It is no surprise that substance abuse has adverse effects on an individual’s life. Understanding the full impact of alcohol and drug abuse on young people may change their lives for the better.
Health Complications
Alcohol and drug use impact every part of the user’s body regardless of age. Substance abuse leads to heart attacks and abnormal heart rates, and the injection of drugs into the body leads to infections in the heart valves and causes collapsed veins.
Some drugs prevent the bones from growing appropriately, while others result in general weakness and severe muscle cramping. Using drugs for a long time damages the liver and kidneys. Health professionals link chronic drug use with listed health conditions.
Cardiovascular Disease
Stimulants damage the blood vessels and the heart. Long-term use may result in arrhythmia, heart attack, and coronary artery disease.
Respiratory Problems
Individuals who inhale or smoke various drugs are at a high risk of developing chronic diseases and respiratory infections. Opioids depress a person’s respiration process by binding to receptors that regulate respiration in the central nervous system. It causes heavy snoring or slow breathing, and the user may cease breathing entirely if the opioid is taken with other drugs such as alcohol or sleep aids.
Kidney Damage
The function of the kidney is to filter waste products and excess minerals from the blood. Ketamine, heroin, and synthetic cannabinoids may lead to kidney failure or kidney damage.
Liver Disease
The liver is the largest organ in the body and has three vital functions: synthesis, detoxification, and storage. Chronic alcohol and drug use damage the liver cells, which leads to scarring, inflammation, and liver failure.
Effects Of Drug Addiction On The Brain
All drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, nicotine, and others, affect the brain reward circuit, affecting mood and instinct. Large amounts of dopamine flood the brain, causing a “high” feeling which often leads to cocaine addiction. Despite voluntary initial drug use, continued substance abuse leads to compulsive drug use and intense cravings. With time, this will turn into substance dependency.
Alcohol use has both short and long-term effects on the brain’s functionality, which influences behavior, mood, and other cognitive functions. Brain damage also occurs through liver disease, nutritional deficiencies, and alcohol-induced seizures. Alcohol-related conditions like this one are corrected through proper treatment and abstinence for months to repair memory skills partially.
Legal Consequences
Despite the adverse effects on an individual’s health, legal consequences are bound to follow. Employers require workers to submit drug tests results before hiring them. Even after securing the job, random tests follow, and employees who refuse to take the tests are fired, which leads to even more issues. Driving under the influence has severe consequences, and the driver’s license can be suspended for up to 2 years. The driver may spend some months in jail or pay heavy fines.
Financial Problems
Alcohol and drugs are expensive, especially for people using them constantly. Substance abuse impacts the productivity of the user in school or work. Time spent searching for, recuperating, and using drugs can be used to advance a career and learn new skills. Legal issues which are tied to substance abuse increase the bills as well. The health and car insurance rates increase drastically, and a person has to pay for legal counsel and arrest warrants.
Injuries And Death
Individuals who abuse alcohol and drugs have a high chance of experiencing physical injuries sustained in a car crash. Even worse, such people have a high probability of committing homicide and suicide. According to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 25% of deaths are due to alcohol and drug abuse.
Substance abuse affects various aspects of an individual’s psychological and physical health. Chronic drug use is associated with kidney, cardiovascular, and liver disease. Care providers are advised to tailor the treatment and recovery process to an individual’s needs.
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