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A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.

There is evidence that addictive behaviors share key neurobiological features: They intensely involve brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. And, in keeping with other highly motivated states, they lead to the pruning of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, home of the brain's highest functions, so that attention is highly focused on cues related to the target substance or activity. It is important to know that such brain changes are reversible after the substance use or behavior is discontinued.

Both substance use disorders and gambling behaviors have an increased likelihood of being accompanied by mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, or other pre-existing problems. Substance use and gambling disorders not only engage the same brain mechanisms, they respond to many of the same treatment approaches.

Substance use and gambling disorders are complex conditions that affect the reward, reinforcement, motivation, and memory systems of the brain. They are characterized by impaired control over usage; social impairment, involving the disruption of everyday activities and relationships; and craving. Continuing use is typically harmful to relationships as well as to obligations at work or school.

Another distinguishing feature of addictions is that individuals continue to pursue the activity despite the physical or psychological harm it incurs, even if it the harm is exacerbated by repeated use. Typically, one's tolerance to a substance increases as the body adapts to its presence.

Because addiction affects the brain's executive functions, centered in the prefrontal cortex, individuals who develop an addiction may not be aware that their behavior is causing problems for themselves and others. Over time, pursuit of the pleasurable effects of the substance or behavior may dominate an individual's activities.

All addictions have the capacity to induce a sense of hopelessness and feelings of failure, as well as shame and guilt, but research documents that recovery is the rule rather than the exception. There are many routes to recovery. Individuals can achieve improved physical, psychological, and social functioning on their own-so-called natural recovery. Others benefit from the support of community or peer-based networks. And still others opt for clinical-based recovery through the services of credentialed professionals.

The road to recovery is seldom straight: Relapse, or recurrence of substance use, is common-but definitely not the end of the road. For those who achieve remission of an addiction disorder for five years, researchers report, the likelihood of relapse is no greater than that among the general population. Neuroscientists report that synaptic density is gradually restored.

Myths About Addiction

The processes that give rise to addictive behavior resist a simplistic explanation. There is not just one cause: Although genetic or other biological factors can contribute to a person's vulnerability to the condition, many social, psychological, and environmental factors also have a powerful influence on substance use.

Some characteristics, such as a lack of ability to tolerate distress or other strong feelings, have been associated with addiction, but there is no one "addictive personality " type that clearly predicts whether a person will face problems with addiction.

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Symptoms of Addiction

Recurrent use of a substance, or engagement with an activity, that leads to impairment or distress, is the core of addictive disorders. The clinical diagnosis of an addiction is based on the presence of at least two of a number of features:

The substance or activity is used in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than was intended.

There is a desire to cut down on use or unsuccessful efforts to do so.

Pursuit of the substance or activity, or recovery from its use, consumes a significant amount of time.

There is a craving or strong desire to use the substance or engage in the activity.

Use of the substance or activity disrupts obligations at work, school, or home.

Use of the substance or activity continues despite the social or interpersonal problems it causes.

Participation in important social, work, or recreational activities drops or stops.

Use occurs in situations where it is physically risky.

Use continues despite knowing it is causing or exacerbating physical or psychological problems.

Tolerance occurs, indicated either by need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect or markedly diminished effect of the same amount of substance.

Withdrawal occurs, manifest either in the presence of physiological withdrawal symptoms or the taking of a related substance to block them.

The severity of the condition is gauged by the number of symptoms present. The presence of two to three symptoms generally indicates a mild condition; four to five symptoms indicate a moderate disorder. When six or more symptoms are present, the condition is considered severe.

Causes of Addiction

Research makes it clear: There is no way to predict who will develop compulsive substance use or gambling behavior.

Addiction is a multi-faceted condition, arising from the confluence of many elements-including, of course, exposure to an addictive agent. It is more accurate to think of risk factors for the development of substance abuse disorders, rather than direct causes. (There are also factors that protect individuals against addiction.)

Biological factors

Genes. Estimates vary but scientists find that genetic factors contribute about half the risk for developing a substance use disorder. For example, one factor linked to vulnerability is variation in a gene that determines the makeup of brain receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine. Another factor appears to be the nature of the body's hormonal response to stress.

Physiological factors. Variations in liver enzymes that metabolize substances are known to influence one's risk of alcohol use disorder.

Gender. Males are more likely to develop substance use disorder than females, although the so-called gender gap may be narrowing for alcohol use disorder, and females are more subject to intoxication effects at lower doses of alcohol.

Psychological Factors

Personality factors. Both impulsivity and sensation seeking have been linked to substance use and gambling disorders. Impulsivity may be particularly related to the risk of relapse.

Trauma and abuse. Early exposure to significant adverse experience can contribute to the development of substance use disorders by overwhelming an individual's coping ability, perhaps by sensitizing brain pathways of alarm/distress, or by adding to the burden of stress.

Mental health factors. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increase the risk of addiction. Difficulties managing strong emotions are also linked to substance use.

Environmental Factors

Family factors. While strong family relationships have been shown to protect against substance use disorders, several aspects of family functioning or circumstances can contribute to addiction risk. Having a parent or sibling with an addictive disorder raises the risk, as does a lack of parental supervision or support. Poor-quality or troubled parent-child relations and family disruptions such as divorce also add to one's risk, as does sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Research shows that marriage and taking on child-raising responsibilities mitigate the risk of addiction.

Accessibility factors. Easy availability of alcohol or other substances in one's home, at school or work, or in one's community increases the risk of repeated use.

Peer group. As profoundly social animals, people are strongly influenced by their peers and, in generally seeking to be liked by them, may adopt many of their behaviors, particularly during adolescence. Positive social relationships, on the other hand, are known to strongly protect against substance use.

Employment status. Having a job, and developing the skills for employment, exerts pressure for stability and provides financial and psychological rewards that mitigate addiction risk.

Treatment of Addiction

Substance use is a treatable condition and complete remission is entirely possible. Recovery, however, is often a long-term process that may involve multiple attempts. Relapse is now regarded as part of the process, and effective treatment regimens address prevention and management of recurrent use.

Since success tends not to occur all at once, any improvements are considered important signs of progress. Increasingly, programs are available to help those who recognize that they have a substance-use problem but are not ready for complete abstinence.

Because addiction affects so many facets of an individual's functioning-from the ability to tolerate frustration to establishing and maintaining a productive role in society-good treatment focuses on many dimensions of life, including family roles and work skills as well as mental health.

Treatment can include any of a number of components, which are often deployed in combination and are likely to change over the course of recovery:

Detoxification, conducted under medical supervision, may be needed but is only the first stage of treatment.

