Every drug in common use in Egypt and the Arab world, grouped by its effect on the nervous system. Each substance has a full guide, plus separate pages on its harms, why people become addicted, symptoms, withdrawal, treatment and how long it stays in the body.
Reviewed by the Eradah medical team · Last updated September 2026
Drugs are substances that enter the body and change brain chemistry, affecting mood, perception, behavior and the sensation of pain. With repeated use they can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Some drugs are completely prohibited, such as heroin, crystal meth and Strox. Others are medications with genuine medical uses that are misused, such as tramadol, pregabalin and sedatives. The dividing line is not the substance alone, but how it is used, who prescribes it and why.
Doctors use the term “psychoactive substances” for any substance that alters brain function, whether it is a drug in the legal sense or a medication. In everyday and legal usage, “drugs” refers to the substances listed in the schedules of the drug control law.
There is no single classification of drugs. Doctors classify them by their effect on the nervous system, chemists by their source, and the law by their listing in the control schedules. Each classification answers a different question.
Slow the nervous system, breathing and heart rate.
Examples: opioids, sedatives, alcoholThe greatest danger is respiratory arrest, and the risk multiplies when they are mixed.Speed up the nervous system and raise blood pressure and body temperature.
Examples: crystal meth, cocaine, CaptagonThe greatest danger is to the heart and mind: heart attacks and psychosis.Alter perception and the sense of time and reality.
Examples: hashish, Strox, ecstasy, LSDThe greatest dangers are panic attacks, psychosis and accidents.| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Extracted from a plant without major chemical modification | Opium, hashish, bango, magic mushrooms |
| Semi-synthetic | Made by chemically modifying a natural substance | Heroin (from morphine), cocaine (from coca leaves) |
| Fully synthetic | Produced in laboratories with no plant origin | Crystal meth, Strox, ecstasy, fentanyl, tramadol |
May not be possessed or traded in any form, and have no approved medical use in Egypt.
Examples: heroin, crystal meth, hashish, Strox, cocaineHave legitimate medical uses, but dispensing requires a prescription, and trading in them outside that framework is a crime.
Examples: tramadol, pregabalin, Xanax, RivotrilNot prohibited in themselves, but addiction to them is no less serious and withdrawal can be life-threatening.
Examples: alcohol, kolla (solvent glue) and solventsIn Egypt this is governed by Law No. 182 of 1960 on drug control and the regulation of their use and trade, and its schedules are updated by decisions of the Minister of Health to add new substances as they appear. This is a general awareness overview and not legal advice.
The latest estimates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), covering ages 15 to 64.
people used drugs worldwide in 2023, an increase of more than 20% over ten years.
people have a substance use disorder, meaning they have moved beyond experimentation into dependence.
of people with a substance use disorder received any kind of treatment in 2023.
deaths at least were linked to drugs worldwide in 2021.
Source: UNODC — World Drug Report 2025
Substances derived from the opium poppy or made to mimic it. They depress the nervous system and breathing, and cause strong physical dependence and painful withdrawal.
Also known as: diacetylmorphine
A semi-synthetic opioid made from morphine, among the fastest drugs to cause addiction and the most closely linked to overdose.
Main risk: respiratory arrest in overdose
Also known as: Tamol
An opioid painkiller prescribed for moderate to severe pain, and one of the most misused medications in Egypt.
Main risk: seizures, especially at high doses
The main active ingredient in opium, used in hospitals to relieve severe pain under close supervision.
Main risk: respiratory depression
A relatively weak opioid found in some cough medicines and painkillers, misused in large doses.
Main risk: liver damage from the paracetamol (acetaminophen) in some tablets
A synthetic opioid about 50 times stronger than heroin; a tiny amount can be enough to stop breathing.
Main risk: fatal overdose from a tiny amount
A long-acting opioid used medically for pain and within treatment programs for opioid addiction.
Main risk: it builds up in the body and can disturb heart rhythm
The dried latex of the opium poppy capsule, and the origin of the opioid family from which morphine and codeine are extracted.
Main risk: respiratory depression, which increases with sedatives
A modern synthetic opioid painkiller prescribed for severe pain, which carries a risk of dependence and addiction like other opioids.
Main risk: respiratory depression, especially with sedatives and pregabalin
Also known as: Nalbuphine, Nubain
An injectable opioid painkiller with a dual action, misused in gyms and able to trigger withdrawal in people who use opioids.
Main risk: respiratory depression with sedatives, and sudden withdrawal
Also known as: Meperidine, Demerol
An older synthetic opioid painkiller for acute pain, now used less because its toxic breakdown product builds up and causes seizures.
