Featured Publications | National Institute on Drug Abuse
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and
Resource Guide: Screening for Drug Use in General Medical Settings
Published Apr 2009. Revised Mar 2012.
Provides clinicians serving adult populations in general medical settings with the tools and procedures necessary to conduct screening, brief intervention, and/or treatment referral for patients who may have or be at risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations - A Research-Based Guide
Published Sep 2006. Revised Jan 2012.
Presents research-based principles of addiction treatment that can inform drug treatment programs and services in the criminal justice setting.
Media Guide
Published Dec 2009. Revised Dec 2011.
Provides journalists with the latest findings on the science of drug abuse and addiction and commonly abused drugs, and lists resources for more information.
Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What To Ask
Published Dec 2011.
Offers guidance in seeking drug abuse treatment and lists five questions to ask when searching for a treatment program.
Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Chart
Published Sep 2002. Revised Oct 2011.
Offers a list prescription drugs commonly abused, including depressants, opioids and morphine derivatives, and stimulants, and provides their common and street names, how they are generally administered, and their potential health effects.
Marijuana: Download the Facts Poster
Published Sep 2011.
Emphasizes some of the harmful effects of marijuana use and encourages youth to get the facts at NIDA’s web site for teens, teens.drugabuse.gov.
Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body
Published Aug 2003. Revised Aug 2011.
An educational collaboration between the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Scholastic Inc., this series provides science-based information about the effects of drugs and drug abuse on the brain and body through a variety of print and Web formats, including teen articles, classroom lessons, student worksheets, and posters. All of these materials are free.
National Drug IQ Challenge
Revised Aug 2011.
Encourages people to test their knowledge about drug abuse and addiction by asking them to take a 15-question quiz. Accompanying answers shed light on the science of drug abuse. En Español
Drugs: Shatter the Myths
Published Oct 2010. Revised Apr 2011.
Answers teens’ most frequently asked questions about drugs and abuse with scientific facts and engaging images.
Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know
Published Apr 2001. Revised Mar 2011.
Brochure, in question-and-answer format, that provides facts about marijuana for parents and offers tips for talking with their children about the drug and its potential harmful effects. En Español
Marijuana: Facts for Teens
Published Apr 2001. Revised Mar 2011.
Presented in question-and-answer format and targeted to teens, provides facts about marijuana and its potential harmful effects. En Español
Commonly Abused Drugs Chart
Revised Mar 2011.
Lists substances of abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, illicit and prescription drugs, listing their common and street names, how they are generally administered, and their potentially harmful health effects.
2010 Strategic Plan
Published Sep 2010.
Outlines NIDA’s drug abuse and addiction research strategic priorities for the next 5 years, focusing on prevention, treatment, HIV/AIDS, and other cross-cutting issues.
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction
Published Apr 2007. Revised Aug 2010.
Provides scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease. En Español
Research Training at NIDA
Published Jun 2010.
This update to NIDA's Research Training Brochure provides the latest information on training and career development grants that aim to provide such support.
Prescription Drug Poster
Published Mar 2010.
Raises awareness of the health consequences of improper use of prescription drugs and contrasts it with the benefits of safe and proper prescription drug use.
The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction
Published Jan 2000. Revised Mar 2010.
Equips teachers and students in grades 9 through 12 with interactive curriculum on the neurobiology of the brain as a result of drug abuse and addiction.
Mentoring: A Guide for Drug Abuse Researchers
Published Nov 2009.
Discusses the importance of quality mentorship in drug abuse research and offers suggestions for creating a successful mentor and mentee relationship.
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Second Edition)
Published Oct 1999. Revised Apr 2009.
Presents research-based principles of addiction treatment for a variety of drugs, including nicotine, alcohol, and illicit and prescription drugs, that can inform drug treatment programs and services. En Español
Patient-Physician Conversation Poster
Published Apr 2009.
Encourages patients to discuss any and all drug use—including prescription and over-the-counter medications—with their doctors and other health care professionals.