Common Slang Terms for Heroin

In the culture surrounding illegal drugs, there are thousands of slang terms, nicknames and street names for every imaginable drug. Hundreds of those street terms are used for heroin, a highly addictive illegal drug.

Slang terms for heroin are derived from a wide variety of sources, including the physical appearance and type of heroin; where it's from; the effect it has on users; and how it is packaged for sale. Some street names for heroin, however, are simply designed to cover up the topic of conversation and throw eavesdroppers off track.

The Appearance of Heroin

Some of the slang terms are based on the drug's appearance after it is cut and packaged for sale on the street. Some terms are based on the color of the drug and others on its composition.

Black Eagle
Black Tar
Black Pearl
Brown Crystal
Brown Tape
Brown Sugar
Brown Rhine
Dirt
Diesel
Golden Girl
Orange Line
Red Rock
Red Eagle
Red Chicken
Salt
Spider Blue
White Stuff
White Nurse
White Junk
White Stuff
White Nurse
White Junk

Place of Origin

A few of the slang terms are derived from the supposed origin of the drug.

Chinese Red
Mexican Mud
Mexican Horse

Effects of Heroin

Many of the nicknames given to heroin over the years have to do with the effect it has on the user or the quality or pureness of the drug at the street level.

Brain Damage
Dead on Arrival
Hard Stuff
Hard Candy
Hairy
Hell Dust
Holy Terror
Joy Flakes
Nice and Easy
Rush Hour
Sweet Dreams

Names Based on People and Characters

Some of the most colorful street terms are the names of people or characters loosely associated with the drug or simply because their names start with the letter H. Sometimes, there seems to be no logic at all behind the nickname.

Aunt Hazel
Al Capone
Batman
Bart Simpson
Big Harry
Charley
Dooley
Dr. Feelgood
George
Harry
Helen
Hazel
Henry
Hombre
Pluto
Rambo
Scott
The Witch
The Beast

Terms Based on Packaging

Some nicknames are based on how the drug is packaged by street level dealers, either by the packaging's appearance or cost.

Big Bag
Blue Bag
Blue Star
Brick Gum
Nickel Deck

Names Based on the Word "Heroin"

Many of the slang terms are plays on the word "heroin" or are mispronunciations of the word. Others are used just because they begin with the letter H.

Big H
Capital H
Galloping Horse
H
Good Horse
Good H
H Caps
Hayron
Hero
Hera
Horse

Names Based on Deception

Like street terms for other illegal drugs, many of the slang terms for heroin are used for no other reason except they disguise the true topic of the conversation to others who might overhear. Some of these terms seem to have no other logical explanation.