What Does the Bible say about Drugs?
The Bible never explicitly addresses the issue of drug use – prescription or otherwise. God does not add “Thou Shall Not Smoke Marijuana” as the 11th Commandment. Jesus does not say you should take antibiotics or other beneficial medicines. But just because it is not directly addressed does not mean the Bible does not speak on the issue of drugs. The Bible does not contain the word “Bible” and yet it is filled with clear direction on reading the Word.
The Bible is easy to understand on the issue of drug use. You just take general principles in the Bible and verses on very similar issues and apply them in a simple fashion.
The conclusion:
Medical drugs are good and should be used appropriately.
So-called recreational drugs, not so much.
The substances included in this discussion are first things like antibiotics, aspirin, pain relievers, and anti-anxiety medications. These are medical drugs. When used as prescribed to treat the results of the fall on the human body and mind, there is nothing wrong with medications. They can be seen as part of God’s good creation, provided by God as a part of his plans and purposes to be a blessing.
In Psalm 104:14-15, the Bible says:
God makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth, wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
Jesus compares Himself to a physician. Luke is a doctor by profession. God is referred to as the Great Physician. Paul also instructs Timothy to take a bit of wine periodically to deal with his stomach troubles. This would indicate that God views the role of physicians favorably. He also does not object to the application of an intoxicant in a limited manner to heal an ailment.
There can be problems if you rely on even prescription drugs to provide what God is meant to give, but every good thing comes with its pitfalls. This is when man’s sin kicks in and turns what is good into something sinful.
The Bible primarily addresses the issue of alcohol rather than drug use. The reason for this is simple. There was no widespread use of illicit drugs during the time of the Bible’s writing. The same principles present in responding to alcohol can be applied to drug use though. They are similar in character and effect. Marijuana or other similar drugs used for a non-medical purpose are similar to alcohol.
Jesus came to win the hearts and minds of His people. You are expected to then live your life for Him with Him always clearly first on your mind. You cannot ever do that under the influence of drugs or alcohol…ever. For a look at the issue of alcohol, read Drinking as a Christian or Christians and Alcohol – Shocking Drinking Statistics
Jesus does not compete with anything for first place at any moment in your life. He wants you solely under His influence. Inebriation robs Jesus of that position.
It is vitally important to remember when dealing with this issue – “And such were some of you”. Paul includes this important verse in the below passage from 1 Corinthians 6:
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
There is nothing you may be doing now that can keep you from the love of Christ. Temptation, indulgence, or addiction can all be things of the past if you are willing to trust in Jesus. His salvation is way bigger than you sins. 
So with this in mind, here are 21 Sobering Verses on Drugs for you to consider.
1) Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Consider Drunk with Wine v. Filled with the Spirit — Have We Thought about this Contrast?
2) 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it
This is a hopeful verse for those who struggle with addiction. God will provide a way out.
3) Proverbs 22:3
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
4) Matthew 18:8-9
“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
5) Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
It does not matter what the world thinks about drugs. Everyone can truly be doing it. That does not mean you should. Only what is good and acceptable and perfect!
6) Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
7) Romans 14:
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
8) 1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
9) Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
10) 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
11) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
12) 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
13) 1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
14) 1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
15) Romans 13:13
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
16) 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
17) Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
18) Proverbs 20:1
“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”
19) Ephesians 5:18
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
20) Titus 2:3
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.”
21) Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
“They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
Number 11 is the reason that I have used in the past for anyone who asks if drugs are wrong. Thanks for a more detailed list.