Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Addiction?Types of Addictive DrugsSigns of AddictionTreatmentWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Addiction?
Types of Addictive Drugs
Signs of Addiction
Treatment
When to Seek Care
Substance abuse in the United States is one of the leading health conditions impacting millions of lives and due to many types of drug addictions. Since 2000, there have been 700,000 overdose deaths in the U.S.Addiction can alter behaviors and hinder relationships.
In comparison to other chronic diseases, the costs associated with drug abuse are as considerable asdiabetesandcancer. Costs of substance abuse include healthcare expenses, lost earnings and income, cost of drug-related crimes, overdoses, and more.
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According to the American Psychiatric Association, substance use disorder (SUD) is a condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance with a detrimental outcome.Individuals with SUD experience changes to the brain’s structure and function that cause cravings, personality and behavioral changes, and more.
Thebrainis made up of circuitry and networks of neurons; when aneuronreceives signals from other connected neurons, it fires up and sends its own signal to other neurons within the circuit. Working together, different circuits in the brain are responsible for specific functions.
When drugs are introduced, the neurons sending and receiving signals through theirneurotransmittersare disrupted. Because of their chemical composition, certain drugs, like marijuana and heroin, activate neurons that copy natural neurotransmitter functions, allowing the drug to attach itself and activate the neuron. This leads to abnormal messaging sent through the brain’s circuits and network.
Thebasal ganglia, which is responsible for motor control, executive functions (eating and sex) behaviors (habits and routines), and emotions. It’s also known as the brain’s reward circuit so when drugs overstimulate the circuit, it produces euphoria. However, with repeated use of the drug, the circuit adjusts to the drug’s effect, reducing sensitivity and making it hard to receive other forms of pleasurable stimulation.
Addiction Pathway
When drugs are introduced to the system,dopamine, a neurotransmitter that responds to pleasurable activities is switched on and lights up that network. Below is a list of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, and how each one affects the brain and contributes to SUD.
1. Alcohol
Alcoholinterferes in the areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment. Long-term, heavy drinking results in changes in the neurons, like size reduction. Alcohol misuse may cause alcohol-induced blackouts, resulting in memory gaps that temporarily block the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term storage.
Continuing to drink despite clear signs of significant impairments can result in an alcohol overdose. Symptoms include:
2. Heroin
3. Opioids
Prescriptionpainkillersare similar to heroin in that it can result in euphoria.Opioidsare the most commonly misused painkillers and are involved in 81,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
Prescription opioids include:
Short-term side effects of taking opioids include:
Longer-term use may result in:
4. Cocaine
Short-term physiological effects of cocaine use include:
Long-term physiological effects of cocaine use include:
5. Meth
Methamphetamineor “meth” is an addictive stimulant that affects thecentral nervous system. It can be ingested orally in pill form, via smoking, snorting, and injecting the powder with either water or alcohol. When it’s entered into the bloodstream and reaches the brain, meth increases the amount of dopamine released in the brain, reinforcing the need for more use of the drug.
Short and long-term physical effects of meth use include:
6. Tobacco
Individuals who smoke habitually are addicted tonicotine. Like other drugs, nicotine affects the brain with the release of dopamine, reinforcing the behavior and leading to addiction.
Smoking increases the risk of many cancers includinglung, mouth,pharynx, larynx,esophagus, stomach,pancreas,cervix,kidney, andbladder. It may also increase the risk of developingacute myeloidleukemia. In addition, it contributes to a number of respiratory diseases includingbronchitis,emphysema, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking also detrimentally affects the cardiovascular system.
7. Mood Regulation Drugs
8. Marijuana
Made from the hemp plantCannabis sativa, the primary chemical that alters the brain is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Whenmarijuanais smoked, THC and other chemicals pass from the lungs into the bloodstream and travel to the brain, resulting in a sense of relaxation. Adverse side effects may include anxiety, fear, and panic. Large doses of marijuana may cause temporaryacute psychosis(hallucinations, delusions, and loss of personal identity).
