Drug Addictions

Drug abuse is a disease characterized by continued misuse of drugs even when faced with drug-related job, legal, health, or family difficulties. Problems associated with drug abuse must have existed a minimum of 12 months to meet the diagnosis.

Drug dependence refers to long-term, compulsive drug use, perhaps with attempts to stop but repeatedly returning to drugs. Drug dependence also means that your body has begun to require the drug in higher doses to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Drug abuse and drug dependence are not terms that should be used to describe people who are taking appropriate dosages of prescribed drugs (pain medication, for example) and who have become physically dependent on them. Diagnosis of both drug abuse and drug dependence requires the presence of specific behavioral symptoms.

Some of the most commonly abused substances include:

* Cocaine
* Heroin
* Morphine
* LSD
* Marijuana
* Sedatives
* Speed (methamphetamine, "crystal meth")
* PCP
* Ecstasy
* GHB
* Ketamine
* Steroids
* Inhalants
* Legal drugs that are used improperly or without a prescription, such as:
o Narcotic painkillers
o Amphetamines
o Drugs for treating anxiety
o Sleeping pills