New & Emerging Drugs of Concern

New & Emerging Drugs of Concern: What You Need To Know

The Hidden Dangers of Emerging Drugs

The world of drug use is constantly shifting, with new substances appearing under deceptive names like “legal highs,” “party pills,” and “research chemicals.” Marketed as safe and legal, these drugs often contain unpredictable and dangerous compounds.
With ever-changing formulas designed to bypass laws, users rarely know what they’re consuming—or the risks involved. These substances can cause severe health issues, including psychosis, organ failure, addiction, and even death.
At Horizon Rehab Center, we’re here to raise awareness. Stay informed about the latest drug trends, their dangers, and the support available for those struggling with addiction.

What Are Emerging Drugs & Why Are They Dangerous?

Emerging drugs, also known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), are synthetic or newly modified substances that mimic the effects of traditional illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, MDMA, and cannabis. These drugs are often chemically altered versions of existing substances designed to circumvent drug laws and avoid legal classification as controlled substances. The rapid and continuous development of these drugs makes them particularly dangerous, as their chemical makeup, potency, and effects on the human body remain unpredictable.

How Are Emerging Drugs Marketed?

Many emerging drugs are misleadingly marketed as:

  • ‘Legal highs’ – giving users the false impression that they are safe.

  • ‘Research chemicals’ – implying scientific legitimacy when they are often untested.

  • ‘Bath salts’ or ‘plant food’ – disguising their real purpose to avoid legal restrictions.

  • ‘Synthetic drugs’ – promoted as alternatives to traditional drugs while being far more dangerous.

These substances are frequently sold online, in smoke shops, gas stations, or even through social media. Because they are not properly regulated, buyers have no guarantee of the actual ingredients or their potential risks.

Why Are Emerging Drugs So Dangerous?

  1. Unknown Chemical Composition – Many contain dangerous and unexpected ingredients that vary between batches.

  2. Unpredictable Effects – Their impact on the body and brain is often highly variable, even within the same drug category.

  3. Higher Potency – Many of these substances are far more potent than the drugs they mimic, increasing the risk of overdose.

  4. Severe Health Risks – Short-term use can cause severe side effects, including seizures, psychosis, cardiovascular issues, and sudden death.

  5. Legal Ambiguity – Because these substances constantly change, law enforcement struggles to keep up with bans, making regulation difficult.

  6. High Addiction Potential – Despite their reputation as ‘legal highs,’ many emerging drugs are highly addictive and can lead to long-term dependency.

How Many Emerging Drugs Exist?

Emerging drugs are often unpredictable, with a single pill or package potentially containing a mixture of different substances. These drugs are sold under a variety of names, and the list is always expanding. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), at least 1,100 new psychoactive substances (NPS) had been identified by 2022. The names and compositions of these drugs change frequently, making it impossible for users to know what they are consuming. Packaging and branding do not guarantee the contents, increasing the danger of accidental overdoses or severe side effects.

Using these substances is like rolling the dice—many have not been studied long enough to determine their immediate or long-term risks. However, some new drugs have already been linked to fatalities, raising serious concerns about their safety.

Categories of New & Emerging Drugs

Designer benzodiazepines (also called “street benzos”) are synthetically modified
sedatives that mimic prescription benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan,
but they are often far more potent and unregulated. They are frequently found
in counterfeit pills and may be mixed with other substances like fentanyl or synthetic
opioids.

Examples:
  • Flubromazolam – A powerful long-acting sedative, often linked to blackouts
    and respiratory failure.
  • Clonazolam – Highly potent with strong amnesic effects, leading to
    dangerous overdoses.
  • Etizolam – Marketed as an anti-anxiety drug but highly addictive
    and commonly found in illicit markets.
Why Are They Dangerous?

Extreme Potency: Designer benzos are often 10 to 50 times stronger than prescription versions.  High Overdose Risk: Respiratory failure is common, especially when mixed with opioids or alcohol.  Severe Withdrawal Effects: Abrupt cessation can cause seizures, panic attacks, and psychosis.  Counterfeit Pills: Many fake Xanax bars and Valium tablets on the street contain lethal combinations of benzos, fentanyl, and other depressants.


