drug abuse

Drug abuse describes taking a psychoactive drug or performance-enhancing drug for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect. The most commonly abused drugs include alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, opioids, and benzodiazepines. Drug abuse may lead to health problems, social problems, morbidity, injuries, unprotected sex, violence, deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, mortality, physical dependence, or psychological addiction.



Articles Related to drug abuse

Moms’ Top Back-to-School Concern Is Substance Abuse

A recent online survey of more than 2,500 moms conducted by Vocalpoint.com in collaboration with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that moms’ top concern about their children heading back to school is that their child might be exposed to kids who drink or use drugs. The next most popular...
August 24th, 2009 | Types of Addiction | Read More

Drug Czar Visits Vegas to Talk about Drugged Driving

Gil Kerlikowske, the federal drug czar, visited Las Vegas on Wednesday in an effort to raise awareness about drugged driving. While the number of people driving drunk has declined in the last 30 years, the number of people driving under the influence of drugs—both illegal and prescription—has...
August 20th, 2009 | Types of Addiction | Read More

Study Examines Relationship between Chronic Stress and Substance Abuse

Research from Purdue University finds that personality traits associated with chronic worrying can lead to earlier death, at least in part because these people are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and drug abuse.
August 17th, 2009 | Types of Addiction | Read More

The Parent’s Role in Preventing Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Teenagers who are taught the dangers of drug use at home are 42 percent less likely to use drugs, according to www.theantidrug.com. The site also reports that 2 out of 3 teens believe they would lose the trust and respect of their parents if they tried drugs. It comes as no surprise, then, that parents...
August 16th, 2009 | Types of Addiction | Read More

Linkin Park Singer Admits Addiction

Linkin Park co-frontman Chester Bennington opened up about his long battle with drugs and alcohol in a new interview with Noisecreep, and admits that his experience with addiction influenced many of the songs on Out of Ashes, his upcoming album with his side project Dead by Sunrise. Bennington told Noisecreep,...
July 20th, 2009 | Addiction in the Media | Read More

Prescription Drug Abuse Called an Epidemic in Kentucky

In 2005, prescription drug abuse killed more than 8,500 Americans, and it is estimated that more than 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs every year. In fact, the DEA reports that opioid painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. While...
July 8th, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More

Drug Use in Health Care

As anyone who’s seen the show knows, Nurse Jackie, the title character of Showtime’s new hospital drama, depends on narcotic painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet to make it through each day as an ER nurse. She suffers from chronic back pain, and is seen snorting or drinking powdered...
June 23rd, 2009 | Prescription Drug Addiction | Read More