. . . this is your brain on drugs. Now don’t roll your eyes. We know you’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating. Use of illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine is very hard on your brain. Not only do addiction and drug tolerance make you crave the drug in ever-increasing quantities, they create potential legal, social, and personal safety issues. But the worst risk is how long-term il- licit drug use alters your brain. It impairs your cognition, making it harder for you to think. You will have a harder time making decisions, understanding situations, or knowing what to do. Your memory is affected and you will have more trouble controlling your behavior. And that’s even when you’re not taking the drug—you can’t reverse this damage to your brain once it’s done. And when you’re under the influence, all of these problems are magnified. If you don’t use illicit drugs now, don’t start. If you do use these drugs, the good news is you can keep your brain problems from getting worse by getting help and quitting now.