Main risk: seizures from its toxic breakdown product, and fatal interactions
Also known as: OxyContin, Percocet, hydrocodone
A strong semi-synthetic opioid painkiller linked to the opioid crisis, whose tablets are sometimes counterfeited with fentanyl.
Main risk: respiratory depression and counterfeit tablets
Also known as: Desomorphine, crocodile drug
A home-made opioid mixture prepared from codeine, notorious for skin ulcers and bone decay caused by its toxic impurities.
Main risk: tissue death, amputation and decay of the jawbone
Also known as: Subutex, Suboxone
A partial opioid agonist medication for treating opioid addiction that eases withdrawal and cravings, and can be misused outside a prescription.
Main risk: respiratory depression with sedatives or alcohol
Also known as: Bisa, Shado
Two street names for powders of unknown composition, usually sold as cheap heroin; Shado may also refer to a synthetic cannabis mixture.
Main risk: overdose because the strength is unknown
Substances that multiply nervous system activity and dopamine release, giving a false sense of energy and confidence followed by a crash and depression, and that can cause psychosis and heart attacks.
Also known as: methamphetamine, ice, crystal meth
A powerful synthetic stimulant, also known as ice, whose psychological harms are severe and fast, most notably hallucinations, violence and psychosis.
Main risk: psychosis, violence and strain on the heart
A stimulant extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, short-acting and linked to heart attacks even in young people.
Main risk: heart attacks and strokes
A synthetic stimulant that is the parent of the stimulant family, and an ingredient in most illicit stimulant tablets.
Main risk: high blood pressure and psychosis
Also known as: Captagon pills
Illicit stimulant tablets, most of which contain amphetamine and caffeine, common among young people and students.
Main risk: unknown composition and adulterated substances
Also known as: Methylphenidate
A stimulant medication for hyperactivity and attention deficit, misused to stay up late, to study and to lose weight.
Main risk: heart rhythm disturbance when misused
Also known as: Qat, Chat, Miraa
A plant whose fresh leaves are chewed for their stimulant cathinone, linked to high blood pressure, oral lesions and psychological dependence.
Main risk: high blood pressure, oral lesions and psychosis with excessive use
Also known as: coffee, tea, energy drinks
The world's most popular stimulant, safe in moderation, but it can cause dependence and headaches on stopping, and concentrated products are dangerous.
Main risk: poisoning from concentrated tablets and powders
Also known as: alpha-PVP, zombie drug, bath salts
An extremely potent synthetic cathinone that can cause delirium with agitation and a dangerous rise in body temperature, and is often not detected by routine tests.
Main risk: delirium, agitation and a dangerous rise in temperature
Also known as: steroids, gym hormones
Synthetic hormones similar to testosterone, used in gyms to build muscle, which can cause dependence and heart damage.
Main risk: heart attacks, blood clots and severe depression on stopping
Products of the cannabis plant that contain THC, the compound responsible for its psychoactive effect, and the most commonly used drugs in Egypt and the Arab world.
Pressed cannabis plant resin that impairs memory and concentration and is linked to psychosis in people who are predisposed to it.
Main risk: impaired memory and psychosis in people who are predisposed
Also known as: marijuana
The dried leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant, known worldwide as marijuana.
Main risk: impaired concentration and triggering of psychosis
Also known as: hydro bango
A common market name for high-potency cannabis varieties; the higher the concentration of the active compound, the greater the risks of psychosis and addiction.
Main risk: psychosis and panic attacks with high potency
Also known as: CBD
A compound from the cannabis plant that does not cause a high. An approved medication for a rare form of epilepsy is derived from it, while commercial products may contain THC.
Main risk: products adulterated with THC, and its effect on the liver
Chemicals sprayed onto dried herbs to mimic hashish, but far stronger and unpredictable in composition, and linked to seizures, psychosis and sudden death.
A synthetic drug that has spread in Egypt and causes seizures, loss of consciousness and unpredictable violent behavior.
Main risk: seizures, loss of consciousness and severe psychosis
Another trade name for synthetic cannabinoid mixtures, similar to Strox in its effects and risks.
Main risk: composition that varies from one mixture to another
Also known as: Spice, K2
Synthetic cannabinoids sprayed onto herbs or paper, much stronger than hashish and with unpredictable effects.
Main risk: seizures, heart attacks and psychosis from the very first use
Also known as: powder
A street name for a mixture usually based on Strox or Voodoo with unknown substances and sedatives, with no fixed composition.
