Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of Drug AddictionEffects of Drug AddictionTreatment

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Table of Contents

Signs of Drug Addiction

Effects of Drug Addiction

Treatment

Drug addictionis a treatable, chronic medical disease that involves complex interactions between a person’s environment, brain circuits, genetics, and life experiences.

People with drug addictions continue to use drugs compulsively, despite the negative effects.

Substance abuse has many potential consequences, including overdose and death. Learn about the effects of drug addiction on the mind and body and treatment options that can help.

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

Treatment for Drug Addiction - Illustration by Theresa Chiechi

Drug Abuse vs. Drug AddictionWhile the terms “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” are often used interchangeably, they’re different. Someone who abuses drugs uses a substance too much, too frequently, or in otherwise unhealthy ways. However, they ultimately have control over their substance use.Someone with a drug addiction uses drugs in a way that affects many parts of their life and causes major disruptions. They continue to use drugs compulsively despite the negative consequences.

Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction

While the terms “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” are often used interchangeably, they’re different. Someone who abuses drugs uses a substance too much, too frequently, or in otherwise unhealthy ways. However, they ultimately have control over their substance use.Someone with a drug addiction uses drugs in a way that affects many parts of their life and causes major disruptions. They continue to use drugs compulsively despite the negative consequences.

While the terms “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” are often used interchangeably, they’re different. Someone who abuses drugs uses a substance too much, too frequently, or in otherwise unhealthy ways. However, they ultimately have control over their substance use.

Someone with a drug addiction uses drugs in a way that affects many parts of their life and causes major disruptions. They continue to use drugs compulsively despite the negative consequences.

The signs of drug abuse and addiction include changes in behavior, personality, and physical appearance. If you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use, here are some of the red flags to watch out for:

Drug Addiction in Men and WomenMen and women are equally likely to develop drug addictions. However, men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, die from a drug overdose, and visit an emergency room for addiction-related health reasons. Women are more susceptible to intense cravings and repeated relapses.

Drug Addiction in Men and Women

Men and women are equally likely to develop drug addictions. However, men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, die from a drug overdose, and visit an emergency room for addiction-related health reasons. Women are more susceptible to intense cravings and repeated relapses.

People can become addicted to any psychoactive (“mind-altering”) substance. Common addictive substances includealcohol, tobacco (nicotine), stimulants, hallucinogens, andopioids.

Many of the effects ofdrug addictionare similar, no matter what substance someone uses. The following are some of the most common effects of drug addiction.

Effects of Drug Addiction on the Body

Drug addiction can lead to a variety of physical consequences ranging in seriousness from drowsiness toorgandamage and death:

If left untreated drug addiction can lead to serious, life-altering effects on the body.

Dependence and withdrawal also affect the body:

Overdose Deaths in the United StatesAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 100,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug overdose in 2021.

Overdose Deaths in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 100,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug overdose in 2021.

Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain

Drugs alter important areas of the brain. When someone continues to use drugs, their health can deteriorate both psychologically and neurologically.

Some of the most common mental effects of drug addiction are:

Effects of Drug Addiction on Behavior

This leads people to compulsively use drugs in search of another euphoric “high.” The consequences of these neurological changes can be either temporary or permanent.

Help Someone With Drug AddictionIf you suspect that a loved one is experiencing drug addiction, address your concerns honestly, non-confrontationally, and without judgment. Focus on building trust and maintaining an open line of communication while setting healthy boundaries to keep yourself and others safe. If you need help, contact theSAMHSA National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357.

Help Someone With Drug Addiction

If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing drug addiction, address your concerns honestly, non-confrontationally, and without judgment. Focus on building trust and maintaining an open line of communication while setting healthy boundaries to keep yourself and others safe. If you need help, contact theSAMHSA National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357.

Effects of Drug Addiction on an Unborn Child

Drug addiction during pregnancy can cause serious negative outcomes for both mother and child, including:

Children exposed to drugs before birth may go on to develop issues with behavior, attention, and thinking. It’s unclear whether prenatal drug exposure continues to affect behavior and the brain beyond adolescence.

