Use of a drug for a purpose other than that for which it is normally prescribed or recommended. Commonly abused drugs include stimulant drugs, such as cocaine and amfetamine drugs; central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol and barbiturate drugs; hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD; and narcotics (see opioid drugs), such as heroin. Some drugs are abused in order to improve performance in sports (see sports, drugs and steroids, anabolic). Problems resulting from drug abuse may arise from the adverse effects of the drug, accidents that occur during intoxication, or from the habit-forming potential of many drugs, which may lead to drug dependence.
Drug abuse |
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