SubstanceManual is a free, medically reviewed drug information resource. No judgment. No paywalls. Just the honest facts about what every substance does to your body — and where to get help.
"I have sat in rooms with people who didn't know what was in the pill they just took. That ignorance is preventable — and this site is my attempt to prevent it."
This site was built after years of working in content for addiction treatment centers — and realizing that the people who needed information the most were the ones least likely to find it. Too much of what existed online was either designed to scare people away from drugs without giving them real information, or written in clinical jargon that everyday people couldn't parse.
The hard truth is that people use drugs. Some do it recreationally. Some are physically dependent. Some are trying to understand what a loved one is going through. All of them deserve accurate, judgment-free information — not a lecture.
SubstanceManual was built to fill that gap. Every page answers the questions that a real person in a real situation actually has: What does this drug do? What does an overdose look like? Can this kill me? What happens if I stop?
We don't tell people whether or not to use substances. We give them the facts so they can make informed decisions — and so that when things go wrong, they know exactly what to do.
Every decision we make — from how we write to what we publish — is guided by these six commitments.
Every fact on this site is sourced from peer-reviewed research, federal health agencies, or licensed medical professionals. We would rather say less than say something wrong.
Stigma kills. We write as if the person reading us is a trusted friend who deserves honest information — not shame, not scare tactics, not a moral lecture.
No paywalls. No sign-ups. No required accounts. Every page on this site is and will always be completely free. Life-saving information should never be gated.
We write at a level anyone can understand. Medical terms are explained in plain English, not replaced with jargon. If you have to look something up to understand our content, we've failed.
The drug landscape changes constantly. New synthetics emerge. Overdose patterns shift. We review and update substance pages on a regular schedule to reflect the current reality.
Crisis resources appear on every single page of this site — not just a Help page. Because someone in a crisis doesn't have time to navigate a menu.
Transparency about how content is created is a core part of being a trustworthy health information resource.
Every substance page begins with primary sources — DEA scheduling data, CDC overdose statistics, NIDA clinical summaries, and peer-reviewed pharmacology research. We never summarize other websites.
Content is drafted by writers with direct experience in behavioral health and addiction medicine content. All writers follow our internal style guide which prioritizes harm-reduction language and accuracy.
Before any substance page is published, it is reviewed by a licensed medical professional on our review board. Clinical facts, dosages, and overdose information are verified against current clinical guidelines.
Every factual claim includes a citation linked to its original source. We do not cite secondary sources. If a fact cannot be sourced directly, it is removed.
All substance pages are scheduled for re-review every 12 months — or immediately when new overdose data, scheduling changes, or emerging drug trends require an update.
📋 Our Primary Sources
SubstanceManual is built and maintained by writers, researchers, and health professionals who have direct experience in behavioral health and addiction medicine content.
Founder & Lead Content Director
[X] years of experience creating medically focused content for addiction treatment centers across the United States. Has worked with [X] treatment centers to build patient education resources that are plain-language, accurate, and compassionate.
Senior Medical Writer
Specializes in translating complex pharmacological research into clear, accessible health content. Background in clinical research writing and public health communications.
Research & Fact-Check Editor
Responsible for verifying every clinical claim and statistic before publication. Maintains our source database and flags substance pages due for re-review when new data is published.
All clinical content on SubstanceManual is reviewed and approved by licensed medical professionals before publication. No substance page goes live without a sign-off.
Board-Certified Addiction Medicine Specialist
[X] years of clinical experience treating substance use disorders in inpatient and outpatient settings. Specializes in opioid use disorder, MAT (medication-assisted treatment), and polysubstance dependence. Reviews all opioid, stimulant, and depressant content on this site.
✔ Verified Credentials on FileDoctor of Pharmacy — Clinical Pharmacology
Clinical pharmacist with specialization in psychoactive drug interactions, dosage information, and overdose pharmacology. Responsible for reviewing all drug interaction information, DEA scheduling data, and pharmacokinetic details across the site.
✔ Verified Credentials on FileLicensed Clinical Social Worker · Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Over [X] years of direct clinical experience in addiction counseling and behavioral health. Reviews the psychological effects, behavioral patterns, and recovery/treatment sections of all substance pages. Ensures harm-reduction language is applied consistently and appropriately.
✔ Verified Credentials on FileWe think you have the right to know exactly how this site is run, how it makes money, and what its limitations are.
SubstanceManual is primarily supported through display advertising and affiliate partnerships with vetted, licensed addiction treatment providers. We do not accept payment to rank, recommend, or favor any specific treatment center. Editorial content is fully independent of advertising relationships. Treatment center mentions are based solely on publicly available licensing and accreditation data.
SubstanceManual is an informational resource only. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making decisions about substance use, withdrawal, or treatment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
We are committed to accuracy. If you believe any information on this site is incorrect, outdated, or misleading, please contact us with a citation to a primary source. We take corrections seriously and will respond within 48 hours. Confirmed corrections are implemented immediately and noted at the bottom of the affected page.
We do not collect personally identifiable health information. Standard analytics data (page views, general location) is collected via Google Analytics solely to understand how to improve this site. We do not sell, share, or broker any user data. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.
Spotted an error? Want to suggest a substance? Or just need someone to point you toward help? Use the form below — we read every message.
Need Immediate Help?
These lines are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. We are not a crisis line — please use the numbers above if you or someone you know needs immediate help.
All fields marked with * are required. We do not share your information with third parties. See our Privacy Policy.