Main risk: unknown composition combining the dangers of cannabis and sedatives
Also known as: paper drug, Spice paper
Paper soaked in synthetic cannabis, then dried and smuggled in letters, which may also carry strong opioids in uneven concentrations.
Main risk: uneven concentration and possible strong opioids
Substances that alter perception and the sense of time and reality, and can cause severe panic attacks, psychosis and serious accidents while under the influence.
Also known as: MDMA
A stimulant and hallucinogen common at parties, whose most serious dangers are a rise in body temperature, dehydration and disturbed salt balance.
Main risk: high body temperature and disturbed salt balance
Also known as: lysergic acid diethylamide
A very powerful hallucinogen taken in tiny amounts, causing visual hallucinations and distorted perception that can return later.
Main risk: panic attacks, accidents and returning hallucinations
Also known as: psilocybin
Types of mushroom that contain the hallucinogen psilocybin, and the greatest danger is poisoning from a toxic mushroom that looks similar.
Main risk: poisoning from a similar-looking toxic mushroom
A medical anesthetic used in anesthesia, misused for its dissociative effect, and it can damage the bladder over time.
Main risk: bladder damage and accidents
Also known as: cockroach pills, trihexyphenidyl
An anticholinergic medication for tremor that is misused in large amounts, causing delirium, hallucinations and a rise in temperature.
Main risk: delirium, high temperature and heart disturbance
Also known as: Mydrabid, Mydriasyl
Eye drops that dilate the pupil, which are injected outside their medical purpose, often together with heroin, causing delirium and prolonging withdrawal.
Main risk: delirium, seizures and harms from injecting
Also known as: Blue Elephant pills, DMT
A street name, taken from a novel and film, for pills said to be DMT; their actual contents are unknown and vary.
Main risk: unknown contents, terror attacks and psychosis
Medications prescribed for anxiety, epilepsy and insomnia, but long-term use or use without supervision causes dependence and withdrawal that can go as far as seizures.
Also known as: Lyrica
A medication for nerve pain and epilepsy sold commercially as Lyrica, misused for its sedating and euphoric effect.
Main risk: respiratory depression with opioids
Also known as: alprazolam
A sedative from the benzodiazepine family prescribed for anxiety and panic attacks, which causes dependence quickly.
Main risk: very dangerous with alcohol and opioids
Also known as: clonazepam
A long-acting sedative used for epilepsy and panic attacks, and stopping it suddenly can cause seizures.
Main risk: seizures on sudden discontinuation
Also known as: diazepam
One of the oldest benzodiazepines, used for anxiety and muscle spasms and sometimes as part of medical alcohol detox.
Main risk: dangerous with alcohol and opioids
Also known as: Neurontin
A medication for nerve pain and epilepsy from the same family as pregabalin, misused as a substitute for Lyrica after controls on it were tightened.
Main risk: respiratory depression with opioids and sedatives
Also known as: eszopiclone, Lunesta
A Z-drug sleeping pill prescribed for short-term insomnia, which can cause dependence and complex behaviors during sleep.
Main risk: behaviors during sleep, and danger with alcohol and opioids
Also known as: Stilnox, Ambien
A fast, short-acting Z-drug sleeping pill, linked to most cases of complex behaviors during sleep.
Main risk: sleepwalking and sleep-driving, and mixing it with opioids
Also known as: Ativan
An intermediate-acting benzodiazepine for anxiety and sedation, which causes dependence with daily use over weeks.
Main risk: very dangerous with opioids and alcohol
Also known as: Rohypnol, flunitrazepam
A powerful benzodiazepine sleeping pill that temporarily erases memory, linked to assaults and to the danger of mixing with alcohol.
Main risk: memory loss and respiratory depression when mixed
Also known as: phenobarbital, Sominaleta
Older sedatives, best known being phenobarbital for epilepsy; their margin of safety is narrow and there is no direct antidote for an overdose.
Main risk: overdose with no antidote, and dangerous withdrawal
Also known as: liquid ecstasy, GBL
A depressant sold as a clear liquid, where a small difference in dose separates euphoria from coma, especially with alcohol.
Main risk: sudden coma, especially with alcohol
Also known as: Xanax, Rivotril, Valium, Lexotanil
A family of sedatives that strengthen the effect of GABA, prescribed for anxiety, epilepsy and insomnia, and causing dependence with daily use over weeks.
Main risk: potentially fatal with opioids and alcohol, and withdrawal is dangerous
Also known as: bromazepam, Lexotan
A benzodiazepine sedative prescribed for anxiety and severe tension, which causes dependence with long daily use.
