Related links for drug abuse and addiction Drug abuse and addiction: signs, symptoms, and causes. LINKS IMPORTANT

Related links for drug abuse and addiction

Drug abuse and addiction: signs, symptoms, and causes

Commonly Used Drugs – A comprehensive list of about 50 commonly used drugs with their intoxicating effects and health consequences. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Drug Addiction: Signs and Symptoms – General and specific signs and symptoms of drug addiction correlated to seven classes of drugs. (Mayo Clinic)

Prescription Drug Use and Abuse – Information-packed and consumer-oriented article about misuse of prescription drugs and the problems they cause. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Substance Abuse Symptoms Checklist – Detailed list of signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse that relates to motivations behind substance abuse as well as physical and behavioral symptoms. The site also has a list for drug use signs and symptoms in teens. (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley)

Physical and mental effects of drug use

Crossing the Line to Addiction: How and When Does it Happen? – Clear description of how drugs cause actual changes in the brain. (PBS Online)

Animation video of cocaine's affect on the brain – Easy to understand animation video demonstrating how cocaine affects the brain’s electrical impulses and increases the neurotransmitter dopamine which causes changes in behavior. (PBS.org)

Pathology of Drug Abuse – Using medical terminology, provides details of how drug abuse affects different organs and bodily processes. (University of Utah)

NIDA InfoFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction – Detailed but understandable description of how people become addicted to drugs and the causes of drug addiction. (NIDA)

Drug abuse and addiction in teens and young adults

Is Your Teen Using? Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use – Written in a warm, conversational style, this article goes into great detail concerning the signs of drug use, with some signs many parents wouldn’t think to look for and a subtext reminding parents to pay attention to their kids. (The Partnership for a Drug-Free America)

Why Do Sally And Johnny Use Drugs? - Covers the different reasons young people abuse drugs and how to prevent the problem. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse – U.S. government-sponsored educational site for teens provides facts on drugs, learning activities, real stories, and an “ask the doctor” feature. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Information for families coping with drug abuse and addiction

Impact of Substance Abuse on Families. Part of a larger booklet available online from SAHMSA discussing the importance of involving the family in substance abuse treatment (National Library of Medicine)

12 step programs for families coping with addiction. Based on the twelve step alcoholics anonymous model, these groups provide support and help for family members coping with addiction and abuse:

• Al-Anon: For families coping with alcohol abuse
• Nar-anon: For families coping with narcotic abuse
• Co-anon: For families coping with cocaine abuse