Co-occurring & Consequences

The term “comorbidity” describes two or more disorders or illnesses occurring in the same person. They can occur at the same time or one after the other. Comorbidity also implies interactions between the illnesses that can worsen the course of both. Read the DrugFacts

Use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs can make driving a car unsafe—just like driving after drinking alcohol. Drugged driving puts the driver, passengers, and others who share the road at risk. Read the DrugFacts

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by a variety of toxins (such as drugs or alcohol), autoimmune conditions, or pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, or parasites).1 Viral hepatitis is caused by a family of viruses labeled A, B, C, D, and E. To learn more about the …

Drug use increases risk for getting or passing on viral infections because certain viruses can spread through blood or body fluids shared in drug use and related activity. This happens with men and women, primarily in two ways: (1) when people inject drugs and share needles or other drug equipment, …

Many people who are addicted to drugs are also diagnosed with other mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. Some people develop mental health problems related to their compulsive drug use, and some people take drugs in an attempt to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders. Whatever symptoms appear first, it …

Chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, or one third of the U.S. population, and it is the primary reason Americans are on disability. The increase in the prescribing of opioid pain relievers in recent decades has contributed to an increase in addiction to opioids and overdose deaths. NIDA …

Syringe services programs (SSPs) are community-based prevention programs that can provide a range of services, including access to and disposal of sterile syringes and injection equipment, vaccination, testing, and linkage to infectious disease care and substance use treatment.