Addiction is a chronic, progressive, relapsing disorder.  It is ongoing, and left untreated, it generally worsens over time.  The illness involves compulsion, loss of control and continued use of the chosen substance, despite adverse consequences.  Substance abuse, the misuse of alcohol, cigarettes and both illegal and legal drugs, is by far the predominant cause of premature and preventable illness, disability and death in our society.  Alcohol and drug abuse afflict an estimated 25.5 million Americans.   When the effects on the families of abusers and people close to those injured or killed by intoxicated drivers are considered, such abuse affects untold millions more.

• Substance Abuse

• Problem Gambling Resources

• Alcohol and Drug Facts

• Alcohol Screening Online

• Methamphetamine

• Opioid Treatment

• Internet Addiction

• Sexual Addiction

• State Health Facts - 50 state comparisons

• Related Links

Both substance abuse and mental illness are often mentioned in the same discussion.  Whereas abuse of and/or dependence on substances may in their own right bring suffering and physical sickness that require psychiatric medical treatment, they often accompany other seemingly unrelated mental illnesses as well.   Many people who struggle with mental illnesses also struggle with alcohol or drug habits that may have begun in their mistaken belief that they can use the substance to "medicate" the painful feelings that accompany their mental illness.

• Co-Occurring Disorders

• DMHAS Co-Occurring Disorders Initiative

• State Health Facts - 50 state comparisons

• Related Links