Substance Abuse and Addiction Medical Reference

Find out more about how opioid withdrawal can affect your body.

Alcohol affects your brain, your mood, and your digestive tract. How much, and even the type, of alcohol you drink can change your bowel movements.

Find out more about this plant that’s traditionally been used as medicine but is now being used as a recreational drug as well.

It can be hard to tell when a love of gaming has crossed into the danger zone. Learn the warning signs that can alert you to a problem.

Drinking too much alcohol regularly can damage your body and your brain. Find out what can happen, and how to get help.

Binge drinking is defined as excessive alcohol use in a short amount of time, usually more than 5 drinks. Learn about the adverse health effects of binge drinking at WebMD.

Find out the symptoms, complications, and treatment of alcohol poisoning, also known as an alcohol overdose, and learn what to do in an emergency if you think it's happening to someone you're with.

Alcohol use disorder is a progressive disease. Recognizing the symptoms and the stages of the disease can help you, or someone you know, start on the road to recovery.

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.

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

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

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.