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Find timely topics, written for teens, that apply the science of drug use to real life - the effects of drugs on the teen's brain, body, and life.

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Also known as: Bold (nitrites), Laughing gas (nitrous oxide), Poppers (amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite), Rush (nitrites), Snappers (amyl nitrite), Whippets (fluorinated hydrocarbons)

Inhalants are chemicals found in ordinary household or workplace products that people inhale on purpose to get "high." People often don't realize that inhaling the fumes of these products, even just once, can be very harmful to the brain and body and can lead to death. In fact, the chemicals found in these products can change the way the brain works and cause other problems in the body.

Although different inhalants cause different effects, they generally fall into one of four categories.

Volatile solvents are liquids that become a gas at room temperature. They are found in:

paint thinner, nail polish remover, degreaser, dry-cleaning fluid, gasoline, and contact cement

some art or office supplies, such as correction fluid, felt-tip marker fluid, glue, and electronic contact cleaner

Aerosols are substances under pressure that are released as a fine spray. They include:

spray paint, hair spray, deodorant spray, vegetable oil sprays, and fabric protector spray

Gases may be in household or commercial products, or used in the medical field to provide pain relief. They are found in:

butane lighters, propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers, and refrigerant gases

anesthesia, including ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (commonly called "laughing gas").

Nitrites are often sold in small brown bottles labeled as:

organic nitrites, such as amyl, butyl, and cyclohexyl nitrites and other related compounds

amyl nitrite, used in the past by doctors to help with chest pain and sometimes used today to diagnose heart problems

nitrites, now banned (prohibited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission) but can still be found, sold in small bottles labeled as "video head cleaner," "room odorizer," "leather cleaner," or "liquid aroma."

How Inhalants Are Used
People who use inhalants breathe in the fumes through their nose or mouth, usually by "sniffing," "snorting," "bagging," or "huffing." It's called different names depending on the substance and equipment used.

The lungs absorb inhaled chemicals into the bloodstream very quickly, sending them throughout the brain and body. Nearly all inhalants (except nitrites) produce a "high" by slowing down brain activity. Nitrites, in contrast, expand and relax blood vessels.

Many brain systems may be involved in producing effects of different inhalants. Knowing how the brain functions helps us understand what happens during drug use.

Inhalants often contain more than one chemical. Some chemicals leave the body quickly, but others stay for a long time and get absorbed by fatty tissues in the brain and central nervous system. Over the long term, the chemicals can cause serious problems:

Damage to nerve fibers. Long-term inhalant use can break down the protective sheath around certain nerve fibers in the brain and elsewhere in the body. This hurts the ability of nerve cells to send messages, which can cause muscle spasms and tremors or even permanent trouble with basic actions like walking, bending, and talking. These effects are similar to what happens to people with the disease multiple sclerosis.

Damage to brain cells. Inhalants also can damage brain cells by preventing them from getting enough oxygen. The effects of this condition, also known as brain hypoxia, depend on the area of the brain that gets damaged. The hippocampus, for example, is responsible for memory, so someone who repeatedly uses inhalants may be unable to learn new things or may have a hard time carrying on simple conversations. If the cerebral cortex is damaged, it will affect a person's ability to solve complex problems and plan ahead. And, if the cerebellum is affected, it can cause a person to move slowly or be clumsy.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs.
Short-Term Effects
Inhalants can cause the following health effects:

confusion

upset stomach

slurred speech

lack of coordination

dizziness

lightheadedness

hallucinations/delusions

headache

intense feelings of joy

sudden sniffing death due to the heart stopping

death from suffocation, seizures, coma, or choking

Long-Term Effects of Specific Chemicals
Depending on the type of inhalant used, the harmful health effects will differ. Different types of inhalants and their possible effects are described below:

Amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite (poppers, video head cleaner)

sudden sniffing death

weakened immune system

damage to red blood cells (interfering with oxygen supply to vital tissues)

Benzene (gasoline)

bone marrow damage

weakened immune system

increased risk of leukemia (a form of cancer)

reproductive system complications

Butane, propane (lighter fluid, hair and paint sprays)

sudden sniffing death from heart effects

serious burn injuries

Freon - difluoroethane substitutes (refrigerant and aerosol propellant)

sudden sniffing death

breathing problems and death (from sudden cooling of airways)

liver damage

Methylenelchloride (paint thinners and removers, degreasers)

reduced ability of blood to carry oxygen to the brain and body

changes to heart muscle and heartbeat

Nitrous oxide, hexane ("laughing gas")

death from lack of oxygen to the brain

altered perception and motor coordination

loss of sensation

spasms

blackouts caused by blood pressure changes

depression of heart muscle functioning

Toluene (gasoline, paint thinners and removers, correction fluid)

brain damage (loss of brain tissue, impaired thinking, loss of coordination, limb spasms, hearing and vision loss)

liver and kidney damage

Tricholoroethylene (spot removers, degreasers)

sudden sniffing death

liver disease

reproductive problems

hearing and vision loss

Signs of Inhalant Use
Sometimes you can see signs that tell you a person is using inhalants, such as:

chemical odors on breath or clothing

paint or other stains on the face, hands, or clothing

hidden empty spray paint or solvent containers, or rags or clothing soaked with chemicals

drunk or disoriented actions

slurred speech

nausea (feeling sick) or loss of appetite and weight loss

confusion, inattentiveness, lack of coordination, irritability, and depression

purchase of excessive amounts of products used as inhalants

Yes, using inhalants can cause death, even after just one use, by:

sudden sniffing death-heart beats quickly and irregularly, and then suddenly stops (cardiac arrest)

asphyxiation-toxic fumes replace oxygen in the lungs so that a person stops breathing

suffocation-air is blocked from entering the lungs when inhaling fumes from a plastic bag placed over the head

convulsions or seizures-abnormal electrical discharges in the brain

coma-the brain shuts down all but the most vital functions

choking-inhaling vomit after inhalant use

injuries-accidents, including driving, while intoxicated

It isn't common, but addiction can happen. Some people, particularly those who use inhalants a lot and for a long time, report a strong need to continue using inhalants. Using inhalants over and over again can cause mild withdrawal when stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can include:

upset stomach

loss of appetite

sweating

problems sleeping

mood changs

Inhalants are often among the first drugs that young adolescents use. In fact, they are one of the few classes of drugs that are used more by younger adolescents than older ones. Inhalant use can become chronic and continue into adulthood.

Below is a chart showing the percentage of teens who use inhalants.

Swipe left or right to scroll.

For more statistics on teen drug use, see NIDA's Monitoring the Future study.

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.
NIDA Resources:
Educator Resources:

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Also known as: Bold (nitrites), Laughing gas (nitrous oxide), Poppers (amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite), Rush (nitrites), Snappers (amyl nitrite), Whippets (fluorinated hydrocarbons) Inhalants are chemicals found in ordinary household or workplace products that people inhale on purpose to get "high."

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Scholastic Inc. has partnered with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to create Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body. This science-based education series provides teachers and students with innovative materials about the effects of drugs and drug abuse on the brain and body.

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Focus Areas of Substance Use Research

Explore All of NIDA's Research Topics

Drug Use and Addiction

Learn how science has deepened our understanding of drug use and its impact on individual and public health.

See More Topics See Fewer Topics

People and Places

NIDA research supports people affected by substance use and addiction throughout the lifespan and across communities.

Research by Substance

Find evidence-based information on specific drugs and substance use disorders.

See More Topics See Fewer Topics

Drug Use and Addiction

Learn how science has deepened our understanding of drug use and its impact on individual and public health.

