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What'd He Say? Street Drug Terminology

NCJ Number
126419
Journal
Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association Volume: 86 Issue: 14 Dated: (January 1990) Pages: 51-56
Author(s)
N P Johnson
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A basic understanding of drug terminology plus observations derived from clinical experiences as to the usefulness of that understanding are the main issues presented.
Abstract
The terminology is presented in a table which compares the medical name of the drug to the older (pre-1980) street terminology as well as to the newer street terminology. Another table compares the terms used by persons in the introductory phase of usage with those terms used by persons later in addiction. Some of the observations presented include: (1) that terminology distinctions between various U.S. locations are frequent but minor; (2) that drug terms translocate over vast distances within months due to media coverage and to the drug transportation process; (3) that the increased frequency of use and severity of problems from using the drug evoke an advanced set of terms. The degree to which drug use has taken over major portions of a person's life may be reflected in the terms used to describe the drug or its effects, i.e. at an advanced stage, terms tend to take on sexual connotations. With increased symptom severity, drug names may also take on increased hardness, death, and aberrant mental health intonations. Knowledge of the street drug terminology may serve a diagnostic usefulness for the experienced clinician in determining severity of symptoms, therapy, and breadth and depth of patient use of drugs. 2 tables and 1 reference

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