Struggling with addiction can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to looking for treatment. But we’re here to help. This addiction treatment guide will not only help you identify whether you have a problem, it will also provide an easy-to-follow guide to your treatment and payment options. Recovery is always possible—you just need to know where to look. Continue reading to discover how to take that first step.
When defining addiction and discussing the risks, it is important to distinguish addiction from dependence. In fact, what many people think of as addiction is actually dependence. So what’s the difference?
Drug dependence is when a person’s body becomes so accustomed to a drug that it begins needing it just to feel normal and avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction is a set of behaviors surrounding drug use, mainly centered around the concept of continuing to use despite negative life consequences.
A person can be addicted to a drug, but not dependent on it, and vice versa, though often these two coincide.
When we talk about the negative consequences of addiction, we must keep in mind that the impact often extends far beyond ravaged physical health. Addiction wreaks havoc on your social and interpersonal life. You may start to become distant from those closest to you, have problems at work that could lead to losing your job, lose interest in things that you used to love, and find that your substance use leaves you feeling lonely, even when you’re around others.
Can Anyone Get Addicted to Drugs?
Addiction is a pervasive disease that can take hold of anyone, from any walk of life. It spans every demographic and every income level. Addicts are often stereotyped as homeless, starving, and willing to sacrifice everything just to get their next fix. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, even some high-status occupations are significantly associated with substance abuse disorders.1 Often, a high-stress environment is to blame—whether that stress arises at home or on the job.2
Many people use substances to cope with high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, or other health issues without realizing just how damaging these habits can be. In fact, in 2015, nearly 50% of the U.S. population age 12 and older reported having tried illicit drugs at some point in their life—approximately 18% using them within the last year alone.3
More than 7.5 million people had a diagnosed drug use disorder in 2015, yet only 2 million went into treatment.3 If you suspect that addiction may be affecting your life, there is a way out. Seek help by talking to an addiction specialist or calling about treatment today.
Commonly Abused Drugs
Heroin
Street names: Black Tar, China White, Smack, Junk, Skag, Negra
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Heroin can produce euphoric feelings and extreme relaxation/sedation. This is because heroin acts upon opioid receptors in the brain related to pain, reward, and life-maintaining functions like breathing.4 In fact, when a person overdoses on heroin it is because the dose they took slowed their breathing to the point where it simply stopped.
In recent years, the already high risk of overdose has skyrocketed due to unscrupulous dealers adding other substances to street heroin. Of course, in the past heroin was cut with other substances to pad the product and increase profit, but now heroin regularly includes other extremely potent opioids like fentanyl (the drug responsible for Prince’s overdose) and carfentanil (an opioid so strong it is used to tranquilize elephants). Just one hit of the heroin on the street today can cause an immediate deadly overdose.
On top of this, people who inject heroin may be at high risk of contracting bloodborne illnesses like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis viruses.
Other risks include:4, 5, 6
Brain damage
Hormone imbalances
Heart infections
Liver or kidney disease
Miscarriage
Gastrointestinal problems
Cocaine
Street names: Coke, Blow, Crack, Snow, Coca, Flake
Cocaine is a stimulant drug that can be snorted, injected, or synthesized into crack cocaine and smoked. Cocaine can make the user feel energetic, happy, excited, and enthusiastic. But it can also make a person feel nervous, paranoid, and angry. Basically, cocaine can make the user feel agitated or erratic in one way or another, which can include rapid mood swings from energetic happiness to cocaine-frenzied anger without any clear trigger.
The crash that comes after using cocaine can include feeling sad and tired for days, which can, in turn, make the person want to use again simply to feel better. This can lead to escalating patterns of use (increasing doses and/or using more often), which is part of why cocaine is considered to be highly addictive.
