Tag: Substance use

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), over 5 million people in the US misused prescription stimulants like Adderall in 2020, raising crucial questions: does your brain become dependent on Adderall and what are the long-term consequences?. The answer is complex, involving both physiological changes and psychological factors.

In 2021, an estimated 1.3% of people aged 12 or older in the U.S. (about 3.7 million people) reported misusing prescription stimulants in the past year [1.3.3]. But what are 6 examples of stimulants, and how do they work? This article explores common stimulants, from prescription medications to illicit substances.

In 2023, approximately 69% of all drug overdose deaths in the United States involved synthetic opioids, primarily illegally manufactured fentanyl [1.8.1]. Understanding what is the most common drug overdose is critical to addressing this public health crisis.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 40-60% of individuals in substance use disorder treatment will experience relapse, a statistic comparable to other chronic illnesses like hypertension or asthma. Understanding **what is the most common relapse** involves recognizing the substances with the highest rates and the complex factors, including pharmacology, that influence a return to use.

According to a 2021 study, 3.7 million Americans reported misusing a prescription stimulant like dextroamphetamine. While therapeutically used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, the question, **'Does dextroamphetamine cause euphoria?'** is vital for understanding its abuse potential and neurological effects.

According to a 2022 study in *Biomolecules*, while benzodiazepines like Xanax affect the GABA system, they fundamentally alter how the brain's natural processes function. The answer to **Are GABA and xanax the same?** is a clear 'no,' but the connection between the two is central to understanding how anxiety medications work and the serious risks involved.

According to addiction treatment experts, drugs are typically classified into four major categories based on their effects on the central nervous system. This provides a useful framework for understanding what are the 4 main drugs: depressants, stimulants, opioids, and hallucinogens, and how they impact the body and mind. While these classifications are broad, they help distinguish the primary actions and associated risks of many common substances.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately half of individuals with a mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder during their lifetime. In this context, the term 'comorbid opioid' refers not to a specific drug, but to the challenging and common situation where an opioid use disorder (OUD) co-occurs with one or more other medical or psychiatric conditions.

According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), millions of Americans struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), reinforcing the importance of understanding **what are the categories of drug abuse?**. Categorizing substances helps medical and behavioral health professionals develop effective prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies.

Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that slows down brain activity by enhancing the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This article explores what drug has a similar effect to alcohol and the shared pharmacological mechanisms of other GABA-targeting medications and illicit substances.