Crystal Meth Drug Pic

Addiction Self-Assessment Quizzes for Drugs and Alcohol

Use the following self-assessment quizzes to better understand common signs, symptoms, and behavioral changes related to substance misuse and addiction. The questions used in the following self-assessments are based on the diagnostic criteria ...

12 of the Most Addictive Drugs

Addiction affects millions of lives in the U.S. It is a chronic disease that frequently includes cycles of relapse and remission, and it is progressive without treatment or participation in recovery work. It is characterized by being unable to ...

12-Step Recovery Programs and Support Groups for Addiction

12-Step recovery programs have become an integral aspect of maintaining sobriety post-addiction. 1 They usually operate on the basis of abstinence while creating a community of people who are living sober lives. 1 A 12-Step program helps establish ...

Signs and Symptoms of Commonly Abused Drugs

When you suspect that you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, it's important to know some of the signs and symptoms of addiction to that drug. You can find a brief overview of the major drugs of abuse below. For a full list ...

How to Help a Methadone Addict

Help for Methadone Addicts Methadone is an opioid drug; however, it is beneficial in the treatment of heroin dependence and other forms of opiate abuse. While it is regularly used in the management of opioid dependence, methadone itself is ...

Ways of Helping Someone With Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Seeking Drug Addiction Help If you have a loved one who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it can be difficult to watch them. You may be wondering how to help them with their substance abuse issues. They might be ready to quit and ...

Before & After: Physical Effects of Drugs

Drug abuse is a national issue continuing to plague Americans of all walks of life. An estimated 19.7 million Americans age 12 and older struggled with a substance use disorder in 2017. Research also shows that many people who suffer from untreated ...

The 9 Most Expensive Drugs in America

Each year, Americans spend nearly $100 billion on illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These figures do not even account for the billions of dollars that are spent on prescription drugs each year—about $374 billion according ...

The Forefathers of Modern Illicit Drugs

While illicit drugs are a major concern in today's society, many of them didn't start off as recreational. On the contrary, many started off with medicinal and anesthetic purposes. Here's a look at some of the forefathers of modern illicit drugs, ...

Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Cancer Risk

What Causes Cancer? Despite declines in the death rate over the last 20 years, cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent public health issues in the U.S. According to the National Cancer Institute: 1 About 1,806,590 new cases of cancer would ...

How to Help a Tussionex Addict

Tussionex is a combination of hydrocodone, an opioid painkiller and cough suppressant, and chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine which eases allergy symptoms 1 . As a cough medicine, Tussionex is frequently prescribed to both children and adults. It is ...

How to Help a Codeine Addict

Helping someone overcome an addiction is sometimes an arduous process, and recovery won't happen overnight. Addiction treatment takes time and often imposes stresses on both the abuser and the people they love. While it may prove difficult, ...

How to Help a Vicodin Addict

Help for Vicodin Addiction Vicodin is one of the many brand names for the combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone . Hydrocodone is an opioid used to treat moderate and severe pain , as well as being a treatment for coughs. The acetaminophen is ...

Getting Help for Xanax Addiction: Xanax Addiction Treatment

What Is Xanax Used For? Xanax—also known by its generic name alprazolam —is a benzodiazepine that comes in either tablet or capsule form. It's used to manage anxiety and panic disorders. Sometimes called “purple footballs,” “bars,” or ...

How to Help Someone With Alcohol Addiction

In the United States, alcohol use is highly prevalent. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 138 million people, or 50% of those people aged 12 and older, reported prior month use of alcohol. 1 You may be concerned ...

Alcohol Misuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

What Is Alcohol Misuse? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol is the most commonly used and misused substance in the United States. 1 Those who misuse alcohol are not necessarily addicted or ...

How to Help Someone With Adderall Addiction

Help for Adderall Addicts Adderall is the brand name for a drug that contains two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine . These ingredients work to stimulate and speed up the body. Doctors use this drug in the treatment of ...

How to Help an Opana Addict

How to Approach an Opana Addict Opana is the brand name for oxymorphone, a semi-synthetic opioid painkiller . Over the past decade, increased availability of painkillers has fueled an epidemic of opioid abuse around the world. In the US, an ...

