An accelerated-curing concrete masonry unit (CMU) mixture includes aggregate material, hydraulic cement and spent blasting abrasive particles, and may also include paint residue particles. The abrasive particles or abrasive and paint particles combined preferably make up at least 5.0% of the mixture by volume. Preferably, the hydraulic cement is Portland cement and the abrasive or combined particles make up about 10.0% to 17.0% of the mixture by volume. The abrasive particles typically have a fineness modulus ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 and more preferably from 0.75 to 1.2. Plastic particles may make up some or all of the abrasive particles. CMUs formed with this mixture are substantially more water repellent than standard CMUs and have a water absorption often no greater than 9.0 pounds per cubic foot. Preferred CMUs have an average net compressive strength of over 2,500 psi while levels of 3,000 psi or 3,500 psi are not uncommon.