drug abuser
Hooked on substances
A drug abuser is someone who uses drugs in harmful or excessive ways—typically illegal substances or prescription medications taken outside their intended purpose.
The term carries judgment, implying recklessness or moral failing rather than medical condition.
Clinical language now often prefers "person with substance use disorder." The program helps drug abusers get clean.
Person with compulsive dependency
- addictCompulsive dependent
- userOne who operates something
- stonerHabitual marijuana smoker
- cokeheadCocaine addict
dopehead · tweaker · crackhead · pothead · fiend · burnout · recreational user · habitual user
Powerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- relapseReturn to former illness
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
dependence · habituation · substance · intoxication · self-medication · bingeing · escalation · needle
Receptor-binding pain relievers
- stimulantsAgents that heighten arousal
- hallucinogensPerception-distorting drugs
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
- amphetaminesCentral nervous system stimulants
narcotics · cocaine · heroin · methamphetamine · fentanyl · prescription pills · inhalants · cannabis
Recovery from injury/addiction
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- treatmentCare for an ailment
therapy · counseling · 12-step · intervention · sponsor · clean · sober · relapse prevention
Irresistible urge to act
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- denialRefusal to accept reality
shame · trauma · escapism · self-destructive · impulsivity · co-occurring · dual diagnosis · anxiety
Harmful excess intake
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- homelessnessLacking permanent residence
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
impairment · criminality · arrest · hepatitis · HIV · track marks · abscesses · organ damage
junkie
Person with compulsive dependency
cokehead · dopehead · tweaker · crackhead · pothead · fiend · burnout · recreational user · habitual user
craving
Powerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- relapseReturn to former illness
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
overdose · dependence · habituation · substance · intoxication · self-medication · bingeing · escalation · needle · track marks
opioids
Receptor-binding pain relievers
- stimulantsAgents that heighten arousal
- hallucinogensPerception-distorting drugs
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
amphetamines · narcotics · cocaine · heroin · methamphetamine · fentanyl · prescription pills · inhalants · cannabis · crack
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- detoxificationRemoving harmful substances internally
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
treatment · therapy · counseling · 12-step · intervention · sponsor · clean · sober · relapse prevention · support group
compulsion
Irresistible urge to act
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- desperationUtter loss of hope
denial · shame · trauma · escapism · self-destructive · impulsivity · co-occurring · dual diagnosis · anxiety · depression
overdose
Harmful excess intake
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- homelessnessLacking permanent residence
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
deterioration · impairment · criminality · arrest · hepatitis · HIV · track marks · abscesses · organ damage · psychosis