What Does Laced Mean?

Learn the Meanings of Laced and The Risks of Adulterated Drugs

Laced drugs pose a serious threat to people engaging in most forms of substance abuse. While it can be an intimidating subject, it’s important to talk about it. Accurate information about the risks of adulterated drugs and how to tell whether a substance is laced can save a life.

If you are concerned about someone who is using drugs of any kind, you might want to know: What does “Laced” mean? There are multiple definitions. Some relate to drug use, but others do not. Purpose Healing Center is here to help clear up the confusion and give you answers.

We are a leading substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in Arizona, with multiple locations throughout the state. Our team is here to support people and families as they heal from addiction and its effects.

Education matters when it comes to addiction. With this in mind, let’s talk about the meanings of “laced” in the context of drug use.

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What Does Laced Mean in the Context of Drug Use?

If a drug is laced, it means that it’s mixed with another substance. When drug dealers sell laced drugs, they don’t typically tell the person who is buying them that the other substance is present. As you might imagine, this is dangerous. It can mean that people using drugs experience unexpected effects.

You might also hear the term “cut.” This comes from “cutting agent.” “Laced” and “cut” are synonymous. Sometimes, people say that they’re “laced” as a slang term, which means that they’re high or under the influence.

What are the Most Commonly Laced Drugs?

Image of MDMA pills in bags and on a table

Prescription pills are among the most commonly laced drugs. In fact, out of those analyzed by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) in 2022, six out of ten fentanyl-laced prescription pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.

It’s also common practice to lace other substances, such as:

MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly).
Methamphetamine.
Cocaine.
Heroin.

Being aware of this problem can save lives. There are harm reduction methods people can use to check drugs for other psychoactive substances. For example, fentanyl test strips can tell you whether a substance has been laced with the drug.

A Newer Risk: Nitazenes in Opioid Street Drugs

Nitazenes are a group of highly potent synthetic opioids that have not been approved for medical use. They are cheap and potent, but dangerous. These may be used to lace fentanyl, heroin, benzodiazepines, and other synthetic drugs.

Nitazenes can cause or contribute to:

Seizures.
Dizziness.
Respiratory depression.
Loss of consciousness.
Gastrointestinal distress (e.g., nausea, vomiting).
Serious, painful withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
Cardiac arrest.

These have become more prevalent in recent years. Despite this, many are unaware of nitazines or how hazardous they are. Like fentanyl, nitazines are more potent than most other opioids, including heroin and morphine.

The Fentanyl-Marijuana Myth

Image of cannabis highlighting concerns about laced marijuana

While adulterated drugs are a very real problem, there are also some myths surrounding the topic. The widespread idea that fentanyl is frequently found in marijuana is a myth. In reality, the risk of encountering marijuana laced with fentanyl is very low.

This doesn’t mean that cannabis products are never laced with dangerous substances. Laced marijuana is still a problem. It might involve:

Non-psychoactive harmful substances. Higher levels of heavy metals, such as lead, have been found in cannabis users. Embalming fluid, laundry detergent, glass, pesticides, and bacteria have also been detected in marijuana. Products sold in dispensaries are tested for contaminants. Regulations vary by state.
Recreational drugs. Some people mix cannabis with other recreational drugs. For example, “super weed” contains PHP and marijuana. One might also mix cocaine, heroin, or another drug with cannabis.

Synthetic marijuana users also face the risk of laced drugs. This can lead to serious consequences, like poisoning, that require medical attention and may be fatal if left unaddressed.

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Why do Drug Dealers Sell Laced Street Drugs?

Lacing substances does not consider the safety of the user. A manufacturer or dealer might lace psychoactive drugs for several reasons, such as:

Increase Profits Made

In many cases, drug manufacturers lace drugs with a cheaper substance to make more money. This can include less expensive illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, or non-psychoactive substances (e.g., baking soda, a common cutting agent used in cocaine).

Enhance Drug Potency

By adding very potent substances, dealers may trick buyers into believing they’re getting a high-quality product. This is seen in cases where fentanyl is mixed with other opioids. Not only is it less expensive to produce, but fentanyl is 100 times as potent as morphine.

