sniffing nose, and sudden unexplainable weight loss.

Getting professional help

The professional staff of drug rehab specialists at the Freedom Center are extremely knowledgeable about cocaine abuse, addiction, and dependency and how cocaine affects the brain. A simple assessment interview will enable us to customize a program that will effectively address your personal and clinical needs so that you can overcome your problems with cocaine and get back to living a normal life.

If you would like more information regarding our facility and the programs that we offer, please contact one of our addiction specialists at the toll-free phone number listed above.

What are inhalants?

The wide array of drugs that emit volatile vapors which are then inhaled through the nose and trachea are categorized as inhalants. This classification of drugs does not include those that are burned or heated and then inhaled. For instance, crack cocaine, marijuana, and tobacco are not considered to be inhalants whereas amyl nitrate and toluene are. Some inhalants such as nitrous oxide are used for medicinal reasons while others are used for recreational purposes.

The mechanism of inhalants

Granted, the chemicals that can be found in inhalants usually produce a wide range of pharmacological effects. However, many of them will produce a state of euphoria (high), the onset of which occurs rapidly. This high resembles the effect one experiences when they are intoxicated from drinking alcohol which oftentimes leads to other effects such as agitation, disinhibition, drowsiness, and lightheadedness.

If a sufficient amount is inhaled, these gases and solvents can produce anesthesia, sensation loss, and even unconsciousness. Chemicals that are found in aerosol sprays, gases, and solvents can produce a number of other effects. These are referred to as either short-term or long-term effects of inhalants and fall under the classification of inhalant intoxication.

Some of the immediate effects that could result include apathy, belligerence, impaired functioning on the job or in social situations, and impaired judgment. Other possible effects of inhalant use include:

• depressed reflexes
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• general weakness in the muscles
• lethargy
• slurred speech
• stupor

As an example, toluene produces euphoria, giddiness, headache, and the inability to coordinate one’s movements. Confusion, delirium, nausea, and vomiting can also result.

Effects associated with chronic use

Recreational drug users will inhale nitrates because they believe that it enhances sexual performance and pleasure unlike other types of inhalants that are usually inhaled for the euphoric effect they produce. When nitrates are inhaled, blood vessels dilate, heart rate increases, and the individual experiences a sensation of excitement and heat that typically lasts several minutes. Dizziness, flushing, and headaches can also occur.

The long-term effects of inhalants will vary based on the type that the individual is using. For the most part, these include:

• bone marrow damage
• deaths from asphyxiation or heart failure
• depression
• diminished intelligence
• disorientation
• hearing loss
• irritability
• lack of coordination
• memory impairment
• muscle weakness

Additionally, an individual can suffer from serious and irreversible damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. The long-term effects of inhalants have been associated with numerous serious health conditions and problems. For instance kidney problems can result from sniffing glue and paint thinner while liver damage oftentimes results from sniffing solvents or toluene.

Sudden Sniffing Death

There are certain inhalants that can cause cardiac arrest and be fatal. This is known as Sudden Sniffing Death syndrome. The gases in certain inhalants appear to make the user more sensitive to adrenaline. If the user experiences a sudden adrenaline surge from something like an encounter with law enforcement or a hallucination, this could result in cardiac arrhythmia and be fatal.

Getting help for chronic inhalant use

If you or a loved one is suffering from the long-term effects of inhalants, the Freedom Center is here to help you overcome your dependency on them. We offer some of the most effective addiction treatment and recovery programs in the US. If you would like more information regarding our facility and our drug rehab programs, please contact one of caring staff members today at the toll-free phone number listed above. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can.

