Drug Use and Addiction: MedlinePlus

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itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Health Topics</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> <div> <span>Drug Use and Addiction</span> </div> </div> </div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/druguseandaddiction.html</span> <div id="topic"> <article> <div class="page-info"> <div class="page-title syndicate"> <a id="start" name="start"></a> <h1 itemprop="name" class="with-also"> Drug Use and Addiction </h1> <span class="alsocalled">Also called: Drug Abuse, Substance Use</span> </div> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> <div class="main"> <section id="toc-section"> <div id="table-of-contents"> <span class="toc-label">On this page</span> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Basics</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Summary" href="#summary">Summary</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Start Here" href="#cat_51">Start Here</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Diagnosis and Tests" href="#cat_92">Diagnosis and Tests</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Prevention and Risk Factors" href="#cat_93">Prevention and Risk Factors</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Treatments and Therapies" href="#cat_78">Treatments and Therapies</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Learn More</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Living With" href="#cat_77">Living With</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Related Issues" href="#cat_47">Related Issues</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Specifics" href="#cat_42">Specifics</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>See, Play and Learn</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Images" href="#cat_80">Images</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Health Check Tools" href="#cat_48">Health Check Tools</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="threecols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Research</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Statistics and Research" href="#cat_79">Statistics and Research</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Clinical Trials" href="#cat_27">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Journal Articles" href="#cat_59">Journal Articles</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Resources</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Reference Desk" href="#cat_82">Reference Desk</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Find an Expert" href="#cat_83">Find an Expert</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>For You</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Children" href="#cat_8">Children</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Teenagers" href="#cat_24">Teenagers</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Women" href="#cat_7">Women</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Older Adults" href="#cat_23">Older Adults</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Patient Handouts" href="#cat_69">Patient Handouts</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="summary"></a> <section id="topsum_section"> <div class="summary-title syndicate"> <h2>Summary</h2> </div> <div id="topic-summary" class="syndicate"><h3>What are drugs?</h3> <p>Drugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. They include prescription medicines, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/overthecountermedicines.html">over-the-counter medicines</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/alcohol.html">alcohol</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/smoking.html">tobacco</a>, and illegal drugs.</p> <h3>What is drug use?</h3> <p>Drug use, or misuse, includes:</p><ul> <li>Using illegal substances, such as</li> <ul> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/anabolicsteroids.html">Anabolic steroids</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/clubdrugs.html">Club drugs</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cocaine.html">Cocaine</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/heroin.html">Heroin</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/inhalants.html">Inhalants</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/marijuana.html">Marijuana</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/methamphetamine.html">Methamphetamines</a></li> </ul> <li>Misusing <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prescriptiondrugmisuse.html">prescription medicines</a>, including <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/opioidsandopioidusedisorderoud.html">opioids</a>. This means taking the medicines in a different way than the health care provider prescribed. This includes</li> <ul> <li>Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else</li> <li>Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to</li> <li>Using the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. For example, instead of swallowing your tablets, you might crush and then snort or inject them.</li> <li>Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high</li> </ul> <li>Misusing over-the-counter medicines, including using them for another purpose and using them in a different way than you are supposed to</li> </ul> <p>Drug use is dangerous. It can harm your brain and body, sometimes permanently. It can hurt the people around you, including friends, families, kids, and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandsubstanceuse.html">unborn babies</a>. Drug use can also lead to addiction.</p> <h3>What is drug addiction?</h3> <p>Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain and lead to addiction.</p> <p>The brain changes from addiction can be lasting, so drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease. This means that people in recovery are at risk for taking drugs again, even after years of not taking them.</p> <h3>Does everyone who takes drugs become addicted?</h3> <p>Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Everyone's bodies and brains are different, so their reactions to drugs can also be different. Some people may become addicted quickly, or it may happen over time. Other people never become addicted. Whether or not someone becomes addicted depends on many factors. They include genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.</p> <h3>Who is at risk for drug addiction?</h3> <p>Various risk factors can make you more likely to become addicted to drugs, including:</p><ul> <li><strong>Your biology.</strong> People can react to drugs differently. Some people like the feeling the first time they try a drug and want more. Others hate how it feels and never try it again.</li> <li><strong>Mental health problems.</strong> People who have untreated <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/mentaldisorders.html">mental health problems</a>, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/depression.html">depression</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html">anxiety</a>, or <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder.html">attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder</a> (ADHD) are more likely to become addicted. This can happen because drug use and mental health problems affect the same parts of the brain. Also, people with these problems may use drugs to try to feel better.</li> <li><strong>Trouble at home.</strong> If your home is an unhappy place or was when you were growing up, you might be more likely to have a drug problem.</li> <li><strong>Trouble in school, at work, or with making friends.</strong> You might use drugs to get your mind off these problems.</li> <li><strong>Hanging around other people who use drugs.</strong> They might encourage you to try drugs.</li> <li><strong>Starting drug use when you're young.</strong> When kids use drugs, it affects how their bodies and brains finish growing. This increases your chances of becoming addicted when you're an adult.