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    Drug Use and Drug Dependence in Adults: What to Know

    Drug Use and Drug Dependence in Adults: What to Know

    Countries, states, and cities can have laws and rules about drugs that everyone must follow. These laws and rules may be made based on:
    • If the drug can be used as medicine.
    • How easy it is to misuse the drug.
    • How easily you can become dependent on the drug. This is when you start to feel like you need the drug. You may even get sick without it.
    • How safe it is to take the drug without help from a health care provider.

    Some drugs are illegal to use, sell, or have. These include:
    • Heroin.
    • Methamphetamine (meth).
    • Designer drugs, such as spice, K2, bath salts, and kratom.
    • Cocaine. This is also called coke or crack.
    • LSD. This is also called acid.
    • Ecstasy.
    • PCP. This is also known as angel dust.

    Other drugs are legal to have or use but only if you have a prescription from your provider. These include:
    • Adderall.
    • Opiates.
    • Benzodiazepines.

    Make sure you learn about the specific laws for the places where you live and visit.

    How can drug use affect me?

    Using drugs that are illegal or misusing medicines can cause:
    • Changes to the way your brain works. You may start to need the drug to do daily tasks.
    • Changes to the way you act. You may start to do things that don't match your values, such as:
      • Lying.
      • Stealing.
    • Health problems, such as:
      • A drug overdose. This can happen if you take too much of a drug. It can be very bad.
      • Problems in pregnancy, if you're female.
    • Money problems.

    Drug use over a long time can lead to:
    • Needing to use more and more of the drug.
    • Feeling very sick when you stop using a drug or use less of it.
    • Trouble taking care of yourself or others.
    • Trouble doing daily tasks.
    • Problems in your relationships with others.

    You may also get into legal trouble if you use illegal drugs, are around the drugs, or have things that are used for taking the drugs. You may:
    • Have to pay a fine.
    • Go to jail or prison.
    • Have trouble finding a job.
    • Have trouble getting into college.

    What can I do to avoid problems with drug use?

    • Find healthy ways to cope with stress. You may want to:
      • Exercise more.
      • Meditate.
      • Spend time with family and friends who don't have, use, or sell drugs.
    • Have a plan for how to say "no" if someone offers you drugs.
    • Try to avoid:
      • Being with or around people who use or sell drugs.
      • Going places where drugs are or might be.
      • Going places or being around people that make you want to do drugs.

    Where to find more information

    To learn more, you can:
    • Talk with your provider.
    • Talk with a mental health expert or substance use specialist.
    • Go to:
      • Just Think Twice at justthinktwice.gov.
      • The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at nida.nih.gov.
        • Click "Search" and type "drug and alcohol challenge" or "Drugs A - Z."
        • Find the link you need.
      • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at samhsa.gov/find-help.

    Contact a health care provider if:

    • You need help to safely stop using a drug.
    • Your loved ones tell you they're worried about you because of your drug use.

    Get help right away if:

    • You think you may have taken too much of a drug. This is called an overdose. Symptoms can include:
      • Chest pain.
      • Feeling confused.
      • Feeling sleepy or having trouble staying awake.
      • Slowed breathing.
      • Feeling like you may throw up.
      • Throwing up.
      • A seizure.

    These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 911 right away.
    • Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
    • Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

    Also, get help right away if:
    • You feel like you may hurt yourself or others.
    • You have thoughts about taking your own life.
    • You have other thoughts or feelings that worry you.

    Take one of these steps right away:
    • Go to your nearest emergency room.
    • Call 911.
    • Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential):
    • For Veterans and their loved ones:

    This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

    Document Revised: 09/08/2025 Document Reviewed: 09/08/2025
    Elsevier Patient Education © 2025 Elsevier Inc.
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