Substance Abuse and Addiction Medical Reference

It’s not just about illegal drugs. Using pain meds, alcohol, and other legal substances the wrong way can also harm your health.

Learn how addiction affects your brain and behavior.

Abusing prescription drugs can lead to addiction. Learn who’s at risk for this problem.

Opioid drugs are a common treatment for back pain, but they come with risks and can be addictive. Learn the risks of these drugs and how to use them safely.

A police officer may ask you to take a breath alcohol test if he believes you have been drinking and driving. But how does it work, and what do the results mean?

This powerful drug is used for pain relief and drug addiction. But it comes with some negative side effects and risks.

Learn more about the signs of this issue and how it’s treated.

Starting your new sober life can be tough, but a plan and the help of supportive friends and family can make it easier.

Find out more about the options for treating alcohol abuse, including detox, therapy, and medication.

If you've got a friend or loved one who drinks heavily, it can be hard to figure out what to do. Start here.

Just because you drink doesn't mean you have alcohol use disorder. Find out how to know if you have it.

From a traffic stop to a health emergency, you might get your blood alcohol level tested for any number of reasons. Find out when you might get one, what to expect, what the results mean, and when you can drive safely and legally.

If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s important to drink in moderation. Understand how heavy drinking can affect your health and when drinking is “risky.”

Learn how recreational marijuana use can affect your health. And find out if it's addictive.

WebMD has the details on popular street drugs, how they impact your body and mind, and how they can affect your health. Learn about newer drugs such as bath salts and flakka as well as those that have been around for decades.

WebMD explains the dangerous and addictive drug crystal meth.

Bloodshot eyes and mood changes are just two of several signs that someone may be abusing drugs. Learn to spot the telltale symptoms.

Naloxone can reverse overdoses from heroin and other painkillers. WebMD explains how this drug works and how it is used to save lives.

Heroin use is on the rise in the U.S. - and so are deaths from heroin overdoses. WebMD tells you what you need to know if you think a family member or friend is using it.

WebMD explains which medications are likely to interact poorly with alcohol - and the special vulnerability of older adults who mix drinking and prescription drugs.

If you drink heavily for a long time, you might have problems when you stop or cut back how much alcohol you drink. This is called alcohol withdrawal, and symptoms can range from mild to serious.

If you drink heavily and want to get under control, detox is usually the first step. Learn how to know if you need it, what the process is like, and your choices for detox and rehab programs.

Being addicted to opioid drugs goes beyond physical dependence. Counseling helps addicts stay clean and cope with life. Which type of therapy is right for someone with an addiction?

Staying in recovery after prescription drug abuse means coping with psychological addiction and craving. WebMD explains strategies to stay clean.

What are the symptoms of opioid addiction? How does dependence differ from addiction? Learn more about narcotic abuse.