Other risks include:7
Headaches
Irregular heart rhythm
Heart attack
Seizures
Stroke
Coma
Sudden death
Prescription Opioids/Painkillers
Other names: Oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, tramadol, Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet (Street names: Oxy, Percs, Vike, China White)
Prescription painkillers are opioid drugs that can be extremely addictive. They can be swallowed, snorted, or injected to produce their euphoric, painkilling effects. Prescription opioids are in the same class of drugs as heroin, and they act upon the same receptors relating to reward, pain, and vital life-sustaining functions. This means that taking too high of a dose (overdosing) may result in your heartbeat and breathing slowing down so drastically as to potentially be fatal.8
When abused, painkillers can be just as addictive as heroin. The fact that they are legal does not mean they aren’t addictive and won’t cause harm. In fact, major risks include:9, 10, 11
Brain damage
Hypoxia (dangerous lack of oxygen)
Coma
Progression to heroin use
Pregnant women who use painkillers may deliver babies who are dependent on opioids and who have to endure neonatal abstinence syndrome, or withdrawal symptoms, at birth.
Benzodiazepines are sedative drugs that reduce anxiety, decrease muscle spasms, and manage seizures. They can make a person feel extremely relaxed, sleepy, and generally less worried or anxious, which is why many people end up abusing them. They work by increasing inhibitory tone and slowing certain neural processes throughout the central nervous system (CNS), which is why someone high on these drugs might be less active and appear sedated.12
Benzos are sometimes taken in combination with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol—all of which are extremely dangerous, often deadly, combinations. Combining benzodiazepines with other CNS depressants, like opioids or alcohol, can cause fatal slowing of the heart or breathing rate.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that can be smoked, snorted, injected, or swallowed in pill form. It can make the user feel extremely awake and energized, which is accompanied by an increase in heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature.13 Meth increases the activity of several neurotransmitters but, in particular, causes an intense release of dopamine, which is related to reward and pleasure.13 This is where the powerfully addicting meth “rush” comes from.
Among the many risks of methamphetamine use are:13
Sleeping problems
Violent behavior
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Brain damage
Hyperthermia (overheating)
Kidney failure and other organ damage due to hyperthermia
Heart attack
Marijuana
Street Names: Weed, Cannabis, Ganja, Grass, Hash, Pot, Dope, Green, Mary Jane, Reefer, Chronic, Skunk, Herb
Marijuana can be smoked, vaped, or eaten to enact the euphoric, relaxing effects which are often accompanied by increased appetite (also called the “munchies”).
While not considered an extreme risk in terms of physical dependence, marijuana users may develop a psychological addiction to the drug. Despite being legal for medical and/or recreational use in numerous states, marijuana is still considered an illegal substance in the eyes of the federal government. Abusing marijuana—meaning chronic or frequent use—can result in not only dependence, but other health risks as well.
Risks include:14, 15
Accelerated development of schizophrenia
Memory problems
Poor inhibitory control
Chronic bronchitis
Respiratory infections
Pneumonia
Prescription Stimulants
Other names: Amphetamines, methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine (street names: Study Drugs, Uppers)
Prescription stimulants are used to treat problematic symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but many abuse them for studying, weight loss, and late-night partying.
One major issue is that many people believe that taking these medications will boost intellectual abilities for people without ADHD, but there is little evidence to support this idea.16 In fact, taking prescription stimulants without an ADHD-related prescription can lead not only to addiction, but a host of major physical and mental health problems too, which can include:16
Insomnia
Psychosis
High blood pressure
Abnormal heart rate
Heart attack
Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
Sudden death
How to Recognize: Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
If you’ve found yourself wondering whether you have a substance abuse problem, chances are you do. It can be difficult to acknowledge addiction, but the first step to recovery is recognizing the issue(s) at hand. Luckily, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS-V) has a set of criteria that can help you determine whether you are addicted. If you find yourself identifying with at least 2 of these statements, it’s time to get help:17
I use the drug in higher doses or more frequently than I want or intend to.
I want to cut back or stop using but haven’t been able to.
I spend a lot of time using the drug, trying to use, or recovering from using.
I experience cravings for the drug.
I feel a strong urge to use.
I keep using the drug even though it has negatively impacted my personal life.
I have neglected responsibilities at work, school, or home because of my drug use.
I use the drug before or during dangerous situations, like driving.
I continue to use despite knowing that physical or psychological problems have been caused or amplified by my drug use.