How to Help a Tramadol Addict

Help for Tramadol Addiction If you have been struggling with an addiction to tramadol, or you know someone who has, finding the proper treatment program is essential. Treatment for addiction can restore your quality of life. Regardless of how long ...

How to Help Someone With Valium Addiction

How to Help Someone Addicted to Valium If you are addicted to Valium—a sedative-hypnotic drug—you don't have to fight your addiction alone. Treatment programs give people with addictions all the support they need to recover. Regardless of how ...

How to Help a Painkillers Addict

Help for Painkiller Addicts Painkillers are routinely prescribed in the United States for the management of pain , but not all of them are addictive. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed for the treatment of mild to ...

Stimulant Detox, Withdrawal Symptoms, and Addiction Treatment

Stimulants are substances that increase the activity of several neurotransmitter systems throughout the brain and are capable of creating a state of heightened energy and alertness. Additionally, many stimulant drugs elevate physiological processes ...

30 Famous Athletes Who Have Battled Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

1. Michael Phelps Eight-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps has not only plunged into the water, but also into drugs. In 2009, he lost his endorsement contract with Kellogg's after a photo emerged of him taking a hit of marijuana . 2. ...

Effects of Flakka Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

Is Flakka Harmful? Flakka is a street drug with origins in South Florida. One of the newer chemicals in the booming category of synthetic or designer drugs, Flakka is typically made from a synthetic version of an amphetamine-like stimulant in the ...

Effects of Stimulant Drugs: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

What Are Stimulants Used For? Stimulants are a class of substances that increase certain types of cell signaling and amplify various physiologic processes throughout the brain and body. In particular, many types of stimulant drugs are associated ...

How Alcohol and Drug Addiction Affects Relationships

Addiction and Relationships Many discussions surrounding addiction tend to focus on the physical and psychological effects of substance use. The effects of drug addiction, however, extend beyond these issues and also encompass a person's social ...

A Living Nightmare: 5 Things Doctors Don’t Tell You About Benzos

Written by Dean Dauphinais It's no secret that prescription drugs can work miracles when obtained legally and taken as directed. But do you know that some prescription meds can also make your life a living hell. Such is the case with ...

Researcher Gets $431,700 to Study the Effects of Meth on Wounds

It's widely known that meth use can lead to a multitude of health problems: rotten teeth, memory loss, a weakened immune system. Nobody knows this better than Luis Martinez, microbiologist and associate professor of biomedical sciences at the New ...

Marijuana Mouth: Worse Than Meth Mouth?

Kim is 38-years-old; she had been smoking weed since college. Her dentist could tell. Kim had a bad case of gingivitis. Her gums were swollen and red. Her long-term use of marijuana had wrecked her dental hygiene. If nothing changes, Kim's mouth ...

Meth on the Mind: It’s a Mental Downhill Slide for Users

Kim felt dizzy; she was confused and her speech was severely slurred. Her sister thought she'd had a stroke. Kim couldn't focus, had no energy and seemed very sleepy. It's no surprise her sister was worried, but Kim certainly wasn't suffering from a ...

You’re Fired: Police Departments Weaning K9’s Off Marijuana

Jobs change with technology, and work tasks evolve with those advancements. New policies and developments often put people out of work. It turns out, people aren't the only ones affected by those changes. Due to new marijuana guidelines , ...

Is Your Friend High? Here’s How to Tell…

Your friend seems a little “off.” Is he simply having a bad day? Did he not sleep well? Is he sick? Or is he high? To the untrained observer, it can be hard to tell. But it's important to discern. Depending on the circumstances, it could affect ...

Addiction and Your Hormones: Pointing the Finger at Estrogen

Could a hormone imbalance be to blame for your chemical dependency ? The answer might surprise you. If you're a woman, chances are you're familiar with the effects of a fluctuating estrogen level. Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression ...

