Non-medical drug use (radiological manifestations)

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 21 Feb 2024

Radiological manifestations of non-medical drug use are commonly seen as the non-medical use of drugs is widespread.

Interestingly, 2013 reports have suggested a decreasing incidence of reported drug use in the general population over the past decade, but it remains that ~36% of the United Kingdom population between 16 and 59 years of age report having taken a recreational drug at some point, 8.2% in the past 12 months 1. However, the number of newly formulated drugs, such as novel derivatives of cathinone, is growing, and therefore global epidemiological studies of drug use may underestimate the phenomenon.

More neutral terms such as people who inject drugs, drug users, or people with substance use disorder (SUD) are preferred 5,6. Terms such as drug abusers, addict, junkie, etc. should not be used due to stigmatization, which affects people's willingness to seek treatment 5.

There are many possible complications and medical conditions that may be associated with drug use 2. Few of them are specific for or highly associated with particular drugs and have radiological manifestations that may be recognized, or where drug use forms part of the differential.

Conditions include 1,2

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