Substance abuse dramatically affects health outcomes. We analyze the connection between substance use and abuse and how it causes chronic, and even deadly, illnesses. For example, though illicit drug use a serious health concern, nicotine is extremely harmful. It is the single most abused substance in the world -- an estimated 40 million Americans are addicted to nicotine in spite of its well-publicized deadly affects. Our research aims to study the cycle of substance use and abuse and developed strategies to break the cycle for all.