Make Trafficking Substances Easier

Since substances like fentanyl are more potent than other opioids, people need to smuggle less of it. The smaller amount makes trafficking substances easier.

Do People Ever Lace Their Own Drugs?

Image of various drugs in pill and syringe form, alongside a glass of whiskey, representing the risks of laced substances

Yes. Some people lace their own drugs. Usually, this is to combine the physical or psychoactive effects of multiple substances.

While mixing drugs is common among people affected by substance use disorders, it can increase a number of risks associated with drug use.

What are the Risks of Laced Drugs?

Some of the most likely dangers of laced drugs can vary based on the type of substance and what it is contaminated or cut with. Possible risks of laced drugs include, but aren’t limited to:

Fatal Drug Overdose

Most fatal drug overdoses are accidental. Additionally, the majority of drug overdose deaths are attributed to mixing drugs (polysubstance use). Keeping this in mind, overdose is one of the most serious, well-known potential implications of lacing.

Breathing or Respiratory Issues

Taking too much of a “downer” (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines) can cause slowed breathing. If it goes on for too long, this can cause permanent brain damage. When you combine one downer with other drugs that have the same effect, it can intensify the risk.

Cardiovascular (Heart) Problems

Drugs with stimulant effects, such as cocaine and meth, strain the heart, causing dangerous and potentially fatal heart problems. For example, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, hypertension, or aortic dissection (a torn aorta).

Mental Health and Cognitive Effects

When you combine drugs, it can escalate psychoactive effects. As a result, people may experience increasingly severe mental health or cognitive symptoms. For example, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, panic attacks, and impaired judgment.

Mixing drugs might also contribute to a higher risk of dependence and addiction. This can be particularly true if the substance a drug is mixed with is more potent.

What are the Signs of a Drug Overdose?

Image of a man kneeling in front of a toilet displaying symptoms of an overdose

Since laced drugs can lead to unintentional overdose, it is critical to know how to detect an overdose when it happens. Common signs of a drug overdose include:

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Weakness or limpness of the limbs.
Cold or clammy skin.
Loss of consciousness.
Breathing problems.
Poor coordination.
Pinpoint pupils.
Drowsiness.
Confusion.

When someone around you is experiencing an overdose, it’s important to act quickly. In the case of an opioid overdose, administer opioid overdose reversal medications. Stay with the person until medical attention arrives.

Protecting Yourself From Laced Drugs

Again, for active drug users, harm reduction saves lives. For example, fentanyl test strips can be used to help you detect fentanyl in other substances.

Note that test strips may not fully protect you in every case. While they can detect many psychoactive drugs, there’s a risk of false negatives. Also, test strips don’t catch all dangerous substances. New “designer” drugs are being developed constantly, making it tough to keep up.

That said, the only way to avoid the potential effects of drug abuse completely is to seek help. The inpatient and outpatient programs at Purpose Healing Center treat drug addiction and its underlying causes, helping people heal from a whole-person perspective.

Call Purpose for Accredited Addiction Treatment in Arizona

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Purpose Healing Center provides evidence-based addiction treatment in Arizona. Our multidisciplinary team is here to help you or your loved one recover and avoid new or worsened consequences of substance abuse, including those that can emerge from laced drugs.

We have multiple locations throughout the Grand Canyon state. All of our accredited drug and alcohol treatment centers accept the majority of health insurance plans. This includes nearly all forms of AHCCCS.

Please call our confidential admissions line today to ask a question, learn more about how we can help, or start the intake process.

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FAQs About Lacing Drugs and the Slang Term Laced Up

What does the slang lace mean?

“Lace” is a slang term with multiple meanings. The context of the sentence can help you identify which of the meanings is most applicable.

What does “laced up” mean in slang?

Someone might say they’re “laced up” when decked out in jewelry or nice clothes. It can mean that you’re ready to challenge or fight someone. However, “laced up” can also refer to being high or drunk.

What does it mean to lace up someone?

In the context of substances, “lacing someone up” can refer to drugging someone else. Being roofied is another term used for being unknowingly drugged.

Can you tell that a drug is laced by looking at it?

No. Often, there’s no telltale sign that a drug has been laced. For example, drug dealers who lace substances press chemicals into pills that look identical to the prescription medication a person is buying.