Addiction

Addiction Science
Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.
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GDS 2019 — Key Findings Report
 The world's largest drug survey helps people and communities to have honest conversation about drugs. Read our online report to learn more about GDS.
THE TOP 10 DRUGS USED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS (EXCLUDING ALCOHOL AND
TOBACCO/NICOTINE PRODUCTS) WERE:
• Cannabis
• MDMA
• Cocaine,
• Amphetamines
• LSD
• Magic mushrooms
• Benzodiazepines
• Prescription opioids
• Ketamine
• Nitrous oxide
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Addiction Facts and figures (WHO)
The bare facts
We know what can and needs to be done to help reduce the burden of psychoactive substance use. Therefore, WHO is committed to assisting countries in the development, organization, monitoring and evaluation of treatment and other services.

  • The harmful use of alcohol results in 3.3 million deaths each year.
  • On average every person in the world aged 15 years or older drinks 6.2 litres of pure alcohol per year.
  • Less than half the population (38.3%) actually drinks alcohol, this means that those who do drink consume on average 17 litres of pure alcohol annually.
  • Some 31 million persons have drug use disorders.
  • Almost 11 million people inject drugs, of which 1.3 million are living with HIV, 5.5 million with hepatitis C, and 1 million with both HIV and hepatitis C.

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Substance Use
Substance use is broad in its definition, being inclusive of alcohol and other drugs. Whilst moderate consumption of some can be a cultural or social norm (alcohol, for example), excess consumption or dependency can have a severe and detrimental impact on overall health, mental wellbeing and in many cases, the wellbeing of others. This entry provides a global overview of substance use (extending from moderate to excess consumption), substance use or dependency disorders, and some of their consequential impacts.

This overview focuses on illicit drug use disorders as classified by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and World Health Organization (WHO).
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Star NGOs
Amy Winehouse Foundation
CAFOD
Chris Evert Charities
Cops4Causes
Courageous Women Association
Creative Arts, Substance Abuse, Addiction
Creative Recovery Communities
Crossroads Centre
Downtown Eastside Women's Centre
Gram Parsons Foundation
Kids Help Line
Lighthouse Foundation
MAD MAC Foundation
Pacific Lodge Boys' Home
Phoenix House
Salma Hayek Foundation
Samaritans
Skid Row Housing Trust
Suns Nite Hoops
To Write Love on Her Arms
Tomiko Fraser Goddess Gathering