9. Stimulants
Stimulants increase attention, energy, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. Typically they are prescribed to to treatattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). They affect the brain’s monoamine neurotransmitter systems, which include norepinephrine and dopamine. Stimulants intensify the effects of these chemicals.
Like other addictive drugs, they can bring on euphoric feelings. Stimulants also increase blood pressure and heart rate, constrict blood vessels, increase blood glucose, and open up breathing passages. Misuse of these drugs can lead to hostility, paranoia, and psychosis. Taking high doses may lead to possible cardiovascular failure or seizures.
10. Inhalants
Inhalants include solvents and aerosols, and are found in common household items like spray paints, markers, glues, cleansers, and nitrate prescriptions. Inhalants can be breathed through the nose or mouth in a variety of ways from sniffing fumes to huffing a soaked rag stuffed in the mouth. Inhalants are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and reach the brain quickly, resulting in an intoxicated state similar to consuming alcohol.
Side effects include:
11. Sedatives
CNS (central nervous system) depressants include tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics that slow brain activity. These types of drugs help treatsleep disordersand anxiety. The most common prescribed medications include:
12. Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens, which can be natural or created synthetically, cause visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations, causing one to see, hear, and feel things that aren’t really there. It’s estimated that 5.5 million adults use hallucinogens in the U.S.
Common types of hallucinogens include:
In recent years, hallucinogens, also called psychedelics, have begun to be used as a form of therapy. Some studies suggest this type of treatment can help with conditions like PTSD.
That said, psychedelics are also abused, and many are classified as Schedule I drugs. Side effects of taking these substances include dizziness, accidents, risky behavior, and sometimes suicidal impulses. Long-term use of PCP, ketamine, and MDMA may also lead to withdrawal symptoms when one stops taking them.
Adverse signs of addiction can be seen in behavior and in symptoms. If you believe a loved one has a substance use disorder, keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms:
Physical signs include:
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is treatable, but it’s not a simple process. Addiction is a chronic disease that can’t be stopped within days, and individuals will need long-term treatment. However, not every treatment is successful with everyone. Treatment will need to address the underlying issues that led to the addiction and not solely on the substance use disorder.
Treatments include:
When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Recognizing that you have a substance use disorder is the first step. Once you’ve acknowledged that you can’t live without the drug or alcohol, seek help as soon as possible. Your healthcare provider will be able to refer you to a drug counselor and any other counseling services that deal with substance use disorder.
Summary
Substance abuse affects millions in the U.S. It alters brain function, creating dependency and leading to severe health, social, and financial consequences. Commonly abused substances, like opioids, alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine, disrupt brain circuits, resulting in addiction.
Substance abuse often leads to health issues such as organ damage, mental impairment, and even death. Signs of addiction include behavioral changes, physical symptoms, and deteriorating relationships. Treatment involves behavioral therapy, medication, and long-term support to address underlying causes and prevent relapse.
21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics:Substance abuse and addiction statistics.National Institute of Drug Abuse.Drug abuse and addiction: one of America’s most challenging public health problems.American Psychiatric Association.What is substance use disorder?National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What effects does heroin have on the body?,The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused?Von Korff M, Kolodny A, Deyo RA, Chou R.Long-term opioid therapy reconsidered. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Sep 6;155(5):325-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-5-201109060-00011. PMID: 21893626; PMCID: PMC3280085.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are some ways that cocaine changes the brain?,National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?,National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Methamphetamine drugfacts.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the physical health consequences of tobacco use?.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?National Institute on Drug Abuse.How are inhalants used?.Ofir Livne, Dvora Shmulewitz, Claire Walsh, Deborah S. Hasin.Adolescent and adult time trends in US hallucinogen use, 2002–19: any use, and use of ecstasy, LSD and PCP.Addiction.2022, August. doi: 10.1111/add.15987American Addiction Centers.Hallucinogen Addiction: Types & Effects of Mind-Altering Drugs.Barber GS, Aaronson ST.The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Oct;24(10):583-590. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01363-y. Epub 2022 Sep 21. PMID: 36129571; PMCID: PMC9553847.Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.Signs of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment approaches for drug addiction drugfacts.
