Illicit Subs
This anticholinergic drug has been reported in crimes due to its ability to cause confusion, dissociation, and impaired memory formation.
What is scopolamine (Devil’s Breath)?
This synthetic opioid accounts for the majority of opioid-related overdose deaths in the U.S.
➡️ Answer: What is fentanyl (and analogs)?
This legal depressant alters GABA and glutamate activity and is associated with the highest overall social harm.
➡️ Answer: What is alcohol?
This substance is strongly associated with fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and esophageal varices after prolonged use.
➡️ Answer: What is alcohol?
This legendary singer known as “The Man in Black” openly discussed his struggles with amphetamines and alcohol later in life.
➡️ Answer: Who is Johnny Cash?
Cathinone's, also known as “________” this class of synthetic stimulants acts on dopamine and norepinephrine systems and can cause excited delirium.
What are Bath Salts?
Polysubstance use most commonly involves opioids combined with this second drug class.
➡️ Answer: What are benzodiazepines or alcohol?
This prescription stimulant used for ADHD has high misuse potential when crushed or taken orally in excess.
➡️ Answer: What is Adderall (amphetamine)?
Severe dental decay, jaw infections, and chronic skin picking are commonly seen with long-term use of this stimulant.
➡️ Answer: What is methamphetamine?
This actor starred in Iron Man and credits recovery for saving his life and career.
➡️ Answer: Who is Robert Downey Jr.?
This homemade opioid from Eastern Europe is known for causing severe tissue necrosis and shortened life expectancy.
➡️ Answer: What is krokodil (desomorphine)?
Individuals recently released from incarceration are at highest overdose risk during this time period.
➡️ Answer: What are the first two weeks post-release?
Chronic use of this legal substance can worsen anxiety, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular symptoms.
➡️ Answer: What is caffeine?
Collapsed veins, infective endocarditis, and increased risk of blood-borne infections are linked to use of this drug class.
➡️ Answer: What are injectable opioids (e.g., heroin)?
This iconic singer struggled with alcohol and drug use, ultimately dying at age 27.
➡️ Answer: Who is Amy Winehouse?
This drug, associated with South Africa, is often a mixture of heroin, cannabis, HIV medications, toxic additives and is linked to rapid physical decline.
➡️ Answer: What is wonga (nyaope)?
People with co-occurring mental health disorders have this much higher risk of developing SUD compared to the general population.
➡️ Answer: What is approximately double the risk?
This legal substance increases dopamine release but also reinforces addiction through rapid delivery to the brain.
➡️ Answer: What is nicotine?
Bladder inflammation, ulceration, and long-term urinary tract damage are associated with repeated use of this dissociative anesthetic.
➡️ Answer: What is ketamine?
This comedian and actor has been open about relapse, recovery, and the ongoing nature of addiction.
➡️ Answer: Who is Kevin Hart?
This psychedelic phenethylamine, sometimes mistaken for MDMA, has been linked to unpredictable stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.
➡️ Answer: What is NBOMe?
NBOMes are also referred to as a New Psychoactive Substances because they are designed to mimic or produce similar effects to common illicit drugs such as the so-called ‘classical psychedelics’ like mescaline or LSD.1 NBOMes can be in the form of blotting paper (similar to LSD) with images and logos from popular culture, a clear liquid, a white powder, or a pill.3, 4
Most fatal overdoses occur when individuals use alone or without access to this protective factor.
➡️ Answer: What is naloxone or overdose response support?
This prescribed drug class is commonly involved in overdose deaths when combined with opioids or alcohol.
➡️ Answer: What are benzodiazepines?
Severe skin ulcers, necrosis, and non-healing wounds have been increasingly associated with this non-opioid sedative found in the illicit supply.
➡️ Answer: What is xylazine (tranq)?
This world-famous athlete admitted that substance use impacted his performance, mental health, and personal life despite massive success.
➡️ Answer: Who is Tiger Woods?