See More Topics See Fewer Topics

People and Places

NIDA research supports people affected by substance use and addiction throughout the lifespan and across communities.

Research by Substance

Find evidence-based information on specific drugs and substance use disorders.

See More Topics See Fewer Topics

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Research Topics | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Focus Areas of Substance Use Research Learn how science has deepened our understanding of drug use and its impact on individual and public health. See More Topics See Fewer Topics NIDA research supports people affected by substance use and addiction throughout the lifespan and across communities.

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10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs & Health

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10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs & Health

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At the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), our goal is to help people get accurate, science-based information about drugs and health. For the past decade, researchers at NIDA have set aside a Chat Day each year during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week ® to answer questions teens have about drugs and health. We've compiled teens' 10 frequently asked questions from more than 118,000 queries we've received to help you start a conversation about drugs and health. It's okay if some of this information is news to you-lots of other people are asking, too!

10. Why do people take drugs when they know they're bad?

Every day we make choices that affect our health. People take drugs for a lot of different reasons, like to deal with life's challenges, to escape from reality, to relieve pain, or to try to fit in-just to name a few.

Some people can be aware of the negative effects of drugs on their health and in their life and still struggle to stop using them. This is because repeated drug use can lead to changes in the brain that make it hard to stop using them, even when people want to stop. When this happens, the person is experiencing a medical problem known as substance use disorder. Addiction is a severe form of substance use disorder.

All addictive drugs cause the brain to release the chemical dopamine. Dopamine is usually released after pleasurable and satisfying activities. Dopamine causes the brain to remember rewards, like food and sex, and reinforces the desire to seek them out again. Repeatedly using a drug floods the brain with more dopamine, which can change the way the brain responds to that drug.

With repeated use, a greater quantity of drug is needed to produce the same pleasurable effect. When the drug is not available, people may experience the negative symptoms of withdrawal, which may include stress, anxiety, depression, and sometimes physical symptoms such as sweating, vomiting and pain. Repeated cycles of drug use and withdrawal can disrupt brain function to the extent that people may have difficultly experiencing pleasure in their daily lives. At this point, many people continue drug use to avoid the lows caused by withdrawal rather than seek the highs they once experienced.

Fortunately, treatment can help people with a substance use disorder counteract these disruptive effects and lead healthier lives. The sooner a person receives treatment, the better the chance that they will recover.

9. What are the effects of drugs like Xanax® and Percocet®?

Xanax® and Percocet® are both brand names of prescription drugs. Both can help treat certain medical conditions when used as directed by a doctor, but they have the potential to be misused. They work in the brain in different ways:

Xanax®, or alprazolam, is a prescription depressant that helps produce a calming effect. Many people experience anxiety disorders and have difficulty sleeping, and prescription depressants can help treat these symptoms.

Percocet® is prescribed to treat severe pain from serious injuries or after surgery. It contains the analgesics (pain relievers) acetaminophen (the same drug as in Tylenol®) and oxycodone, which is an opioid analgesic. Opioids affect the brain's reward circuit, causing euphoria (the high), and flooding the brain with the chemical messenger (dopamine) which reinforces the brain to seek out the drug again.

Xanax® and Percocet® can cause severe adverse health effects, including overdose, if taken in large quantities or if taken with certain other drugs. Large doses of acetaminophen in Percocet® can also cause life-threatening liver damage. If you are prescribed these drugs, carefully follow your clinician's instructions, and do not share them with others.

8. What are bath salts?

When teens ask us about bath salts, we understand that they're probably not referring to Epsom salt for a relaxing time in the tub. They're talking about synthetic cathinones, which are stimulants made in labs. Bath salts and similar drugs cause extreme wakefulness and elevated heart and breathing rates. Many people seek out these drugs because they are viewed as a cheaper substitute for stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.

Using bath salts can cause severe intoxication, hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, and addiction. Serious health effects including dehydration and kidney problems can also occur. An additional danger of taking these synthetic drugs is that they might contain other substances with their own harmful effects, including life-threatening overdoses.

Bath salts are usually white or brown crystal-like powder that are ingested in several ways, though snorting or injecting these drugs further increases the risk of harmful effects.

Despite their health risks, some of these drugs are sold legally in stores or online in small plastic or foil packages with the words, "Not for human consumption." In addition to "bath salts," synthetic cathinones are sometimes labeled as "plant food," "research chemicals," or "glass cleaner."

7. Can you get addicted to ADHD meds?

Many teens who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) take prescription stimulants like Adderall® or Ritalin® to help treat their symptoms. When taken as directed, these medications can be helpful and safe, and have a very low risk for addiction. If your doctor prescribes stimulants, it's important to follow the instructions and to discuss any concerns about addiction or dependence.

Sometimes people who don't have ADHD take drugs like Adderall® or Ritalin® in an attempt to get high, to stay awake longer, or to stay focused while studying. According to the Monitoring the Future annual survey on teen drug use, there was a significant increase in the misuse of the ADHD medicine Adderall® among 8th graders from 2015 to 2020.

This can be especially harmful because people often take these medications at a higher dose or through a different route than prescribed. Misusing ADHD medications can cause headaches, nausea, feeling anxious, and sleeping problems. Misusing prescription stimulants can also lead to addiction. These drugs can also make you feel paranoid, cause your body temperature to get dangerously high, and make your heart beat too fast. While stimulants may help with a lack of focus in some people, they may diminish other skills (like creative thinking).

6. Is vaping bad for you even if it's just flavoring?

It can be. Research shows that many teens and young adults don't realize that the flavors they use actually can contain nicotine, an addictive compound found in tobacco. Many vapes also contain propylene glycol, glycerin, chemical flavorings, and other compounds with unknown health effects. As a result, people who vape-even just flavoring-may inhale and ingest potentially harmful chemicals.

Recent studies showed that students who had already used any type of e-cigarette by the time they started 9th grade were more likely than others to start smoking cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year. And we know that cigarette smoking is a leading cause of cancer and other illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarettes cause more than 480,000 premature deaths in the United States each year-from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. This represents about 1 in every 5 U.S. deaths, or 1,300 deaths every day.

Other vaping products can also cause harm. In 2020, thousands of people got sick and dozens died from an illness called EVALI, which stands for e-cigarette or vaping-use associated lung injury. Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing vaping products, is strongly linked to EVALI. When heated and inhaled, vitamin E acetate can damage the lungs.

5. How can I help someone with a problem stop taking drugs? How can I help if they don't want help?

Asking how to help someone who may have a substance use disorder to stop taking drugs is one of the most common things we hear from both adults and teens. Fortunately, there are resources to help people affected by a friend or family member's substance use or substance use disorder.

NIDA's Step-by-Step Guides have resources and information on how to recognize a substance use disorder and how to find help. NIDA for Teens has additional resources to find help for teens.

Supporting a loved one through a struggle with substance use can be difficult for adults and teens alike. This process can be especially complicated when someone is resistant to getting help. While you may not have control over someone else's substance use, support is available to cope with how that substance use may affect you.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA) operates the National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish). SAMHSA has resources available online for families coping with mental and substance use disorders and also provides a confidential online treatment locator.

If someone is experiencing an overdose, mental health crisis, or another emergency, call 9-1-1.