</li> </ul> <h3>What are the signs that someone has a drug problem?</h3> <p>Signs that someone has a drug problem include:</p><ul> <li>Changing friends a lot</li> <li>Spending a lot of time alone</li> <li>Losing interest in favorite things</li> <li>Not taking care of themselves - for example, not taking showers, changing clothes, or brushing their teeth</li> <li>Being really tired and sad</li> <li>Eating more or eating less than usual</li> <li>Being very energetic, talking fast, or saying things that don't make sense</li> <li>Being in a bad mood</li> <li>Quickly changing between feeling bad and feeling good</li> <li>Sleeping at strange hours</li> <li>Missing important appointments</li> <li>Having problems at work or at school</li> <li>Having problems in personal or family relationships</li> </ul> <h3>What are the treatments for drug addiction?</h3> <p>Treatments for drug addiction include counseling, medicines, or both. Research shows that combining medicines with counseling gives most people the best chance of success.</p> <p>The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy. It can help you:</p><ul> <li>Understand why you got addicted</li> <li>See how drugs changed your behavior</li> <li>Learn how to deal with your problems so you won't go back to using drugs</li> <li>Learn to avoid places, people, and situations where you might be tempted to use drugs</li> </ul> <p>Medicines can help with the symptoms of withdrawal. For addiction to certain drugs, there are also medicines that can help you re-establish normal brain function and decrease your cravings.</p> <p>If you have a mental disorder along with an addiction, it is known as a <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/dualdiagnosis.html">dual diagnosis</a>. It is important to treat both problems. This will increase your chance of success.</p> <p>If you have a severe addiction, you may need hospital-based or residential treatment. Residential treatment programs combine housing and treatment services.</p> <h3>Can drug use and addiction be prevented?</h3> <p>Drug use and addiction are preventable. Prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media may prevent or reduce drug use and addiction. These programs include education and outreach to help people understand the risks of drug use.</p> <p class="attribution">NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse</p></div> </section> <a name="cat_51"></a> <section id="cat_51_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header expanded"> <div class="section-title syndicate"> <h2>Start Here </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section51" class="section-body expanded syndicate" aria-expanded="true"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="25561" data-org="NIDA">Commonly Used Drugs Charts</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/sustancias-de-abuso-habitual" data-sid="139707">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="40170" >Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112?p=1" data-sid="128927">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/criminal-justice/science-drug-use-resource-justice-sector" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="110954" data-org="NIDA">Science of Drug Use: A Resource for the Justice Sector</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8318" data-org="NIDA">Understanding Drug Use and Addiction</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/publicaciones/drugfacts/entendiendo-el-uso-de-drogas-y-la-adiccion" data-sid="2034">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_92"></a> <section id="cat_92_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Diagnosis and Tests </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section92" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/drug-testing/" data-sid="129599" data-org="NLM">Drug Testing</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/pruebas-de-drogas/" data-sid="129672">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/drug-testing" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159867" data-org="NIDA">Drug Testing</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mental-health-screening/" data-sid="134070" data-org="NLM">Mental Health Screening</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/evaluacion-de-salud-mental/" data-sid="134130">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_93"></a> <section id="cat_93_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Prevention and Risk Factors </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section93" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/prevention" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159771" data-org="NIDA">Drug Use and Addiction: Prevention</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/prevencion" data-sid="159772">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_78"></a> <section id="cat_78_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Treatments and Therapies </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section78" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159833" >Medications for Substance Use Disorders</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159832" >Treatment of Substance Use Disorders</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma14-4126.pdf" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="52945" >What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)</span> - <span class="desccode">PDF</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_77"></a> <section id="cat_77_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Living With </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section77" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/ART-20047451?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="79093" >Intervention: Help a Loved One Overcome Addiction</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451?p=1" data-sid="128928">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_47"></a> <section id="cat_47_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Related Issues </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section47" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="54203" data-org="NIDA">Drugged Driving</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/publicaciones/drugfacts/conducir-bajo-el-efecto-de-drogas" data-sid="60519">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-substance-use" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="154607" data-org="NIH">HIV and Substance Use</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health, Office of AIDS Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://hivinfo.nih.gov/es/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/el-vih-y-el-uso-de-sustancias" data-sid="154628">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/how-identify-drug-paraphernalia" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="76254" >How to Identify Drug Paraphernalia</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Drug Enforcement Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/es/content/how-identify-drug-paraphernalia" data-sid="159847">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/persons-who-inject-drugs/about/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159859" >Infectious Diseases in Persons Who Inject Drugs</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs-medicines" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="160096" data-org="NIDA">Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs as Medicines</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/el-uso-de-las-drogas-psicodelicas-y-disociativas-como-medicamentos" data-sid="160097">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://familydoctor.org/taking-medicines-safely-after-alcohol-or-drug-abuse-recovery/?adfree=true" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="4656" >Taking Medicines