Substance abuse, or drug abuse, is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year drug abuse causes millions of serious illnesses or injuries among Americans. Drug abuse also plays a role in many major social problems, such as drugged driving, violence, stress, and child abuse. Drug abuse can lead to homelessness, crime, and missed work or problems with keeping a job. It harms unborn babies and destroys families. There are different types of treatment for drug abuse. But the best is to prevent drug abuse in the first place.
Commonly Abused Drugs
This page lists drugs that are commonly abused. The list also contains commercial names, street names, intoxication effects and potential health consequences from using the substance. Learn more...
Club Drugs GHB, Ketamine, and Rohypnol
Club drugs are a group of psychoactive drugs that tend to be abused by teens and young adults at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Rohypnol, ketamine, as well as MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine are some of the drugs included in this group. Learn more...
Adolescent Substance Abuse: An Interview with Howard A. Liddle, EdD
Adolescent substance abuse has become a bona fide clinical specialty in its own right, with its own theory, basic and applied research, practice guidelines, and policy studies. Learn more...
Alcohol Use Disorder
Disorders associated with alcohol are caused by the ingestion of alcohol over a period of time and in ways that leads to problems with health, personal relationships, school, or work. Alcohol use disorders include alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, alcohol intoxication, and alcohol withdrawal. Learn more...
Alcohol, Violence, and Aggression
Scientists and non-scientists alike have long recognized a two-way association between alcohol consumption and violent or aggressive behavior. Not only may alcohol consumption promote aggressiveness, but victimization may lead to excessive alcohol consumption. Learn more...
Alcohol: A Women’s Health Issue
With any health issue, accurate information is key. There are times and ways to drink that are safer than others. Every woman is different. No amount of drinking is 100 percent safe, 100 percent of the time, for every woman. With this in mind, it's important to know how alcohol can affect a woman's health and safety. Learn more...
Use and Misuse of Alcohol Among Older Women
Community surveys have estimated the prevalence of problem drinking among older adults to range from 1 percent to 15 percent. Among older women, the prevalence of alcohol misuse ranged from less than 1 percent to 8 percent in these studies. Early detection efforts by health care providers can help limit the prevalence of alcohol problems and improve overall health in older adults. Learn more...
Aging and Alcohol Abuse
Drinking problems in older people are often neglected by families, doctors, and the public. Learn more...
Brief Intervention for Alcohol Problems
Nearly one-fifth of patients treated in general medical practices report drinking at levels considered "risky" or "hazardous" and may be at risk for developing alcohol-related problems as a result. Brief intervention, which can be conducted in general health care settings, can help patients reduce that risk. Learn more...
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause a spectrum of disorders. One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FAS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. Learn more...
Alcohol and Tobacco
Extensive research supports the popular observation that "smokers drink and drinkers smoke." Moreover, the heaviest alcohol consumers are also the heaviest consumers of tobacco. Learn more...
Anabolic Steroids
Awareness is growing that steroid use can cause significant physical and mental harm and may be life threatening. Some studies have identified steroids as gateway drugs to other substance use, including opioids. Learn more...
Inhalant Abuse
Inhalants are chemical vapors that people inhale on purpose to get "high." The vapors produce mind-altering, and sometimes disastrous, effects. These vapors are in a variety of products, such as paints, glues, gasoline, and cleaning fluids, which are common in almost any home or workplace. Learn more...
Straight Facts About Drugs and Alcohol
Many signs, such as sudden changes in mood, difficulty in getting along with others, poor job or school performance, irritability, and depression, might be explained by causes other than drugs or alcohol. Unless you observe drug use or excessive drinking, it can be hard to determine the cause of these problems. A good first step is to contact a qualified alcohol and drug professional who can provide further advice. Learn more...
Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know
Before the 1960s, many Americans had never heard of marijuana, but today it is the most often used illegal drug in the United States. Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. Learn more...
Teen Alcohol Use: Prevention Strategies for Parents
While parent-child conversations about not drinking are essential, talking isn't enough. Parents need to take concrete action to help their child resist alcohol. Research strongly shows that active, supportive involvement by parents and guardians can help teens avoid underage drinking and prevent later alcohol misuse. Learn more...
Talking with Your Teen about Alcohol
Although many kids believe that they already know everything about alcohol, myths and misinformation abound. Learn more...
Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Schizophrenia
Alcohol use disorder is the most common co-occurring disorder in people with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia patients who abuse alcohol are more likely to have social, legal, and medical problems, compared with other people with schizophrenia. Learn more...
ADHD: Can Your Children Drive You To Drink?
This article first reviews the relationship between childhood behavior problems and subsequent adult drinking behavior, and then explores the effects of child behavior on parental drinking. Learn more...
Are You an Enabler?
If you are involved with an addicted individual, become as independent of the individual as you can, develop new support systems for yourself, and to the extent feasible let the costs of addiction fall on the individual, not yourself. Learn more...
Children of Alcoholics
More than 6 million children live with at least one parent who abuses or is dependent on alcohol or an illicit drug. Learn more...
Alcohol and the Family
About 8% of American adults abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. This is a primary health concern and it has significant implications for families and child well-being and development. Approximately one out of every four U.S. children under the age of 18 years is exposed to the effects of alcohol abuse or dependence in a family member. Learn more...
Answers to Common Questions about Counseling
Throughout life, there are times when help is needed to address problems and issues that cause emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed. When experiencing these types of difficulties, individuals may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Learn more...