What are the 8 types of illegal drugs?

Asked by: Dolores Wunsch II  |  Last update: April 18, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (61 votes)

There isn't a universally agreed-upon list of exactly eight "types" of illegal drugs, as they're often categorized by effect (stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens) or chemical class, but common examples include Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly), LSD, Marijuana, Fentanyl, and Ketamine, representing major categories like stimulants, opioids, psychedelics, and club drugs, all varying in legality status but widely controlled.

What are the 8 types of drugs?

Figure 1. HC DAS and CL classification framework for psychoactive substances in the illicit drug market

  • Stimulants.
  • Cannabinoids.
  • Hallucinogens.
  • Dissociatives.
  • Opioids.
  • Physical performance enhancers.
  • Cognitive enhancers.
  • Antidepressants.

What are the types of illegal drugs?

Types of illegal drugs

  • Cannabis (Marijuana)
  • Cocaine.
  • MDMA/Ecstasy.
  • Hallucinogens.
  • Heroin.
  • Methamphetamine.

What are the 8 drugs?

  • Opioids. Opioids are natural, semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic drugs that act on opioid receptors in the brain. ...
  • Depressants. CNS depressants slow down nervous system activity. ...
  • Prescription Drugs. ...
  • Cannabinoids. ...
  • Stimulants. ...
  • Hallucinogenic Drugs. ...
  • Inhalants. ...
  • Steroids.

What are the number 8 drugs?

The most commonly used Schedule 8 medicines include analgesics such as opioids (for example, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, tapentadol, hydromorphone, methadone and buprenorphine). The benzodiazepines flunitrazepam and alprazolam are also included in Schedule 8 due to evidence of illicit use and risk of dependence.

Every Illegal Drug Explained in 15 Minutes

19 related questions found

What is an 8 drug?

"8 drug" can refer to Delta-8 THC, a cannabis compound, slang for an "8-ball" (3.5g) of drugs like cocaine, or a type of drug test (8-panel) screening for eight substance classes. It might also refer to Schedule 8 drugs in Australia, which are highly controlled medicines like potent opioids. The specific meaning depends heavily on context, from recreational use to medical or legal settings. 

What are drugs class 8?

A drug is any chemical substance other than a nutrient or an essential dietary ingredient, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect.

What is ❄ drug slang?

❄️, 🥥,🤧, 🔑,⛄,🎱, 🐡 — Cocaine. 🍼,🍇 ,💜,🔮 — Cough syrup. 🍬, ❤⚡,🤯, ❌, 🍬, ❤️ — MDMA. 🍄 — Psilocybin or “magic” mushrooms.

What is a big 8 in drug terms?

Big 8 -- 1/8 kilogram crack. Big bag -- Heroin. Big bloke -- Cocaine. Big C -- Cocaine.

What is a list of drugs?

  • Alcohol.
  • Amyl Nitrite.
  • Anabolic Steroids.
  • Benzodiazepines.
  • Cannabis.
  • Cocaine.
  • Ecstasy (MDMA)
  • Energy drinks and caffeine.

What are four illegal drugs?

Most Searched

  • Cannabis (Marijuana)
  • Cocaine.
  • Fentanyl.
  • Heroin.
  • LSD (Acid)
  • Meth.

What are the big 3 drugs?

Abstract. Data from surveys of arrestees and the household population in the U.S. suggest there is only modest overlap among demand for the big three expensive illegal drugs (cocaine/crack, heroin, and methamphetamine).

What is an illegal drug called?

Illegal drugs are those that are not prescribed by a doctor or bought at a drugstore. They are sometimes called "street drugs." Some examples include heroin (also called smack, junk, or dope), cocaine (coke or crack), PCP, ecstasy (MDMA), Rohypnol (roofies), and meth (crank or speed).

What are the seven types of illegal drugs?

DREs classify drugs in one of seven categories: central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants, and cannabis.

What is a gary in drug slang?

Popular culture. In the United Kingdom, ecstasy pills are commonly referred to as "Garys" or "Garies" with Gary Ablett acting as rhyming slang for ecstasy tablet.

What are 20 examples of drugs?

Being informed about these undercover terms may potentially save someone's life.

  • Cocaine. ...
  • Crack (a form of cocaine, smokeable) ...
  • Depressants. ...
  • Fentanyl. ...
  • GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) ...
  • Heroin. ...
  • Inhalants. ...
  • Ketamine.

What does "chiefing" mean in slang?

What does "Chiefing" mean? Hogging the weed in a group smoke session or taking huge rips. This term comes from the idea of a Native American chief smoking in large, deep hits off their pipe.

What does 🎱 mean in slang?

The 🎱 (8 Ball) emoji is occasionally used as a symbol for drugs. In the drug-using community, an “8-ball” signifies ⅛ ounce (3.5 g) of drugs. If you see the 🎱 emoji pop up in a drug-related conversation, it's probably shorthand for this specific measurement.

What does "skunk" mean in drug slang?

What is Skunk? Skunk is a name given to strains of cannabis with very high levels of THC. Strictly speaking, skunk refers to a specific strain of cannabis, originally known as Skunk #1 and its direct descendants.

What does 🗣 🗣 🗣 🔥 🔥 🔥 mean?

The combination 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥 means someone is excitedly talking about something amazing, lit, or fire, emphasizing strong opinions or hot news with intense passion and volume, as the speaking heads show loud talking and fire means excellent or intense. It's like saying, "I'm telling you, this is so incredibly good/hot/amazing!". 

What does 🔮 mean drugs?

Illegal Drugs

Likewise, methamphetamine is called “crystal,” so a crystal ball emoji is used to represent it. The most common emojis for illegal drugs include: Methamphetamine: 🔮, 💙,💎,🧪 (crystal ball, blue heart, diamond, test tube)

What does this emoji 🍃 mean?

It is commonly used to represent leaves, good weather, spring and summer, windy days, plants, and marijuana. Because of this last usage, the Leaf Fluttering in the Wind emoji 🍃 is frequently used in the month of April leading up to April 20 (4/20), a day on which many Americans celebrate marijuana usage.

What are legal drugs?

Legal drugs means any drug, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, that has been legally obtained and that is not unlawfully sold or distributed.

What is drug abused?

The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems.

What is drug class 9?

Definition of Drug (Class 9)

A drug is a substance that, when taken into the body, alters or modifies one or more of its functions. Drugs can be used for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or cure of diseases. Some drugs are also used for recreational purposes, but they may have harmful effects on health.