Safely after Alcohol or Drug Abuse Recovery</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Family Physicians)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://es.familydoctor.org/medicacion-segura-despues-del-abuso-de-alcohol-o-drogas/?adfree=true" data-sid="31841">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_42"></a> <section id="cat_42_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Specifics </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section42" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159864" data-org="NIDA">Kratom</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/el-kratom" data-sid="159865">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="77921" data-org="NIDA">Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/drogas-psicodelicas-disociativas" data-sid="2040">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/synthetic-cathinones-bath-salts" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="107052" data-org="NIDA">Synthetic Cathinones ("Bath Salts")</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/catinonas-sinteticas-sales-de-bano" data-sid="155927">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/xylazine" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159862" data-org="NIDA">Xylazine</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/la-xilacina" data-sid="159863">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_80"></a> <section id="cat_80_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Images </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section80" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.dea.gov/media-gallery/drug-images" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159830" >Drug Images</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Drug Enforcement Administration)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/drugs" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="53391" >Drug Index</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Drug Enforcement Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/es/drogas" data-sid="159848">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_48"></a> <section id="cat_48_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Health Check Tools </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section48" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/substance-abuse-screening" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="126511" >Substance Abuse Screening</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Department of Veterans Affairs)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_79"></a> <section id="cat_79_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Statistics and Research </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section79" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="131775" data-org="NIDA">Drug Overdose Death Rates</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/addiction-science/drugs-brain-behavior-science-of-addiction" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="63655" data-org="NIDA">Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/publicaciones/las-drogas-el-cerebro-y-la-conducta-la-ciencia-de-la-adiccion/prefacio" data-sid="72690">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-overdoses.htm" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="135772" >FastStats: Drug Overdoses</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (National Center for Health Statistics)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use-illicit.htm" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2418" >FastStats: Illicit Drug Use</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (National Center for Health Statistics)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2020-nsduh-annual-national-report" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="112449" >Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="157266" data-org="NIDA">Research Topics: Treatment</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/el-tratamiento" data-sid="157267">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="108340" data-org="NIDA">Trends & Statistics</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/areas-de-investigacion/las-tendencias-y-estadisticas" data-sid="159858">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_27"></a> <section id="cat_27_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Clinical Trials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section27" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22drug+use+disorders%22+OR+%22drug+addiction%22+OR+%22drug+abuse%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="101799" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Drug Use and Addiction</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Hallucinogens%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="28485" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Hallucinogens</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_59"></a> <section id="cat_59_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Journal Articles <span class="subheading">References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)</span> </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section59" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39780073" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2022" >Article: Effect of E-learning clinical management of substance-dependent pregnant women on the...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39555034" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2022" >Article: Embodied cognition driven Qigong: a cross-sectional study and a pilot randomized...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39543522" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2022" >Article: Education based on the theory of planned behavior to improve medication...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Drug+Misuse%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+OR+%22Substance-Related+Disorders%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+AND+%28patient+education+handout%5Bpt%5D+OR+guideline%5Bpt%5D+OR+clinical+trial%5Bpt%5D%29++NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="2022" >Drug Use and Addiction -- see more articles</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_82"></a> <section id="cat_82_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Reference Desk </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section82" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8322" data-org="NIDA">NIDA: News Releases</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_83"></a> <section id="cat_83_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Find an Expert </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section83" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.dea.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="14036" >Drug Enforcement Administration</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://findtreatment.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="149406" >FindTreatment.gov</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://findtreatment.gov/es" data-sid="161746">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="8932" data-org="NIDA">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es" data-sid="106143">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://drugfree.org/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="34098" >Partnership to End Addiction</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="6659" >Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_8"></a> <section id="cat_8_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Children </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section8" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/drugsandyoungpeople.html" data-sid="79134" data-org="NLM">Drugs and Young People: MedlinePlus Health Topic</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/drugsandyoungpeople.html" data-sid="99857">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_24"></a> <section id="cat_24_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Teenagers </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section24" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/drugs-bath-salts.