Drug & Substance Directory
Comprehensive information about drugs, substances, and addiction treatment options from trusted sources
Priority Substances: Long Island Treatment Focus
These eight substances represent the highest-volume treatment categories across Nassau and Suffolk County. Each page provides comprehensive, evidence-based information including local statistics, treatment protocols, and Long Island-specific resources.
Alcohol Use Disorder
The most common substance addiction on Long Island, accounting for 38% of Nassau County treatment admissions. Medical detox is often the critical first step toward recovery.
Learn moreOpioid Addiction
Encompasses prescription painkillers and illicit opioids. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine or methadone offers the strongest evidence-based outcomes.
Learn moreCocaine Addiction
A powerful CNS stimulant causing severe psychological dependence, with rising prevalence across Nassau and Suffolk County communities.
Learn moreFentanyl Addiction
A synthetic opioid 50–100× stronger than morphine, present in 85% of Long Island opioid overdose deaths. Immediate medical intervention is critical.
Learn moreHeroin Addiction
Heroin use disorder remains a crisis across Suffolk County, with most street heroin now contaminated with fentanyl.
Learn moreBenzodiazepine Addiction
Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin dependence carries life-threatening withdrawal risks requiring medical detox with gradual tapering.
Learn moreMethamphetamine Addiction
Meth-related treatment admissions increased 41% across Suffolk County from 2020 to 2023. Behavioral therapy is the primary evidence-based treatment.
Learn moreCannabis Use Disorder
Affects approximately 30% of regular users, with risks amplified by high-potency THC products available in New York's legal market.
Learn moreOpioid Substances
Opioids bind to receptors in the brain, producing pain relief and euphoria. This class includes prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Opioid use disorder is the leading cause of overdose death in New York State, with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) offering the most effective evidence-based recovery pathway.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine, with extremely high overdose risk.
Treatment: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), naloxone emergency resp...
Heroin
Heroin is an illegal opioid processed from morphine that causes severe physical dependence.
Treatment: Medication-assisted treatment, methadone, buprenorphine, beh...
Opioids
Opioid addiction involves dependence on prescription painkillers or illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl.
Treatment: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, behavioral ...
Prescription Medicines
Misuse of prescription medications including opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants.
Treatment: Medical detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient therapy, medi...
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine activity in the brain, producing heightened energy, alertness, and euphoria. Cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic cathinones carry high addiction potential and serious cardiovascular risks. Behavioral therapies — particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management — are the primary evidence-based treatments.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can lead to severe psychological and physical dependence.
Treatment: Behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cont...
Methamphetamine
Meth is a highly addictive stimulant affecting the central nervous system.
Treatment: Behavioral therapies, contingency management interventions, ...
Adderall (Prescription Stimulants)
Adderall is a Schedule II prescription stimulant used for ADHD that carries high potential for misuse and dependence.
Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, Matrix...
Synthetic Cathinones (Bath Salts)
Synthetic cathinones are human-made stimulants chemically related to cathinone found in the khat plant.
Treatment: Emergency medical care, behavioral therapy, psychiatric trea...
Sedatives & Depressants
Sedatives and depressants slow central nervous system activity, producing relaxation and reduced anxiety. Alcohol and benzodiazepines are the most commonly misused substances in this category and carry life-threatening withdrawal risks requiring medical supervision. Cannabis, while less acutely dangerous, can produce significant dependence with chronic use.
Alcohol
Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disease characterized by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite negative consequences.
Treatment: Medically-supervised detox, inpatient rehab, outpatient prog...
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Cannabis use disorder can develop with regular marijuana use despite negative impacts. Also known as marijuana or weed.
Treatment: Behavioral support, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivation...
Inhalants
Inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors inhaled to achieve psychoactive effects.
Treatment: Behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, family the...
Benzodiazepines
Benzos are prescription sedatives that can cause physical and psychological dependence.
Treatment: Gradual tapering, medical supervision, counseling, anxiety m...
Emerging & Synthetic Substances
This category includes newer synthetic drugs, designer substances, and less commonly encountered compounds. Many emerging substances carry unpredictable risks due to variable composition and limited clinical research. Treatment typically involves medical evaluation, behavioral therapy, and monitoring for polysubstance interactions.
7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)
7-OH is a highly concentrated kratom-derived alkaloid sold in tablets, gummies, and shots. It binds strongly to opioid receptors and carries higher dependence and overdose risk than traditional kratom leaf.
Treatment: Outpatient programs, intensive outpatient (IOP), medication-...
Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used medically but also misused recreationally.
Treatment: Behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychiatri...
Kratom
Kratom is a tropical tree with leaves that can have psychotropic effects and potential for dependence.
Treatment: Gradual tapering, behavioral therapy, medical monitoring, ad...
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
MDMA is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception, commonly known as ecstasy or molly.
Treatment: Behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, support gr...
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Misuse of over-the-counter medications like cough syrups, sleep aids, and pain relievers can lead to dependence.
Treatment: Medical evaluation, gradual tapering, behavioral therapy, ad...
Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms.
Treatment: Behavioral therapy, psychiatric evaluation, cognitive behavi...
Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs
These substances alter perception, thoughts, and feelings, including LSD, PCP, and psilocybin.
Treatment: Psychiatric evaluation, behavioral therapy, crisis intervent...
Steroids (Anabolic)
Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of testosterone, often misused to enhance athletic performance.
Treatment: Behavioral therapy, hormone therapy, psychiatric care, medic...
Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice)
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made chemicals sprayed on plant material to mimic THC effects.
Treatment: Emergency medical care, behavioral therapy, psychiatric eval...
Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping
Nicotine addiction from cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes/vaping products.
Treatment: Nicotine replacement therapy, behavioral counseling, medicat...
Xylazine
Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer increasingly found mixed with illicit opioids, causing severe complications.
Treatment: Emergency medical care, wound management, opioid treatment p...
Tussi (Pink Cocaine)
Tussi (also called Tusi or Pink Cocaine) is a dangerous synthetic drug cocktail typically containing ketamine, MDMA, and caffeine. Despite its name, it rarely contains cocaine and poses serious overdose risks due to unpredictable composition.
Treatment: Medical evaluation, behavioral therapy, psychiatric care, de...
OxyContin (Oxycodone)
OxyContin is a prescription opioid containing oxycodone with high potential for dependence and addiction.
Treatment: Medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), inpatien...
Percocet (Oxycodone + Acetaminophen)
Percocet is a prescription combination drug containing oxycodone and acetaminophen, carrying dual risks of opioid addiction and liver damage.
Treatment: Medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), inpatien...
Hydrocodone (Vicodin/Norco)
Hydrocodone is one of the most commonly prescribed opioids, often considered a gateway to stronger opioid addiction.
Treatment: Medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), inpatien...
Xanax (Alprazolam)
Xanax is a fast-acting benzodiazepine with high abuse potential. Withdrawal can be life-threatening and requires medical supervision.
Treatment: Medically supervised tapering, inpatient rehab, IOP, outpati...
Ativan (Lorazepam)
Ativan is a benzodiazepine commonly used in hospital settings that can cause dependence even when taken as prescribed.
Treatment: Medically supervised tapering, inpatient rehab, IOP, outpati...
Valium (Diazepam)
Valium is a long-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and detox tapering that can itself lead to dependence with prolonged use.
Treatment: Medically supervised tapering, inpatient rehab, IOP, outpati...
Behavioral Addictions
Behavioral addictions involve compulsive engagement in rewarding activities despite negative consequences. While no substance is ingested, these disorders activate the same reward pathways in the brain. Cognitive behavioral therapy and support groups are the primary treatment approaches.