Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a chronic medical condition that can lead to various mental, physical, and social consequences. Fortunately, there are treatment approaches that can help people regain control of their lives.1 This page will help you learn more about drug addiction, including the signs of drug addiction, and how to find drug addiction treatment near you.
What Is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction, also referred to as a substance use disorder (SUD), is a chronic medical condition characterized by compulsive substance use.1, 2 People struggling with drug addiction seek out and use substances despite experiencing negative mental, physical, and social consequences as a result.2 It’s influenced by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors, as well as brain changes that occur from chronic substance use.1 Like other chronic medical conditions, various prevention and treatment strategies can help effectively treat drug addiction.1
Common Types of Drugs
Sedatives
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
Opioids
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
Stimulants
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
Other Drugs
- Marijuana
- Hallucinogens
Sedatives
Sedatives are often prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia.4 This class of drugs includes different medications, like barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and prescription sleep medications, such as Ambien.3, 4
Misusing these drugs (e.g., taking medication in a dose or way other than prescribed; taking someone else’s medication; or taking a medication to feel euphoria) can lead to drug addiction—diagnosed as a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder.3, 4, 5 It can also lead to other health consequences, including an increased risk of overdose.3, 4 Misusing sedatives with alcohol is especially dangerous and increases the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression.5
Opioids
The opioid class of drugs includes prescription pain medications such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and illegal opioids such as heroin.6 Opioid misuse poses a significant risk of drug addiction and numerous health consequences, including respiratory depression and overdose.3, 6
Fentanyl is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. It can be deadly even in small amounts and is a major contributor to overdoses in the U.S.7 Illegally made fentanyl is synthesized in labs and often mixed with other drugs like cocaine, heroin, meth, and MDMA, frequently unbeknownst to the user.8
Stimulants
Stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, as well as a person’s breathing and heart rate.3 This class of drugs includes illicit stimulants like cocaine and meth, and prescription medications such as Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin which are prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, or narcolepsy.4, 9
Stimulant misuse can lead to drug addiction and other health consequences depending on the specific substance and how it’s used.3, 9 This includes mental health effects like paranoia or psychosis, cardiovascular effects like heart disease and heart attack, and overdose, among others.3
Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs
Psychedelic and dissociative drugs include hallucinogens such as ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), psilocybin, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and other drugs that have psychedelic or dissociative effects, like MDMA (ecstasy).3, 10 These drugs temporarily alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and perceptions of reality.10
Psychedelics and dissociative drugs are not typically considered addiction-driving substances.10 However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) includes diagnoses for PCP use disorder and “other hallucinogen use disorder.” Other research suggests that psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD generally don’t lead to addiction. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects these substances may have.
Marijuana
Marijuana refers to the bud, leaves, stems, and seeds of the hemp plants known as Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica.11 Marijuana is one of the most misused drugs in the U.S.11 It can lead to addiction, as well as various mental and physical health effects, including hallucinations, paranoia, breathing problems, and increased heart rate.11
What Are the Signs of Drug Addiction?
A substance use disorder (SUD) can only be diagnosed by a qualified medical or mental health professional using criteria from the DSM-5.4 However, it can be helpful to understand the signs of drug addiction, so you know when it may be time to seek help.
The criteria for SUD include:4
- Taking higher amounts or more frequent doses of the substance than originally intended.
- Having a persistent desire to cut down or regulate substance use but being unable to do so.
- Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance.
- Experiencing cravings, or strong desires or urges to use the substance.
- Failing to fulfill major role obligations at home, school, or work due to substance use.
- Continuing to use the substance despite having persistent or recurrent interpersonal or social problems caused or exacerbated by the substance.
- Giving up important occupational, recreational, or social activities due to substance use.
- Using the substance in situations in which it is physically hazardous, such as while driving or operating machinery.
- Continuing to use the substance despite having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is caused or exacerbated by the substance.
- Developing a tolerance (e.g., needing more of a substance to feel its effects).
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing consumption or needing to continue using a substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Paying for Drug Addiction Treatment
A substance use disorder (SUD) can only be diagnosed by a qualified medical or mental health professional using criteria from the DSM-5.4 However, it can be helpful to understand the signs of drug addiction, so you know when it may be time to seek help.
Are You Covered For Treatment?
American Addiction Centers is in-network with many private insurance companies. We’ll help you verify your insurance coverage for treatment quickly and easily.
Treatment for Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a treatable condition, and with proper treatment, people can overcome an addiction to drugs and regain control of their lives.12 According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), effective treatment is individualized and may involve different levels of care, including treatment for co-occurring disorders.13 Rehab for drug addiction might include one or more of the following options:
Detox can help people through the withdrawal process and facilitate entry into ongoing treatment.13 It may involve the use of different medications to ease withdrawal symptoms from certain substances.13
Inpatient rehab, which means a person lives onsite at a rehab, receives 24/7 care, and participates in different therapies and treatments.14
Instantly find your coverage information
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2019, September 15). Definition of addiction.
- McLellan A. T. (2017). Substance misuse and substance use disorders: why do they matter in healthcare?. Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 128, 112–130.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023, September 15). Commonly used drugs charts.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, December). Misuse of prescription drugs.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, May 29). Opioids.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 2). Stop overdose: fentanyl facts.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June 1). Fentanyl drugfacts.
- Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020, April). Stimulants.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, April 29). Psychedelic and dissociative drugs.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019, December 24). Cannabis (marijuana) drugfacts.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). What to expect: treatment options.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014, January). Principles of drug addiction treatment: a research-based guide (third edition).
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). What is substance abuse treatment? A booklet for families. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4126. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). What to expect: paying for treatment.