Heroin use facts and statistics

Derived from the opium poppy and synthesized from codeine, heroin is a powerfully addictive substance and functions as a morphine “prodrug” which means that it converts to morphine in the body metabolically. Nearly 90% of the world’s opium and its derivatives are produced in Afghanistan but there is a significantly large amount originating in Mexico as production of the drug in that country has increased six-fold since 2007. Here are some facts and statistics regarding heroin that you should be aware of:

•  There are approximately 150,000 new heroin users every year
• After being used the first time, physical dependency can occur with only a couple of more injections of the drug and an individual’s habit could increase to $150 to $200 per day
• 80% of all heroin users get high with another heroin user while 80% of all the heroin addicts who die from heroin overdose do so alone
• About 14% of the total ER visits per year or 150,000 visits are associated with heroin addiction or heroin use
• 14% of the total number of admissions into addiction treatment and recovery centers throughout the US are associated with heroin abuse, addiction, or dependency

Heroin is recognized as one of the most powerfully addictive and destructive substances in the world. Once a person becomes addicted to or dependent on heroin, their world is total out of control and chaotic.

Recognizing the physical signs of heroin use

A person’s compulsion to obtain a continual supply of heroin controls them and can be totally overwhelming. There are 7 signs to be aware of that are indicative of heroin abuse, addiction, or dependency including:

Paraphernalia indicating heroin use is found – belts or shoelaces, foil or gum wrappers, needles (new or used), spoons, and syringes are examples of paraphernalia to look for if you suspect that a person has a heroin problem. Additionally, if they are smoking or snorting it, you will notice glass pipes, razor blades, and straws lying around.

Body mutilation – “tracks” from injecting heroin will start showing up over time and can be seen all over the person’s body and eventually become increasingly harder to hide.

Changes in peer groups – heroin addiction causes the user to seek out other people who use the drug and eventually they will walk away from long-term, trusted friendships.

Sudden changes in behavior – the individual is angry and sad all the time instead of being the fun-loving individual they once were. Getting professional help is a phone call away

Poor performance on the job or in school – a person’s focus and their priorities start to shift from schoolwork or work until maintaining a supply of the drug is their only concern, meaning that their performance in school or at work is most likely suffering.

Possessions come up missing – you’ll start to notice that numerous possessions start disappearing from the addict’s home because these valuables were sold in order to support their habit.

Financial problems – heroin addiction is expensive and can cost up to $200 a day, so the addict will eventually begin borrowing money from family members and friends until that option is no longer possible and they may start stealing to pay for their habit.

We can help with your addiction

The Freedom Center is an addiction treatment and recovery center that offers some of the most effective drug rehab programs in the US and can help you overcome the physical signs of heroin use so that you successfully recover from your addiction or dependency. Please contact us today at the toll-free phone number listed above and speak with one of our addiction specialists today.

Video on The Heroin Crisis from National Geographic

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 is a date that Lindsay Lohan will not forget – hopefully.  Lohan was sentenced to 90 days in a drug rehab which she will immediately go to after completing her 90-day jail sentence that was handed down by the judge rendering the decision in her case.  Although Lohan reacted in shock and tears, she is no stranger to run-ins with law enforcement due to alcohol and drug abuse in the past.  Lohan’s list of legal issues is anything but stellar . . .

In February of 2005, she got sued in a personal injury case wherein Ilex Harris and Eddie Pamilton were allegedly injured in an automobile accident involving her.  In October of that same year, she crashed her vehicle again in West Hollywood, CA and wound up getting an ambulance ride to the hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.  She was 19 years old at the time.

The following year started off with a bang for Lohan as well when the magazine “Vanity Fair” published an interview they had with her in January of 2006 wherein she claimed to be suffering with bulimia.  Lohan turned around and denied it even though there were numerous quotes in the article, one of which quoted her as saying, “I was sick. Everyone was scared. And I was scared too. I had people sit me down and say, ‘You’re going to die if you don’t take care of yourself.’”

A year later (January, 2007), she checked herself into a rehab because she “made a proactive decision” in order to address her personal health and attempt to improve it.  According to her publicist, she had been attending AA meetings for over a month at the time she entered the alcohol and drug rehab.  Ironically, 5 months later (May 2007), Lohan drove her Mercedes into a curb and was arrested for suspicion of DUI.  Additionally, the police report stated that a cocaine-like substance was found in the vehicle.