Medications that reduce or counter use of illicit substances are suitable for some individuals, or medications may be used to target co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Motivational Interviewing, which is a short-term counseling process to help a person resolve ambivalence about treatment and find and hold onto incentives for change.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help a person recognize and cope with situations that trigger the desire to use substances.

Group therapy and other peer-support programs leverage the direct experience of many to support individual recovery and prevent the recurrence of substance use.

Family therapy helps individuals repair any damage done to family relationships and to establish more supportive ones.

Life skills training, including employability skills, may be part of an individual's treatment plan.

Good treatment programs also feature the regular monitoring of individual progress.

Treatment is available in a variety of settings, from a doctor's office or outpatient clinic to long-term residential facility. No one way will be right for everyone, and there is evidence that one's commitment to change is more important than the type of treatment program he or she selects. Whatever the treatment under consideration, say independent researchers, there are number of features to look for to identify an effective program:

Patients undergo comprehensive medical and psychiatric screening.

Treatment addresses individual needs, including co-occurring conditions, whether chronic pain, anxiety, or hepatitis.

Families are involved in treatment.

There is continuity of care via active linkages to resources in subsequent phases of recovery.

The facility maintains a respectful environment.

Treatment services are evidence-based and reflect best practices.

Staff members are licensed and certified in the disciplines they practice.

The program is accredited by a nationally recognized monitoring agency.

Patient response to treatment is monitored and the program or facility offers outcome data reflecting treatment performance.

Substance Use Disorders

The medical world currently views substance use disorders according to the class of drug that is used. As a result, it defines 10 distinct disorders. All share the defining features of addiction: They directly and intensely involve reward and reinforcement systems of the brain, stimulating compulsive use that typically leads to the neglect of normal activities and negative consequences. With some variation, they also share common symptoms, although withdrawal symptoms differ significantly among them and do not occur for some classes of drug such as hallucinogens and inhalants.

Alcohol Use Disorder: Alcohol is a brain depressant and alcohol use disorder is common, although more so among adult men (12.4 percent) than women (4.9 percent), although rates are rising among women. It affects men and women differently; women seem to be more susceptible to some of the detrimental effects of alcohol, researchers find. Most commonly, the disorder develops well before age 40.

Caffeine Intoxication: The consequence of very high doses of caffeine consumption, caffeine intoxication is marked by symptoms including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, flushed face, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, rambling thoughts and speech, cardiac rhythm disturbances, periods of inexhaustibility, and psychomotor agitation.

Cannabis Use Disorder: Cannabis use disorder is highest among 18-to29-year-olds (4.8 percent) and prevalence of the disorder decreases with age.

Phencyclidine and Other Hallucinogen Use Disorder: These substances alter perception. Phencyclidine is commonly called "angel dust" or PCP and produces feelings of separation of mind from body.

Inhalant Use Disorder: Inhalant substances are volatile hydrocarbons-toxic gases that are released from glues, fuels, paints, and other volatile compounds and have psychoactive effects. The disorder occurs primarily among those ages 12 to 17.

Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid drugs include the illicit drug heroin and prescription pain-relievers such as oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl, among others. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, in 2015, 2 million people had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 591,000 had a substance use disorder involving heroin. Opioid-related overdoses are now the leading cause of death in Americans under 50 years of age. Prescribed opioids are the "overwhelming initial source" of addiction, according to ASAM.

Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder: Addiction to sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications falls into this category. Like alcohol, these agents are brain depressants. Rates of the disorder are highest among 18-to-29-year-olds.

Stimulant Use Disorder: Substances in this group include amphetamines; methylphenidate, best known as the prescription drug Ritalin; and cocaine. Stimulant drugs are commonly prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. In the U.S., cocaine use is highest among those aged 18 to 25.

Tobacco Use Disorder: The nicotine in tobacco acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Studies show that 68 percent of adult smokers want to quit, and 50 percent have made attempts to quit.

Other (or Unknown) Substance Use Disorder: Substances ranging from antihistamines, betel nut, and cortisol to steroids may also have effects on the central nervous system that lead to compulsive use causing serious problems.

Gambling and Other Compulsions or Addictions

Addiction is not limited to biochemical substances such as cocaine, alcohol, inhalants, or nicotine. It can involve behaviors that provide opportunities for immediate reward. Because of the fast feedback that occurs from such activities, they can quickly turn a pastime into a compulsive pursuit of reward that may lead to the neglect of other life goals and create harmful consequences, from the loss of large sums of money to the disruption of important relationships.

Behaviors indicative of gambling disorder include:

The need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.

Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.

Repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop gambling.

Preoccupation with gambling.

Feelings of emotional distress leading to gambling.

Gambling losses followed by attempts to make up for them.

Lying to conceal the extent of one's gambling.

Gambling that jeopardizes important relationships or work, school, or other obligations.

Financial desperation leading to borrowing money from others.

In June 2018, the World Health Organization included Gaming Disorder, involving digital gaming or video gaming to such a degree that it takes priority over other interests and daily activities despite negative consequences, in its newest edition of the International Classification of Diseases. This inclusion reflects a consensus of experts from different disciplines and geographical regions around the world. They point out that only a tiny proportion of those who engage in digital or video gaming activities-notably those who have impaired control over the activity and spend excessive amounts of time at it-are at risk for the diagnosis.

In the United States, excessive behavior patterns-involving smartphone use, Internet gambling, gaming, pornography, even eating and shopping-are being studied as possible behavioral addiction. While such activities may provide the opportunity for ample immediate reward, it has not yet been determined that they meet all of the criteria for addictive behavior.

Find a therapist to overcome addiction

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A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.

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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease-people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn't work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient's changing needs.

Video: Why are Drugs So Hard to Quit?

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit," causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high. These brain adaptations often lead to the person becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.

Environment. A person's environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person's likelihood of drug use and addiction.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn't a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient's drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.

Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.

Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy activities, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Learn more

For information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:

For more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:

For more information about prevention, visit:

For more information about treatment, visit:

To find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:

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Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Provides an overview of drug use and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug use, why some people become addicted while others don't, and the importance of prevention.

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Substance Abuse and Addiction

People abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol for varied and complicated reasons. Substance abuse may begin in childhood or the teen years. Early recognition of drug or alcohol addiction increases chances for successful treatment.

Top Search Terms for Substance Abuse and Addiction

What Is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. When you're addicted to drugs, you can't resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm the drugs may cause.

Drug addiction isn't about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, opioid painkillers, and other legal substances.

At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But over time, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose self-control and can lead you to damaging behaviors.

Read Article

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People abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol for varied and complicated reasons. Substance abuse may begin in childhood or the teen years. Early recognition of drug or alcohol addiction increases chances for successful treatment. Top Search Terms for Substance Abuse and Addiction What Is Drug Addiction?

