Drug & Substance Guide
Illicit Drugs
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What counts as an illicit drug
Illicit drugs, also called illegal drugs, are substances whose ownership or use the government restricts, and illicit drug use is the nonmedical use of one of them despite that prohibition.
The page sets out the three reasons a drug is placed in that category, what the legal consequences of possession and supply are, and the short and long-term effects of the most common ones.
- Definition
- Ownership or use restricted by law
- Illicit use
- Nonmedical use of such a drug
- Why they are banned
- Harm, dangerous behavior, risk of death
- Common examples
- Cocaine, heroin, meth, MDMA, LSD, K2/Spice
Each drug below links to its own page. The admissions line is answered around the clock.
Certain drugs are deemed illicit or illegal for three main reasons:
- Because they cause physical and psychological harm.
- Because their use incites criminal, reckless, or dangerous behavior.
- Because they can cause death.
Many legal drugs also have the potential to cause harm, negative behaviors, or death but they possess important medical uses that outweigh the potential harm.
If the police catch a person in possession of illicit drugs, they may be fined or could face jail time, depending on their criminal record. They may also be required to complete a certain number of community service hours.
If a person is caught selling illegal drugs, they may face more serious consequences, including up to nine years in prison. Smuggling illegal drugs into the United States is also considered a federal crime and could result in decades in prison.
Illicit drugs are extremely dangerous, very addictive, and should never be used or abused by anyone. Once a person is addicted to an illicit drug, he or she will need months of detox and drug rehab to overcome his or her addiction.
Some of the most common illicit drugs include the following:
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Nova Recovery Center is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation. One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options. Begin healing today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illicit Drugs
What does "illicit drug" mean?
Illicit or illegal drugs are substances whose ownership or use is restricted or prohibited by law. Illicit drug use means using one of these substances non-medically, even though doing so is against the law.
Why are some drugs illegal and others are not?
This page gives three reasons a drug is treated as illicit: it causes physical and psychological harm, its use prompts criminal, reckless or dangerous behavior, or it can cause death. Many legal drugs can do harm too, but they have medical uses that are judged to outweigh it.
What are the most commonly used illicit drugs?
The substances listed on this page are cocaine, heroin, marijuana, K2 or Spice, methamphetamine, MDMA and LSD. Each has its own page on this site covering its short-term effects, long-term effects and withdrawal symptoms.
What treatment is available for illicit drug addiction?
Nova Recovery Center offers a full continuum of care: medical detox, 90-day residential treatment, intensive outpatient, sober living and aftercare. Which of those is right depends on the substance, how long it has been used and what else is going on, which is what an admissions conversation is for.
How do I find out whether my insurance covers this?
Our admissions team will check your benefits with your insurer and tell you what they say, at no cost and with no obligation. That is the only reliable answer, because what is covered depends on your specific plan rather than on the substance involved.
What happens if you are caught with illicit drugs?
It depends on what was happening and on the person’s record. For possession the page describes fines or jail time depending on criminal record, and sometimes a set number of community service hours. Selling carries more serious consequences, up to nine years in prison. Smuggling illegal drugs into the United States is a federal crime and can mean decades. The page also sets out why these drugs are illegal at all: they cause physical and psychological harm, they incite criminal or dangerous behavior, and they can kill.
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