I have abandoned or reduced important occupational, social, or recreational activities because of my drug use.
I need more and more of the drug to get the same effects, or I find that the same dose does not work as well as it used to.
I use to prevent withdrawal, or when I don’t use, I experience drug withdrawal symptoms.
These statements reflect the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, or an addiction. If you find yourself checking off 2 or more of these statements, you are probably an addict. More than 52,000 people died due to drug overdose in 2015, and this number has been steadily increasing.18 Don’t become another statistic—get help now!
Treatment Options for Drug Addiction
Here’s the truth: if you do not get help, you could die. Drug abuse killed almost 210,000 people around the world in 2016, and North America accounts for almost 25% of these deaths.19 This frightening statistic may even be lower than the actual number because many drug-related deaths either go unreported or are not properly attributed to drug use.
It is never too late to get help. Addiction treatment comes in many forms to fit the individual needs of every addict. There are three general stages to recovery:
Detox
Treatment
Aftercare
Actively engaging in all of these stages will give you the best shot at recovery, even if it takes multiple tries.
Medical Detox
The first step in addiction rehab is drug detoxification, or detox. This involves cleaning out your entire body of the drug(s) you’ve been using through sustained abstinence (and possibly medication to lessen symptoms and prevent dangers). In many cases, the process of detox is very uncomfortable at worst, but some substances can have deadly detox risks. Benzodiazepines, alcohol, and barbiturates are three drug types that have potentially lethal withdrawal symptoms, so if you are seeking help for addiction to either of these, it is vital that you get medical help and supervision.
All in all, detox can be one of the most unpleasant stages of recovery. As your body re-adjusts to sobriety, withdrawal symptoms arise because your body got so dependent on the drug that it has a hard time simply functioning without it. Don’t worry; this will pass and you’ll begin feeling so much better than you did while you were actively using! Getting sober isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
You have several options when it comes to detox care:
Outpatient detox: This involves working through detox while continuing to live at home, checking in with the treatment program on a regular basis to ensure safety and sobriety. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) involve strict regulation of the detox process, including urine tests to ensure that you are not using throughout this period.
Hospital detox: Detoxing in a hospital can provide close medical supervision and care to ensure your safety, but it may not provide the psychological support that many people need during this challenging stage of recovery. However, the medical care that a hospital setting can provide may be the best option for those going through particularly complicated or severe withdrawal, such as that of alcohol.
Inpatient detox: This involves staying at a treatment facility throughout the detox process, and it is often the safest option for a recovering addict. Inpatient detox provides 24/7 medical and psychological care so your detox experience can be as comfortable and productive as possible. Detox from certain drugs may require medically-assisted detox, which means taking medications to ease the withdrawal symptoms.
Once you complete detox, you can begin the formal treatment process. It is vital that you begin treatment with an entirely sober body and mind so that you can go into the sessions feeling good and with a clear head.
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Programs
Addiction rehab varies across programs and individuals. Every addict is different, and high-quality treatment will take these differences into account when creating a treatment plan. Some people may prefer outpatient treatment, while others may need the structure of an inpatient program. Group therapy may be the most beneficial for one addict, whereas another may need the focused one-on-one attention of individual therapy.
After deciding to take an initial step toward recovery by considering treatment, you will have to decide on a program. When making this decision, you must consider your needs, and you must be extremely honest with yourself about what those needs are. If you are at all worried that you might relapse during treatment, an inpatient program may by your best bet. If leaving home is absolutely not an option for you and you have full confidence in your ability to resist using drugs during the program, then an outpatient program may work well for you.
Outpatient treatment: You will live at home throughout treatment, checking in with the program for sessions on a regular basis. Some options, like Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs), require strict monitoring (for example, through regular urine tests) to ensure sobriety throughout rehab. These programs tend to be less structured than inpatient options, which is why outpatient treatment will require high self-motivation and willpower. If you have relapsed or are facing a particularly strong addiction, then you should seriously consider an inpatient program instead.
Inpatient treatment: You will live at the treatment facility throughout rehab. These programs provide a 100% sober environment with around-the-clock care in which you can work toward recovery. Food, housing, and most amenities are included in the program cost. Not only will the drug-free environment reduce the immediate triggers to use, it will also provide medical and psychological care all day, every day.