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My thoughts: People with the addictions, or abusing the substances, should have like a safe-haven. To put more detail, for it to be like a place for people to come forward and try any get help. With therapist and other types of mental health doctors, they could either do it for a small charge, or with none at all until they get back on their feet

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Direct Quotes:There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about addiction, but in reality, the processes that give rise to addictive behavior resist a simplistic explanation. There is not just one cause: Although genetic or other biological factors contribute to a person’s vulnerability to the condition, many social, psychological, and environmental factors have a powerful influence on substance use. Some characteristics, such as a lack of ability to tolerate distress or other strong feelings, have been associated with addiction, but there is no one “addictive personality” type that clearly predicts whether a person will face problems with addiction.

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My Thoughts: People should follow the directions on their pill bottles, for those who abuse opioids.
Marijuana should be legal in all 50 states, there are no bad side affects to the substance.
I can see that people may have a lot of stress on their shoulders, but that doesn't give them an excuse to "drink the pain away". I think they just abuse the substance because its there, and "It makes them feel better"

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Direct Quotes: Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal, or you abuse the power of the allowed substance.
Substance abuse differs from addiction.
Both legal and illegal drugs have chemicals that can change how your body and mind work.

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My Thoughts:I feel as if, yes, some of these solutions may work for some people, but I do not see them working for everyone.
Every human being is different when it comes to substance abuse, or drug use. Some people can tolerate more, so they take more.
The people whom are abusing these substances, are lost in a way, shape or form, and they need to try and find themselves. Or at the least, common grounds. maybe they don't stop using these substances, but they monitor how much that they use of them.

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Direct Quotes: As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds.
As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure.
More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable.

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My Thoughts: Honestly, I think most of this is bogus. Some of the things that they were saying about how bad it is, and what bad symptoms it causes, to me is just ludicrous.

Direct Quotes:Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Its use is widespread among young people. In 2015, more than 11 million young adults ages 18 to 25 used marijuana in the past year

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What is marijuana?

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical THC and other similar compounds. Extracts can also be made from the cannabis plant (see " Marijuana Extracts").

Marijuana is the most commonly used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol. Its use is widespread among young people. In 2018, more than 11.8 million young adults used marijuana in the past year. According to the Monitoring the Future survey, rates of past year marijuana use among middle and high school students have remained steady, but the number of teens in 8th and 10th grades who say they use it daily has increased. With the growing popularity of vaping devices, teens have started vaping THC (the ingredient in marijuana that produces the high), with nearly 4% of 12th graders saying they vape THC daily. In addition, the number of young people who believe regular marijuana use is risky is decreasing.

Legalization of marijuana for medical use or adult recreational use in a growing number of states may affect these views. Read more about marijuana as medicine in our DrugFacts: Marijuana as Medicine.

How do people use marijuana?

People smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or in pipes or water pipes (bongs). They also smoke it in blunts-emptied cigars that have been partly or completely refilled with marijuana. To avoid inhaling smoke, some people are using vaporizers. These devices pull the active ingredients (including THC) from the marijuana and collect their vapor in a storage unit. A person then inhales the vapor, not the smoke. Some vaporizers use a liquid marijuana extract.

People can mix marijuana in food ( edibles), such as brownies, cookies, or candy, or brew it as a tea. A newly popular method of use is smoking or eating different forms of THC-rich resins (see " Marijuana Extracts").

Marijuana Extracts

Smoking THC-rich resins extracted from the marijuana plant is on the rise. People call this practice dabbing. These extracts come in various forms, such as:

hash oil or honey oil-a gooey liquid

wax or budder-a soft solid with a texture like lip balm

shatter-a hard, amber-colored solid

These extracts can deliver extremely large amounts of THC to the body, and their use has sent some people to the emergency room. Another danger is in preparing these extracts, which usually involves butane (lighter fluid). A number of people have caused fires and explosions and have been seriously burned from using butane to make extracts at home.

How does marijuana affect the brain?

Marijuana has both short-and long-term effects on the brain.

THC acts on numerous areas in the brain (in yellow).

Short-Term Effects

When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. In that case, they generally feel the effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour.

THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function.

Marijuana over activates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the "high" that people feel. Other effects include:

altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)

altered sense of time

changes in mood

impaired body movement

difficulty with thinking and problem-solving

impaired memory

hallucinations (when taken in high doses)

delusions (when taken in high doses)

psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana)

Long-Term Effects

Marijuana also affects brain development. When people begin using marijuana as teenagers, the drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. Researchers are still studying how long marijuana's effects last and whether some changes may be permanent.

For example, a study from New Zealand conducted in part by researchers at Duke University showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing marijuana use disorder lost an average of 8 IQ points between ages 13 and 38. The lost mental abilities didn't fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults didn't show notable IQ declines.

In another recent study on twins, those who used marijuana showed a significant decline in general knowledge and in verbal ability (equivalent to 4 IQ points) between the preteen years and early adulthood, but no predictable difference was found between twins when one used marijuana and the other didn't. This suggests that the IQ decline in marijuana users may be caused by something other than marijuana, such as shared familial factors (e.g., genetics, family environment). NIDA's Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, a major longitudinal study, is tracking a large sample of young Americans from late childhood to early adulthood to help clarify how and to what extent marijuana and other substances, alone and in combination, affect adolescent brain development. Read more about the ABCD study on our Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD Study) webpage.

A Rise in Marijuana's THC Levels

The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. For a person who's new to marijuana use, this may mean exposure to higher THC levels with a greater chance of a harmful reaction. Higher THC levels may explain the rise in emergency room visits involving marijuana use.

The popularity of edibles also increases the chance of harmful reactions. Edibles take longer to digest and produce a high. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to dangerous results.

Higher THC levels may also mean a greater risk for addiction if people are regularly exposing themselves to high doses.

What are the other health effects of marijuana?

Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, both physical and mental.

Physical Effects

Breathing problems. Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections. Researchers so far haven't found a higher risk for lung cancer in people who smoke marijuana.

Increased heart rate. Marijuana raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.

Problems with child development during and after pregnancy. One study found that about 20% of pregnant women 24-years-old and younger screened positive for marijuana. However, this study also found that women were about twice as likely to screen positive for marijuana use via a drug test than they state in self-reported measures. This suggests that self-reported rates of marijuana use in pregnant females is not an accurate measure of marijuana use and may be underreporting their use. Additionally, in one study of dispensaries, nonmedical personnel at marijuana dispensaries were recommending marijuana to pregnant women for nausea, but medical experts warn against it. This concerns medical experts because marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight and increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. If a pregnant woman uses marijuana, the drug may affect certain developing parts of the fetus's brain. Children exposed to marijuana in the womb have an increased risk of problems with attention, memory, and problem-solving compared to unexposed children. Some research also suggests that moderate amounts of THC are excreted into the breast milk of nursing mothers. With regular use, THC can reach amounts in breast milk that could affect the baby's developing brain. Other recent research suggests an increased risk of preterm births. More research is needed. Read our Marijuana Research Report for more information about marijuana and pregnancy.

