Acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), a proton-gated cation channel widely expressed in the central nervous system, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes by regulating calcium and sodium influx, synaptic plasticity, and reward effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that ASIC1a plays a pivotal role in drug abuse. By modulating neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and reward circuitry, ASIC1a has emerged as a key molecule in research on the mechanisms of drug addiction and a potential therapeutic target. This review systematically summarizes the molecular characteristics of ASIC1a, its neuroregulatory mechanisms, and its regulatory role in drug abuse, aiming to provide novel targets for elucidating the mechanisms of drug addiction and to explore new strategies for addiction withdrawal therapy.