Two days after her arrest on May 28th (Memorial Day weekend), she once again checked into an alcohol and drug rehab.  On June 14th (17 days later) she crashed into a van in Beverly Hills and was accused of being drunk again according to a lawsuit that was launched in October of 2007.  A gentleman named Raymundo Ortega claimed that he had seen Lohan in the Ivy Restaurant earlier that evening consuming mixed drinks and getting drunk.

One month to the day (July 14th), Lohan checked out of the rehab center and celebrated the completion of her 45-day stay by partying with friends in a Las Vegas nightclub.  Supposedly, she remained sober and never drank with her friends.  Only 10 days later, she is once again pulled over by the police in the early morning of July 24th and was arrested on 5 different counts which included driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence, and possession of narcotics.

Lohan got sued again on August 14th and then charged with 7 counts of misdemeanor behavior stemming from the 2 prior DUI arrests that happened earlier in the year.  That December, a video played on the TV show TMZ which shows her in Italy partying with friends and drinking champagne straight out of the bottle.  In October of this past year (2009), she was handed an additional year of probation by the court for her two DUI arrests in 2007 because she failed to attend her court-ordered alcohol education classes.

This past April (2010), Lohan got fired by the producer of “The Other Side” claiming that he felt she was no longer “bankable.”  In June, the Beverly Hills court judge assigned to her case issued an arrest warrant for her and orders bail in the amount of $200,000 because she violated a court order to not consume alcoholic beverages.  Additionally, she was wearing a SCRAM alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet at the time of her violating probation.

Lindsay’s luck finally runs out

Lohan’s luck finally ran out because the court judge did what was right by sentencing her to 90 days in jail followed by a 90-day stint in an alcohol and drug rehab.  Depending on her behavior, she could be out of jail within 23 days, but she has to go right from jail to the drug rehab facility.  What’s important to realize with all of the above is that Lohan has a serious problem with repetitive unacceptable behavior associate with alcohol and drug abuse.

Although she will be entering a drug rehab program for the 3rd or 4th time now, she obviously has issues that these facilities are not addressing properly.  Otherwise, she would remain clean and sober, as well as substance-free without ever relapsing back into that negative behavior again.

The Narconon Freedom Center is here to help you

If you have been experiencing a Lindsay Lohan situation where you keep repeating the behavior that results in negative consequences for you, then you should consider looking into one of our alcohol or drug rehab programs that we offer here at our facility.  The Narconon Freedom Center has a proven track record of helping clients overcome their addictions and completely recover from them.  Our success rate with successful addiction treatment and recovery averages about 70% (sometimes more).

We can provide you with a residential environment and homelike setting to be treated and recover in before you return to society.  Depending on the severity of your abuse and addiction, you could enroll in an in-patient or out-patient program or a residency program that typically lasts 28 days.  In any case, you will be adding years to your life by completing the program and remaining substance-free the rest of your years.

Please understand that we are always here to help you 24/7/365.  If you would like further information about our alcohol or drug addiction treatment and recovery programs or if you have any further questions regarding your current set of circumstances please contact us.  You can call the toll-free phone number.

Street drugs often have slang names. These slang names maybe descriptive of the actual drug or the effects the drug has on the user. Slang is often specific to certain geographic areas. Some slang terms mean one thing in part of the U.S. and something different in other parts. Additionally, users often create their own street names for drugs to disguise their activity and actions.

