Addiction

This is a physical condition. It's a change in your brain after you use a drug over and over again. Nerve cells in your brain, called "neurons," get used to the drug. They adapt to it. These cells begin to need the drug to function normally. And taking the drug away causes discomfort or pain. We call this "withdrawal."

Many people who have a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder. A person with depression may also abuse alcohol. A person who has schizophrenia may also be a drug user.

Addiction is a complex issue that involves the brain and the body. It also leads to a lot of poor choices, secrets and lies. For some, it's hard to understand why we call addiction a "disease." So let's take a few minutes to learn about it.

If you are concerned you may be addicted to alcohol, watch this video to ask yourself 10 questions and get the help you need.

Watch this video to learn to recognize the physical changes such as weight loss or weight gain and behavioral changes that come with an addiction to alcohol.

Watch this video to learn what defines Alcohol Addiction and the long-term effect of alcohol use on your brain and nervous system.

Watch this video to learn how to recognize the signs of an alcohol addiction.

Watch this video to learn more about what a functional alcoholic is and the resources available if you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction.

Watch this to learn what alcohol withdrawal means and what to expect.

Watch this to understand some of the symptoms, both physical and behavioral, of someone using Methamphetamine.

Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain. It affects how your brain learns and works. Once it is exposed to an addictive substance, your brain begins to change. These brain changes override your self-control.

The more you regularly rely on alcohol to relax you or make you feel good, the closer you move toward addiction. If you decide you are on the path to addiction, you can take action to change your behavior.

If you decide you are on the path to addiction, you can take action to change your behavior and find caring people to help you. Here are signs of a cocaine addiction.

If you decide you are on the path to addiction, you can change your behavior. Read on for some helpful questions to ask to help you understand your marijuana use.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a disease where a person becomes dependent on alcohol. Read on to learn about the risks and effects of AUD.

It's important to cut through alcoholism myths and learn the facts.

Alcoholism is a disease that does not respect boundaries. Unlike most other diseases, it afflicts not just individual people, but all the social systems alcoholics are a part of as well. These include friendships, family, workplace, and community.

Learn the facts about cocaine and its use.

Cocaine is a powerful drug. It acts strongly on the central nervous system. This causes a false feeling of well-being. Using this drug can be harmful. It can cause dependency. It can affect behavior and decisions. And it has many health risks.

Here are common signs of an alcohol addiction.

Not everyone who takes a drink or tries a drug has a substance abuse problem. But for some people, what starts as social use can lead to problem use and then addiction.

Withdrawal is what happens to your body if you're a heavy drinker and stop drinking alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can be mild to severe. How severe they are depends on how much alcohol you drink, how long you've been abusing alcohol, and if you have organ damage.

Alcohol is the drug most widely abused by kids. It's cheap, available, and many kids see their parents drinking at home. Kids don't know the health and personal risks of using alcohol.

The personal cost of using heroin can be devastating. But heroin abuse and addiction can be treated. If you or a loved one has a drug problem, there is help.

Children and young teens are most likely to use inhalants. That's because inhalants are legal and easy to get. In fact, you may have many of them in your home right now. Yet these common items can seriously affect your child's health. In some cases, they may be fatal. Learn the warning signs of inhalant abuse. You may help save your child's life.

Marijuana can cause many health problems. And it may affect how well you learn, think, and remember. If you or a loved one has a problem with marijuana, tell someone you trust. That's the first step in getting help.

Methamphetamine is a man-made illegal drug. It affects how the brain works. Here is information about meth and the risks associated with using the drug.

A helpful guide to understanding the effects of alcohol, the signs of problem drinking, and how to drink safely.

DXM is a common ingredient in many cough and cold remedies. It's also become a popular substance to abuse by teens searching for a cheap, easy high. Here's what you should know.

Learn more about GHB, a dangerous and addictive illegal drug. GHB produces a feeling of euphoria and hallucinations. It is popular with teens who go to all-night dance parties.

Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. But alcohol can affect older adults differently. Here's what you should know.

Genetics can play a part in whether you have problems with alcohol. But many other factors also have an influence. Here's what you should know.

Some seizures are caused by alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal usually begins after prolonged or heavy drinking for a number of days, and then you suddenly stop drinking, or cut down on your alcohol use. Seizures can also be directly caused by alcohol, even without withdrawal. Seizures may occur as soon as a few hours after your last drink or 1 to 2 days later.

Every 53 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from an alcohol-related vehicle crash. Almost one-third of all traffic-related deaths involve alcohol. Here's what you should know to drive safely.

Alcohol intoxication occurs when you drink alcohol faster than your liver can break it down. Here are key things to know about alcohol intoxication.

Alcoholic drinks are harmful when you have too many of them. There is no set number of drinks that defines too much. Drinking that disrupts your life or your health is called alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse can hurt your relationships with others. You may lose friends, a spouse, or even your job. Here are signs that you may be abusing alcohol.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition that leads to repeated and severe bouts of vomiting. It results from long-term use of marijuana).

When you think of addiction, you might think about drugs or alcohol. But there are other kinds of addictions, and all of them involve your health and well-being.

A substance-induced anxiety disorder is when a person has panic attacks or other anxiety symptoms caused by one or more substances.

Support is key for someone in recovery from an opioid addiction. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to understand what your role is. Your loved one's healthcare provider can help you.

This video is a patient story about Katie, who overcame opioid addiction.