Take a close look at your personal treatment needs when considering what type of program to choose. The better it suits your preferences, the more likely you are to stay and engage fully in the program.
Types of Addiction-Based Therapies
Every program takes a different approach to treatment therapy, so you want to make sure you select the one that most inspires and motivates you to stay sober. Different approaches work for every addict, and certain substances are associated with specific therapy types that have been found to be most effective for addictions to those drugs.
Some common therapeutic approaches for addiction include:20, 21
Contingency Management (CM): Also called motivational incentives, CM is a therapy approach that rewards addicts for meeting recovery goals. These rewards get better and better as you progress in your recovery.
Used to treat: Addiction to stimulants (cocaine, meth, etc.), opioids (heroin, painkillers, etc.), marijuana, nicotine, and alcohol.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): In this therapy type, you will take a close look at your addiction, including the factors that contributed to it in the first place. CBT can help you understand how your behaviors, feelings, and thoughts are related so you can gain better control over your drug use.
Used to treat: Addiction to cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, nicotine, and alcohol.
The Matrix Model: This type of therapy was specifically designed to treat stimulant addictions. It combines many key aspects of other therapies and incorporates them to improve your self-esteem and self-motivation so that you and your family can build up the skills needed to maintain long-term abstinence.
Used to treat: Addiction to stimulants, including meth, cocaine, prescription ADHD medications like Adderall, etc.
Didactic Group Therapy: Also referred to as psychoeducational groups, didactic group therapy involves drug education in a group setting to help you better understand your addiction, the drug(s) you abuse, and the short- and long-term effects of substance abuse on your brain and body.
Aftercare Options
For many people, addiction recovery involves one or more relapses along the way. Addiction relapse rates are between 40% and 60%, which rival the rates for other major health issues, such as high blood pressure and Type I diabetes.22 While relapse is a totally normal part of addiction recovery for many people, it can also be really dangerous. Street drugs are always evolving and getting more potent, plus the tolerance that you had before you got clean gets either drastically reduced or goes away completely during your period of sobriety. This means that if you return to drugs and take the kind of dose you used to, it could actually kill you. But you can fight back! Engaging in aftercare programs as a part of your long-term recovery plan can actually help you resist relapse and stay sober for longer.23
One of the best aftercare options is to continue your therapy sessions after formal treatment has ended. Individual therapy and group therapy can both help you keep developing the skills you need to stay sober and allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the causes, triggers, and consequences of your drug use.
Therapy can also help you work on healing any interpersonal problems or scars that may have come up as you abused drugs, which will provide you with a better understanding of your own motivations for change. Many people find that attending both individual and group sessions offers them the best support, rather than only going to one or the other. Think about what worked best for you during treatment—if they were both helpful, you may want to consider continuing both types of therapy.
Sober living, or halfway houses, are another excellent aftercare option. These safe housing options provide a sober home to return to as you adjust back into day-to-day life. Returning immediately back to your pre-treatment environment can be extremely triggering, and living among fellow recovering addicts can provide the sober community support you need to stay the course. Be sure to look into how structured the sober living options are and be cautious and discerning! Some sober living homes have been known to scam recovering addicts by taking their insurance money but not ensuring a safe, abstinent community. To get the most benefit from these aftercare housing options, you want to be careful in your selection; read reviews, talk to people who’ve lived there, if possible, and interview staff members.
The least expensive aftercare option is to work with other recovering addicts in self-help groups. These low-cost (often free) recovery groups can help you develop a sober network of support with other recovering addicts who understand the challenges that you face. Self-help options include:
12-step groups (like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous)
Recovery International
Moderation Management
Recovery 2.0
How to Pay for Drug Treatment
Paying for addiction treatment can seem intimidating, but trust us, it’s worth it. The cost of your addiction will outweigh the cost of any program—hospital bills, drug costs, legal fees, bail (not to mention the cost to your physical and mental health). If you continue to allow your addiction to progress, you could end up paying with your life. Your recovery matters much more than any amount of money.