Intense nausea and vomiting. Regular, long-term marijuana use can lead to some people to develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. This causes users to experience regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention.

Reports of Deaths Related to Vaping

The Food and Drug Administration has alerted the public to hundreds of reports of serious lung illnesses associated with vaping, including several 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. No one substance has been identified in all of the samples tested, and it is unclear if the illnesses are related to one single compound. Until more details are known, FDA officials have warned people not to use any vaping products bought on the street, and they warn against modifying any products purchased in stores. They are also asking people and health professionals to report any adverse effects. The CDC has posted an information page for consumers.

Mental Effects

Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some people, such as:

temporary hallucinations

temporary paranoia

worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia-a severe mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking

Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens. However, study findings have been mixed.

Are there effects of inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke?

Failing a Drug Test?

While it's possible to fail a drug test after inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke, it's unlikely. Studies show that very little THC is released in the air when a person exhales. Research findings suggest that, unless people are in an enclosed room, breathing in lots of smoke for hours at close range, they aren't likely to fail a drug test. Even if some THC was found in the blood, it wouldn't be enough to fail a test.

Getting High from Passive Exposure?

Similarly, it's unlikely that secondhand marijuana smoke would give nonsmoking people in a confined space a high from passive exposure. Studies have shown that people who don't use marijuana report only mild effects of the drug from a nearby smoker, under extreme conditions (breathing in lots of marijuana smoke for hours in an enclosed room).

Other Health Effects?

More research is needed to know if secondhand marijuana smoke has similar health risks as secondhand tobacco smoke. A recent study on rats suggests that secondhand marijuana smoke can do as much damage to the heart and blood vessels as secondhand tobacco smoke.But researchers haven't fully explored the effect of secondhand marijuana smoke on humans. What they do know is that the toxins and tar found in marijuana smoke could affect vulnerable people, such as children or people with asthma.

How Does Marijuana Affect a Person's Life?

Compared to those who don't use marijuana, those who frequently use large amounts report the following:

lower life satisfaction

poorer mental health

poorer physical health

more relationship problems

People also report less academic and career success. For example, marijuana use is linked to a higher likelihood of dropping out of school. It's also linked to more job absences, accidents, and injuries.

Is marijuana a gateway drug?

Use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana are likely to come before use of other drugs.Animal studies have shown that early exposure to addictive substances, including THC, may change how the brain responds to other drugs. For example, when rodents are repeatedly exposed to THC when they're young, they later show an enhanced response to other addictive substances-such as morphine or nicotine-in the areas of the brain that control reward, and they're more likely to show addiction-like behaviors.

Although these findings support the idea of marijuana as a "gateway drug," the majority of people who use marijuana don't go on to use other "harder" drugs. It's also important to note that other factors besides biological mechanisms, such as a person's social environment, are also critical in a person's risk for drug use and addiction. Read more about marijuana as a gateway drug in our Marijuana Research Report.

Can a person overdose on marijuana?

An overdose occurs when a person uses enough of the drug to produce life-threatening symptoms or death. There are no reports of teens or adults dying from marijuana alone. However, some people who use marijuana can feel some very uncomfortable side effects, especially when using marijuana products with high THC levels. People have reported symptoms such as anxiety and paranoia, and in rare cases, an extreme psychotic reaction (which can include delusions and hallucinations) that can lead them to seek treatment in an emergency room.

While a psychotic reaction can occur following any method of use, emergency room responders have seen an increasing number of cases involving marijuana edibles. Some people (especially preteens and teens) who know very little about edibles don't realize that it takes longer for the body to feel marijuana's effects when eaten rather than smoked. So they consume more of the edible, trying to get high faster or thinking they haven't taken enough. In addition, some babies and toddlers have been seriously ill after ingesting marijuana or marijuana edibles left around the house.

Is marijuana addictive?

Marijuana use can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, a medical illness in which the person is unable to stop using even though it's causing health and social problems in their life. Severe substance use disorders are also known as addiction. Research suggests that between 9 and 30 percent of those who use marijuana may develop some degree of marijuana use disorder. People who begin using marijuana before age 18 are four to seven times more likely than adults to develop a marijuana use disorder.

Many people who use marijuana long term and are trying to quit report mild withdrawal symptoms that make quitting difficult. These include:

What treatments are available for marijuana use disorder?

No medications are currently available to treat marijuana use disorder, but behavioral support has been shown to be effective. Examples include therapy and motivational incentives (providing rewards to patients who remain drug-free). Continuing research may lead to new medications that help ease withdrawal symptoms, block the effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.

Points to Remember

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant.

The plant contains the mind-altering chemical THC and other related compounds.

People use marijuana by smoking, eating, drinking, or inhaling it.

Smoking and vaping THC-rich extracts from the marijuana plant (a practice called dabbing) is on the rise.

THC overactivates certain brain cell receptors, resulting in effects such as:

altered senses

changes in mood

impaired body movement

difficulty with thinking and problem-solving

impaired memory and learning

Marijuana use can have a wide range of health effects, including:

hallucinations and paranoia

breathing problems

possible harm to a fetus's brain in pregnant women

The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily in recent decades, creating more harmful effects in some people.

It's unlikely that a person will fail a drug test or get high from passive exposure by inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke.

There aren't any reports of teens and adults dying from using marijuana alone, but marijuana use can cause some very uncomfortable side effects, such as anxiety and paranoia and, in rare cases, extreme psychotic reactions.

Marijuana use can lead to a substance use disorder, which can develop into an addiction in severe cases.

No medications are currently available to treat marijuana use disorder, but behavioral support can be effective.

Learn More

For more information about marijuana and marijuana use, visit our:

References

1. Substance Abuse Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-detailed-tables Accessed December 2019.

2. Johnston L, O'Malley P, Miech R, Bachman J, Schulenberg J. Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use: 1975-2015: Overview: Key Findings on Adolescent Drug Use. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan; 2015.

3. Bell C, Slim J, Flaten HK, Lindberg G, Arek W, Monte AA. Butane Hash Oil Burns Associated with Marijuana Liberalization in Colorado. J Med Toxicol Off J Am Coll Med Toxicol. 2015;11(4):422-425. doi:10.1007/s13181-015-0501-0.