  • Examples: Methoxetamine (MXE, Moxy)

  • Mimics the Effects of: Ketamine

  • Risks & Side Effects:

    • Numbness and out-of-body experiences

    • Memory loss and confusion

    • Respiratory distress and unconsciousness

MXE is frequently mistaken for ketamine, but it carries stronger and longer-lasting effects, making it particularly dangerous.

  • Street Name: Unknown
  • Effects: Sedation, short-lived euphoria

    • Risks & Side Effects:

      • Severe respiratory depression

      • High addiction potential

      • Increased overdose risk, particularly when combined with opioids

Originally developed as an anesthetic, etomidate is now being misused recreationally, leading to significant health concerns.

Image ref 81778988. Copyright Rex Shutterstock No reproduction without permission. Please see www.rexfeatures.com for more information.

  • Street Name: Captagon, Abu al-hilalain “The Jihadist Drug”

  • Effects: Strong stimulant effects, increased aggression, hyper-focus

  • Risks & Side Effects:

    • High blood pressure and rapid heart rate

    • Violent tendencies and extreme paranoia

    • Long-term brain damage

Captagon is an amphetamine-based stimulant that has been used to fuel militant conflicts but is now increasingly abused in other parts of the world.

Captagon is mostly sold in bags of 200 pills known as a “shad” that are adorned with various logos, including the ones for Lexus — the most widespread in recent years — Range Rover, Lacoste, and in some cases a crescent and star or a swastika.

  • Examples: Mephedrone, Methylone, MDPV

    • Street Names: Meow Meow, M-Kat, Ivory Wave

    • Mimics the Effects of: MDMA (Ecstasy) and methamphetamine

    • Risks & Side Effects:

      • Agitation, paranoia, hallucinations

      • Violent behavior and extreme aggression

      • Dangerous dehydration and organ failure

Synthetic cannabinoids are artificially engineered to interact with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. However, they are often far more potent and unpredictable than natural cannabis, leading to severe physical and psychological reactions.


What Are Party Lollipops?

Party Lollipops are drug-infused lollipops or candies laced
with a mix of stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioids. They
are particularly dangerous due to their slow-release nature,
which leads users to consume multiple doses unknowingly,
resulting in overdose.

Common Ingredients:

  • MDMA (Ecstasy) – Produces euphoria and increased sociability.

  • Methamphetamine – A powerful stimulant that increases
    energy but also raises the risk of paranoia and aggression.

  • Ketamine – A dissociative anesthetic that causes hallucinations
    and a detached state.

  • Tramadol – A synthetic opioid that causes sedation but can
    lead to fatal respiratory depression when combined with stimulants.

  • Examples: 2C-x family (2C-I, 2C-B), NBOMe
    family (25I-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe), DOI, 6-APB

  • Street Names: Trypstacy, N-Bomb, Benzo Fury

  • Mimics the Effects of: MDMA, methamphetamine, hallucinogens

  • Risks & Side Effects:

    • Intense hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis

    • Increased heart rate and hypertension

    • High overdose potential, often resulting in fatal outcomes

These substances are known for their potency, with some requiring only micrograms to trigger strong psychoactive effects, making overdoses common.

  • Examples: 5-MeO-DMT

  • Street Names: Foxy

  • Mimics the Effects of: Hallucinogens

  • Risks & Side Effects:

    • Unpredictable and intense hallucinations

    • Severe nausea and vomiting

    • Potential for psychological trauma

These hallucinogenic substances can create profound dissociation and altered perception, often leading to unsafe behaviors.

  • Examples: K2, Spice, Kronik, Northern Lights

  • Street Names: Herbal Incense, Fake Weed

  • Mimics the Effects of: Cannabis

  • Risks & Side Effects: Increased heart rate and blood pressure

    • Severe paranoia and hallucinations

    • High risk of seizures, strokes, and kidney damage

    • Strong potential for addiction

Synthetic cannabinoids are artificially engineered to interact with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. However, they are often far more potent and unpredictable than natural cannabis, leading to severe physical and psychological reactions.

  • Examples: Mephedrone, Methylone, MDPV

    • Street Names: Meow Meow, M-Kat, Ivory Wave

    • Mimics the Effects of: MDMA (Ecstasy) and methamphetamine

    • Risks & Side Effects:

      • Agitation, paranoia, hallucinations

      • Violent behavior and extreme aggression

      • Dangerous dehydration and organ failure

Tuci or Happy Water

Credit: United States Drug Enforcement Agency

What Are Synthetic Party Cocktails?

