Searchable drug guides
Drug A–Z
Search by drug name, common name or category. Every published guide connects effects and risk with brain science, harm reduction, treatment, history and current UK legal information.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Cocaine
A powerful stimulant sold mainly as cocaine hydrochloride powder or as crack cocaine. Effects are relatively short-lived, which can encourage repeated use in a session.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Alcohol
Alcohol (ethanol) is a psychoactive depressant found in beer, wine, cider and spirits. Legal availability does not mean low risk: harm varies with amount, pattern of drinking, health and other drugs or medicines.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Lean
Lean is not one drug or a standard recipe. The term is commonly used for drinks containing codeine cough medicine, often with a sedating antihistamine such as promethazine, mixed with a soft drink. Contents and strength can differ substantially.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Cannabis
Cannabis contains many cannabinoids; THC is primarily responsible for intoxication, while CBD has a different pharmacology. Effects vary with THC/CBD content, route, dose, setting and individual vulnerability.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic with legitimate medical uses. Non-medical use can produce detachment from the body and surroundings, impaired coordination and, at higher exposure, profound dissociation.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Heroin
Heroin is an opioid, usually encountered in the UK as a powder. Its main acute danger is opioid toxicity: sedation can progress to life-threatening respiratory depression.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Opioids
Opioids are a drug family that includes heroin/diamorphine, morphine, codeine, methadone, buprenorphine, oxycodone, fentanyl and nitazenes. Potency, duration, medical use and legal controls differ substantially.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are sedative medicines used for a limited range of clinical indications. Illicit tablets may contain unexpected benzodiazepines or other substances, so appearance and branding are unreliable.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.MDMA
MDMA is an empathogenic stimulant usually sold as tablets or crystals/powder. Products sold as ecstasy vary in content and strength, and a logo or colour cannot identify what is present.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Nitazenes
Nitazenes are a family of synthetic opioids, not one drug. They have been detected in UK illicit markets and can produce life-threatening opioid toxicity, including when people do not know an opioid is present.
Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.Synthetic cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are laboratory-made substances that act on cannabinoid receptors. Products sold as 'Spice' are variable mixtures and can behave very differently from cannabis.
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Appearance varies. A substance cannot be reliably identified by colour, shape, packaging or an image.