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Important Facts about Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is a serious addiction and health problem that affects many communities and families. Each year, over 40 million people in the United States are affected by drug abuse illnesses or injuries.

If you are at risk, speak with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) about the symptoms and treatment available to take control of your health.

Learn about frequently abused drugs

Commonly abused drugs can be legal and illegal. Some include:
Alcohol Cocaine Club drugs Heroin Inhalants (such as permanent markers and glue) LSD (acid)	Marijuana MDMA (ecstasy) Methamphetamine Nicotine PCP (phencyclidine) Prescription medications Steroids

Know the signs

Signs and symptoms of drug abuse include:

Drug tolerance – The need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects used in the past with smaller amounts of the drug.
Take drugs to feel better – The desire to take drugs to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can range from signs of nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
Loss of control – Knowing that you want to stop using the drug, but don’t know how to stop.

Dependence and habit – The drug has become part of your daily routine and you spend a lot of time thinking of ways to get more.
Lack of interest in enjoyable activities – No longer enjoying activities, sports, or socializing with friends and family as a result of your drug abuse.
Denial – Continuing to use the drug, while knowing that it’s hurting you and others around you.

Prescription drug abuse

Most people take medicines as prescribed by their doctor to treat a health condition. In the United States, about 20 percent of people have used prescription
drugs for non-medical reasons. Prescription drug abuse occurs when you take more pills than the doctor prescribes or take them longer than the doctor prescribes to get high or ease pain.

Health problems linked to prescription drug abuse

All medications can put you at risk for serious side effects. Doctors and healthcare
professionals are trained to prescribe the right dosage for you and explain the benefits and side effects of the medication. Drug abusers are usually unaware of the side effects caused by drugs.

Types of treatment programs

Inpatient treatment
Residential programs
Partial hospitalization or day treatment
Outpatient programs
Methadone clinics/rehab center

Common myths about drug abuse

Overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. You can stop using drugs if you want to. The longer you take the drug, the more your body depends on it. This makes it very difficult to quit.
There’s nothing you can do about addiction. You can stop the addiction.
Speak to your PCP about treatments available to stop drug abuse.
You can’t force someone into treatment. They have to want help. Treatment is available for all types of drug abuse cases.
Treatment didn’t work before, so there’s no point trying again. Just because you stopped taking the drug and then you started taking it again, doesn’t mean that treatment has failed. Don’t give up.

Live Healthy