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics:Substance abuse and addiction statistics.National Institute of Drug Abuse.Drug abuse and addiction: one of America’s most challenging public health problems.American Psychiatric Association.What is substance use disorder?National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What effects does heroin have on the body?,The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused?Von Korff M, Kolodny A, Deyo RA, Chou R.Long-term opioid therapy reconsidered. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Sep 6;155(5):325-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-5-201109060-00011. PMID: 21893626; PMCID: PMC3280085.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are some ways that cocaine changes the brain?,National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?,National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Methamphetamine drugfacts.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the physical health consequences of tobacco use?.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?National Institute on Drug Abuse.How are inhalants used?.Ofir Livne, Dvora Shmulewitz, Claire Walsh, Deborah S. Hasin.Adolescent and adult time trends in US hallucinogen use, 2002–19: any use, and use of ecstasy, LSD and PCP.Addiction.2022, August. doi: 10.1111/add.15987American Addiction Centers.Hallucinogen Addiction: Types & Effects of Mind-Altering Drugs.Barber GS, Aaronson ST.The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Oct;24(10):583-590. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01363-y. Epub 2022 Sep 21. PMID: 36129571; PMCID: PMC9553847.Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.Signs of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment approaches for drug addiction drugfacts.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics:Substance abuse and addiction statistics.National Institute of Drug Abuse.Drug abuse and addiction: one of America’s most challenging public health problems.American Psychiatric Association.What is substance use disorder?National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What effects does heroin have on the body?,The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused?Von Korff M, Kolodny A, Deyo RA, Chou R.Long-term opioid therapy reconsidered. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Sep 6;155(5):325-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-5-201109060-00011. PMID: 21893626; PMCID: PMC3280085.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are some ways that cocaine changes the brain?,National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?,National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Methamphetamine drugfacts.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the physical health consequences of tobacco use?.National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?National Institute on Drug Abuse.How are inhalants used?.Ofir Livne, Dvora Shmulewitz, Claire Walsh, Deborah S. Hasin.Adolescent and adult time trends in US hallucinogen use, 2002–19: any use, and use of ecstasy, LSD and PCP.Addiction.2022, August. doi: 10.1111/add.15987American Addiction Centers.Hallucinogen Addiction: Types & Effects of Mind-Altering Drugs.Barber GS, Aaronson ST.The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Oct;24(10):583-590. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01363-y. Epub 2022 Sep 21. PMID: 36129571; PMCID: PMC9553847.Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.Signs of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment approaches for drug addiction drugfacts.
National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics:Substance abuse and addiction statistics.
National Institute of Drug Abuse.Drug abuse and addiction: one of America’s most challenging public health problems.
American Psychiatric Association.What is substance use disorder?
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs and the brain.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What effects does heroin have on the body?,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What classes of prescription drugs are commonly misused?
Von Korff M, Kolodny A, Deyo RA, Chou R.Long-term opioid therapy reconsidered. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Sep 6;155(5):325-8. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-5-201109060-00011. PMID: 21893626; PMCID: PMC3280085.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are some ways that cocaine changes the brain?,
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the short-term effects of cocaine use?,
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the long-term effects of cocaine use?.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Methamphetamine drugfacts.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the physical health consequences of tobacco use?.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?
National Institute on Drug Abuse.How are inhalants used?.
Ofir Livne, Dvora Shmulewitz, Claire Walsh, Deborah S. Hasin.Adolescent and adult time trends in US hallucinogen use, 2002–19: any use, and use of ecstasy, LSD and PCP.Addiction.2022, August. doi: 10.1111/add.15987
American Addiction Centers.Hallucinogen Addiction: Types & Effects of Mind-Altering Drugs.
Barber GS, Aaronson ST.The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Oct;24(10):583-590. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01363-y. Epub 2022 Sep 21. PMID: 36129571; PMCID: PMC9553847.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.Signs of addiction.
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment approaches for drug addiction drugfacts.
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