For many, occasional gambling is a fun way to relax and enjoy some mild risk-taking. But for some, the urge to gamble is uncontrollable. If you have this disorder, you can't stop gambling. It is an addiction. Losing makes you want to place riskier and riskier bets. This can destroy your life.

Watch this program to learn how addiction affects the brain and the most common types of addiction.

Watch this program to learn about recovery person Dr. Gadhia-Smith's journey from addiction to sobriety.

Watch this video to learn the long-term and short-term health risks caused by Alcohol Use Disorder or Alcoholism.

Watch this video to help you or someone you know suffering with alcohol addiction reach out and get help.

When you start to lose control of your drinking, alcohol use turns into alcohol abuse. This can cause major problems in your life and your relationships. This sheet will help you see if you have a problem.

The best solution for a problem with an alcoholic family member requires changing what the nonalcoholic members are doing. By focusing on your own needs, refusing to enable, and getting help from outside, you can help start your family on the road to recovery.

Millions of people are significantly affected by somebody's else's drinking, and an immense resource network has developed to help deal with the problem. This network includes self-help groups, professional care facilities and practitioners, and information and referral services.

Recovery means making a new life for yourself. This includes finding new interests. It includes building new relationships. It means taking better care of yourself. These will all help you replace substance use with a new and healthier life.

The road to recovery can be tough. But working with a counselor can help make your recovery smoother and keep you on track.

Drug and alcohol abuse changes the brain in ways that continue long after the abuse ends. This is why people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are at risk for relapse. Here are some tips to prevent a relapse.

A peer support worker is a key member of your treatment team. This is someone who has successfully gone through their own recovery.

This video shows the 13 steps for giving an emergency shot of naloxone for an opioid overdose.

This drug is a nasal spray used for the fast treatment of opioid overdose. It reverses the effects of opioids for a short time. It can be given to people who are passed out and having breathing problems because of an overdose of opioids. It can wake them up and get them breathing again.

This is when you use alcohol or drugs in a way that harms you or puts you in danger. Abusing a substance can cause you to become dependent on it over time. You may feel powerless to stop using it. This can cause problems for you and your family. It can severely impact your life. It can be life threatening.

Opioids are addictive drugs. Whether it's medications prescribed by doctors, medications purchased illegally or the 'street drug' heroin they all have a direct impact on a person's brain. People can work with a healthcare team to manage their addiction.

When someone who is addicted to opioids starts recovery, the symptoms of withdrawal take effect immediately. There are mild to severe physical and mental symptoms that should be monitored by a healthcare professional.

When starting recovery from opioid addiction, it's important to first consult a healthcare provider. They can help you create a treatment plan for your symptoms of withdrawal that will include a combination of therapy and medication.

Lately, something just doesn't seem right. You think your loved one could be abusing opioids. But how can you tell? Keep an eye out for these subtle signs of opioid abuse.

There are resources for people who are struggling with an opioid addiction. It's important to reach out to a healthcare provider and to your loved ones for support.

Life after opioid addiction treatment can be managed with a combination of therapy, medication and support of family and friends. Finding a treatment plan that works for you can lower your risk of relapse.

This is a mental and physical need to drink alcohol. We also call it "alcohol dependence." It makes you want to drink alcohol even when it hurts you and others. This can cause chaos in your life. It can cause health problems.

Opioid addiction is overwhelming. It robs you of happiness and health. It can steal away your family and friends. But it is treatable. With the right support, you can beat opioid addiction. Let's learn about treatment options.

These days, many of us are connected online more often than we aren't. Smartphones, smart watches and laptops. Emails, instant messages and alerts. The internet is a part of everyday life. And for some people, it can become an addiction.

Watch this video to learn where you can get support to help you stop drinking including different treatment options.

Overcoming addiction takes help. Find help for you or a loved one battling addiction.

You have a substance abuse problem. You feel like it's taking over your life, and you need help. So let's learn about treatment.

When you become dependent on alcohol or a drug, you need to have it just to feel normal. If you abruptly cut your use (or stop taking it completely), your brain and body need time to adjust. This process can be difficult. You can have very unpleasant symptoms. These can be dangerous, and even life-threatening. We call this process "withdrawal."

It's hard to face a problem with alcohol. These resources can help.

If you are addicted to cocaine, you can get better. It means learning how to build a life with no drugs. Read on to learn how to get help.

Ask yourself the questions contained here. The answers can help you see where you might have problems caused by substance abuse. Then you can decide whether you're ready to do something about your use.

Facing your addiction problem takes courage and honesty. But there are many programs and people who can help you.

No single treatment for addiction works for everyone. The treatment that's best for you can depend on many factors. For many people, treatment may be a combination of medicine, behavior change, lifestyle changes, therapy, and support.

The best treatment for you will depend on your needs. But certain medicines along with behavioral therapy may help most. Detoxification is often the first step. It helps ease symptoms while your body adjusts to a drug-free state.

Because inhalants are often common household items, they are hard to control. Learn what to do if your child is abusing inhalants.

Treatment for addiction to drugs varies with your needs. Some people go through treatment only once. Others return to it off and on throughout their lives. Here are details about addiction recovery.

Drug addiction and alcohol addiction are chronic diseases that can be treated as successfully as many other chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.

Here are the 13 steps to give an emergency dose of naloxone nasal spray for an opioid overdose.

Understand the basics about take-home naloxone kits for opioid emergencies.

Follow instructions for giving naloxone nasal spray.