| Noun | 1. | drug of abuse - a drug that is taken for nonmedicinal reasons (usually for mind-altering effects); drug abuse can lead to physical and mental damage and (with some substances) dependence and addiction amphetamine, pep pill, upper, speed - a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression drug - a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic gateway drug - a habit-forming drug that is not addictive but its use may lead to the use of other addictive drugs; "one college athlete recently called beer a gateway drug for young people" LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide - a powerful hallucinogenic drug manufactured from lysergic acid soft drug - a drug of abuse that is considered relatively mild and not likely to cause addiction alcohol, alcoholic beverage, alcoholic drink, inebriant, intoxicant - a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; "alcohol (or drink) ruined him" |