The purpose of this article is to discuss how images and historical reviews of substance use and abuse from different time periods can be used to provide a better understanding of the historical background of the discipline. Historical reviews of various substances, as well as approaches to addressing substance abuse at different time periods, and other works can be utilized in conjunction with the historical images to provide students in addiction studies courses with a richer and fuller appreciation of the historical dimension of the field. This discussion will include the use of historical images and reviews in presenting various cultural contexts, historical perspectives, art historical perspectives, and theoretical perspectives. (Contains 1 table.)