There are many options to help you cover the cost of addiction rehab. Many of us can’t afford to cover the full program cost upfront, which is where insurance comes in. Check with your provider to see what portion of treatment is covered by your particular plan. If you do not have insurance, or if your insurance doesn’t cover rehab, don’t worry! There are ways to help mediate costs:
Payment plans: Many programs offer payment plans to help spread the full cost of the program out over months of payments. This allows you to get help right away and pay off the cost over time.
Sliding scale: Ask the programs you’re considering if they offer sliding scale costs, meaning they adjust the cost to reflect your ability to pay. This means lower income individuals will have lower overall costs.
Credit card: Paying with a credit card allows you to get help now and pay back costs over time. There are specialized credit cards for healthcare needs; just be sure to pay off the debt as soon as you can, as these cards often have high interest rates.
Loans: Similar to a credit card payment, taking out a loan will allow you pay in full upfront and cover the monthly costs over time. There are specific healthcare loans that you can take out, but these also then to have high interest rates, so again, be sure to pay these debts off as quickly as possible.
Scholarships: Some programs offer grants or scholarships to help reduce your financial liability when getting the help you need. There are also many public and private organizations that offer financial aid for recovering addicts.
FAQs About Drug Abuse & Treatment
Can a rehab program a cure my drug addiction?
There is no known cure for addiction, but there is still recovery. Even if we haven’t found a cure-all, we have found evidence-based treatment methods that have been shown to help addicts get and stay sober. In addiction rehab, you will learn the skills and techniques needed to fight addiction and maintain abstinence through various types of therapy. By building up your inner strength, you will be better prepared to face future triggers and temptations to relapse.
I only use on the weekend and/or I don’t use a needle. Do I still need rehab?
Short answer: probably. If you are questioning whether you have a problem, you probably do. Just because your pattern of drug use doesn’t fit the addict stereotype depicted in the media, this doesn’t mean you aren’t an addict. Many people facing addiction seem to be functioning relatively well in their day-to-day lives, but the problem is that addiction will wreak havoc on your life—including physical and mental health—no matter how well you seem to be functioning. The damage that will arise if you do not seek help will take a toll on your brain, body, job/school, and interpersonal relationships.
You may not yet use every single day and you may not inject drugs, but you may very well still be addicted. There is no one picture of what an addict looks like; the high-powered exec who can’t stop drinking and the cocaine addict living on the street are both addicted and both subject to the ravages of their addictions. Get help before it’s too late.
Do I need to attend detox before entering a drug rehab?
Detox is a very important first step in the treatment process. Withdrawal symptoms during the detox phase can distract you and keep you from getting the full benefits of treatment and may even prompt you to leave treatment early and relapse.
Furthermore, many substances have withdrawal syndromes that are extremely unpleasant, and some symptoms—like those associated with alcohol, benzos, and some other sedatives—can even be deadly. Working through professional detox can make a huge difference in comfort and risk reduction during the withdrawal period. For many addictions, you should not try to work through detox alone.
What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab? How do I know which is best for me?
When it comes to deciding between inpatient and outpatient treatment, you must take a close look at your own recovery needs. Inpatient programs involve staying at the facility during treatment, whereas outpatient treatment involves staying at home and checking in for regular treatment sessions. If you have very strong self-motivation for sobriety and a lot of support at home, an outpatient program could work for you. But if you have any doubts about your motivations or willpower and you lack a supportive environment, strongly consider going for inpatient treatment.
Inpatient programs provide 24-hour physical and mental support to get you through the difficult beginning stages of recovery. They also provide a sober safe-haven to start your recovery journey, rather than remaining in the same environment where your drug use began and/or progressed. The type of program you choose will depend on your personal preferences and unique needs.
Should my family members be involved in my treatment?
Many addiction rehab programs want you to focus primarily on yourself during treatment. They will sometimes limit the amount of contact you can have with people outside of treatment so that you can devote all your focus to recovery. That said, every program is different, with varying visitor regulations and policies. Often, connecting with family members will happen in the presence of a therapist so you can all work on any interpersonal issues that may have contributed to your addiction. On top of this, family therapy can help your family members better understand your struggle and how to best support your sobriety. Ultimately, however, recovery is about your own journey.
