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Evidence-led information · Clinical editorial standards
Foundational guidance on drug use, substance use disorders, dependence, treatment and recovery.
Tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction overlap but are not interchangeable. A person can be physically dependent on a prescribed medicine without compulsive…
Substance use disorder can affect control, health, relationships, work, finances, and safety. No single sign proves a diagnosis, but clusters of change…
Addiction develops through an interaction of substance effects, genetics, development, mental health, trauma, environment, access, and learning. Risk is not destiny.
A good addiction assessment examines what is used, how, why, and with what consequences, alongside withdrawal risk, physical health, mental health, medication,…
Effective addiction treatment is individualized, evidence-based, long enough to address the person’s needs, and connected to continuing care. Detoxification alone is rarely…
Relapse is a process, not only the moment of use. Earlier warning signs may include isolation, sleep disruption, romanticising past use, missed…
Cocaine addiction can develop with powder cocaine, crack cocaine, or other routes of use. Repeated binges, craving, loss of control, and continued…
Opioid use disorder can involve heroin, illicit synthetic opioids, or prescribed pain medicines. Its defining features are impaired control, craving, hazardous use,…
Prescription drug addiction can involve opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, sedatives, or other medicines. The key issue is not whether a drug was prescribed,…