The Facts
Drug abuse is defined as drug use that's excessive or serious enough to
interfere with a person's health, relationships with family and friends, work,
and finances. It also involves using or taking a drug in harmful ways, such
as using prescription drugs to relieve problems or symptoms in ways not prescribed
by a doctor.
Depressants (e.g., alcohol and barbiturates), stimulant drugs (e.g., amphetamines),
hallucinogenic drugs (e.g., LSD), and narcotics (e.g., cocaine, codeine, and
morphine) are the most commonly abused drugs. Anabolic steroids are sometimes
abused in order to improve athletic performance.