• ACAPULCO GOLD – a very potent strain of marijuana from Acapulco, Mexico.
• ACID – LSD
• ACID HEAD – user of LSD, “Acid Freak”
• AIRHEAD – under the influence of marijuana
• ALCOHOL – booze, juice, sauce
• ALLEY JUICE – very cheap wine, “Grapes”
• AMPHETAMINES – speed, crystal, crank, meth, black beauties, bennies, uppers, dexies, 357 magnums
• ANGEL DUST – Phencyclidine or PCP
• ARTILLERY – equipment for shooting drugs
• BACK-UP – permitting blood to back up into a syringe to ensure the needle is in a vein\
• BAD TRIP – unpleasant LSD experience
• BAG – packet of drugs, usually a standard amount for sale
• BAG MAN – person who transports money
• BALLOON – small amount of contained narcotics
• BANG – to inject narcotics
• BARBS – Barbiturates; “downers, “reds”
• BEAN – capsules for drugs
• BEAT – to cheat someone
• BENNIES – Benzedrine; “peaches”
• BIG C – Cocaine
• BIG CHIEF- Mescaline
• BIG MAN – supplier of drugs
• BINDLE – a small packet of drug powder
• BLACK BEAUTIES – Amphetamines
• BLACK HOLLIES – Amphetamines
• BLACK-OUT – amnesia for events occurring while heavily intoxicated with alcohol, other sedative/hypnotic drugs
• BLACK RUSSIAN – Hashish
• BLASTED – high on drugs
• BLAZE – Marijuana
• BLOTTERS – LSD
• BLOW – smoke Marijuana; sniff Cocaine
• BLUE DEVILS – Amobarbital
• BLUES – Valium
• BLUNTS – a cigar slit open and filled with marijuana
• BOMBED OUT – very much intoxicated by narcotics
• BOMBITA – mixture of Cocaine & Heroin
• BONG – a cylindrical water pipe for smoking narcotics, especially Marijuana
• BOOST – to steal
• BOOZE – alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)
• BREAD – money
• BRICK – a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of tightly compacted Marijuana or Hashish
• BRING DOWN – come off a drug
• BROKER – go-between for a drug deal
• BUDS – Marijuana
• BUMMER – bad experience with drugs
• BUNDLE – multiple bags of a drug
• BURN – cheated bv a pusher
• BURNOUT – heavy user of drugs
• BUSTED – arrested on a drug-related charge
• BUTTONS – peyote or mushrooms
• BUY – purchase drugs
• BUZZED – mildly intoxicated
• CACTUS – Mescaline or Peyote
• CANDY – Barbiturates or Cocaine
• CANDYMAN – drug supplier
• CAPS – drug capsule
• CARTWHEELS – Amphetamines
• CHARGED UP – under the influence of drugs
• CHASING THE DRAGON – a particular way of inhaling Heroin
• CHINA WHITE – a very pure white Heroin
• CHIPPING – occasional use of drugs
• CHIPPY – person who uses drugs infrequently
• CLEAN – drug free; not having drugs in one’s possession
• COASTING – being high on drugs
• COCAINE – crack, coke, booth, blow, railers, snow, ringer, divits, toot, cola, rocks, blast, white dust, ivory flakes, nose candy, mobbeles
• COKE BROKE – financially incapacitated from supporting Cocaine habit
• COLD TURKEY – sudden withdrawal from drugs
• COLOMBO – Marijuana grown in Columbia
• COME DOWN – the ending of a drug experience
• CONNECT – to purchase drugs
• CONNECTION – supplier of drugs
• COOKER – usually a spoon or bottle cap used to heat drugs for injection
• COP – to obtain drugs
• COP-OUT – to evade an issue
• CRACK – Cocaine prepared for smoking
• CRASH – to sleep off the effects of drugs
• CRYSTALS – Methamphetamine
• CUT – to adulterate drugs
• CUT OUT – to leave from someplace
• DAGGA – South African word for Marijuana
• DEALER – someone who sells illegal drugs
• DECK – a packet of drugs
• DEXIES – Dexadrine, or”dex”
• DIME BAG – $10 worth of a narcotic
• DOLLIES – Methadone
• DOPE – a general term for drugs of abuse
• DOWNS – depressants such as Barbiturates, Tranquilizers
• DRIED OUT – having gone through a withdrawal program for drugs or alcohol
• DROP – to take a drugs orally; a place where money or drugs are left
• DRUGGIE – a narcotic user or addict
• DRUNK PILLS – Valium
• DUST – narcotics in powder form
• DUSTING – sprinkling a narcotic powder on another drug such as PCP on Marijuana
• DYNAMITE – high quality, potent drugs
• EASY SCORE – obtaining drugs without difficulty
• EIGHTH – one-eighth of a pound of drugs
• ELEPHANT – PCP
• EXPERIENCE – trip on LSD
• FACTORY – place where illicit drugs are prepared for sale
• FIX – an injection of drugs
• FLAKE -Cocaine
