Drug addiction facts for kids

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Drug addiction, sometimes called substance dependence, is when a person feels a very strong need to use a certain drug. It's hard for them to control how much they use. Using the drug becomes more important than things like family or school. If they stop using the drug, they might feel very sick. This is called withdrawal.

People usually become addicted to a certain type of drug. Some people might be more likely to become addicted than others. Experts say drug addiction is a type of mental disorder. It can sometimes happen along with other mental health challenges.

What are the Signs of Addiction?

• Not doing well in school or at home because of drug use.
• Wanting to stop using drugs but finding it very hard.
• Feeling strong urges (cravings) or getting easily annoyed when not using drugs.
• Continuing to use drugs even when it causes problems with friends, family, money, or health.
• Needing to use more of the drug to get the same feeling. This is called tolerance.
• Feeling sick or unwell when you stop using drugs. This is called dependence.

Related Topics

• Alcoholism