4. Romanowski KS, Barsun A, Kwan P, et al. Butane Hash Oil Burns: A 7-Year Perspective on a Growing Problem. J Burn Care Res Off Publ Am Burn Assoc. 2017;38(1):e165-e171. doi:10.1097/BCR.0000000000000334.

5. Meier MH, Caspi A, Ambler A, et al. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(40):E2657-E2664. doi:10.1073/pnas.1206820109.

6. Jackson NJ, Isen JD, Khoddam R, et al. Impact of adolescent marijuana use on intelligence: Results from two longitudinal twin studies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016;113(5):E500-E508. doi:10.1073/pnas.1516648113.

7. Mehmedic Z, Chandra S, Slade D, et al. Potency trends of Δ9-THC and other cannabinoids in confiscated cannabis preparations from 1993 to 2008. J Forensic Sci. 2010;55(5):1209-1217. doi:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01441.x.

8. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2017.

9. Young-Wolff KC, Tucker L-Y, Alexeeff S, et al. Trends in Self-reported and Biochemically Tested Marijuana Use Among Pregnant Females in California From 2009-2016. JAMA. 2017;318(24):2490. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.17225

10. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice, Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana: An Evidence Review and Research Agenda. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2017/health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids.aspx. Accessed January 19, 2017.

11. Goldschmidt L, Day NL, Richardson GA. Effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on child behavior problems at age 10. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2000;22(3):325-336.

12. Richardson GA, Ryan C, Willford J, Day NL, Goldschmidt L. Prenatal alcohol and marijuana exposure: effects on neuropsychological outcomes at 10 years. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2002;24(3):309-320.

13. Perez-Reyes M, Wall ME. Presence of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human milk. N Engl J Med. 1982;307(13):819-820. doi:10.1056/NEJM198209233071311.

14. Galli JA, Sawaya RA, Friedenberg FK. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2011;4(4):241-249.

15. Röhrich J, Schimmel I, Zörntlein S, et al. Concentrations of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-nor-9-carboxytetrahydrocannabinol in blood and urine after passive exposure to Cannabis smoke in a coffee shop. J Anal Toxicol. 2010;34(4):196-203.

16. Cone EJ, Bigelow GE, Herrmann ES, et al. Non-smoker exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke. I. Urine screening and confirmation results. J Anal Toxicol. 2015;39(1):1-12. doi:10.1093/jat/bku116.

17. Herrmann ES, Cone EJ, Mitchell JM, et al. Non-smoker exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke II: Effect of room ventilation on the physiological, subjective, and behavioral/cognitive effects. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015;151:194-202. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.019.

18. McCaffrey DF, Pacula RL, Han B, Ellickson P. Marijuana Use and High School Dropout: The Influence of Unobservables. Health Econ. 2010;19(11):1281-1299. doi:10.1002/hec.1561.

19. Zwerling C, Ryan J, Orav EJ. The efficacy of preemployment drug screening for marijuana and cocaine in predicting employment outcome. JAMA. 1990;264(20):2639-2643.

20. Wang X, Derakhshandeh R, Liu J, et al. One Minute of Marijuana Secondhand Smoke Exposure Substantially Impairs Vascular Endothelial Function. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5(8). doi:10.1161/JAHA.116.003858.

21. Secades-Villa R, Garcia-Rodríguez O, Jin CJ, Wang S, Blanco C. Probability and predictors of the cannabis gateway effect: a national study. Int J Drug Policy. 2015;26(2):135-142. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.07.011.

22. Levine A, Huang Y, Drisaldi B, et al. Molecular mechanism for a gateway drug: epigenetic changes initiated by nicotine prime gene expression by cocaine. Sci Transl Med. 2011;3(107):107ra109. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3003062.

23. Panlilio LV, Zanettini C, Barnes C, Solinas M, Goldberg SR. Prior exposure to THC increases the addictive effects of nicotine in rats. Neuropsychopharmacol Off Publ Am Coll Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013;38(7):1198-1208. doi:10.1038/npp.2013.16.

24. Cadoni C, Pisanu A, Solinas M, Acquas E, Di Chiara G. Behavioural sensitization after repeated exposure to Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cross-sensitization with morphine. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001;158(3):259-266. doi:10.1007/s002130100875.

25. Hasin DS, Saha TD, Kerridge BT, et al. Prevalence of Marijuana Use Disorders in the United States Between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(12):1235-1242. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1858.

26. Winters KC, Lee C-YS. Likelihood of developing an alcohol and cannabis use disorder during youth: association with recent use and age. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008;92(1-3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.08.005.

27. Corsi DJ, Walsh L, Weiss D, et al. Association Between Self-reported Prenatal Cannabis Use and Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Outcomes. JAMA. Published online June 18, 2019322(2):145-152. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.8734

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Marijuana DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical THC and other similar compounds. Extracts can also be made from the cannabis plant (see " Marijuana Extracts"). Marijuana is the most commonly used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol.

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My Thoughts: Its crazy to see that in 2006, 20.4 million people were illicit drug users. Seeing things like this makes me think back on my uncles past.
I can definitely see why this is a problem, and things need to be done more about it. People can't keep dying because of substance abuses, and other drug related injuries or deaths.

Direct Quotes: In 2006, an estimated 22.6 million persons (9.2 percent of the population age 12 and over) were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year. Of these, 15.6 million abused or were dependent on alcohol, 3.8 million abused or were dependent on illicit drugs, and 3.2 million abused or were dependent on both alcohol and illicit drugs.

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In 2006, an estimated 20.4 million Americans were current illicit drug users. The rate of current illicit drug use among Americans has not changed much in recent years, hovering around 8 percent since 2002.1

About 57 million people, or more than one-fifth (23.0 percent) of the population age 12 and over, participated in binge drinking (having five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past 30 days). About 17 million people or 6.9 percent of the population age 12 and over, reported heavy drinking (defined as binge drinking on at least 5 of the past 30 days).2

Among youth ages 12-17, current illicit drug use steadily declined in recent years (down from 11.6 percent in 2002 to 9.8 percent in 2006). Moreover, after years of no change, the rate of binge drinking among youth ages 12-17 decreased from 11.1 percent in 2004 to 10.3 percent in 2006.3

However, among adults ages 50-59, current illicit drug use increased from 2.7 percent to 4.3 percent between 2002 and 2006, as the baby boom cohort continued to enter this age bracket.4

In 2006, an estimated 22.6 million persons (9.2 percent of the population age 12 and over) were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year. Of these, 15.6 million abused or were dependent on alcohol, 3.8 million abused or were dependent on illicit drugs, and 3.2 million abused or were dependent on both alcohol and illicit drugs.5

Substance Use and Abuse among Workers

Substance use and abuse is a concern for employers. Most drug users, binge and heavy drinkers, and people with substance use disorders are employed.