4. If a pregnant woman takes drugs/smokes/drinks alcohol, what happens to her baby?

Pregnancy is an important time to maintain or adopt healthy behaviors. Decades of research show exposure to certain substances can be unsafe for the health of the woman and the baby. Many drugs, including opioids, alcohol, and stimulants, have been associated with harm to the developing fetus. Using or being exposed to some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother. A 2013 study found the risk of stillbirth was 2 to 3 times greater in women whose blood tests showed exposure to tobacco and about 2 times greater in women whose blood tests showed exposure to cannabis, stimulants, or prescription pain relievers.2 Pregnant women should refrain from drinking alcohol and talk with their health care provider before using any medicines or drugs.

3. Can marijuana be used as medicine?

Although the medical use of marijuana is legal in many states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not determined that the marijuana plant is safe and effective for treating any disease or condition and has not approved it as a medicine.

Although the marijuana plant has not been approved as medicine, the FDA has approved formulations of two of the components of marijuana-THC and CBD-as medicine for specific conditions. THC, which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for marijuana's "high", the euphoric and addictive effects of the drug. CBD, or cannabidiol, does not produce a high and has not been shown to lead to addiction.

CBD derived from the marijuana plant has been approved for seizures associated with specific disorders, and laboratory-made THC has been approved to help with appetite in people with AIDS and to treat nausea associated with chemotherapy for people with cancer. Although not available in the United States, a combination of plant-derived THC and CBD has been approved in multiple countries to treat some symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The National Institutes of Health, including NIDA, continue to support research on the potential medical uses of marijuana and its components. Currently, however, marijuana products (including CBD) are being marketed as treatments for many conditions for which there is insufficient or no evidence of their safety or effectiveness.

2. Which is more habit-forming - smoking cigarettes or vaping nicotine?

Nicotine in any form is highly addictive, and many who start using one form of nicotine transition to another.

NIDA's 2020 Monitoring the Future survey showed that the number of teens who say they vape nicotine has leveled off but remains high. The number of teens who say they smoked cigarettes in the past month declined significantly since the mid-1990s and is now at or near the lowest it ever has been. Because both smoking and vaping are so addictive, it is helpful to speak with a doctor when trying to quit either. A good strategy is never to start.
And the question we receive most often from teens is ...

1. What is the worst drug?

It's only natural to want to know what's best or worst, good or bad. That's why we love these types of lists! But in the case of drugs and alcohol, there isn't a "worst" just as there isn't a "best" drug.

We don't define drugs as most or least harmful. All drugs have the potential to produce negative health effects or lead to a dangerous situation in the short or long term. Whether a drug causes a serious health issue-like a life-threatening overdose -can depend on how much a person uses, how they consume it, and other factors.

However, some drugs are so potent that a life-threatening overdose can occur the first time a person uses them. For example, the synthetic opioid fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Because fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (Molly), fentanyl may be ingested unknowingly at unknown quantities, which can lead to overdose. Injecting potent drugs can be particularly dangerous because this route delivers the compounds more directly to the brain than ingesting or snorting drugs. Injection also carries the risks of injury and infection.

Similarly, some drugs are more frequently associated with addiction and dependence than others. For example, more than half of people who regularly use cigarettes meet the criteria for a tobacco use disorder, while only about 1 in 11 people who regularly use marijuana (cannabis) meet the criteria for a cannabis use disorder. Certain drugs can have a stronger effect on the brain than others. Research has shown that methamphetamine, in particular, may damage cells and structures within the brain that can cause long-term problems with emotion and memory.

Certain physical or mental illnesses, as well as family health history, also influence someone's chances of developing an addiction or other negative health effects of drug use. Age is an especially important factor when calculating the risks of substance use. Because the brain develops through a person's mid-twenties, teens and young adults tend to be more vulnerable to negative health effects of many drugs. All of this means certain substances may pose different risks to different people in different situations.

Going by the numbers, determining the deadliest drug also depends on perspective.

In 2019, an estimated 70,630 people died from a drug-involved overdose in the United States. The most common drugs associated with these fatal overdoses were synthetic opioids, including the highly potent synthetic opioid fentanyl.

However, the long-term health effects of cigarette smoking are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year. That's about 1,300 deaths every day.

And alcohol is the substance most frequently involved in deadly car crashes. Nearly one person died every 52 minutes from drunk driving crashes in 2019.

To put it simply, what's the "worst" drug isn't an easy question to answer, and it's important to understand the risks of any substance. NIDA supports research to help us understand the effect of drugs on the brain, how to prevent people from starting to use drugs, and how to help them if they have substance use disorder. And NIDA for Teens has resources available to help teens learn about specific substances, mental health, and their growing brains.

References

1. Leventhal AM, Strong DR, Kirkpatrick MG, et al. Association of electronic cigarette use with initiation of combustible tobacco product smoking in early adolescence. JAMA. 2015;314(7):700-707. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.8950

2. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/pages/121113-stillbirth-drug-use.aspx. Published December 11, 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health. Smoking and Tobacco Use, Fast Facts.
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm#:~:text=Cigarette%20smoking%20is%20responsible%20for,or%201%2C300%20deaths%20every%20day.&text= On%20average%2C%20smokers%20die%2010%20years%20earlier%20than%20nonsmokers.

4. United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Risky Driving, Drunk Driving.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving

5. Hedegaard H. Miniño AM, Warner M. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 1999-2019. NCHS Data Brief, no 394. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db394.htm#:~:text=In%202019%2C%2070%2C630%20 drug%20overdose,standard%20population%20(Figure%201) Accessed March 2021

10. Why do people take drugs when they know they're bad?

Every day we make choices that affect our health. People take drugs for a lot of different reasons, like to deal with life's challenges, to escape from reality, to relieve pain, or to try to fit in-just to name a few.

Some people can be aware of the negative effects of drugs on their health and in their life and still struggle to stop using them. This is because repeated drug use can lead to changes in the brain that make it hard to stop using them, even when people want to stop. When this happens, the person is experiencing a medical problem known as substance use disorder. Addiction is a severe form of substance use disorder.

All addictive drugs cause the brain to release the chemical dopamine. Dopamine is usually released after pleasurable and satisfying activities. Dopamine causes the brain to remember rewards, like food and sex, and reinforces the desire to seek them out again. Repeatedly using a drug floods the brain with more dopamine, which can change the way the brain responds to that drug.

With repeated use, a greater quantity of drug is needed to produce the same pleasurable effect. When the drug is not available, people may experience the negative symptoms of withdrawal, which may include stress, anxiety, depression, and sometimes physical symptoms such as sweating, vomiting and pain. Repeated cycles of drug use and withdrawal can disrupt brain function to the extent that people may have difficultly experiencing pleasure in their daily lives. At this point, many people continue drug use to avoid the lows caused by withdrawal rather than seek the highs they once experienced.

Fortunately, treatment can help people with a substance use disorder counteract these disruptive effects and lead healthier lives. The sooner a person receives treatment, the better the chance that they will recover.

9. What are the effects of drugs like Xanax® and Percocet®?

Xanax® and Percocet® are both brand names of prescription drugs. Both can help treat certain medical conditions when used as directed by a doctor, but they have the potential to be misused. They work in the brain in different ways:

Xanax®, or alprazolam, is a prescription depressant that helps produce a calming effect. Many people experience anxiety disorders and have difficulty sleeping, and prescription depressants can help treat these symptoms.

Percocet® is prescribed to treat severe pain from serious injuries or after surgery. It contains the analgesics (pain relievers) acetaminophen (the same drug as in Tylenol®) and oxycodone, which is an opioid analgesic. Opioids affect the brain's reward circuit, causing euphoria (the high), and flooding the brain with the chemical messenger (dopamine) which reinforces the brain to seek out the drug again.

