Sep 19, 2023 · Many drugs can alter a person’s thinking and judgment, and can lead to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving, infectious disease, and adverse effects on pregnancy. Information on commonly used drugs with the potential for misuse or addiction can be found here.

Jun 6, 2018 · 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.

Jul 6, 2020 · The Science of Addiction on Drugs and the Brain. The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity—you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities.

Dec 31, 2019 · Use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs can make driving a car unsafe—just like driving after drinking alcohol. In 2018, 20.5 million people aged 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year and 12.6 …

Jan 8, 2025 · Fentanyl is often added to illicit drugs and illegally manufactured counterfeit pills. These pills may look exactly like prescription medications such as oxycodone or benzodiazepines, but really contain fentanyl. Deadly doses of illicit fentanyl can also be mixed into or sold as other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine. 3,20,21

NIDA uses multiple sources to monitor the prevalence and trends regarding drug use in the United States. The resources cover a variety of drug-related issues, including information on drug use, emergency room data, prevention and treatment programs, and other research findings.

Illegal Drugs Marijuana (Cannabis) More research needs to be done on how marijuana use during pregnancy could impact the health and development of infants, given changing policies about access to marijuana, significant increases in the number of pregnant women seeking substance use disorder treatment for marijuana use, and confounding effects of polysubstance use. 96 A …

For most age groups, men have higher rates of use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than do women. 14 However, women are just as likely as men to develop a substance use disorder. 15 In addition, women may be more susceptible to craving 16–19 and relapse, 20,21 which are key phases of the addiction cycle.

Jul 6, 2020 · Parents or older family members who use drugs or misuse alcohol, or who break the law, can increase children's risk of future drug problems. 29; Peer and School. Friends and other peers can have an increasingly strong influence during the teen years. Teens who use drugs can sway even those without risk factors to try drugs for the first time.

In 2016, almost 12 million people ages 16 or older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs, including marijuana. 50 After alcohol, marijuana is the drug most often linked to impaired driving. Research studies have shown negative effects of marijuana on drivers, including an increase in lane weaving, poor reaction time, and altered ...