• FLASHBACK – recurrence of previous hallucinations
• FLEA POWDER – poor quality drugs
• FLIP OUT – become psychotic or irrational
• FLYING – under the influence of drugs
• FOOTBALL – Amphetarnine
• FREAK OUT – a bad trip; an unexpected reaction to a drug
• FREEBASE – smoking Cocaine from a special water pipe
• FREEZE – to renege on a drug transaction
• FRONT – to put money out before receiving the merchandise
• FUZZ – the police
• GANJA – the Jamaican word for MarijuanaGET OFF – feel a drug’s effects
• GET ON – use drugs for the first time
• GLUEY – a glue sniffer
• GOLD – Marijuana, also called Acapulco
• GOODS – drugs
• GOOFBALLS – Barbiturates
• GRAM – a metric measure of weight
• GRASS – Marijuana
• GUN – equipment for injecting drugs
• HAPPY DUST – Cocaine
• HARD STUFF – narcotics
• HASH – Marijuana
• HAY – Marijuana
• HEAD SHOP – store specializing in the sale of drug paraphernalia
• HEARTS – Dexadrine
• HEAVEN – Cocaine
• HEAVENLY BLUE – morning glory seeds; a hallucinogen
• HEAVY BURNER – a person who smokes a lot of dope, a burnout
• HEELED – having plenty of money
• HERB – Marijuana
• HEROIN – china white, fix, horse, smack, whack, mother pearl, H. junk
• HIGH – to be intoxicated on drugs
• HIP-HOP – refers to a culture that includes rap music, art, dance, fashion, attitude
• HIT- a single dose of drugs
• HOG – PCP
• HOLDING – in possession of drugs
• HOME GROWN – locally grown Marijuana; local weed; ditch weed
• HOOKED – addicted
• HOPPED UP – under the influence of drugs
• HORSE – Heroin
• HOT – wanted by authorities
• HOT SHOT – fatal injection of drugs
• HUFFER – glue sniffer
• HUFFING – inhaling solvents from a bag
• HUSTLE – attempt to obtain drug customers
• HYPE – narcotic addict
• ICE CREAM HABIT – occasional drug use
• IN – connected with drug suppliers
• ISOMERIZER – used to increase potency of THC in Marijuana
• JAG – extended period of using a drug
• JIVE – Marijuana
• JOINT – a Marijuana cigarette
• JOY POPPING – occasional use of drugs
• JUICE – Alcohol
• JUNK – Heroin, so named because it’s never pure when sold on the street
• JUNKIE – an opiate addict
• KEY- kilogram
• KICK – to stop using drugs
• KlCKBACK – relapse back into drug usage
• KIDDIE DOPE – usually prescription drugs
• KIF – North African word for Marijuana
• KILLER – strong drug
• KILLER WEED – strong Marijuana, or marijuana sprinkled with PCP
• KILO – 2.2 Ibs., also “KEY”
• KIT – equipment used to inject drugs
• LAUGHING GAS – Nitrous Oxide (inhalant)
• LEMONADE – poor-quality drugs
• LETTUCE – money
• LEAPERS – Amphetamines
• LID – one ounce or less of Marijuana
• LINE – a dose of Cocaine arranged in a line on a smooth surface
• LOAD – a large quantity of drugs
• LOADED – high on drugs or alcohol
• LOCKER ROOM – Butyl Nitrate (inhalant)
• LSD – acid, microdots, purple haze, blotters, fry, blaze, tab, dose, gel, pyramid, trips
• LUDES – Methaqualone; Quaaludes, Valium
• MAINLINE – inject a drug directly into a vein, to “shoot up”
• MAINLINER – a person who injects directly into the vein
• MAN – police
• MANICURE – remove seeds from marijuana
• MARIJUANA – buds, bhang, dope, goof butt, grass, hash, hay, hemp, herb, jive, pot, rope, stinkweed, stuff, tea, weed, wacky tobaccky, whack,
• MARY JANE – Marijuana
• MARIJUANA CIGARETTE – bone, doobie, joint, J, reefer, spiff
• MATCHBOX – measurement for a small amount of Marijuana
• MESCALINE – mess, crystal
• MEET – buyer and seller get together
• MERCHANDISE – drugs
• METHADONE – junk, Burdock, jungle juice
• MICRODOT – a tablet containing LSD
• MISS EMMA – Morphine
• MONKEY – drug dependency; a kilogram of a narcotic
• MULE – a carrier of drugs
• MUNCHIES – the hunger that follows after using Marijuana
• MUSHROOMS – magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies
• NAILED – arrested
• NARC – narcotic agent
• NEEDLE FREAK – a person who prefers to take drugs with a needle
• NICKEL BAG – a $5 bag of drugs
• NORML – National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; lobbies for lenient drug laws
• NUGGET – Marijuana
• O.D. – overdosed on drugs
• ON – under the influence of a drug
• ON A TRIP – under the influence of drugs
• ON ICE – in jail
