Drug Abuse Information
There are an estimated 19.9 million illicit drug users in the United States, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, and that number does not count those who abuse prescription and over-the-counter drugs, other substances and alcohol.
Information About Commonly Abused Drugs
Detailed information about the most commonly abused drugs in the United States.
Detailed information about the most commonly abused drugs in the United States.
The Health Effects of Commonly Abused Drugs
Contrary to what some believe, the abuse or nonmedical use of any drug can have long-lasting effects on your health.
Contrary to what some believe, the abuse or nonmedical use of any drug can have long-lasting effects on your health.
What Is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.
Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.
Are You Addicted?
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, but substance abuse can cause problems for individuals whether they are technically addicted or not.
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, but substance abuse can cause problems for individuals whether they are technically addicted or not.
Drug Treatment Centers
Find Drug Treatment Centers which have web sites on the net.
Find Drug Treatment Centers which have web sites on the net.
Drug Abuse Frequently Asked Questions
The following are the most frequently asked questions about drug abuse, compiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The following are the most frequently asked questions about drug abuse, compiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Has Your Health Been Affected by Your Use of Drugs?
Long-term drug abuse can seriously affect your body, particularly your brain, lungs and cardiovascular system.
Long-term drug abuse can seriously affect your body, particularly your brain, lungs and cardiovascular system.
Facts About Drug Addiction
Drug use can lead to drug addiction and dependence. This video explains more about how drug addiction happens and treatment for drug addiction.
Drug use can lead to drug addiction and dependence. This video explains more about how drug addiction happens and treatment for drug addiction.
Books About Drug Addiction
These books define drug addiction, explain how addiction develops and offer a wide-variety of views on how drug addiction can be prevented and overcome from scientific, spiritual and alternative perspectives.
These books define drug addiction, explain how addiction develops and offer a wide-variety of views on how drug addiction can be prevented and overcome from scientific, spiritual and alternative perspectives.
Glossary of Drug-Related Slang Terms
In the world of illicit drugs, a separate culture and language has developed in which ordinary sounding words can take on entirely different meanings.
In the world of illicit drugs, a separate culture and language has developed in which ordinary sounding words can take on entirely different meanings.
Substance Abuse Varies Widely from State to State
Although every state struggles with substance abuse and mental health problems, the level of alcohol and drug use varies widely from state to state with some states having levels twice as high as others.
Although every state struggles with substance abuse and mental health problems, the level of alcohol and drug use varies widely from state to state with some states having levels twice as high as others.
One-Third of Americans Have an Addicted Relative
Nearly 1/3 of Americans have an immediate family member who has or have had an alcohol or drug abuse problem and almost half of those families have more than one member who had an addiction problem.
Nearly 1/3 of Americans have an immediate family member who has or have had an alcohol or drug abuse problem and almost half of those families have more than one member who had an addiction problem.
Screening Program Reduces Illicit Drug Use
Patients in healthcare settings who receive screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment were able to reduce their illicit drug use by 67.7%, according to a government study.
Patients in healthcare settings who receive screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment were able to reduce their illicit drug use by 67.7%, according to a government study.
U.S. Has Highest Levels of Illegal Drug Use
In spite of the most stringent drug policies and punitive drug laws on Earth, the United States also has the highest levels of lifetime illegal cocaine and marijuana use, according to a study of more than 54,000 people in 17 countries.
In spite of the most stringent drug policies and punitive drug laws on Earth, the United States also has the highest levels of lifetime illegal cocaine and marijuana use, according to a study of more than 54,000 people in 17 countries.
Symptoms of Addiction
All addictions, whether to substances or to behaviors, involve both physical and psychological processes, according to About.com Addictions Guide Elizabeth Hartney.
All addictions, whether to substances or to behaviors, involve both physical and psychological processes, according to About.com Addictions Guide Elizabeth Hartney.
What Is an Addiction?
Elizabeth Hartney describes the exact nature of addictions and why certain behaviors are considered addictive while others are not.
Elizabeth Hartney describes the exact nature of addictions and why certain behaviors are considered addictive while others are not.
Young Drug Users More Likely to Have Brain Damage
Young drug abusers are up to three times more likely to suffer brain damage than those who don't use drugs -- a level of brain damage normally only seen in much older people and similar to the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Young drug abusers are up to three times more likely to suffer brain damage than those who don't use drugs -- a level of brain damage normally only seen in much older people and similar to the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Addiction Is a 'Brain Disease'
Initial drug use may be voluntary, but once addiction develops control is disrupted in the circuitry of the brain.
Initial drug use may be voluntary, but once addiction develops control is disrupted in the circuitry of the brain.
Subconscious Signals Can Trigger Drug Craving
Images of cocaine and drug paraphernalia can trigger craving in the brains of addicts even when they are not aware that they have seen anything, according to a study using brain imaging technology.
Images of cocaine and drug paraphernalia can trigger craving in the brains of addicts even when they are not aware that they have seen anything, according to a study using brain imaging technology.
Identifying Patterns in Injection Drug Users
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Israel, who followed but did not treat 1,339 injection drug users for 12 years, showed that fewer than 20 percent were able to completely cease injection drug use.
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Israel, who followed but did not treat 1,339 injection drug users for 12 years, showed that fewer than 20 percent were able to completely cease injection drug use.
Iowa Has Lowest Rate of Illicit Drug Use
Past month use of illegal drugs ranged from a low of 6.1 percent in Iowa to a high of 12.4 percent in the District of Columbia for persons aged 12 or older, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Past month use of illegal drugs ranged from a low of 6.1 percent in Iowa to a high of 12.4 percent in the District of Columbia for persons aged 12 or older, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.