Drugs & Health Blog

Scientific perspectives on drug and addiction research and news.

Myth or Fact? “Addiction Is a Choice"

June 17, 2019 / The NIDA Blog Team

Addiction is a brain disease. It’s not a choice, and it’s not a weakness. Drugs can change how the brain works, and those changes can last for a long time.

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Plan Your Activity for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®: Become a CSI Agent!

June 10, 2019 / The NIDA Blog Team

Need activity ideas for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week? Check out this game: teams conduct a crime scene investigation (CSI) and see who can solve the mystery first.

A patient lies on a stretcher with emergency medical professionals surrounding her to help.

Treating Opioid Use Disorder in the Emergency Room

June 03, 2019 / The NIDA Blog Team

Opioid use disorder is a complex problem. Emergency room doctors can save the life of someone with OUD by reversing an opioid overdose and addressing the longer-term problem of addiction.

Tobacco wrinkles, bad breath, yellow teeth, wheezing, stinky clothes. Addiction skin damage cataracts wrinkles mouth cancer throat cancer heart disease lung disease image of young man

You Said It: “I Know Someone Who Started Smoking and Wishes They Could Quit”

May 20, 2019 / The NIDA Blog Team

If you know someone who wants to quit smoking, you can help by listening without judgment and sharing some of these facts with your friend.

illustration of brain receptor transmitting a signal.

Say What? “Dopamine”

May 13, 2019 / The NIDA Blog Team

Your brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine as a response to things that are pleasurable.

marijuana facts for teens cover images of teens

Marijuana: Just the Facts

May 06, 2019 / The NIDA Blog Team

The teen brain continues to develop until age 25. Using marijuana regularly before then can have negative and long-lasting effects.

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