• ON THE NOD – under the influence of narcotics or depressants
• OUT OF IT – under the influence of drugs
• O.Z. – one ounce
• PAKALOLO – Hawaiian term for Marijuana
• PANAMA GOLD, RED – potent Marijuana grown in Panama
• PANIC – drugs not available
• PAPERS – rolling papers, used to make marijuana or tobacco cigarettes
• PARAPHERNALIA – accessories used to take drugs
• PCP – (Phencyclidine) angel dust, kools sherms, high, wet daddies, dust, juice
• PEACE PILLS – PCP
• PEPSI HABIT – occasional use of drugs
• PEANUTS – Barbiturates
• PEYOTE – hallucinogenic cactus, buttons
• PICKUP – purchase drugs
• PIECE – usually one ounce of drugs
• PINKS – Second (Barbiturate)
• PLANT – a hiding place for drugs
• POPPERS – Amyl Nitrate capsules (inhalant)
• POT – Marijuana
• POT HEAD – Marijuana user
• POWER HITTER – a device (often plastic) used to deliver a blast of Marijuana smoke to the lungs
• QUACK – doctor
• RAINBOWS – Barbiturate
• RAP – to talk with someone; or charged with a crime
• RED DEVILS – Seconal (Barbiturate)
• REEFER – Marijuana RIG – the paraphernalia for injecting drugs
• RIDING THE WAVE – under the influence of drugs
• RIPPED OFF- robbed
• ROACH – the stub of a Marijuana cigarette
• ROACH CLIP – any tweezers-like device used to hold a Marijuana cigarette stub that is too short to hold in the- fingers
• RUSH – an intense surge of pleasure; Butyl Nitrate inhalant
• SAUCE – alcohol
• SCAT – Heroin
• SCHOOL BOY – Codeine
• SCORE – to locate and purchase a quantity of drugs
• SCRIPT WRITER – a Doctor willing to write a prescription for faked symptoms
• SET UP – to arrange to have a person arrested for drugs; combination of uppers and downers (Barbiturates and.Amphetamines)
• SHOOTING GALLERY – place where addicts inject drugs
• SHOOT UP – to inject intravenously
• SHOTGUN – a way of smoking Marijuana, by blowing smoke back through the joint into another’s mouth
• SINSEMILLA OR SINS – a potent type of Marijuana without seeds grown in Northern California
• SKIN POPPING – to inject a drug under the skin
• SMACK- Heroin
• SNAPPERS – Amyl Nitrate capsules (inhalant)
• SNORT – to inhale Cocaine through the nostrils
• SNOW – Cocaine
• SNOW BIRD – dependent on Cocaine
• SPACE CADET – habitual user of Marijuana
• SPACED OUT – under the influence of drugs
• SPACED – unresponsive to surroundings
• SPEED – Amphetamines
• SPEEDBALL – a mixture of Cocaine and Heroin; “Bombita”
• SPEED FREAK – person who repeatedly takes Amphetamines, usually intravenously
• SPIKE – needle used to inject drugs
• SPOONS – paraphernalia associated with Cocaine, often worn as jewelry
• STAR DUST – Cocaine
• STASH – a place where drugs are hidden
• STEP ON – to dilute drugs
• STICK – a Marijuana cigarette STIMULANTS – pep pills
• STONED – under the influence of drugs
• STRAIGHT – not using drugs
• STRUNG OUT – heavily addicted to drugs
• STUFF- drugs
• SUPERMAN – LSD blotter with Superman imprint
• TASTE – a small sample of drugs
• TEA – Marijuana
• THAI STICKS – Marijuana laced with Opium
• TOBACCO – butt, chew, weed, cig,
• TOKE – inhaling Marijuana or Hashish smoke
• TOLLEY – or toluene; a cheap, extremely harmful paint solvent (inhalant)
• TOOT – to sniff Cocaine
• TOOTER – small, hollow tube (straw-like) to sniff Cocaine
• TO PARTY – refers to having a good time using alcohol and other drugs
• TRACKS – a row of needle marks on the skin
• TRAP – a hiding place for drugs
• TRIP – under the influence of drugs
• TURF – a location where drugs are sold
• TURKEY – a substitute sold as a specific drug
• TURNED ON – introduced to drugs, or under the influence of drugs
• TWEEZES -a wild variety of psilocybin mushrooms (hallucinogen)
• UNCLE – Federal Agents
• UPPERS – Stimulants, Amphetamines
• VALIUM – ludes, drunk pills, v’s blues
• WACKY TOBACCKY -Marijuana
• WASTED – intoxicated, strung out
• WEED – Marijuana
• WHITE – Cocaine
• WHITE LIGHTENING – LSD
• WIRED – addicted to Amphetamines or Heroin
• WORKS – equipment for injecting drugs
• YELLOW JACKETS – Nembutal, Barbiturate
• YEN – a strong craving
• ZIGZAG – a brand of rolling papers used to make Marijuana cigarettes
• ZOMBIE – heavy user of drugs
• ZONKED – extremely high on drugs