Xanax® and Percocet® can cause severe adverse health effects, including overdose, if taken in large quantities or if taken with certain other drugs. Large doses of acetaminophen in Percocet® can also cause life-threatening liver damage. If you are prescribed these drugs, carefully follow your clinician's instructions, and do not share them with others.

8. What are bath salts?

When teens ask us about bath salts, we understand that they're probably not referring to Epsom salt for a relaxing time in the tub. They're talking about synthetic cathinones, which are stimulants made in labs. Bath salts and similar drugs cause extreme wakefulness and elevated heart and breathing rates. Many people seek out these drugs because they are viewed as a cheaper substitute for stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.

Using bath salts can cause severe intoxication, hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, and addiction. Serious health effects including dehydration and kidney problems can also occur. An additional danger of taking these synthetic drugs is that they might contain other substances with their own harmful effects, including life-threatening overdoses.

Bath salts are usually white or brown crystal-like powder that are ingested in several ways, though snorting or injecting these drugs further increases the risk of harmful effects.

Despite their health risks, some of these drugs are sold legally in stores or online in small plastic or foil packages with the words, "Not for human consumption." In addition to "bath salts," synthetic cathinones are sometimes labeled as "plant food," "research chemicals," or "glass cleaner."

7. Can you get addicted to ADHD meds?

Many teens who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) take prescription stimulants like Adderall® or Ritalin® to help treat their symptoms. When taken as directed, these medications can be helpful and safe, and have a very low risk for addiction. If your doctor prescribes stimulants, it's important to follow the instructions and to discuss any concerns about addiction or dependence.

Sometimes people who don't have ADHD take drugs like Adderall® or Ritalin® in an attempt to get high, to stay awake longer, or to stay focused while studying. According to the Monitoring the Future annual survey on teen drug use, there was a significant increase in the misuse of the ADHD medicine Adderall® among 8th graders from 2015 to 2020.

This can be especially harmful because people often take these medications at a higher dose or through a different route than prescribed. Misusing ADHD medications can cause headaches, nausea, feeling anxious, and sleeping problems. Misusing prescription stimulants can also lead to addiction. These drugs can also make you feel paranoid, cause your body temperature to get dangerously high, and make your heart beat too fast. While stimulants may help with a lack of focus in some people, they may diminish other skills (like creative thinking).

6. Is vaping bad for you even if it's just flavoring?

It can be. Research shows that many teens and young adults don't realize that the flavors they use actually can contain nicotine, an addictive compound found in tobacco. Many vapes also contain propylene glycol, glycerin, chemical flavorings, and other compounds with unknown health effects. As a result, people who vape-even just flavoring-may inhale and ingest potentially harmful chemicals.

Recent studies showed that students who had already used any type of e-cigarette by the time they started 9th grade were more likely than others to start smoking cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year. And we know that cigarette smoking is a leading cause of cancer and other illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarettes cause more than 480,000 premature deaths in the United States each year-from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. This represents about 1 in every 5 U.S. deaths, or 1,300 deaths every day.

Other vaping products can also cause harm. In 2020, thousands of people got sick and dozens died from an illness called EVALI, which stands for e-cigarette or vaping-use associated lung injury. Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing vaping products, is strongly linked to EVALI. When heated and inhaled, vitamin E acetate can damage the lungs.

5. How can I help someone with a problem stop taking drugs? How can I help if they don't want help?

Asking how to help someone who may have a substance use disorder to stop taking drugs is one of the most common things we hear from both adults and teens. Fortunately, there are resources to help people affected by a friend or family member's substance use or substance use disorder.

NIDA's Step-by-Step Guides have resources and information on how to recognize a substance use disorder and how to find help. NIDA for Teens has additional resources to find help for teens.

Supporting a loved one through a struggle with substance use can be difficult for adults and teens alike. This process can be especially complicated when someone is resistant to getting help. While you may not have control over someone else's substance use, support is available to cope with how that substance use may affect you.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA) operates the National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish). SAMHSA has resources available online for families coping with mental and substance use disorders and also provides a confidential online treatment locator.

If someone is experiencing an overdose, mental health crisis, or another emergency, call 9-1-1.

4. If a pregnant woman takes drugs/smokes/drinks alcohol, what happens to her baby?

Pregnancy is an important time to maintain or adopt healthy behaviors. Decades of research show exposure to certain substances can be unsafe for the health of the woman and the baby. Many drugs, including opioids, alcohol, and stimulants, have been associated with harm to the developing fetus. Using or being exposed to some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother. A 2013 study found the risk of stillbirth was 2 to 3 times greater in women whose blood tests showed exposure to tobacco and about 2 times greater in women whose blood tests showed exposure to cannabis, stimulants, or prescription pain relievers.2 Pregnant women should refrain from drinking alcohol and talk with their health care provider before using any medicines or drugs.

3. Can marijuana be used as medicine?

Although the medical use of marijuana is legal in many states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not determined that the marijuana plant is safe and effective for treating any disease or condition and has not approved it as a medicine.

Although the marijuana plant has not been approved as medicine, the FDA has approved formulations of two of the components of marijuana-THC and CBD-as medicine for specific conditions. THC, which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for marijuana's "high", the euphoric and addictive effects of the drug. CBD, or cannabidiol, does not produce a high and has not been shown to lead to addiction.

CBD derived from the marijuana plant has been approved for seizures associated with specific disorders, and laboratory-made THC has been approved to help with appetite in people with AIDS and to treat nausea associated with chemotherapy for people with cancer. Although not available in the United States, a combination of plant-derived THC and CBD has been approved in multiple countries to treat some symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The National Institutes of Health, including NIDA, continue to support research on the potential medical uses of marijuana and its components. Currently, however, marijuana products (including CBD) are being marketed as treatments for many conditions for which there is insufficient or no evidence of their safety or effectiveness.

2. Which is more habit-forming - smoking cigarettes or vaping nicotine?

Nicotine in any form is highly addictive, and many who start using one form of nicotine transition to another.

NIDA's 2020 Monitoring the Future survey showed that the number of teens who say they vape nicotine has leveled off but remains high. The number of teens who say they smoked cigarettes in the past month declined significantly since the mid-1990s and is now at or near the lowest it ever has been. Because both smoking and vaping are so addictive, it is helpful to speak with a doctor when trying to quit either. A good strategy is never to start.
And the question we receive most often from teens is ...

1. What is the worst drug?

It's only natural to want to know what's best or worst, good or bad. That's why we love these types of lists! But in the case of drugs and alcohol, there isn't a "worst" just as there isn't a "best" drug.

We don't define drugs as most or least harmful. All drugs have the potential to produce negative health effects or lead to a dangerous situation in the short or long term. Whether a drug causes a serious health issue-like a life-threatening overdose -can depend on how much a person uses, how they consume it, and other factors.

However, some drugs are so potent that a life-threatening overdose can occur the first time a person uses them. For example, the synthetic opioid fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Because fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (Molly), fentanyl may be ingested unknowingly at unknown quantities, which can lead to overdose. Injecting potent drugs can be particularly dangerous because this route delivers the compounds more directly to the brain than ingesting or snorting drugs. Injection also carries the risks of injury and infection.

Similarly, some drugs are more frequently associated with addiction and dependence than others. For example, more than half of people who regularly use cigarettes meet the criteria for a tobacco use disorder, while only about 1 in 11 people who regularly use marijuana (cannabis) meet the criteria for a cannabis use disorder. Certain drugs can have a stronger effect on the brain than others. Research has shown that methamphetamine, in particular, may damage cells and structures within the brain that can cause long-term problems with emotion and memory.