What should I expect at a drug treatment center? How long can I expect to be there?
Addiction treatment centers will all differ depending on the type of program and amenities offered. Some facilities feature luxury offerings like a pool, spa, private room, or gourmet food. Other, more affordable facilities offer more standard amenities like shared rooms and standard meal plans. Beyond amenities, many addiction rehab centers provide relatively similar services when it comes to treatment: therapy sessions, group counseling, drug education, and some free time to relax. You should expect very structured days to keep your focus on sobriety and away from temptation.
The time you’ll stay at an addiction treatment center will vary according to your treatment plan. Some people need longer stays due to a variety of reasons, including the substance being abused, the severity of addiction, potential psychological issues, or simply because they need a longer time to build up sobriety skills. Generally, treatment follows a 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day course, but every individual’s plan will be different to meet their own needs.
Does insurance cover addiction treatment? What if I don’t have insurance?
Many insurance plans cover at least part of addiction treatment. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) ensures that all insurance plans cover substance abuse treatment to the same extent as other medical treatments, so be sure to check in with your individual provider to find out the extent of your plan’s coverage.
If you do not have insurance, there are many options to cover treatment costs. Payment plans, sliding scale costs, scholarships, grants, credit cards, and loans are all excellent options to cover addiction rehab costs and get you started in recovery. These allow you to cover the cost upfront and pay it over time
Should I travel or stay local for a drug rehab program? What are the benefits of traveling?
Leaving the area where you were struggling with addiction can be a welcome escape to allow you to focus entirely on recovery. Many addiction treatment professionals recommend traveling for treatment specifically because it provides an escape from the original environment that fostered your drug use.
The triggers around your home and local area may hinder your sobriety and make recovery more challenging, but getting away from it all—whether in another state or simply another city—can allow you the space to heal. Sometimes the best program to fit your needs isn’t in your local area, and being open to travel means being open to the best treatment for your recovery.
Can I lose my job for choosing to enter a drug treatment facility?
Addiction can be a difficult thing to hide. Odds are, your boss already suspects that you might have a problem and may be concerned for your safety and health. If you allow your addiction to progress and worsen, your work could suffer and you could end up being more likely to lose your job than if you had just sought help in the first place. Often, employers are supportive of their employees seeking help for addiction; many have employee assistance programs (EAPs) to help employees facing life hardships, including addiction.
You can also take time off for treatment through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA allows 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for serious health conditions, and many employers include substance abuse under the coverage. You can ask your employer about whether they qualify addiction as a serious health condition covered under the FMLA. If you really don’t want your employer to know about your problem, you can use vacation time for treatment, but chances are your employer wants to help you get better. Don’t be afraid to use your company’s resources to get the help you need.
What is the difference between rehab and recovery?
The main difference between rehab and recovery is that “rehab” refers to the treatment program, whereas “recovery” refers to the long-term plan to maintain abstinence. Rehab can’t always guarantee success—sometimes an addict must work through treatment multiple times before their abstinence skills are fully developed. Recovery involves trying again and again, even if you relapse, to work toward your goal of healing from addiction.
What should I do if I relapse?
Relapse is not uncommon. Many recovering addicts face relapse, but as long as a person keeps doing their best to get and stay clean, they are on the right path. If you relapse, don’t panic! Recognize that you’ve slipped, and reach out for help as soon as possible. Community support can help get you through intense cravings and will help guide you back to sobriety after a relapse, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance as many times as you need to.
Get Help Finding Treatment
Tens of thousands of people die every year because of drug use and addiction. The fact is, if you don’t get help, you or someone you love could die. You should never wait to hit rock bottom to seek treatment addiction can take everything from you, but recovery can stop its destructive path. We have drug addiction treatment advisors ready 24/7 to help you find a treatment program that can get you started on your path to recovery; all you have to do is call us at
1-877-490-4739
Who Answers?
Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., & Weiss, S. R. B. (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23). 2219-2227.