Addiction can hit anyone regardless of their fame or fortune. They can be an ordinary working “Joe” or they can be a famous star like Amy Winehouse. The world just hears more about it when it is someone famous which makes people wonder if the fame may be the culprit for the addiction. Amy has been battling rumors of her addiction for a long time. When a star is constantly in the spotlight it is hard for them to sometimes find themselves as a person first and then a star. If they cannot separate the two they cannot break down their addiction and overcome it. While surrendering to the thought of rehab for herself her fiancé, Blake Fielder-Civil is also in rehab. The couple just got a divorce in July 2009. Amy has been battling her addiction for a long time now. In 2007 she checked herself out of rehab. Amy had been on a party binge for three days when she sunk to the bottom and decided to get the help she needed. She had collapsed and rehab was her only way. Then the second time at rehab Amy only stayed for 2 days. After 48 hours in the rehab she checked out due to arguments she was having with Blake. Amy has admitted to an addiction with Marijuana and Cocaine. There have also been reports of Heroin use too. Amy has also been mixing these drugs with alcohol. Since Amy lives in the spotlight reporters have video and pictures of her doing drugs as well as drinking. In 2008 Amy won five awards, one for her song “Rehab” where she talks about her own experience in putting off going to rehab. When Amy was not there on location at the awards people started to wonder where she was. Amy was in rehab herself and when she accepted her awards she did it live by satellite from an English studio. If she was to perform her songs on stage it could have possibly set her back on her rehab. Starting over is something that she could not handle right now until she becomes stronger as an individual. A lot has changed since then and Amy has gone back down the same road. Amy continues to go in and out of drug  rehab hoping that the next time will be it for her addiction. Amy goes into rehab long enough to break free from the addiction of the drugs but she checks out before she learns how to live her life without the drugs. This is a struggle everyday and when she goes back to her normal life she doesn’t recognize it without the drugs. She falls prey to the same lifestyle again.