What is drug abuse?
Drug abuse (sometimes called “substance abuse”) means using drugs in a way that can hurt your body or your life. Some drugs are medicines that healers and doctors give to help people feel better when they’re sick. But if someone takes a medicine when they don’t need it, takes too much, or uses the drug just to feel a certain way, it can be dangerous.
Drug abuse can make people act differently, feel sick, or have a hard time doing things like school, work, or spending time with friends and family. If someone is abusing drugs, it doesn’t mean they are a bad person—it just means they need help and support to feel better and stay safe.
What is an overdose? What should I do if I think someone is overdosing?
Sometimes, people take medicine or drugs to feel better. But if someone takes too much of a drug—more than their body can handle—it can make them very sick. That is called an overdose.
Some drugs are very strong. If someone takes too much, their body can stop working right. They might have trouble breathing, walking, or even staying awake. If it’s really bad, they might need to go to the hospital right away.
What to do if someone might have taken too many drugs (overdosed)
If you see someone who looks really sick or isn’t waking up, and you think they might have taken too much medicine or drugs, here’s what you can do:
- Stay calm.
It’s okay to feel scared, but try to take a deep breath. You are helping someone, and that’s very brave. - Call for help right away.
Find a phone and call 9-1-1. Tell the person on the phone what’s happening. You can say:
“I think someone took too much medicine or drugs. They’re not waking up.”
They will send help fast. Try to stay on the phone and listen to what the 911 person tells you to do. - Don’t try to fix it yourself.
Don’t try to give them food, water, or more medicine. Just stay close to them and wait for the helpers to arrive. - Check if they’re breathing.
If they’re not breathing, the 911 person might tell you how to help. They can explain how to do CPR if needed. Just follow their directions. - Stay with the person.
Don’t leave them alone. Talk to them in a kind voice, even if they can’t talk back. Help is on the way
Important: You are not in trouble for calling for help. You are doing the right thing by caring about someone else.
What is addiction?
Addiction is when a person keeps doing something—even if it’s hurting them—because their brain tells them they really need it. It can happen with things like drugs, alcohol, or even things like video games or food. At first, it might feel fun or help them feel better. But after a while, their brain starts to want it all the time, even when it causes problems.
People with addiction might have a hard time stopping, even if they want to. But it doesn’t mean they’re bad—it just means they need help and support to feel better and take back control.
Sometimes, people use these things to help them feel better when they are sad, stressed, or in pain. But using too much, or using them in a risky way, can cause problems—like getting sick, having accidents, or not being able to do things they care about.
Harm reduction means helping people stay as safe and healthy as possible, even if they are using drugs or alcohol. It’s about giving people support, sharing good information, and helping them make safer choices—not judging or punishing them. So instead of saying “just stop,” harm reduction says, “Let’s help you be safe while you figure things out.”
Where can I learn more?
Prevent Overdose: Empowering Youth to Save Lives guide from NIH