In 2006, of the 17.9 million current illicit drug users age 18 and over, 13.4 million (74.9 percent) were employed.6

Similarly, among 54.0 million adult binge drinkers, 42.9 million (79.4 percent) were employed, and among 16.3 million persons reporting heavy alcohol use, 12.9 million (79.2 percent) were employed.7

Of the 20.6 million adults classified with substance dependence or abuse, 12.7 million (61.5 percent) were employed full-time.8 Furthermore, among the U.S. working age population (ages 18-64) diagnosed with a substance use disorder, 62.7 percent were employed full-time.9

The prevalence of substance use among workers is lower than the prevalence among the unemployed, but a sizeable number of employed individuals use drugs and alcohol.

In 2006, 8.8 percent of those employed full-time were current illicit drug users, and 8.9 percent reported heavy alcohol use.10

Among adults ages 18-64 who were employed full-time, 10.6 percent were classified as having a substance use disorder in the past year, and 2.4 percent had a substance use disorder accompanied by serious psychological distress.11

Among full-time employed persons diagnosed with a substance use disorder, those ages 18-25 had the highest rates of substance use disorder, relative to those in other age categories.12

Employers in certain industries may be more at risk for employee substance use and abuse.

The major industry groups with the highest prevalence of illicit drug use in the past month were accommodations and food services and construction, and those with the lowest prevalence were the utilities industry, educational services, and public administration.13

About 16.9 percent of workers in the accommodations and food services industry and 13.7 percent of workers in the construction industry reported illicit drug use in the past month.14

About 3.8 percent of workers in the utilities industry, 4.0 percent of workers in the educational services industry, and 4.1 percent of workers in the public administration industry reported past month illicit drug use.15

The major industry groups with the highest prevalence of heavy alcohol use were construction, arts, entertainment and recreation, and mining, and those with the lowest were health care and social assistance and educational services.

About 15.9 percent of workers in the construction industry and 13.6 percent of workers in the arts, entertainment and recreation industry reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.

In contrast, 4.0 percent of workers in the educational services industry and 4.3 percent of workers in the health care and social assistance industry reported heavy alcohol use.

Likewise, workers in certain occupations may be more at risk for problems with substance use and abuse.

Workers in food service and construction occupations showed a higher prevalence of illicit drug use during the past month than other occupational groups, while those in protective service, community and social services, and education and related services occupations showed the lowest prevalence rates.16

About 17.4 percent of food service workers and 15.1 percent of construction workers used illicit drugs in the past month.17

About 3.4 percent of protective service workers, 4.0 percent of community and social services workers, and 4.1 percent of education, training, and library workers used illicit drugs in the past month.18

Construction occupations and installation, maintenance, and repair occupations showed higher prevalence of heavy alcohol use in the past month, while community and social services occupations showed the lowest prevalence rates.19

About 17.8 percent of construction and extraction workers and 14.7 percent of installation, maintenance, and repair workers reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.20

In contrast, 2.8 percent of community and social services workers reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.21

America's Workplaces at Risk

Substance use and abuse is not necessarily limited to after work hours, leading to the risk of impairment on the job.

An estimated 3.1 percent of employed adults actually used illicit drugs before reporting to work or during work hours at least once in the past year, with about 2.9 percent working while under the influence of an illicit drug.22

An estimated 1.8 percent of employed adults consumed alcohol before coming to work, and 7.1 percent drank alcohol during the workday.23

An estimated 1.7 percent of employed adults worked while under the influence of alcohol, and 9.2 percent worked with a hangover in the past year.24

Regardless of where illicit drug use or heavy alcohol use takes place, workers reporting substance use and abuse have higher rates of turnover and absenteeism.

Workers reporting heavy alcohol use or illicit drug use, as well as workers reporting dependence on or abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs, are more likely to have worked for more than three employers in the past year.25

Likewise, those workers are more likely to have skipped work more than two days in the past month.26

Workers reporting illicit drug use or dependence on or abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs were also more likely to have missed more than two days of work due to illness or injury.27

Furthermore, the impact of employee substance use and abuse is a problem that extends beyond the substance-using employee. There is evidence that co-worker job performance and attitudes are negatively affected.28 Workers have reported being put in danger, having been injured, or having had to work harder, to re-do work, or to cover for a co-worker as a result of a fellow employee's drinking.29

Small Businesses Most Vulnerable

Smaller firms may be particularly disadvantaged by worker substance use and abuse. For example, while about half of all U.S. workers work for small and medium sized businesses (those with fewer than 500 employees)30, about nine in ten employed current illicit drug users and almost nine in ten employed heavy drinkers work for small and medium sized firms.31 Likewise, about nine in ten full-time workers with alcohol or illicit drug dependence or abuse work for small and medium size firms.32 However, smaller firms are generally less likely to test for substance use.33

Smaller businesses are less likely to have programs in place to combat the problem, yet they are more likely to be the employer-of-choice for illicit drug users. Individuals who can't adhere to a drug-free workplace policy seek employment at firms that don't have one, and the cost of just one error caused by an impaired employee can devastate a small company.

Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace

The good news is that there are steps businesses can take to minimize the risks of worker alcohol use, and there are resources to help them do so. The U.S. Department of Labor can help employers develop drug-free workplace programs that educate employees about the dangers of alcohol and encourage those with alcohol problems to seek help.

Article is reprinted from the U.S. Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/asp

Endnotes:
1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-32, DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4293). Rockville, MD.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). "Substance Use Disorder and Serious Psychological Distress, by Employment Status" The NSDUH Report Issue 38.
10 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2007). Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-32, DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4293). Rockville, MD.
11 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). "Substance Use Disorder and Serious Psychological Distress, by Employment Status" The NSDUH Report Issue 38.
12 Ibid.
13 Larson, S.L., Eyerman, J., Foster, M.S., and Gfroerer, J.C. (2007). Worker Substance Use and Workplace Policies and Programs (DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4273, Analytic Series A-29). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid.
18 Ibid.
19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
21 Ibid.
22 Frone, M. R. (2006). Prevalence and distribution of illicit drug use in the workforce and in the workplace: Findings and implications from a U.S. national survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91, 856-869.
23 Frone, M. R. (2006). Prevalence and distribution of alcohol use and impairment in the workplace: A U.S. national survey. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 76, 147-156.
24 Ibid.
25 Larson, S.L., Eyerman, J., Foster, M.S., and Gfroerer, J.C. (2007). Worker Substance Use and Workplace Policies and Programs (DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4273, Analytic Series A-29). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
26 Ibid.
27 Ibid.
28 Lehman, W. E. K., Farabee, D. J., & Bennett, J. B. (1998). Perceptions and correlates of co-worker substance use. Employee Assistance Quarterly, 13(4), 1-22.
29 Mangione, T.W., et al. (1998). New Perspectives for Worksite Alcohol Strategies: Results from a Corporate Drinking Study. Boston, MA: JSI Research and Training Institute.
30 Statistics of U.S. Businesses, 2003, U.S. Census Bureau, available at http://www.census.gov/csd/susb/index.html
31 Larson, S.L., Eyerman, J., Foster, M.S., and Gfroerer, J.C. (2007). Worker Substance Use and Workplace Policies and Programs (DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4273, Analytic Series A-29). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid.