Certain physical or mental illnesses, as well as family health history, also influence someone's chances of developing an addiction or other negative health effects of drug use. Age is an especially important factor when calculating the risks of substance use. Because the brain develops through a person's mid-twenties, teens and young adults tend to be more vulnerable to negative health effects of many drugs. All of this means certain substances may pose different risks to different people in different situations.

Going by the numbers, determining the deadliest drug also depends on perspective.

In 2019, an estimated 70,630 people died from a drug-involved overdose in the United States. The most common drugs associated with these fatal overdoses were synthetic opioids, including the highly potent synthetic opioid fentanyl.

However, the long-term health effects of cigarette smoking are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year. That's about 1,300 deaths every day.

And alcohol is the substance most frequently involved in deadly car crashes. Nearly one person died every 52 minutes from drunk driving crashes in 2019.

To put it simply, what's the "worst" drug isn't an easy question to answer, and it's important to understand the risks of any substance. NIDA supports research to help us understand the effect of drugs on the brain, how to prevent people from starting to use drugs, and how to help them if they have substance use disorder. And NIDA for Teens has resources available to help teens learn about specific substances, mental health, and their growing brains.

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10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health | NIDA for Teens

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At the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), our goal is to help people get accurate, science-based information about drugs and health. For the past decade, researchers at NIDA have set aside a Chat Day each year during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week ® to answer questions teens have about drugs and health.

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Anatomy of the Oral Cavity

In collaboration with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

How does drug use affect the mouth?

When dentists say, "open wide," they can see a treasure trove of information about your overall health. Your mouth can give the dentist clues about your eating habits, oral hygiene, and other behaviors such as smoking and drug use.

Using drugs can harm your teeth and gums, the roof of your mouth (the hard palate and soft palate); the area under the tongue (floor of your mouth), the lining of your cheeks; the tongue; lips; salivary glands; chewing muscles; and jaw joint. ¹

Studies show that people with substance use problems have worse oral (mouth) health than other people, including more tooth decay and gum disease. ²

What are the effects of other drugs on the mouth?

Many drugs affect the mouth, including illegal drugs that people take to get high. These effects include:

Dry mouth. A common side effect of some drugs is that a person's mouth does not make enough saliva. When someone has dry mouth regularly, it can be difficult to chew, swallow, or even talk. Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay or fungal infections in the mouth because saliva helps keep harmful germs in check.³

Tooth decay. Some drugs cause an increased urge for sugary snacks and drinks. If you eat frequently throughout the day-especially high-sugar snacks and drinks-you can develop cavities.

Jaw pain from clenching teeth. Drugs that work as stimulants, like methamphetamine, cocaine, and Ecstasy ("Molly"), can make a person clench and grind teeth. Over time, this can lead to loose, chipped, or worn teeth, or pain in the jaw muscles and joint.

Erosion of tooth enamel. Sometimes people rub cocaine on their gums and near their teeth to get high. The mixture of cocaine and saliva is acidic, which can cause erosion of tooth enamel (the protective outer layer of the tooth). It can also cause sores on the gums.

What about prescription drugs such as opioids?

Dentists and oral surgeons most often prescribe opioids to manage dental pain that lasts for a short time, called "acute pain." The short-term pain from dental surgery such as wisdom tooth extraction is an example of acute pain. Dentists rarely prescribe opioids for long-term pain, called "chronic pain."

When taken for a short time and used as prescribed, opioid pain medications are relatively safe and can reduce pain. However, when used incorrectly, they can increase the risk of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths.

In 2016, the American Dental Association issued recommendations for dentists about prescribing opioids. The recommendations say dentists should consider a type of pain medication called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDS (like ibuprofen, for example), as the first option for acute pain.

What can teens do to prevent addiction to opioid pain medications?

For many teens, their first experience with opioid pain medications is through a prescription from their dentist or oral surgeon to manage acute pain after a dental procedure. Some research says that even taking opioids as prescribed, such as after wisdom teeth extraction, makes teens 33 percent more likely to misuse opioids later on. ⁵ Teens might like how prescription opioids make them feel. They could ask for more medication just to get that feeling again, not realizing how dangerous these medications can be when used for the wrong reasons.

Together with your parents, talk with your dentist about the best way to manage dental pain. You can also include your pediatrician in the conversation, especially if you are being treated with other kinds of medications for different health issues.
Non-Opioid Options for Managing Mouth Pain
Ask your dentist or oral surgeon if there is an option other than prescription opioids to treat your pain. Research in adults suggests that non-opioid medications might offer the best balance between benefits and possible harms. Non-opioid options include the following over-the-counter drugs either alone or in combination:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen (example: Advil)

acetaminophen (example: Tylenol)⁶

What To Do if Opioids Are Prescribed
If the dentist or oral surgeon decides to prescribe an opioid pain medicine: 7,8

Ask if there are other ways to relieve the pain besides opioids.

Ask when you can switch to a non-opioid pain medication.

Tell the dentist or oral surgeon about your medical history and any medications you are taking. It might not be safe to take opioids with some other medications.

Tell the dentist or oral surgeon about any substance use disorders or addiction in your family. This will help the dentist decide if opioids are safe for you.

Ask the dentist or oral surgeon about the medication prescribed:

When and how should you take the medication?

How long should you take it?

What are the side effects?

Should you take it with food?

Is it okay to drive while you're on the medication? Read about drugged driving.

Take the medication according to the directions.

Never mix opioid medications with alcohol.

Never share the medication with others or sell it to anyone.

Store the medication in a cool, dry place, out of reach of young children.

Dispose of unused medication properly. Read about how to dispose of prescription drugs.

What are the effects of tobacco products on the mouth?

We know tobacco contains chemicals that can have harmful effects throughout the body, including increased risk for different types of cancers. Tobacco also contains nicotine, which is highly addictive, and can keep you hooked. (Read about the many effects of tobacco and nicotine.)

A person who smokes tobacco cigarettes or uses chew or snuff (smokeless tobacco) is at increased risk for oral health problems. Here are some effects tobacco cigarettes and chew and snuff can have on the mouth:
Tobacco Cigarettes

gum disease

slow healing after injury, tooth extraction, or other oral surgery

oral cancer⁹

stained teeth

Smokeless Tobacco (Chew or Snuff)

wearing down of teeth

gums pulling away from teeth

tooth decay

white patches that may turn into cancer

oral cancer

E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping devices containing nicotine or THC (the psychotropic ingredient in marijuana) are becoming increasingly popular. Sometimes called "e-cigarettes," these devices contain a liquid that is vaporized by a metal heating element. A growing body of research suggests these devices are not completely safe, and health officials are looking into whether vaping contributed to serious lung illnesses and seizures found in people who vaped nicotine, THC, or other "home brews." There is not much known about the oral health effects of these e-cigarettes or other vaping devices. Vaping liquids often contain solvents and flavorings, whose safety profiles when vaporized and inhaled are unknown. One study suggests some sweet flavorings in e-cigarettes may increase the risk of tooth decay. Other research suggests that the heated metal in these devices delivers potentially toxic chemicals like cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel to the mouth and lungs. More research is underway.

We do know that teens who either vape nicotine products or smoke regular cigarettes are exposing their brains to the highly addictive nature of nicotine. We also know that teens who try e-cigarettes often start using regular tobacco cigarettes within a year, which carries the risk of a lifetime of smoking and the many diseases that result from it.
What about quitting?
Teens and young adults who smoke or vape but want to quit have good options for help. If you or someone you know needs more information or is ready to quit, read more about quitting the use of tobacco and nicotine. If you have a friend who smokes, it puts you at higher risk for starting. 10 You might decide to step away from the friendship for a while to protect your own health. Even secondhand smoke is bad for your health.

