Substance use and substance use disorder differ by the frequency of use and the effect on a person’s life. Substance use disorder is a mental health condition. Substance use refers to using both legal ...

Drug use causes long term or permanent changes in neural pathways. An ex-smoker's greatest enemy may not be the cigarette, but the ashtray. Items like needles or clinking glasses might trigger old ...

Risk-taking and testing limits are a regular part of adolescent development. Many teens experiment with drugs, alcohol, or over-the-counter substances during this period. While the desire to ...

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects a person’s ability to manage their emotions. BPD can also increase a person’s risk of developing substance use disorder ...

Credit: Getty Images Experts at NAPNAP 2026 emphasize the need for school-based interventions to address ongoing alcohol and marijuana use among diverse high school populations. The rates of substance ...