1. OTC and Prescription Drug Abuse Slideshow Pictures
2. Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• Drug abuse and addiction facts
• What is drug abuse?
• What is drug addiction?
• What types of drugs are commonly abused?
• What are the physical and psychological effects of drug abuse and addiction?
• What are causes and risk factors for drug abuse and addiction?
• What are symptoms and signs of drug abuse and addiction?
• What happens to your brain when you take drugs?
• How is drug addiction diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for drug addiction?
• What are complications of drug addiction?
• What is the prognosis of drug addiction?
• Can drug abuse and addiction be prevented?
• Where can people get help for drug abuse or addiction?
• Patient Comments: Drug Abuse - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Drug Abuse - Treatments
• Find a local Psychiatrist in your town
• Drug Abuse Index

In order to be diagnosed with drug abuse, an individual must exhibit a destructive pattern of drug abuse that leads to significant problems or stress but not enough to qualify as being addicted to a drug. This pattern is manifested by at least one of the following signs or symptoms in the same one-year period:

• Recurrent drug use that results in a lack of meeting important obligations at work, school, or home
• Recurrent drug use in situations that can be dangerous
• Recurrent legal problems as a result of drug use
• Continued drug use despite continued or repeated social or relationship problems as a result of the drug's effects

In order to be diagnosed with a drug addiction, an individual must exhibit a destructive pattern of drug abuse that leads to significant problems as manifested by at least three of the following signs or symptoms in the same one-year period:

• Tolerance is either a markedly decreased effect of the substance or a need to significantly increase the amount of the substance used in order to achieve the same high or other desired effects.
• Withdrawal is defined as either physical or psychological signs or symptoms consistent with withdrawal from a specific drug, or taking that drug or one chemically close to that drug in order to avoid developing symptoms of withdrawal.
• Larger amounts of the drug are taken or for longer than intended.
• The individual experiences a persistent desire to take the drug or has unsuccessful attempts to decrease or control the substance use.
• Significant amounts of time are spent either getting, using, or recovering from the effects of the substance.
• The individual significantly reduces or stops participating in important social, recreational, work, or school activities as a result of using the substance.

The individual continues to use the substance despite being aware that he or she suffers from ongoing or recurring physical or psychological problems that are caused or worsened by the use of the drug.