How Addiction Is Diagnosed

While there is no single “cure” for drug addiction, there are ways to treat it. Treatment can help you control your addiction and stay drug-free. The primary methods of treating drug addiction include:

A combination of medication and behavioral therapy has been found to have the highest success rates in preventing relapse and promoting recovery.Forming an individualized treatment plan with your healthcare provider’s help is likely to be the most effective approach.

How Is Addiction Treated?

Summary

Drug addiction is a complex, chronic medical disease that results in compulsive use of psychoactive substances despite the negative consequences.

Some effects of drug abuse and addiction include changes in appetite, mood, and sleep patterns. More serious health issues such as cognitive decline, major organ damage, overdose, and death are also risks. Addiction to drugs while pregnant can lead to serious outcomes for both mother and child.

Treatment for drug addiction may involvepsychotherapy, medication, hospitalization, support groups, or a combination.

Seek HelpIf you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357.

Seek Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357.

Relapse After Recovery

15 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.American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.HelpGuide.org.Drug abuse and addiction.Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.Warning signs of drug abuse.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Sex and gender differences in substance use.Cleveland Clinic.Substance use disorder (SUD).National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Drugs and the Brain.American Heart Association.Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease.American Addiction Centers.Get the facts on substance abuse.Szalavitz M, Rigg KK, Wakeman SE.Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters.Ann Med. 2021;53(1):1989-1992. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually.American Psychological Association.Cognition is central to drug addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts.MedlinePlus.Neonatal abstinence syndrome.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.Grella CE, Stein JA.Remission from substance dependence: differences between individuals in a general population longitudinal survey who do and do not seek help.Drug and Alcohol Dependence.2013;133(1):146-153. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.019

15 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.American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.HelpGuide.org.Drug abuse and addiction.Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.Warning signs of drug abuse.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Sex and gender differences in substance use.Cleveland Clinic.Substance use disorder (SUD).National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Drugs and the Brain.American Heart Association.Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease.American Addiction Centers.Get the facts on substance abuse.Szalavitz M, Rigg KK, Wakeman SE.Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters.Ann Med. 2021;53(1):1989-1992. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually.American Psychological Association.Cognition is central to drug addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts.MedlinePlus.Neonatal abstinence syndrome.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.Grella CE, Stein JA.Remission from substance dependence: differences between individuals in a general population longitudinal survey who do and do not seek help.Drug and Alcohol Dependence.2013;133(1):146-153. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.019

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.

American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.HelpGuide.org.Drug abuse and addiction.Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.Warning signs of drug abuse.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Sex and gender differences in substance use.Cleveland Clinic.Substance use disorder (SUD).National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Drugs and the Brain.American Heart Association.Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease.American Addiction Centers.Get the facts on substance abuse.Szalavitz M, Rigg KK, Wakeman SE.Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters.Ann Med. 2021;53(1):1989-1992. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually.American Psychological Association.Cognition is central to drug addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts.MedlinePlus.Neonatal abstinence syndrome.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.Grella CE, Stein JA.Remission from substance dependence: differences between individuals in a general population longitudinal survey who do and do not seek help.Drug and Alcohol Dependence.2013;133(1):146-153. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.019

American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.

HelpGuide.org.Drug abuse and addiction.

Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services.Warning signs of drug abuse.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Sex and gender differences in substance use.

Cleveland Clinic.Substance use disorder (SUD).

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Drugs and the Brain.

American Heart Association.Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease.

American Addiction Centers.Get the facts on substance abuse.

Szalavitz M, Rigg KK, Wakeman SE.Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters.Ann Med. 2021;53(1):1989-1992. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually.

American Psychological Association.Cognition is central to drug addiction.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts.

MedlinePlus.Neonatal abstinence syndrome.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Treatment and recovery.

Grella CE, Stein JA.Remission from substance dependence: differences between individuals in a general population longitudinal survey who do and do not seek help.Drug and Alcohol Dependence.2013;133(1):146-153. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.019

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