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

A number of different prevention approaches have been found to be effective in decreasing the risk of drug abuse and addiction. Simple lifestyle changes, like increased physical activity and using other stress reduction techniques, are thought to help prevent drug abuse and dependence in teens. More formal programs have also been found to be helpful. For example, the Raising Healthy Children program, which includes interventions for teachers, parents, and students, has been found to help prevent substance abuse and addiction in elementary school children when the program goes on for 18 months or more. The prevalence of easier access to technology has led to the development of computer-based prevention programs. Such programs have been found to be very promising in how they compare to more traditional prevention programs, as well as how many more people can be reached through technology.

• Al-Anon-Alateen: 888-4AL-ANON
• Alcoholics Anonymous World Services: 212-870-3400
• American Council on Alcoholism treatment referral line: 800-527-5344
• Kids Against Drugs: http://www.kidsagainstdrugs.com
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving: 800-GET-MADD
• Narconon: http://www.narconon.org/
• Narcotics Anonymous: http://www.na.org
• National Clearinghouse for Alcoholism and Drug Information: 800-729-6686
• National Cocaine Hotline: 800-COCAINE (262-2463)
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: 800-NCA-CALL
• National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: 301-443-3860
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov
• National Resource Center: 866-870-4979

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Korhonen, T., U.M. Kujala, R.J. Rose, and J. Kaprio. "Physical Activity in Adolescence as a Predictor of Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use in Early Adulthood: A Longitudinal Population-Based Twin Study." Twin Research in Human Genetics 12.3 June 2009: 261-268.

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Setlik, J., G.R. Bond, and M. Ho. "Adolescent Prescription ADHD Medication Abuse Is Rising Along With Prescriptions for These Medications." Pediatrics 124.3 Sept. 2009: 875-880.