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="119776" >What Are Bath Salts?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Nemours Foundation)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/drugs-bath-salts.html" data-sid="128930">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators/conversation-starters/what-are-signs-having-problem-drugs" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="113415" data-org="NIDA">What Are the Signs of Having a Problem With Drugs?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_7"></a> <section id="cat_7_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Women </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section7" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/substance-use-in-women/summary" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="119537" data-org="NIDA">Substance Use in Women Research Report</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_23"></a> <section id="cat_23_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Older Adults </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section23" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/drug-and-substance-use-disorders" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="54429" >Drug And Substance Use Disorders</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (AGS Health in Aging Foundation)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-use-in-older-adults-drugfacts" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="159860" data-org="NIDA">Substance Use in Older Adults</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute on Drug Abuse)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://nida.nih.gov/es/publications/el-consumo-de-drogas-entre-los-adultos-mayores" data-sid="159861">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_69"></a> <section id="cat_69_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Patient Handouts </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section69" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001945.htm" data-sid="82384" >Substance abuse</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001945.htm" data-sid="86740">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001522.htm" data-sid="82257" >Substance use disorder</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001522.htm" data-sid="84641">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003578.htm" data-sid="83524" >Toxicology screen</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003578.htm" data-sid="86133">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="side"> <aside> <section id="ht-img-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Topic Image</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/DrugAbuse2.jpg" title="Drug Use and Addiction" alt="Drug Use and Addiction" /> </div> </div> </section> <section id="encyclopedia-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header red"> <h2>MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA</h2> </div> <div id="more_encyclopedia" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="81711" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000951.htm">Barbiturate intoxication and overdose</a></li> <li><a data-sid="80953" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000016.htm">Drug use first aid</a></li> <li><a data-sid="82384" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001945.htm">Substance abuse</a></li> <li><a data-sid="82257" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001522.htm">Substance use disorder</a></li> <li><a data-sid="79798" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002149.htm">Substance use recovery and diet</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83524" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003578.htm">Toxicology screen</a></li> <li><a data-sid="83182" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003364.htm">Urine drug screen</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="related-topics"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Related Health Topics</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> <ul id="related"> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/alcoholusedisorderaud.html">Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/anabolicsteroids.html">Anabolic Steroids</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/clubdrugs.html">Club Drugs</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/cocaine.html">Cocaine</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/drugsandyoungpeople.html">Drugs and Young People</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/heroin.html">Heroin</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/inhalants.html">Inhalants</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/marijuana.html">Marijuana</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/methamphetamine.html">Methamphetamine</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/opioidsandopioidusedisorderoud.html">Opioids and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/prescriptiondrugmisuse.html">Prescription Drug Misuse</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/smoking.html">Smoking</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="primary-institute-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>National Institutes of Health</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> The primary NIH organization for research on <span class="italic">Drug Use and Addiction</span> is the <a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/" target="TheNewWin">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> </div> </div> </section> <section id="foreign-languages"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Other Languages</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> Find <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/languages/druguseandaddiction.html">health information in languages other than English</a> on <em>Drug Use and Addiction</em> </div> </div> </section> <section id="magazine-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>NIH MedlinePlus Magazine</h2> </div> <div id="more_magazine" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="161720" href="https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/a-better-way-to-say-that-stigmatizing-language-affects-how-we-treat-addiction" target="_blank">Better Way To Say That: Stigmatizing Language Affects How We Treat Addiction</a></li> <li><a data-sid="161722" href="https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/substance-use-disorders-get-the-facts-and-find-support" target="_blank">Substance Use Disorders: Get the Facts and Find Support</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section> <div class="side-section"> <div 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Their repeated use or misuse can lead to addiction.", "mainContentOfPage": "What are drugs?\u000ADrugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. They include prescription medicines, over\u002Dthe\u002Dcounter medicines, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.\u000A\u000AWhat is drug use?\u000ADrug use, or misuse, includes:\u000AUsing illegal substances, such as\u000A\u0009\u000A\u0009\u0009Anabolic steroids\u000A\u0009\u0009Club drugs\u000A\u0009\u0009Cocaine\u000A\u0009\u0009Heroin\u000A\u0009\u0009Inhalants\u000A\u0009\u0009Marijuana\u000A\u0009\u0009Methamphetamines\u000A\u0009\u000A\u000AMisusing prescription medicines, including opioids. This means taking the medicines in a different way than the health care provider prescribed. 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