Substance information library
All substances by A-Z
Alcohol
DepressantAlcohol is widely available in many varieties, including wine, beer, and spirits, and drinking alcohol is largely viewed as socially acceptable in the UK. Alcohol varies in strength and taste. Labels will always tell you how strong the drink is and will usually outline how many units are in the drink.
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Amphetamine
StimulantAmphetamine is a stimulant drug which can make you feel alert. It usually looks like a white, off-white or pink powder but can also look like crystals or a paste.
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Benzodiazepines
SedativeBenzodiazepines are a group of sedative drugs. Some people may be prescribed a type of benzodiazepine, while other types are only available illicitly (sometimes called ‘street benzos’). Street benzos often contain several different drugs, which can increase the risk of overdose.
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Cannabis
CannabinoidCannabis is a plant-based drug. It usually looks like small buds of leaves, or whole or shredded green leaves, and has a strong smell. It can also look like a solid lump of dark brown or black resin or a solid, crystal-like slab.
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Cocaethylene
StimulantCocaethylene is a toxic mix produced when cocaine and alcohol are taken together. It can cause permanent damage to your liver and heart.
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Cocaine
StimulantCocaine is a stimulant drug which can make you feel alert. It usually looks like a white powder. Crack cocaine usually looks like a yellow-white crystal.
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Crack Cocaine
StimulantCrack cocaine is a stimulant drug. It usually looks like a yellow-white crystal.
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Ecstasy
EmpathogenMDMA (ecstasy) is a stimulant and psychedelic drug which can make you feel energised. It usually looks like an off-white, yellow, grey, purple or light brown crystal-like powder, but can also look like tablets.
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Fentanyl
OpioidFentanyl is a synthetic opioid. It can be taken on its own, but it has also been found in heroin and other illicit drugs like oxycodone and benzodiazepines. If a drug contains fentanyl, there is an increased risk of harm, overdose and death.
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Heroin
OpioidHeroin is an opioid drug which can make you feel relaxed, confused and zoned out. It usually looks like an off-white or brown powder.
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Prescription drugs
VariousIllicit prescription drugs are drugs obtained without a valid prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. They’re considered illicit because in the UK, prescription-only medicines are not legally available without a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
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Inhalants
InhalantHousehold glue, gas and aerosol products can be inhaled (chroming) to create a brief, euphoric high, which can be extremely dangerous, as it can lead to serious harm, Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (where an irregular heartbeat can lead to cardiac arrest or heart failure) and suffocation.
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Ketamine
DissociativeKetamine is a dissociative drug which can make you feel detached from your body or physical environment. It usually looks like a grainy white or light brown crystal-like powder.
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Lean
SedativeIn America, lean is typically where cough syrup containing codeine or promethazine is mixed with a fizzy drink or boiled sweets. These cough syrups can’t be purchased over the counter in the UK, so here, the phrase ‘lean’ typically refers to liquid medicines (such as cough syrups) being mixed together. This is sometimes combined with codeine and/or promethazine tablets, and is then added to soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, or boiled sweets.
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Monkey Dust
StimulantMonkey Dust is a name commonly used for drugs containing synthetic cathinones. These are stimulant drugs which have effects similar to amphetamines (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy).
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Nitazenes
OpioidNitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids which have emerged in the UK drug supply. They can be taken on their own (sometimes unknowingly), and they have been found in heroin and other illicit drugs like oxycodone and benzodiazepines. If a drug contains nitazenes, there is an increased risk of harm, overdose and death.
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Nitrous oxide (NOS)
DissociativeNitrous oxide is a drug with anaesthetic and psychedelic properties which can have a dissociative effect.
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Pink Cocaine
VariousPink cocaine is usually a mixture of drugs such as ketamine, MDMA and 2C-B - despite it’s name, it doesn’t always contain cocaine. Other substances, such as methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, opioids, xylazine and caffeine have also been identified in batches of pink cocaine. Food colouring is usually added to make it pink, and the ‘ingredients’, strength and purity vary widely between batches.
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Synthetic cannabinoids
CannabinoidSynthetic cannabinoids are man-made drugs which are designed to act like the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis. They usually look like a mixture that resembles buds or leaves like cannabis.
It's becoming increasingly common for these drugs to be found in vapes, as well as edibles (e.g. gummies) and mixed with herbal cannabis.
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THC vapes
CannabinoidTHC vapes are illicit vapes that have been found to contain the substance THC which can be preloaded into disposable vapes or mixed with vape liquid.
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Xylazine
DepressantXylazine is a powerful and dangerous anaesthetic that relaxes the muscles and causes severe drowsiness. It is often mixed with opioids like heroin and nitazenes, and has been found in other illicit drugs like benzodiazepines and THC vapes. If a drug contains xylazine, because it’s not what’s expected and could have different effects, there is an increased risk of harm, overdose and death.
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