These are drug mixtures that blend multiple synthetic
substances into a single product, often in powder, liquid,
or capsule form. Unlike traditional drugs, they contain
randomized combinations of stimulants, depressants,
hallucinogens, and opioids—leading to unpredictable
and dangerous effects.

Examples:

  • Tuci (“Pink Cocaine”) – A misleading name, as it contains
    MDMA, ketamine, synthetic cathinones, and
    sometimes cocaine or fentanyl    .

  • Happy Water – A liquid cocktail made from MDMA, ketamine,
    diazepam (Valium), methamphetamine, and caffeine    ,
    commonly sold in clubs and raves.

  • K-Powdered Milk – A mixture of ketamine, methamphetamine,
    and benzodiazepines    , typically snorted like cocaine.

Designer drug cocktails like Tuci, Happy Water, and K-Powdered Milk, pose a severe and growing public health risk. Their unpredictable composition makes them far more dangerous than traditional drugs, with high risks of overdose, mental health deterioration, and long-term dependency.

  • Examples: BZP, TFMPP

  • Street Names: A2, Rapture

  • Mimics the Effects of: MDMA, methamphetamine, and hallucinogens

  • Risks & Side Effects:

    • Nausea, vomiting, seizures

    • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure

    • Severe anxiety and panic attacks

Often marketed as “party pills,” synthetic piperazines can have highly unpredictable effects due to variations in potency and composition.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Emerging Drugs
Effect Type Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects
Physical Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, nausea, sweating, seizures Organ damage (liver, kidneys, heart), persistent cardiovascular issues
Neurological Hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, memory impairment Cognitive decline, increased risk of psychotic disorders
Emotional & Psychological Mood swings, aggression, panic attacks, depression Chronic anxiety, severe depression, suicidal ideation
Behavioral Risky behavior, impaired judgment, erratic actions Addiction, social withdrawal, impaired daily functioning

Due to the rapid evolution of these substances, many of the long-term effects remain unknown. However, the risk of addiction, severe mental health disorders, and fatal overdose remains high.

Are You or a Loved One at Risk? Signs of Emerging Drug Addiction

Recognizing the Signs of Addiction

Addiction to emerging drugs can develop quickly, often without the individual realizing the extent of their dependency. Because these substances are chemically unpredictable, their addictive potential varies, but many can lead to serious physical and psychological dependence. Here are some common signs of addiction:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Increased tolerance, needing higher doses to achieve the same effect.

  • Unexplained weight loss or poor hygiene.

  • Frequent nausea, headaches, or muscle aches.

  • Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleeping).

  • Persistent shaking, tremors, or excessive sweating.

Psychological Symptoms:

  • Intense cravings or obsessive thoughts about using the drug.

  • Severe mood swings, irritability, or paranoia.

  • Increased anxiety or depression when not using.

  • Hallucinations, delusions, or disconnection from reality.

Behavioral Symptoms:

  • Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home.

  • Engaging in risky behavior (e.g., driving under the influence, unsafe sex, financial irresponsibility).

  • Withdrawal from family and friends, social isolation.

  • Lying or secretive behavior about drug use.

  • Failed attempts to quit or control drug use.

When to Seek Help

Seeking help for addiction is a crucial step toward recovery. If any of the following apply, professional treatment should be considered:

You have tried to stop using the drug but cannot do so on your own. You experience withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to quit. Drug use is affecting your personal relationships, job, or education. You engage in risky behaviors to obtain or use the drug. Your health is suffering due to drug use (physical or mental deterioration).

How Horizon Rehab & Wellness Can Help

At Horizon, we provide specialized treatment for addiction to emerging drugs. Our evidence-based approach includes:

  • Medical Detox: Safe withdrawal with professional supervision.
  • Individual & Group Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care.
  • Holistic Treatments: Mindfulness, meditation, and exercise therapy to promote well-being.
  • Relapse Prevention Strategies: Helping individuals develop coping mechanisms to maintain long-term sobriety.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t wait. Contact Horizon Rehab & Wellness today for expert support and personalized recovery programs.

Start your journey to recovery now—reach out to our team for professional guidance.