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

Images, Videos & Interactives

Crystals of methamphetamine

Tracking the opioid epidemic in the United States

The video thumbnail image shows an illustrated scale holding pill bottles. "Benefits" is on the left, hanging lower than "Risks & Side Effects" on the right.

The video thumbnail image shows the packaging of Narcan nasal spray.

drug use: Media

Videos

The video thumbnail image shows an illustrated scale holding pill bottles. "Benefits" is on the left, hanging lower than "Risks & Side Effects" on the right.

What are the risks of prescription opioids?

Opioids including Oxycontin, Vicodin, and morphine can be dangerous even when prescribed...

Video: CDC. The inclusion of this video does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This material is otherwise available from the CDC for no charge.

The video thumbnail image shows the packaging of Narcan nasal spray.

How to use Narcan

Naloxone effectively reverses overdose from opioid drugs.

Video: UC Davis Health

Images

drug use

drug use

The use of psychoactive drugs, such as pain medications or illegal substances, often...

© Stas_V — iStock / Getty Images

Opium

Opium

Opioid drugs are derived from or mimic substances that occur naturally in the opium...

Erik Fenderson

Cocaine

Cocaine

A piece of compressed cocaine powder.

Thoric

Crystals of methamphetamine

Crystals of methamphetamine

A potent and addictive synthetic stimulant drug that affects the central nervous...

U.S. Department of Justice

hashish

hashish

Hashish.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Interactives

Tracking the opioid epidemic in the United States

Tracking the opioid epidemic in the United States

In 1999, the death rate from opioid drug overdose in the United States began to increase...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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