10 Years of Meth Lab Explosions

How Kids Get Hooked on Drugs at Such a Young Age

It's every parent's fear: their kids doing drugs. In general, most kids will try something before the age of twenty, and it's a fairly natural part of experimenting with the world around them. However, some kids will have an addiction problem before ...

Stimulant Drug Abuse: Side Effects and Addiction Treatment

Stimulants—both illicit and prescription—are known to increase energy and alertness. Prescription stimulants can offer therapeutic benefits when used as prescribed. However, both prescription and illicit stimulants have a high propensity for ...

Why Don’t We Have Addiction Vaccines?

After three decades of research, people with addiction still have few medication options. While there are a handful of modestly effective FDA-approved drugs to treat alcohol, nicotine and opioid-use disorders, there are none at all for cocaine, ...

Free Heroin Addiction Hotline Numbers

Call American Addiction Centers (AAC) now at What Is a Heroin Hotline Number? Heroin addiction is a very hard challenge to overcome alone. This is why doctors, mental health professionals, and support group members advocate seeking help if you ...

The Use and Abuse of Date Rape Drugs

Although Bill Cosby has been making headlines for his alleged use of date rape drugs, sexual assault cases involving these substances have been a problem in the U.S. for decades and continue to be a growing trend. What's more, many young adults and ...

Seized

In 2015, Border Patrol prevented more than 1.5 million pounds of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and meth from entering the United States. 1 In the same year, the Coast Guard intercepted 72 vessels and more than 150,000 pounds of drugs. 2 These ...

America’s Drug Awareness

For the first time in a decade , the CDC reported that death rates in the United States have increased. While news outlets trumpet the increased violence rampant in many areas of the country, the public is largely unaware of a silent contributor - ...

Sentencing by State 2

have led to overcrowded facilities, skyrocketing prison costs, and major social, economic, and political impacts. Currently, nearly half of all inmates in federal prisons are serving sentences for drug offenses. Many are fathers and mothers who miss ...

Common Neurological Risks of Drug Abuse

Brain Damage From Drugs While substance misuse may cause a user to feel short-lived euphoria or impart a sense of temporary wellbeing, the adverse effects of drugs can be dangerous and, in some instances, may lead to permanent brain damage. Chronic ...

Free Marijuana Hotline Number Guide

Call American Addiction Centers (AAC) free now at What Is Marijuana? Marijuana—also known as cannabis and weed—is seen by some as a relatively innocuous or low-risk drug. It contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol—more commonly known as ...

Common Street Names for Drugs

People actively misusing legal or illicit substances use slang terms for many reasons—ranging from avoiding detection by law enforcement to ensuring privacy in written and verbal communication. If you suspect that someone you love is misusing ...

Drug Abuse and Cardiovascular Health Risks: How Do Drugs Affect the Heart?

What Are the Dangers of Drug Use? Both illicit and prescription drugs present many risks to individuals who misuse them. Drug abuse affects the brain in many ways that may lead to unpredictable, dangerous behaviors, social and emotional problems, ...

What Could Illicit Drug Synthesis Expose You To?

For the 44 million Americans aged 12 and older who used illicit drugs in 2014, the associated health risks are grave. But there's another risk that accompanies illegally manufactured substances - the exposure to hazardous chemicals. Clandestine drug ...

IV Drug Use: Signs, Dangers, and Treatment

Injection is a method used by individuals who misuse drugs to obtain a quick and powerful effect. 1 Intravenous (IV) injection, or injection into a vein, is the practice referred to throughout this article as IV drug use. Injection into a vein or ...

Why Is Methamphetamine So Addictive?

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive chemically compounded stimulant. Similar in chemical structure to amphetamine, meth is widely and illicitly manufactured using a variety of production methods. Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, ...

Ice Bugs: Don’t Scratch That Phantom Itch!

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive stimulant that causes irreversible harm to the body. Manufactured from a toxic concoction of chemicals, it damages blood vessels in the brain, destroys teeth and causes severe impairment in memory, judgment ...

Let’s Talk Truth: Exactly How Long Do Drugs Stay in Your System?

