drug use

Introduction
Characteristics of drug use and abuse
- The functions of psychotropic drugs
- The nature of drug addiction and dependence
  - Popular misconceptions
  - Physiological effects of addiction
  - Addiction, habituation, and dependence
  - Psychological dependence
  - Other affects on mental health
- History of drug control
  - International controls
  - National controls
  - Extent of contemporary drug abuse
Social and ethical issues of drug abuse
- Conflicting values in drug use
- Youth and drugs
Psychotropic drugs
- Opium, morphine, heroin, and related synthetics
  - History of opiates
  - Physiological effects of opiates
  - Opiate addiction
  - Means of administration
  - Therapy for opiate addiction
- Hallucinogenic drugs
  - Types of hallucinogens
  - History of hallucinogens
  - Physiological and psychological effects of hallucinogens
  - Hallucinogen abuse
- Barbiturates, stimulants, and tranquilizers
  - Barbiturates
  - Cocaine
  - Amphetamines
  - Tranquilizers
- Cannabis
  - Types of cannabis preparations
  - History of cannabis use and regulation
  - Physiological and psychological effects of cannabis

References & Edit History Related Topics

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Related Questions

drug use — drug use The use of psychoactive drugs, such as pain medications or illegal substances, often results in emotional, physical, and social harm.

drug use

Written by

William Glenn Steiner

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

drug use, use of drugs for psychotropic rather than medical purposes. Among the most common psychotropic drugs are opiates (opium, morphine, and heroin), hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin), barbiturates, cocaine, amphetamines, tranquilizers, and cannabis. Alcohol and tobacco are also sometimes classified as drugs. The term drug abuse is normally applied to excessive and addictive use of drugs. Because such drugs can have severe physiological and psychological, as well as social, effects, many governments regulate their...

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