Drugs & Health Blog

Keep "Bath Salts" in the Tub

September 16, 2011 / Sara Bellum

Bath salts. The name sounds innocent enough, like an old-fashioned cure for tired feet. But these days, “bath salts” are far from what you would find in your local soap aisle at the grocery store or day spa. Read More »

34 Comments

Addiction is Developmental Disease chart

Teen Brain, a Work in Progress

September 14, 2011 / Sara Bellum

Have you ever wondered why you have to be 16 to get your driver’s license or 18 to vote or 21 to legally drink alcohol? It’s partly because your brain is not ready to take on these responsibilities, since your brain is not fully developed when you’re a teen. Read More »

23 Comments

Word of the Day: Addiction

September 09, 2011 / Sara Bellum

Addiction is defined as “A chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use—despite serious, even devastating consequences—and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain.” When a person is addicted to a drug, finding and using that drug becomes the most important thi Read More »

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The Different Angles of Addiction

September 07, 2011 / Sara Bellum

You may think you know what addiction is—lots of people have many different opinions about addiction and different ways of defining it. Here are some myths you may have heard: Read More »

15 Comments

Real Teens Ask: Drugs and Socializing

September 01, 2011 / Sara Bellum

Being a teen is tricky, and sometimes we all wish for a quick fix when we’re feeling awkward or out of place. At NIDA’s last Chat Day, we got this question from a middle school student in Maryland: Read More »

19 Comments