If you throw back a beer on Friday night, it's out of your system by Monday morning. But, what about other drugs? Most drugs linger a bit longer than alcohol. In fact, some of them stick around for a long time. This slower processing can surprise ...

How to Stay Healthy When Someone You Love Is Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol

“Self-care is essential to finding ways to limit the unwanted influence of substance use in your life.” When someone you love is abusing substances like alcohol and/or other drugs, you are likely to focus solely on the damage the addiction is ...

7 Shocking Ways Drugs are Smuggled into Prisons

A Cincinnati woman and her incarcerated boyfriend are now facing criminal charges after she reportedly tried to smuggle a Bible laced with heroin into the prison. Tehani Teepe, 39, and Timothy King, 28, were charged with illegal conveyance of ...

Effects of Drug and Alcohol Use on Weight Change

Over time, the problematic use of both drugs and alcohol may have a detrimental impact on an individual's nutritional status—causing either unhealthy weight gain or weight loss depending on the specific substance used. This guide examines some of ...

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

If you struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), substance abuse treatment can be effective in helping you work through and overcome your addiction. Addiction treatment is a complex process that involves many services and interventions. Your ...

Are These 7 Things Really as Addictive as Drugs?

When you think about the disease of addiction, images of illicit drugs or empty whisky bottles likely come to mind. But addiction isn't limited to these substances. In fact, experts have determined that humans can become addicted to anything that ...

Study: Medical Marijuana Cuts Use of Prescription Drugs

A recent study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine revealed that medical marijuana users take fewer other medicines—such as opiates. Researchers monitored the use of prescription medications among participants ...

Kicking Drugs (and Cravings) to the Curb

If you're reading this, chances are you or your loved one is on the road to recovery, so congratulations! Thinking about ways to combat cravings and prevent relapse are among the most important steps you can take to maintain a sober lifestyle. It ...

Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Veterans

Veterans frequently face a range of challenges as they readjust to civilian life after separation from the military. Substance use, mental health disorders, service-related injuries, and chronic pain are common among veterans. 1 Veterans are at ...

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a method of psychotherapy first developed by Marsha Linehan that has since proven effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders. 1 In this article, you will get an in-depth look at DBT therapy ...

Rhode Island Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

Deciding to get help for a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the most important decisions you or a loved one may ever make. That decision could save your life, restore your health, and bring renewed happiness to you and your loved ones. But ...

20 Genius Minds and the Drugs They Were Addicted To

Intelligence doesn't preclude people taking drugs any more than fame does. When those who are under stress need to relax, some turn to drugs or drink as an escape from reality. Others do it because they believe it enhances their creativity or allows ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in South Dakota

Many South Dakota residents know firsthand the devastating effects that drug and alcohol addiction can have on a person's life. From broken ties with family and loved ones to the risk of overdose or other serious health complications, the negative ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Maine

Abusing drugs and alcohol can have severe consequences on your well-being, including an increased risk of addiction and pre-mature death. However, you don't have to live with addiction. You can take your first step today by scrolling through our ...

Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

If you or someone you love is struggling with drugs or alcohol, there is help available. Many people struggle with substance abuse and addiction, but with treatment, therapy, and support groups, it is possible to recover from drug and/or alcohol ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Kansas

Once you have decided that you'd like to seek treatment for your problem with drug or alcohol abuse, the next step is finding a recovery program that suits your individual needs. There are several types of addiction treatment in Kansas, including ...

Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

Deciding to get help for a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the most important decisions you or a loved one may ever make. That decision could save your life, restore your health, and bring renewed happiness to you and your loved ones. But ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Idaho

Millions of people in the United States suffer from problematic drug or alcohol abuse. It is a national epidemic that plagues people in every state, including Idaho. If you suffer from a substance addiction, there's no reason to continue harming ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Georgia

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is responsible for destroying millions of lives in America every year. The negative impact drugs and alcohol have on a person's physical health, mental wellness, finances, career, and ...

New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

Deciding to get help for a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the most important decisions you or a loved one may ever make. It has the potential to save your life, restore your health, and bring renewed happiness to you and your loved ones. But ...