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you or a friend struggle with drug addiction, or are in any kind of crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't only talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by).

If your friend is not in crisis but you just aren't sure how you can help, you can:

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

What are the effects of other drugs on the mouth?

Many drugs affect the mouth, including illegal drugs that people take to get high. These effects include:

Dry mouth. A common side effect of some drugs is that a person's mouth does not make enough saliva. When someone has dry mouth regularly, it can be difficult to chew, swallow, or even talk. Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay or fungal infections in the mouth because saliva helps keep harmful germs in check.³

Tooth decay. Some drugs cause an increased urge for sugary snacks and drinks. If you eat frequently throughout the day-especially high-sugar snacks and drinks-you can develop cavities.

Jaw pain from clenching teeth. Drugs that work as stimulants, like methamphetamine, cocaine, and Ecstasy ("Molly"), can make a person clench and grind teeth. Over time, this can lead to loose, chipped, or worn teeth, or pain in the jaw muscles and joint.

Erosion of tooth enamel. Sometimes people rub cocaine on their gums and near their teeth to get high. The mixture of cocaine and saliva is acidic, which can cause erosion of tooth enamel (the protective outer layer of the tooth). It can also cause sores on the gums.

What about prescription drugs such as opioids?

Dentists and oral surgeons most often prescribe opioids to manage dental pain that lasts for a short time, called "acute pain." The short-term pain from dental surgery such as wisdom tooth extraction is an example of acute pain. Dentists rarely prescribe opioids for long-term pain, called "chronic pain."

When taken for a short time and used as prescribed, opioid pain medications are relatively safe and can reduce pain. However, when used incorrectly, they can increase the risk of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths.

In 2016, the American Dental Association issued recommendations for dentists about prescribing opioids. The recommendations say dentists should consider a type of pain medication called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDS (like ibuprofen, for example), as the first option for acute pain.

What can teens do to prevent addiction to opioid pain medications?

For many teens, their first experience with opioid pain medications is through a prescription from their dentist or oral surgeon to manage acute pain after a dental procedure. Some research says that even taking opioids as prescribed, such as after wisdom teeth extraction, makes teens 33 percent more likely to misuse opioids later on. ⁵ Teens might like how prescription opioids make them feel. They could ask for more medication just to get that feeling again, not realizing how dangerous these medications can be when used for the wrong reasons.

Together with your parents, talk with your dentist about the best way to manage dental pain. You can also include your pediatrician in the conversation, especially if you are being treated with other kinds of medications for different health issues.
Non-Opioid Options for Managing Mouth Pain
Ask your dentist or oral surgeon if there is an option other than prescription opioids to treat your pain. Research in adults suggests that non-opioid medications might offer the best balance between benefits and possible harms. Non-opioid options include the following over-the-counter drugs either alone or in combination:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen (example: Advil)

acetaminophen (example: Tylenol)⁶

What To Do if Opioids Are Prescribed
If the dentist or oral surgeon decides to prescribe an opioid pain medicine: 7,8

Ask if there are other ways to relieve the pain besides opioids.

Ask when you can switch to a non-opioid pain medication.

Tell the dentist or oral surgeon about your medical history and any medications you are taking. It might not be safe to take opioids with some other medications.

Tell the dentist or oral surgeon about any substance use disorders or addiction in your family. This will help the dentist decide if opioids are safe for you.

Ask the dentist or oral surgeon about the medication prescribed:

When and how should you take the medication?

How long should you take it?

What are the side effects?

Should you take it with food?

Is it okay to drive while you're on the medication? Read about drugged driving.

Take the medication according to the directions.

Never mix opioid medications with alcohol.

Never share the medication with others or sell it to anyone.

Store the medication in a cool, dry place, out of reach of young children.

Dispose of unused medication properly. Read about how to dispose of prescription drugs.

What are the effects of tobacco products on the mouth?

We know tobacco contains chemicals that can have harmful effects throughout the body, including increased risk for different types of cancers. Tobacco also contains nicotine, which is highly addictive, and can keep you hooked. (Read about the many effects of tobacco and nicotine.)

A person who smokes tobacco cigarettes or uses chew or snuff (smokeless tobacco) is at increased risk for oral health problems. Here are some effects tobacco cigarettes and chew and snuff can have on the mouth:
Tobacco Cigarettes

gum disease

slow healing after injury, tooth extraction, or other oral surgery

oral cancer⁹

stained teeth

Smokeless Tobacco (Chew or Snuff)

wearing down of teeth

gums pulling away from teeth

tooth decay

white patches that may turn into cancer

oral cancer

E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping devices containing nicotine or THC (the psychotropic ingredient in marijuana) are becoming increasingly popular. Sometimes called "e-cigarettes," these devices contain a liquid that is vaporized by a metal heating element. A growing body of research suggests these devices are not completely safe, and health officials are looking into whether vaping contributed to serious lung illnesses and seizures found in people who vaped nicotine, THC, or other "home brews." There is not much known about the oral health effects of these e-cigarettes or other vaping devices. Vaping liquids often contain solvents and flavorings, whose safety profiles when vaporized and inhaled are unknown. One study suggests some sweet flavorings in e-cigarettes may increase the risk of tooth decay. Other research suggests that the heated metal in these devices delivers potentially toxic chemicals like cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel to the mouth and lungs. More research is underway.

We do know that teens who either vape nicotine products or smoke regular cigarettes are exposing their brains to the highly addictive nature of nicotine. We also know that teens who try e-cigarettes often start using regular tobacco cigarettes within a year, which carries the risk of a lifetime of smoking and the many diseases that result from it.
What about quitting?
Teens and young adults who smoke or vape but want to quit have good options for help. If you or someone you know needs more information or is ready to quit, read more about quitting the use of tobacco and nicotine. If you have a friend who smokes, it puts you at higher risk for starting. 10 You might decide to step away from the friendship for a while to protect your own health. Even secondhand smoke is bad for your health.

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you or a friend struggle with drug addiction, or are in any kind of crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't only talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by).

If your friend is not in crisis but you just aren't sure how you can help, you can:

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

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In collaboration with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research When dentists say, "open wide," they can see a treasure trove of information about your overall health. Your mouth can give the dentist clues about your eating habits, oral hygiene, and other behaviors such as smoking and drug use.

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Reports of Deaths Related to Vaping

The Food and Drug Administration has alerted the public to thousands of reports of serious lung illnesses associated with vaping, including dozens of deaths. They are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the cause of these illnesses. Many of the suspect products tested by the states or federal health officials have been identified as vaping products containing THC, the main psychotropic ingredient in marijuana. Some of the patients reported a mixture of THC and nicotine; and some reported vaping nicotine alone. While the CDC and FDA continue to investigate possible other contributing substances, CDC has identified a thickening agent-Vitamin E acetate-as a chemical of concern among people with e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injuries. They recommend that people should not use any product containing Vitamin E acetate, or any vaping products containing THC; particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person and online dealers. They also warn against modifying any products purchased in stores, or using any vaping products bought on the street. People, including health professionals, should report any adverse effects of vaping products. The CDC has posted an information page for consumers.

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Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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The Food and Drug Administration has alerted the public to thousands of reports of serious lung illnesses associated with vaping, including dozens of deaths. They are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the cause of these illnesses.

