Drug Addiction

Habitual users of crack cocaine may display a number of abnormal characteristics brought about by the long- and short-term effects of the drug.

After decades of debate, addiction is being addressed as a chronic health problem. Understanding why people become dependent on alcohol and other drugs depends on which school of thought prevails...

Percocet, an opiate prescribed to treat severe pain, contains acetominophen and Oxycodone, which is a narcotic. It is known to be highly addictive. The drug comes in pill form and abusers who...

Opiates--notably, heroin, morphine and Oxycontin--represent a growing population within the overall culture of substance abuse. Lulled by the ease of smoking or sniffing these drugs, users often...

Drug abuse is a problem that involves communities as much as it does individual users. Drug abuse can increase family stress, crime and significant health problems. Treatment programs, designed to...

MDMA became popular as a club drug in the 1980's. This synthetic drug acts as a psychedelic and as a stimulant. It energizes users while distorting perception and enhancing tactile enjoyment. It...

The addiction potential of marijuana is still being debated by scientists and marijuana aficionados alike. As of now, however, it remains an individualized issue, determined on a personal,...

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive drug that tricks your body into thinking it has an unlimited energy supply. Meth users find overcoming the addiction to be very difficult, and most...

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant derived from the coca plant. Users can suffer life threatening side-effects.

Nicotine-replacement therapy is a popular way to quit smoking because it eases cravings without the user actually smoking cigarettes. The nicotine patch has proven effective, but it must be used...

Cocaine is an incredibly addictive stimulant that, initially, gives the user a feeling of euphoria. It also makes users feel energetic and alert. Long-term cocaine addiction can cause paranoia,...

You've been with your spouse for years and think you know him or her inside and out. But suddenly your spouse seem more irritable, is staying up late and is disappearing for hours at time. It's...

Drug abuse is a huge problem in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that substance abuse costs the United States "more than $484 billion per year." Drug abuse...

Admitting drug addiction is one of the first steps in battling drug abuse. It is difficult and strenuous on both the mind and the body. Often, drug users will implement a drug detoxification at...

Heroin addicts range in age, demographic and severity of use. Many users become addicted immediately after trying heroin. Heroin induces a kind of euphoric rush, which users perceive as a positive...

Apart from being illegal, marijuana can be harmful to health, social interactions and employment. When marijuana affects an individual to where most life decisions are based around the substance,...

The characteristics of a cocaine addict are typically very obvious. As time progresses the signs become more prevalent, and it is clear that a problem exists. The signs of cocaine addiction can...

Recreational users of marijuana typically believe that the drug has no harmful side effects. Especially when compared with other illegal substances, such as heroin or cocaine, the effects seem...

Cocaine itself actually has a melting temperature of 197 degrees Celsius. When it reaches that temperature, the powder actually falls apart or burns, making it almost impossible to smoke as is....

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic that was developed in 1937 as a painkiller. Even though it is a prescription drug, abuse of methadone is common as it is highly addictive and available in street...

Your long-term memory stores information for years--sometimes for a lifetime.When it comes to the effects of marijuana on long-term memory, the discussion is popular among users and non-users....

Marijuana usage has both psychological and physical effects on users that can last for a few hours or for life. The chemicals in marijuana target the brain and alter its ability to function...

Many people believe that marijuana is a harmless drug and that its use should be legalized. Studies by the National Institutes of Health show that both the immediate and long-term effects of...

According to a report by SAMHSA, more than 900,000 Americans over the age of 12 tried cocaine for the first time in 2007. With increasing popularity, cocaine has been an epidemic since its...

Often with certain addictions, the signs often mimic those similar to other conditions. Cocaine users exhibit a variety of different signs and symptoms that can signal addiction. Being able to...

While any addiction can be potentially devastating, drug addictions can be the most taxing on the body and emotional well-being. Meth addiction has traditionally been considered a safer...

Cocaine abuse symptoms can be seen and felt all over the body. Most symptoms can be categorized between the effects on the brain and central nervous system and those that effect the rest of the...

The after effects of smoking marijuana, often referred to as a "pot hangover," can be unpleasant and make it difficult to function. While not everyone experiences the same after effects, most...

Methamphetamine (meth) is slowly becoming one of the most serious drug epidemics our country has ever faced. This is largely due to methamphetamine producing a similar high to cocaine with the...

Meth, also known as ice in a smokable form, accounts for the highest number of drug deaths in the United States. Due to the psychological effects, meth also contributes to a high number of...

Spotting the signs of cocaine use can be difficult. Paying close attention to a person's behaviors, mannerisms and physical condition are essential in determining if he is using cocaine. While...

While marijuana is typically viewed as one of the less harmful illicit drugs on the black market, some health professionals believe that it can cause psychological addiction with regular sustained...