Texas Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

Substance addiction can deeply impact a person's relationships, finances, career, and health, so don't wait to get help. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, help is available and you can start the road to recovery today. Drug and ...

Virginia Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center

Substance abuse may be prominent in Virginia, but thankfully there are many professional treatment programs to help both residents and out-of-state visitors get the necessary care. The directory listings included on this page are a great place to ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Wisconsin

While there is no “cure” for addiction, it can be treated. With successful recovery, people are able to move on to a happier, healthier life without drugs. You can take your first step on the journey of recovery from addiction by browsing ...

Long-Term Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs

Alcohol and drug abuse can be challenging to overcome on your own. Many people seek treatment to help them stop the cycle of substance use and start the path to recovery. Finding the appropriate long-term drug rehab center for your needs may be a ...

Your Brain on Drugs: Studying Cocaine's Effect on Blood Flow

Stimulant drugs like cocaine can cause serious blood flow problems within the brain. When there is an insufficient flow of rich, oxygenated blood to the brain, it can result in aneurysm-like bleeding and strokes. Researchers have developed a new ...

Drugs vs. Supplements: What's the Difference?

Your regular doctor suggests taking a supplement to improve your overall health. And then your specialist recommends a completely different combination of drugs and supplements. It's so easy to get overwhelmed. Which one's right for you? Navigating ...

Intervention for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

In 2020, nearly 60% of the U.S. population aged 12 or older were estimated to have been currently using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. 1 There are many reasons that someone may feel the need to use substances. Some of these reasons may include an ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Louisiana

Addiction affects millions of people, and it doesn't discriminate. If it's impacting your life or that of someone you love, you might feel as if you've failed somehow. In reality, however, addiction can happen to anyone and most people need help to ...

Michigan Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition, and continued drug use can alter the user's brain chemistry, making it increasingly difficult to exert control over their substance use. 1 Finding the right drug and alcohol rehab center can mean the ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Minnesota

Developing an addiction to drugs and alcohol can have detrimental effects on a person's physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Minnesota has a population of roughly 5.5 million and is made up of 87 counties. 1 Addiction ...

Indiana Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center

If you struggle with substance addiction or you love someone who is, you know how crushing it can be. Addiction has the power to destroy your health, your finances, and your relationships. Luckily, you don't have to continue living with this ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Missouri

Abusing drugs and alcohol not only increases your risk of fatal overdose, it can negatively impact your personal relationships, devastate your finances, get you in trouble with law enforcement, or cause you to lose your job or get kicked out of ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Montana

Addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause an incredible amount of mental, emotional, financial, and physical suffering. Substance abuse can lead to a number of negative experiences in your interpersonal relationships, career, or schoolwork. Whether ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Hawaii

Drug and alcohol abuse affect millions of Americans and can severely damage a person's mental and physical health, as well as impair their ability to function at home, work, or school. Substance addiction is a progressive and debilitating condition, ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Connecticut

Connecticut, like the rest of the US, is profoundly affected by substance abuse, especially with the rising tide of opioid abuse. But the good news is that treatment can help you overcome drug dependence and addiction and restore health and ...

Nevada Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers

Substance abuse and addiction are growing problems in the U.S. and can affect individuals and their loved ones, but help is available. Addiction treatment centers can help you get on the road to recovery and turn your life around. If you or someone ...

Arizona Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center

Arizona's warm climate and scenic landscapes make it an ideal location for recovery. The state has many top-notch drug and alcohol rehab centers that offer evidence-based therapies as well as holistic therapies such as yoga, massage, and meditation. ...

North Carolina Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Center

Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol poses serious challenges to your health and wellbeing, but trying to detox and fight the urge to use again can be overwhelmingly difficult. For North Carolina residents who know this struggle all too well, ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in North Dakota

If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, know that there is help available. North Dakota has almost 60 different substance abuse treatment centers1 located all over the state. You can browse our listings below and read ...

Find a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab Center in Oklahoma

If you are abusing drugs, it's imperative to get help. When addiction takes hold, it can destroy lives—not only yours, but those around you. Without treatment, the risk of serious harm to both your physical and mental health is high, not to ...