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Additional Resources

References

1. Sudhinaraset M, Wigglesworth C, Takeuchi DT. Social and Cultural Contexts of Alcohol Use: Influences in a Social-Ecological Framework. Alcohol Res. 2016;38(1):35-45.

2. Witkiewitz K, Litten RZ, Leggio L. Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Sci Adv. 2019;5(9):eaax4043. Published 2019 Sep 25. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aax4043

3. GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators. Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 [published correction appears in Lancet. 2018 Sep 29;392(10153):1116] [published correction appears in Lancet. 2019 Jun 22;393(10190):e44]. Lancet. 2018;392(10152):1015-1035. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31310-2

4. Substance Abuse Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables, SAMHSA. Accessed January 2023.

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Alcohol | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Alcohol is among the most used drugs, plays a large role in many societies and cultures around the world, and greatly impacts public health.

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Underage Drinking is Common

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people in the U.S. ³

The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey ³ found that among high school students, during the past 30 days

23% drank alcohol.

11% binge drank.

5% of drivers drove after drinking alcohol.

14% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

Rates of current and binge drinking among high school students have generally been declining in recent decades. Although males historically had higher rates, in 2019 and 2021, female high school students were more likely to drink alcohol and binge drink than male high school students. 3,4

Underage Drinking is Dangerous

Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience ⁴⁻⁷

School problems, such as higher rates of absences or lower grades.

Social problems, such as fighting or lack of participation in youth activities.

Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk.

Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.

Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.

Disruption of normal growth or sexual development.

Physical and sexual violence.

Increased risk of suicide and homicide.

Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and other unintentional injuries, such as burns, falls, or drowning.

Memory problems.

Misuse of other substances.

Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.

Alcohol poisoning.

In general, the risk of youth experiencing these problems is greater for those who binge drink than for those who do not binge drink. 6,7

Early initiation of drinking is associated with development of an alcohol use disorder later in life. ⁸

Underage Drinking is Associated with Adult Drinking

Studies show a relationship between underage drinking behaviors and the drinking behaviors of adult relatives, adults in the same household, and adults in the same community and state.

There is a relationship between youth and adult drinking, including binge drinking, in states and communities.⁹⁻¹¹ A 5% increase in binge drinking among adults in a community is associated with a 12% increase in the chance of underage drinking.¹⁰

Among adolescents whose peers drink alcohol, those whose parents binge drink are more likely to drink alcohol than those whose parents do not.¹²

Underage Drinking is Preventable

State alcohol policy environments influence underage drinking, as well as excessive drinking among adults. Comprehensive approaches that include effective population-level policy strategies can reduce underage drinking. 10,13,14 The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends several effective strategies for preventing excessive drinking, ¹⁵ including:

Increasing alcohol taxes.

Having commercial host ("dram shop") liability laws.

Regulating the number and concentration of alcohol outlets.

Enforcing laws prohibiting alcohol sales to minors.

The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health describes other strategies that can complement effective alcohol policies, such as national media campaigns targeting youth and adults, reducing youth exposure to alcohol advertising, and the development of comprehensive community-based programs. Read more about the prevention of excessive alcohol use, including underage drinking.

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Excessive alcohol use can lead to increased risk of health problems such as injuries, violence, liver diseases, and cancer.The CDC Alcohol Program works to strengthen the scientific foundation for preventing excessive alcohol use.

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5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol - Delta-8 THC

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Delta-8 THC products are not approved by the FDA and may put you at risk.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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The quitSTART app is a free smartphone app that helps you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges.

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I Am Sober is more than just a free sobriety counter app.

Along with tracking your sober days, it helps you build new habits and provides ongoing motivation by connecting you to a wide network of people all striving for the same goal: staying sober one day at a time.

Through our growing sober community you can learn from others and contribute by sharing insights and tactics that have worked for you.

**The I Am Sober app features:**

* Sober day tracker
To visualize how long you've been sober.

* Remember why you quit
Add reasons and photos to help you remember why you want to quit your addiction and stay sober.

* Daily pledge tracker
Take a pledge every day. Sobriety is a 24-hour struggle, so start your day off by making a pledge to stay sober. Then you can review how your day went and log notes at the end of the day.

* Sobriety calculator
View how much money & time you've saved by being sober.

* Analyze triggers
Recap each day and find patterns that made your day easier or more challenging than the last.

* Share your story
Either with others or for yourself, take photos and journal your progress directly in the app. Then choose to share it or save it as a reminder for yourself.

* Milestone tracker
Track and celebrate your milestones from 1 day, to 1 week, to 1 month and beyond. Compare experiences with others on their sober journey. Read how they felt at this milestone and what you can expect. If you're struggling, share your story and invite others to offer help or advice.

* Withdrawal timeline
When you create an account and declare your addiction, you can instantly see a withdrawal timeline to get an idea of what to expect for your next few days (and weeks). What's more, you can contribute to it. See how many others saw an increase in their restfulness vs those that saw an increase in anxiety. Prepare yourself for what's to come in recovery.

* Customize your experience
You set the time, your sober birthday, the category of motivation you need, the addictions you're trying to break, even the end-of-day summaries. Make the app customized to your lifestyle and tailored to your needs.

**Sober Plus subscriptions**

I Am Sober is free to use, but you can support development of the app with a subscription to Sober Plus. With Sober Plus, you'll get access to these premium features:

* Create a group
Stay accountable together and track your sobriety privately. Groups are great for complimenting your real-world group like Alcoholics Anonymous, NA, SA, SMART Recovery, or your rehab center.

* Locked access
Keep your trackers private with a lock that you can access via TouchID or FaceID.

* Data Backups
Save your progress in the cloud and restore your trackers if you get a new device.

* More tracking
Track more addictions and get access to more communities. Even if your addiction is specific like Wine, Online Shopping, or Skin Picking, you'll find a variety of communities of people who are all trying to get sober from alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, self-harm, and more.

Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. I Am Sober Plus automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

Read more about our terms and conditions here:

Terms of service: https://iamsober.com/terms-of-service/
Privacy policy: https://iamsober.com/privacy-policy/

Version 7.2.8

This is a small update that includes some infrastructural updates.

This app has so many awesome things about it!!

This is a pretty cool app actually. It's awesome because you can track multiple addictions. Like for me I'm in recovery for alcohol and drugs but I also quit smoking like a month into my recovery so now I can also track that. It lets you put in how much you think you spent a day on your addiction in both money and hours and it's pretty cool to see how much I've saved money wise. I had no idea how much I was spending a day on drugs and cigarettes. It blows my mind! It also sends you positive quotes and motivational quotes. You can buy extra packs of motivation for like a dollar and the one I got gives me exercises to try every once in a while. But I think the coolest part about it is it lets you review your day at the end of the day and you get to say whether or not you made your pledge how the day went from impossible to easy and then you put what activities you've done and then it gives you like a little text journal and you can journal a little bit about your day. Yesterday was a really hard day for me and after I submitted it it has a pop up that said "it's tough. We're rooting for you!" And I thought that was pretty cool. Little things like that make me happy. It also calculates milestones and shows you how many other people are teaching that milestone with you. I mean this app has so many awesome things about it! Just download the app and try it out and you'll see just how awesome it is!! (:

Wow, thanks for the awesome review! We are indeed rooting for you. :)

Such an awesome app for anyone struggling with any kind of addiction

I have been addicted to heroin for about 8 years, I just turned 25 a few days ago. I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl in January and she changed my life and motivated me to get clean. This app along with my clinic, my counselor, and my family all help me to stay clean. My family has a group text so every morning they look forward to me sharing my daily motivation because the affirmations start their days off with a positive mindset too!! I love how this app tracks your sobriety to the very second, and tracks how much money you've saved and how many hours you've saved since getting clean. The developers are constantly tweaking the app to make it better and add new motivation packs pretty regularly, I own almost every pack so every month once I finish one pack I start a new one. I realllllllllly LOVE how the app celebrates all the milestones, because it's exciting to celebrate every month sober, especially the big milestones like 100 days, 6 months, 1 year, etc. I go to a methadone clinic and I always recommend the I Am Sober app to my counselor and to anyone there who is still struggling and especially to people who are newly sober because it's helped me so much. This app has become a really important part of my day, and I plan to keep utilizing it for as long as possible for my sobriety!!