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Substance Use and Abuse in America Today

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In 2006, an estimated 20.4 million Americans were current illicit drug users. The rate of current illicit drug use among Americans has not changed much in recent years, hovering around 8 percent since 2002.1 About 57 million people, or more than one-fifth (23.0 percent) of the population age 12 and over, participated in binge drinking (having five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past 30 days).

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The Narconon New Life Retreat drug rehab program offers drug addiction treatment with services which help make your stay at our facility comfortable and provides a therapeutic environment to help your recovery process.

If you have been searching for a drug rehab center for yourself or for a loved one, you should be educated on the subject of chronic drug or alcohol addiction in order to make an informed decision about the correct treatment option. Our experienced and caring counselors are standing by to help you understand more about addiction, select the right solutions for drug addiction and learn what it takes to permanently recover through effective rehabilitation. Call now!

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We offer a long-term residential drug addiction rehab program that focuses on results. Despite decades of success, our methods are considered alternative in that we do not use any sort of replacement drugs in the rehabilitation process and we are not based on twelve step programs. We help handle the physical cravings for drugs through a sauna detoxification step which is followed by a series of life skills courses designed to empower individuals and put them back in control over their lives.

Clients move through our drug addiction program at their own pace and are referred to as students, not patients. We don't feel that all people get better in the same amount of time, which is why our treatment program is open-ended and we don't charge extra if it takes someone longer to complete. Individualized treatment is something that group therapy can never replace.

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Call Now for Drug Addiction Help
Don't wait, contact us today for more information about this life-saving drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Find out how our individualized addiction treatment approach has helped people permanently recover.
Addiction CAN be Overcome-Permanently!
While most treatment centers view addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease, our statistics prove that people have the ability to put alcohol and other drug addiction permanently behind them.

One key is to identify situations and problems in life that have lead the individual to feel that taking alcohol or other drugs is some sort of solution. We don't just treat the symptoms of addiction, but instead rehabilitate the whole individual, finding alternative solutions to problems faced in everyday life so they are no longer stuck in the past and do not desire drugs as an escape.

The difference between Narconon and the "traditional" approach to rehab lies in the underlying philosophy. Far from agreeing that "addiction is a disease" concept, we at Narconon know that drugs and alcohol addiction is simply a solution to a problem that the person has. This may be a physical, emotional or spiritual problem that the drug use or alcohol use eases or erases for the individual. The drugs then become the obvious "problem" that gets addressed. We go deeper than that. Not only does the sauna part of the program handle the physical cleansing, and thereby eradicating much of the "craving" that so often defeats a recovering addict, but we help the person find and resolve the problem that precedes the desire for drugs.

Narconon New Life Retreat is considered one of the top drug addiction rehabs in the United States. The reason for this is that our staff and counselors are trained to help drug addicts put a permanent end to addiction. We have helped hundreds of drug addicts find the solution to a drug-free life. We can help you or your loved one achieve sobriety.

Find out more about addiction solutions here.

Our experienced staff is caring and knowledgeable in solutions for all aspects of addiction. Not only are we able to provide drug addiction treatment for the physical cravings that come with drug addiction. We also help you overcome the mental and emotional dependence to drugs that makes it so hard to quit. We won't just help you get off drugs. We'll help you repair your life.

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Drug Abuse Solutions | Narconon Louisiana

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The Narconon New Life Retreat drug rehab program offers drug addiction treatment with services which help make your stay at our facility comfortable and provides a therapeutic environment to help your recovery process.

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My Thoughts: The most important distinction between these concepts is that tolerance and dependence refer to the physical consequences of drug use. In contrast, addiction is a descriptive term that refers to a need to engage in harmful behavior such as drug use.

Direct Quotes: It is important to understand the meaning of the terms tolerance, dependence, and addiction when discussing substance abuse and the use of prescription medications such as opioid painkillers.
Drugs that result in the development of tolerance and physical dependence often have the potential to cause addiction, but not always.

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It is important to understand the meaning of the terms tolerance, dependence, and addiction when discussing substance abuse and the use of prescription medications such as opioid painkillers. Unfortunately, both professionals and lay people often misuse these terms, leading to the mistaken belief that tolerance, dependence, and addiction are just different names for the same thing. However, knowing the distinction between these terms can lead to a better understanding of the dangers of drug abuse.

The most important distinction between these concepts is that tolerance and dependence refer to the physical consequences of drug use. In contrast, addiction is a descriptive term that refers to a need to engage in harmful behavior such as drug use.

Drugs that result in the development of tolerance and physical dependence often have the potential to cause addiction, but not always.

What Is Tolerance?

Tolerance is defined as a person's diminished response to a drug that is the result of repeated use ¹. People can develop tolerance to both illicit drugs and prescription medications. As stated above, tolerance is a physical effect of repeated use of a drug, not necessarily a sign of addiction. For example, patients with chronic pain frequently develop tolerance to some effects of prescription pain medications without developing an addiction to them.
There are 3 main types of tolerance:

Acute, or short-term, tolerance is caused by repeated exposure to a drug over a relatively short period of time. Cocaine abuse often results in acute tolerance. Experiments have shown that after a first dose of cocaine, test subjects experience a euphoric high and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. However, despite nearly doubling the levels of drug in the blood, a second dose of cocaine 40 minutes later does not result in a dose-dependent increase in the "positive" effects of the drug, including a further increase in heart rate or blood pressure ².

Chronic, or long-term, tolerance develops when an individual's body adapts to constant exposure to a drug over weeks or months. People who regularly abuse prescription opioids build up chronic tolerance to the euphoric effects of these medications, leading many of them to increase the dosage taken or switch to more potent ways of taking these drugs, such as snorting or injecting

Learned tolerance may result from frequent exposure to certain drugs. For example, people who abuse alcohol for months or years often do not appear intoxicated to others. Experimental studies have shown that drinkers can compensate for the effects of alcohol on their coordination when they practice a task repeatedly while under the influence ³. However, this tolerance disappears if the task is altered.

