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Drug Use and Addiction
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Substance Use Disorders

Drug Use and Addiction

Drug use involves the misuse of substances that alter body and mind function, potentially leading to chronic brain disease and addiction.

What are drugs?

Drugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. They include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

What is drug use?

Drug use, or misuse, includes:

  • Using illegal substances: Such as anabolic steroids, club drugs, cocaine, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, and methamphetamines.
  • Misusing prescription medicines: Including opioids. This means taking medicines in a way not prescribed, such as taking someone else's medication, taking larger doses, using them to get high, or altering the method of administration (e.g., crushing tablets to snort or inject).
  • Misusing over-the-counter medicines: Using them for purposes or in ways other than intended.

Drug use is dangerous and can harm your brain, body, and the people around you. It can lead to substance use disorders, sometimes called addiction.

What is drug addiction?

Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Because the brain changes from addiction can be lasting, it is considered a "relapsing" disease, meaning people in recovery are at risk for taking drugs again even after years of abstinence.

Who is at risk for drug addiction?

Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Risk factors include:

  • Biology: Individual reactions to drugs vary based on genetics and brain chemistry.
  • Mental health problems: Untreated conditions like depression, anxiety, or ADHD increase risk.
  • Environment: Trouble at home, difficulties in school or work, or social circles that encourage drug use.
  • Early use: Starting drug use at a young age affects brain and body development, increasing the likelihood of adult addiction.

What are the signs that someone has a drug problem?

  • Changing friends frequently
  • Spending significant time alone
  • Losing interest in favorite activities
  • Neglecting personal hygiene
  • Being overly energetic, talking fast, or speaking incoherently
  • Rapid mood swings
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Missing important appointments
  • Problems at work, school, or in personal relationships

What are the treatments for drug addiction?

Treatments include counseling, medicines, or both. Research shows that combining medicines with counseling provides the best chance of success. Counseling helps individuals understand the roots of their addiction, manage personal problems, and avoid high-risk situations. If a person has a mental disorder alongside an addiction, it is known as a dual diagnosis, and both must be treated for the best outcome. Severe cases may require hospital-based or residential treatment.

Can drug use and addiction be prevented?

Drug use and addiction are preventable. Prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media help people understand the risks of drug use through education and outreach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key warning signs include strong cravings, using the substance in larger amounts or for longer than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, continued use despite physical, emotional, or social problems, withdrawal symptoms when not using, and neglecting responsibilities such as work, school, or family. If several of these are present, it likely reflects a substance use disorder and professional evaluation is recommended.
Yes. Evidence‑based approaches include medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone for opioid use disorder, and acamprosate or disulfiram for alcohol use disorder. Behavioral therapies—cognitive‑behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and motivational interviewing—are effective for relapse prevention. Ongoing peer support (12‑step programs, recovery community groups) and regular follow‑up with a clinician further reduce relapse risk.
Start by expressing concern in a non‑judgmental way and share specific observations. Encourage them to seek an evaluation from a primary‑care provider, addiction specialist, or mental‑health professional. Offer to help locate resources such as local treatment programs, counseling, or support groups (e.g., Al‑Anon, SMART Recovery). If safety is an issue, consider contacting a crisis line or emergency services.
Early exposure can interfere with normal brain development, particularly in areas governing impulse control, decision‑making, and reward processing, which raises the risk of long‑term cognitive and emotional difficulties. However, the brain retains plasticity, and many individuals experience significant recovery with sustained abstinence, therapy, and a supportive environment. Early intervention improves the likelihood of full functional recovery.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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