Substance Abuse and Addiction Medical Reference

LSD is a psychedelic drug that alters your mind and causes you to see, hear, and feel things that aren't there.

Ecstasy is a powerful synthetic drug that can affect your energy, mood, and perception. Learn about its effects, who uses it, and more.

DMT is a powerful psychedelic drug that can distort your sense of reality within minutes. Learn more about its effects, legal status, and more.

Phencyclidine (PCP), commonly called “angel dust,” is a type of drug that causes hallucinations. In high doses, it can cause serious health issues. Learn more.

Tranq (xylazine) is a type of animal tranquilizer that’s showing up in traces along with mainstream opioids like heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. If you overdose, it can cause life-threatening health problems. WebMD takes a look.

How long does marijuana stay in your system? Find out how to get marijuana out of your system and if edibles show up in drug tests.

Whippets are popular inhalant drugs. The nitrous oxide in whippets causes a high. But the side effects of this drug can be very dangerous. Learn more here.

Learn why it may be necessary for your loved one and how to prepare, along with the dos and don’ts.

Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food? Are you considering joining Overeaters Anonymous? Read on to find out all you need to know.

Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic drug that users believe has spiritual and healing properties. Learn how it works and what its effects are like.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a rare condition that causes severe nausea and vomiting in some heavy marijuana users. Learn more about it.

THC edibles can make children very sick. Find out how to keep kids safe.

These once-popular party drugs are making a comeback. Learn more about how they work and what the risks are.

What is fentanyl, why is it so addictive, and how can you manage withdrawal from it?

Clinical trials are testing deep brain stimulation (DBS) for people with hard-to-treat substance use disorders. What’s known about how it works.

This screening checks for traces of opioids in your urine, blood, or saliva. Learn more about how it works.

If you’re thinking about asking for help with drug or alcohol addiction, that’s great news. Here are some of the people you can reach out to.

Learn the best ways to help a loved one with opioid use disorder.

If you have opioid use disorder, you may wonder if vitamins or supplements could help you feel better or stop. Find out what the evidence says and what to make of the claims.

When it’s time to taper your opioids, it’s a good idea to take it slow. Learn more about how to do it safely.

NAD therapy is considered a dietary supplement and isn’t proven or approved to treat addiction. While there’s some evidence it might help, here’s what you should know before you decide to try it.

Naloxone and naltrexone are both opioid antagonists, but they’re not the same drug and they aren’t used for the same reasons.

Clinical trials could help prevent opioid misuse and develop effective treatments for those struggling with opioid misuse or addiction.

To avoid a relapse into opioid use disorder, it helps to know your triggers and how to avoid them.

Early intervention can help to prevent a substance use disorder from getting worse. Learn where to find these services and get help before specialty care is needed.

If you have an opioid use disorder, you’ll keep using opioids even if they are causing you harm. Learn more about treatment and where to find help.

Opioids are among the most addictive drugs, and beating that addiction isn’t easy. Learn how to avoid accidental opioid overdose if you relapse.

Those who are transgender or nonbinary are at higher risk of substance misuse. Discrimination can lead to mental health challenges that play a role.

Learn about how often opioid addiction affects different groups and why.

Over 21 million Americans have at least one addiction. But only 10% get treatment. Here are some reasons why.

If you’re in treatment for opioid use disorder, your doctor may prescribe Suboxone. Learn how this medication can help you stay in therapy and recover.

What happens at a meeting of Narcotics Anonymous? Find out how this program can fit into your substance abuse recovery plan.

Mixing opioids and benzodiazepines can be a dangerous combination. Here’s what to know if you take both of these drugs.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is when a baby goes through withdrawal from drugs they were exposed to in the womb. Learn about possible complications.

What is the difference between tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction? Learn about these levels of drug use.

Buprenorphine as part of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) may help you avoid overdose and prevent relapse. Here’s what you need to know about this drug.

Do you use drugs? Here’s why it’s important to tell your ER doctor and why it won’t get you in trouble with the law.

If you have an addiction disorder but are uninsured, there are ways to get help getting clean without breaking the bank.

When you stop using opioid, it’s common to have cravings. Here are some tips to help you stay on track with your recovery.

If you have OUD and aren’t using illegal drugs, you have civil rights across federal, state, and local levels. Learn which laws protect you, and how.

How do your genes and your environment interact to influence your likelihood of drug addiction? Here’s what researchers are learning.

Street drugs are often laced with fentanyl. Learn how test strips can help you prevent an overdose.

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) happens when you stop using opioids. Here’s what to expect and how to best handle it.

Health care providers have many tools to help assess whether your use of alcohol or drugs is risky or has crossed the line into harm. Here’s what to expect.

People who have used or still use opioids, and even those in treatment, often feel judged. Learn more about stigma and how to decrease it.

Doctors use methadone to treat opioid use disorders and pain. But it can be misused. Learn more about the risks of addiction.

Alcohol-related deaths are a leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Here’s why.

Hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC, is a cannabinoid that creates heady effects. Find out more about the research and the risks.

Substance misuse has adverse effects on our overall health, especially on the eyes. Learn about this condition today.