Finally, most drugs have more than one effect, and tolerance does not necessarily develop equally to all effects. Abusers of illicit and prescription opioids, such as heroin or oxycodone (OxyContin), quickly develop tolerance to the euphoric high these drugs produce but not to the dangerous side effect of respiratory depression (slowed breathing rate). Opioid abusers who take large doses of these drugs to overcome tolerance and get high are frequently hospitalized-or even die-because they stop breathing.

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What Is Dependence?

The words dependence and addiction are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences between the two. In medical terms, dependence specifically refers to a physical condition in which the body has adapted to the presence of a drug. If an individual with drug dependence stops taking that drug suddenly, that person will experience predictable and measurable symptoms, known as a withdrawal syndrome.

Although dependence is often a part of addiction, non-addictive drugs can also produce dependence in patients. A prime example is prednisone, a synthetic form of the steroid hormone cortisol that is used to treat asthma, allergic reactions, Crohn's disease, and many other inflammatory conditions. Prednisone is not known to produce addiction. However, if a patient has taken prednisone for several weeks and then stops suddenly, they are likely to suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, body aches, and joint pain ⁴.

Dependence is caused by changes in the body as a result of constant exposure to a drug. In the case of prednisone, the body adapts to repeated doses of the drug by decreasing its own cortisol production, which can leave the body without a baseline level of cortisol "support" when prednisone use is stopped-resulting in steroid withdrawal symptoms until the normal balance is re-established.

Drug dependence is a medically treatable condition. The goal is to separate the patient from the drug slowly, instead of suddenly, to allow the body to readjust to normal functioning. For patients who have developed dependence as a side effect of taking a needed medication (e.g., an opioid painkiller), a doctor can use the tapering method (slowly decreasing the dose of the drug over time) to minimize withdrawal.

For individuals who are dependent on illicit or prescription drugs due to abuse rather than medical need, detoxification (detox) facilities may also use a controlled taper and/or medications to prevent serious withdrawal symptoms. They may also substitute dangerous drugs with similar-but safer-drugs to manage dependence. For example, people detoxing from heroin are often given a longer-acting opioid like methadone or buprenorphine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Detox is a relatively short-term process lasting several days to several weeks that helps drug abusers safely stop taking drugs while avoiding dangerous withdrawal symptoms. While the detox process is a necessary step towards recovery, detox does little itself to treat addiction in the long term. Research has shown that individuals who do not participate in drug treatment programs after undergoing detox are likely to relapse and end up needing detox again in the future ⁵.

Just as some drugs that cause dependence are not addictive, there are also highly addictive drugs that do not produce physical withdrawal symptoms. Even after long periods of abuse, psychostimulant drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, do not produce pronounced physical withdrawal symptoms like vomiting and shaking, although there can be psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and drug cravings ⁶. Despite a lack of visible, measurable physical signs, chronic psychostimulant abusers may indeed be addicted.

What Is Addiction?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is a "chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences" ⁷. In other words, addiction is an uncontrollable or overwhelming need to use a drug, and this compulsion is long-lasting and can return unexpectedly after a period of improvement.

Addiction is a psychological condition that describes a compulsion to take a drug or engage in other harmful behaviors. Individuals can develop addictions to illicit street drugs, prescription medications, and even activities such as gambling. Addictions are persistent, and addicted individuals can relapse into drug use after years of abstaining.

Although addiction used to be thought of as a sign of moral weakness, it is now understood by the majority of those in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sphere to be a condition that arises in association with changes in the brain caused by the use of addictive substances. This is because nearly all addictive drugs either directly or indirectly activate an area of the brain, the nucleus accumbens, that is normally stimulated by naturally rewarding activities important for survival like eating, having sex, or spending time with friends.

To the addicted brain, obtaining and taking drugs can literally feel like a matter of life and death.

Addictive drugs stimulate pleasure and motivation pathways in the brain much more strongly than natural rewards. Therefore, repeated exposure to these drugs can fool the brain into prioritizing drug-taking over normal, healthy activities.

The effect of addictive drugs on the brain's reward pathways helps explain two important features of addiction:

1. The inability to limit or cease substance use.

2. The irresistible urge to continue seeking and taking the drug despite serious negative consequences.

People with an addiction to alcohol, for example, may intend to stop for a quick beer on the way home and yet find themselves still sitting on the barstool hours later at closing time. Likewise, addicted drinkers will not be deterred from drinking even if they are advised by a doctor to stop for health reasons, receive a DUI, or are dismissed from a job.

This irrational persistence is what sets addiction apart from mere physical dependence. Many people in our society are dependent on caffeine and experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating if they miss their morning cup of coffee ⁸. But no matter how unpleasant going without caffeine may be to people who are dependent on it, it is unlikely many of them would commit a crime in order to get an espresso or refuse to give up coffee entirely if told by their doctor that it might kill them.

Addiction results from a complex interplay of a number of social, biological and psychological factors, including ⁷

Genetic makeup.

Socioeconomic status.

Family environment.

Drug accessibility.

The treatment of addiction is likewise complex and requires medical attention, behavioral counseling, and long-term support to prevent relapse.

Drug addiction is a dangerous and often fatal condition, and it can be virtually impossible for an addicted individual to break the cycle of compulsive drug use without assistance. Fortunately, there are many effective professional treatment programs that can help. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, call Who Answers? today to learn about the options available and how you can start the journey to recovery.

References

1. Hussar, D. A. Tolerance and Resistance to Drugs. Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

2. Foltin, R. W., & Haney, M. (2004). Intranasal cocaine in humans: acute tolerance, cardiovascular and subjective effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 78(1), 93-101. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2004.02.018

3. Vogel-Sprott, M. (1997). Is behavioral tolerance learned? Alcohol Health Res World, 21(2), 161-168.

4. Mayo Clinic. (August 5, 2014). Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?

5. Mark, T. L., Vandivort-Warren, R., & Montejano, L. B. (2006). Factors affecting detoxification readmission: analysis of public sector data from three states. J Subst Abuse Treat, 31(4), 439-445. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2006.05.019

6. MedlinePlus. (April 13, 2015). Cocaine withdrawal.

7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2003).Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders.

8. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU) Fact Sheet: Caffeine Dependence.

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It is important to understand the meaning of the terms tolerance, dependence, and addiction when discussing substance abuse and the use of prescription medications such as opioid painkillers. Unfortunately, both professionals and lay people often misuse these terms, leading to the mistaken belief that tolerance, dependence, and addiction are just different names for the same thing.

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