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Overcoming alcohol use disorder is an ongoing process, one which can include setbacks.   The Importance of Persistence Because AUD can be a chronic relapsing disease, persistence is key. It is rare that someone would go to treatment once and then never drin...

Professional Help Your Doctor.  Primary care and mental health practitioners can provide effective AUD treatment by combining new medications with brief counseling visits. To aid clinicians, NIAAA has developed a guide for younger patients, Alcohol Screening ...

How Science Has Revolutionized the Understanding of Drug Addiction For much of the past century, scientists studying drug abuse labored in the shadows of powerful myths and misconceptions about the nature of addiction. When scientists began to study addictive...

Why study drug abuse and addiction? Abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and illicit and prescription drugs cost Americans more than $700 billion a year in increased health care costs, crime, and lost productivity. Every year, illicit and prescription...

What is drug addiction? Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drugseeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain—they change its structure...

Website: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking  Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States. Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth and can cause them enormous...

Why is adolescence a critical time for preventing drug addiction? As noted previously, early use of drugs increases a person’s chances of developing addiction. Remember, drugs change brains—and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. So, preven...

Introducing the Human Brain The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity—you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpie...

What are the medical consequences of drug addiction? People who suffer from addiction often have one or more accompanying medical issues, which may include lung or cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and mental disorders. Imaging scans, chest X-rays, and ...

Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/prevention-resources  Strengthen your prevention efforts by integrating national data; sharing materials and information from other substance misuse prevention programs; and using additional publications and res...

Can addiction be treated successfully? YES. Addiction is a treatable disease. Research in the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has led to the development of evidence-based interventions that help people stop abusing drugs and ...

Slang: O.C./Oxy/Percs/Vike/M/Monkey/White Stuff/Schoolboy/Sizzurp/Purple/Drank/Loads Get The Facts Opioids Affect Your Brain. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers av...

Leading the Search for Scientific Solutions To address all aspects of drug abuse and its harmful consequences, NIDA’s research program ranges from basic studies of the addicted brain and behavior to health services research. NIDA’s research program develops p...

You have probably heard a lot about the “opioid overdose crisis” in the news lately. But what are opioids? And why are they such a problem?  You might not realize this, but if you have had a sports injury, dental work, or surgery, it is possible your doctor g...

Opioid Overdose Deaths The increase in opioid overdose deaths has resulted in a national crisis. After marijuana, prescription drugs are the most commonly misused drugs in the country. Every day, 115 Americans die from an opioid overdose. In 2016, the number ...

What are opioids? Opioids are naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some opioid medications are made from this plant while others are made by scientists in labs. Opioids have been used for hundreds of years to treat pain, cough, and diarrhea. What are t...

Here are some helpful places to go for more information: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) The NIDA website, www.drugabuse.gov, has information on a variety of drugs and related topics. NIDA’s teen site, www.teens.drugabuse.gov, has free downloads,...

Helping Faith-based and Community Leaders Bring Hope to Our Communities Every day, 130+ Americans die from opioid-related overdoses. In 2017, over 11.4 million Americans misused prescription opioids, 2.1 million had an opioid-use disorder due to prescription ...

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/opioid-addiction.html#cdc_generic_section_2-everyone-can-play-a-role  Purpose Opioid addiction, also known as opioid use disorder (OUD), is a chronic and relapsing disease that can affect any...

Increase Awareness Addiction is a treatable, chronic, medical condition. Tap local health experts to help diminish the stigma surrounding the condition, it's symptoms, as well as any contributing factors. 62.6% of Americans misuse opioids for pain. Promote...