Your story is amazing - keep it going. Thanks for the great review!

This is exactly what I was looking for

I've always been looking for an app to help me kick several addictions. If you're like me and have tried a bunch of different ones and have never found your calling, look no further. This app has so many amazing features, like a live clock that tracks your sobriety down to the second. The reminder that you are making progress, even if it's just been 20 minutes plus a few seconds, that truly serves as a helper for me. You can also add a picture and a message as to why you want to get sober. I have a picture of my girlfriend on there and it helps so much seeing her and knowing how proud she is of me that I'm working so hard to improve myself. There's also a community page where you can post your struggles and people can shoot you supportive emojis and comments. The price is also very reasonable. If you provide a good product, I have no issue at all paying for it. In fact, I think you should pay for anything that brings you value as a thank you to the people who provide the service. However, many of these types of apps ridiculously overcharge you. This one is different. $4.99/month is extremely fair and reasonable. To the developers, I just want to say thank you for creating this app This is a service that will help a ton of people if they just give it a chance.

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

Information

Compatibility

iPhone

Requires iOS 11.0 or later.

iPod touch

Requires iOS 11.0 or later.

Mac

Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip.

Languages

English, Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

Age Rating

17+ Frequent/Intense Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humor

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when Family Sharing is enabled.

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‎I Am Sober is more than just a free sobriety counter app. Along with tracking your sober days, it helps you build new habits and provides ongoing motivation by connecting you to a wide network of people all striving for the same goal: staying sober one day at a time.

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Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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During this time 2NDFLOOR is experiencing above normal wait times and volume. We want to hear from you. Please be patient and remember the line is also open to text 24/7 at 1-888-222-2228. If this is an emergency please call 911 or your local police.

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During this time 2NDFLOOR is experiencing above normal wait times and volume. We want to hear from you. Please be patient and remember the line is also open to text 24/7 at 1-888-222-2228. If this is an emergency please call 911 or your local police.

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Marijuana + Underage Drinking Fact Card FINAL.pdf

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Monmouth County Youth Support Hotline for Underage Substance Use Challenges

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Monmouth County Youth Support Hotline for Underage Substance Use Challenges

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Mental Health Association of Monmouth County

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SURE Program | Mental Health Association of Monmouth County

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The Substance Use Referral & Education (SURE) Hotline was developed by the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, Prevention First, Youth Services Commission, and other key community stakeholders as a resource for youth and families to find support for underage substance use challenges. SURE…

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Vaping Information From Teens to Teens - prerecorded zoom

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Vaping Information From Teens to Teens - prerecorded zoom

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Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Webinars, Screen Sharing

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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done.

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Privacy Policy

1. What Information Do We Collect? When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website.

2. Personal Information You Choose to Provide We may request that you voluntarily supply us with personal information, including your email address, postal address, home or work telephone number and other personal information for such purposes as correspondence, placing an order, requesting an estimate, or participating in online surveys. If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.

3. Website Use Information Similar to other websites, our site may utilize a standard technology called "cookies" (see explanation below, "What Are Cookies?") and web server logs to collect information about how our website is used. Information gathered through cookies and server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at our website, and the sites visited just before and just after ours. This information is collected on an aggregate basis. None of this information is associated with you as an individual.

4. How Do We Use the Information That You Provide to Us? Broadly speaking, we use personal information for purposes of administering our business activities, providing service and support and making available other products and services to our customers and prospective customers. Occasionally, we may also use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, new services and special offers we think you will find valuable. The lists used to send you product and service offers are developed and managed under our traditional standards designed to safeguard the security and privacy of all personal information provided by our users. You may at any time to notify us of your desire not to receive these offers.

5. What Are Cookies? Cookies are a feature of web browser software that allows web servers to recognize the computer used to access a website. Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored by a user's web browser on the user's hard drive. Cookies can remember what information a user accesses on one web page to simplify subsequent interactions with that website by the same user or to use the information to streamline the user's transactions on related web pages. This makes it easier for a user to move from web page to web page and to complete commercial transactions over the Internet. Cookies should make your online experience easier and more personalized.

6. How Do We Use Information Collected From Cookies? We use website browser software tools such as cookies and web server logs to gather information about our website users' browsing activities, in order to constantly improve our website and better serve our users. This information assists us to design and arrange our web pages in the most user-friendly manner and to continually improve our website to better meet the needs of our users and prospective users. Cookies help us collect important business and technical statistics. The information in the cookies lets us trace the paths followed by users to our website as they move from one page to another. Web server logs allow us to count how many people visit our website and evaluate our website's visitor capacity. We do not use these technologies to capture your individual email address or any personally identifying information about you.

7. Notice of New Services and Changes Occasionally, we may use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, new services and special offers we think you will find valuable. As a user of our website, you will be given the opportunity to notify us of your desire not to receive these offers by clicking on a response box when you receive such an offer or by sending us an email request.

8. How Do We Secure Information Transmissions? When you send confidential personal information to us on our website, a secure server software which we have licensed encrypts all information you input before it is sent to us. The information is scrambled en route and decoded once it reaches our website. Other email that you may send to us may not be secure unless we advise you that security measures will be in place prior to your transmitting the information. For that reason, we ask that you do not send confidential information such as Social Security, credit card, or account numbers to us through an unsecured email.

9. How Do We Protect Your Information? Information Security -- We utilize encryption/security software to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information we collect from unauthorized access or disclosure and accidental loss, alteration or destruction. Evaluation of Information Protection Practices -- Periodically, our operations and business practices are reviewed for compliance with organization policies and procedures governing the security, confidentiality and quality of our information. Employee Access, Training and Expectations -- Our organization values, ethical standards, policies and practices are committed to the protection of user information. In general, our business practices limit employee access to confidential information, and limit the use and disclosure of such information to authorized persons, processes and transactions.

10. How Can You Access and Correct Your Information? You may request access to all your personally identifiable information that we collect online and maintain in our database by emailing us using the contact form provided to you within the site structure of our website.

11. Do We Disclose Information to Outside Parties? We may provide aggregate information about our customers, sales, website traffic patterns and related website information to our affiliates or reputable third parties, but this information will not include personally identifying data, except as otherwise provided in this privacy policy.

12. What About Legally Compelled Disclosure of Information? We may disclose information when legally compelled to do so, in other words, when we, in good faith, believe that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights.

13. Permission to Use of Materials The right to download and store or output the materials in our website is granted for the user's personal use only, and materials may not be reproduced in any edited form. Any other reproduction, transmission, performance, display or editing of these materials by any means mechanical or electronic without our express written permission is strictly prohibited. Users wishing to obtain permission to reprint or reproduce any materials appearing on this site may contact us directly.

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Privacy Policy What Information Do We Collect? When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website.