Heroin Street Names, Slang & Nicknames

What are the street names of Heroin?

Heroin, a highly addictive opioid, is known by numerous street names. These names often vary by region and can change over time. It is common for street names to be used in illegal trade and among users as a way to discuss drugs discreetly. Commonly, heroin is referred to as “H,” “Smack,” “Dope,” and “Junk.” These names have become part of the vernacular in areas where heroin use is prevalent, serving as a coded language to evade detection by authorities and non-users.

Why Are There Nicknames for Heroin?

Nicknames for heroin, like those for many illegal substances, arise for various reasons. Primarily, they serve as a form of coded language, allowing users and dealers to discuss the drug without drawing attention from law enforcement or the general public. Additionally, these nicknames can be a marketing tool, giving the drug a more appealing or less intimidating image. They also help in distinguishing heroin from other drugs, especially when dealing with multiple substances.

What Are the Common Nicknames and Street Names for Heroin?

Heroin is known by many nicknames and street names, some of the most common being “Horse,” “Brown Sugar,” “Skag,” and “Chiva.” Each name can carry connotations about the drug’s quality, origin, or effects. For instance, “Black Tar” refers to a crude, sticky form of heroin, predominantly from Mexico, while “China White” suggests a purer, more potent form, often associated with heroin from Southeast Asia.

What is Brown Heroin?

Brown heroin refers to a specific form of heroin that is generally less pure and unrefined compared to white heroin. It’s typically found in a powder form and has a brownish color, which is a result of the impurities left from the manufacturing process. Brown heroin is commonly smoked or snorted due to its lower level of purity, which makes it less suitable for injection.

The street names for brown heroin often reflect its appearance and form. Some of the most common street names include:

• Brown Sugar: This is one of the most widely recognized street names for brown heroin, derived directly from its color and granular texture similar to actual brown sugar.
• Brown Crystal: Referring to its crystalline or powdery texture, this name highlights the physical characteristics of the drug.
• Mexican Brown: This name is often used to indicate its origin, as much of the brown heroin found in the United States is sourced from Mexico.
• Mud: A slang term that refers to the darker, muddier appearance of brown heroin compared to its white or light-colored counterparts.

What Are the Street Names for Heroin Drug Combinations?

Heroin is often mixed with other substances, leading to various street names for these combinations. For example,

1. Cheese: This combination involves mixing heroin with over-the-counter cold medicines, such as Tylenol PM. The heroin is usually a lower grade, and the addition of cold medicine helps to enhance the sedative effects. This mixture is particularly dangerous due to the unpredictability of the combined effects on the body.
2. Atom Bomb: This is a combination of heroin and marijuana. The marijuana is typically rolled into a cigarette or joint, with heroin sprinkled over it. The combination can significantly enhance the sedative effects of both substances, leading to a more intense and potentially dangerous high.
3. H-bomb: Heroin is mixed with ecstasy in this combination. The euphoric and energizing effects of ecstasy contrast with the sedative effects of heroin. This can create a confusing set of signals to the brain, increasing the risk of dangerous health consequences.
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies: In this mix, heroin is combined with MDMA (Molly or ecstasy) and marijuana. The combination of these three drugs creates a potent mix of stimulant and depressant effects, which can be particularly risky for the heart and central nervous system.
5. New Jack Swing: Heroin is mixed with morphine. Both being opiates, their effects are compounded when used together, leading to an intensely enhanced sedative and euphoric experience. However, this also greatly increases the risk of overdose and respiratory failure.
6. Speedball: Mixing heroin with cocaine. This mix is particularly dangerous due to the opposing effects of the stimulant (cocaine) and the depressant (heroin).
7. Goofball: Mixing Heroin with methamphetamine. Similar to a Speedball, the mix of a depressant and a stimulant poses heightened risks.
8. Moonrock: This combination refers to heroin mixed with crack cocaine, offering a potent high but with increased risk for cardiac and respiratory issues.
9. Dragon Rock: Involves mixing heroin with crack or powder cocaine and marijuana. This combination amplifies the effects of each individual drug, leading to complex health risks.
10. Scramble: A mix of heroin with various other substances, often including cocaine, benzodiazepines, and other opioids. The composition can be highly unpredictable.
11. Eightball (8 Ball): Combines heroin with crack cocaine in equal parts. This term is also used for a mix of cocaine and methamphetamine, but when mixed with heroin, it’s particularly dangerous.
12. Chocolate Chip Cookies: A mix of heroin, MDMA (Molly or ecstasy), and marijuana. This combination creates varied stimulant and depressant effects, complicating its impact on the body.
13. He-She: Combines heroin with cocaine in a single substance, often snorted. This combination can be deceptive in its effects, leading to unexpected health emergencies.
14. Bipping: This refers to using heroin with a marijuana joint. The heroin is either sprinkled on top or mixed in, creating a dual effect of relaxation and euphoria.
15. Chasing the Tiger: A combination of heroin and crack smoked together. This method increases the intensity of the drugs’ effects and the speed at which they impact the user.

What Are the Slang Terms for Heroin Use and Users?

Slang terms for heroin use and users are plentiful and often carry negative connotations. Users may be referred to as “Junkies,” “Hounds,” or “Nods.” The act of using heroin can be called “Chasing the Dragon,” which refers to smoking heroin, or “Banging Up,” a term for injecting the drug. These terms often reflect the lifestyle and practices associated with chronic heroin use.

Common Slang Terms for Buying and Preparing Heroin for Use

The process of buying and preparing heroin involves its own set of slang terms. Purchasing heroin might be referred to as “Copping” or “Scoring.” Preparing the drug for use, particularly for injection, is often called “Cooking” or “Fixing.” The paraphernalia used, like a spoon for heating the drug and a syringe for injecting, are commonly referred to as “Gear” or “Works.”