How to Find Information About Specific Drugs or Addiction Topics on NIDA.NIH.GOV

Updated

NIDA.NIH.GOV is the website of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health. It publishes science-based information on drug use and addiction. To find a specific drug or topic, start with the Featured Drugs A to Z page for drug-specific facts, or Explore Topics in Substance Use and Addiction Science for broader subjects like prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.

Browse by drug

The site's Featured Drugs A to Z page is the fastest route to a single substance. According to the site, it offers key facts on drugs along with health effects, risks, and treatment options.

Use it when you want a quick, structured overview of one drug rather than a broad topic.

Browse by topic

The Explore Topics in Substance Use and Addiction Science section organizes content by theme. Listed categories include:

  • Prevention
  • Treatment
  • Harm Reduction
  • Stigma and Discrimination
  • Parents and Educators
  • HIV
  • Opioids
  • Fentanyl
  • Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs
  • Xylazine
  • Cannabis (Marijuana)
  • Kratom

There is also an Explore All Research Topics link if the topic you need is not shown in the featured list.

If you are a parent, educator, or clinician

Some content is aimed at specific audiences. The topic list includes a Parents and Educators category, and the site separately offers NIDAMED: Clinical Resources with substance use screening tools and guidelines for clinicians.

Find treatment or join a study

If your goal is care rather than background reading, the site points to two options:

  • Looking for Treatment? — directs you to the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or the helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
  • Participate in a Clinical Trial — explains clinical research and how to take part in a NIDA-funded or NIDA-conducted trial.

Other entry points on the site

Section What it covers
About NIDA The institute's mission and background
Director's Page Nora D. Volkow, M.D., NIDA Director since May 2003
Grants & Funding Research grants, contracts, and supplements
Research & Training Training programs from high school through tenure
NIDA Research Programs & Activities NIDA-supported and cross-agency research
Featured Initiatives HEAL Initiative®, HIV Research Program, Clinical Trials Network, ABCD Study®

Quick path

  1. Know the drug name? Go to Featured Drugs A to Z.
  2. Know the theme but not the drug? Go to Explore Topics in Substance Use and Addiction Science.
  3. Need care now? Use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
  4. Want to take part in research? See Participate in a Clinical Trial.

You can also sign up for email updates through the site's subscription page if you want new NIDA content delivered to you.