Main risk: dangerous with tramadol and alcohol, and withdrawal can cause seizures
Substances available in shops and homes, but addiction to them is no less serious: alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening, and inhalants can kill on the very first use.
Also known as: liquor
A nervous system depressant that damages the liver and brain, and severe withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium that require hospital care.
Main risk: cirrhosis and delirium tremens
Also known as: kolla, Silsion
Solvent fumes such as kolla (solvent glue) and gasoline, widely inhaled by teenagers, which can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
Main risk: sudden cardiac arrest, even on the first use
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Addiction is not a weakness of willpower. It is a gradual change in the brain's reward and decision-making circuits, which usually passes through four overlapping stages.
The substance releases dopamine in the reward circuits in amounts that natural pleasures cannot match, so the brain learns to seek it out.
With repetition, the same amount has less effect, so the person needs larger amounts or more frequent use to feel the same effect.
The body adapts to the presence of the substance, so unpleasant or dangerous withdrawal symptoms appear when it is stopped.
The substance shifts from a choice to a need, and use continues despite clear harm to health, work and family.
Signs alone are not enough to judge, but several signs together over a long period deserve a calm conversation and a specialist consultation.
The harms differ by substance, so we have given each substance its own page on its harms. These are the main shared harms:
Heart, breathing, liver and kidneys, viral infections from injecting, and overdose.
Depression and anxiety, impaired memory and concentration, and psychosis with stimulants and synthetic cannabis.
Losing work or studies, debt, family breakdown and legal problems.
Addiction is a chronic condition that can be treated, like diabetes and high blood pressure. The program varies by substance, length of use and psychological state, but the framework is the same and proven.
A general comparison for awareness. The actual risk differs from person to person according to the amount, length of use, mixing of substances and health condition.
| Family | Effect on the nervous system | Overdose risk | Withdrawal severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opioids | Depressant that slows breathing and the heart | Painful and severe | |
| Stimulants | Stimulant that raises blood pressure and temperature | Psychological: depression and lethargy | |
| Cannabis and derivatives | Alters perception and memory | Mild to moderate | |
| Synthetic cannabis | Unpredictable and may cause seizures | Moderate | |
| Hallucinogens | Alters perception and the sense of reality | Mild physically | |
| Sedatives and sleeping pills | Depressant whose danger multiplies with alcohol | May cause seizures | |
| Alcohol and inhalants | Depressant that damages the liver and brain | May be life-threatening |
Our counselors will answer you in complete confidentiality and with no obligation.
Ask on WhatsAppDrugs are classified by their effect on the nervous system into depressants such as opioids, sedatives and alcohol; stimulants such as crystal meth, cocaine and Captagon; and hallucinogens and perception-altering drugs such as hashish, Strox, ecstasy and LSD.
There is no single answer. Opioids such as heroin and fentanyl carry the highest risk of death from overdose, crystal meth and Strox cause the most severe psychological harm and psychosis, and sudden withdrawal from alcohol and sedatives can be life-threatening.
Cannabis and its derivatives, such as hashish and bango, are the most widely used by a large margin. The World Drug Report 2025 estimates about 244 million people used them in 2023, followed by opioids at about 61 million, then amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy.
Natural drugs are extracted from plants, such as opium and hashish, while synthetic drugs are made entirely in laboratories, such as crystal meth and Strox. Synthetic drugs are not less dangerous; many are stronger and less predictable because their composition varies from one batch to another.
Physical dependence means the body has become used to a substance, so withdrawal symptoms appear when it is stopped, and it can occur even with a prescribed medication. Addiction is loss of control over use and continuing despite harm, and it involves changes in behavior and in the brain.
This is not advised. Withdrawal from alcohol and sedatives can cause seizures, opioid withdrawal is harsh and pushes people to relapse, and the drop in tolerance after stopping raises the risk of overdose on returning to use. Medically supervised detox is the safe option.
They are medications with legitimate medical uses, but using them without a prescription or in doses higher than prescribed causes dependence and addiction, and their dispensing is controlled in Egypt.
The duration varies with the substance, the type of test, the amount and length of use, and liver and kidney function. We have given each substance its own page on how long it stays in the body and its detection windows in tests.
A single use does not usually create addiction, but it can be dangerous in itself: fentanyl and inhalants can kill on the first use, and a first try is the start of the road for many who became addicted later, especially with a genetic or psychological predisposition.
The Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction offers free, confidential treatment through hotline 16023, and there are specialized private centers such as Eradah that offer residential programs and integrated psychological treatment.
This guide was written by Eradah's editorial team and reviewed by a specialist physician in line with the medical review policy. Last reviewed: September 28, 2026.
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