Drug use and abuse affects millions of Americans in a variety of ways. People who use drugs and alcohol will be affected by them based upon their genetic disposition, mental health, gender, age, and unique physiology. Problems may arise in every area of their life once they lose control over their drug or alcohol use. Using drugs and alcohol will eventually cause your body to build up a tolerance to the substance, lessening its effects. The dosage of the substance will have to be increased for the user to get the same effect as before. Once the user takes that dramatic step he has gone from being a user to being an abuser, and that may escalate to dependence.
Effects of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can create short and long-term effects that range from mild, to severe, and even life-threatening. Each different substance generates its own specific set of effects, so they will vary. Some of the more common effects from substance abuse include:
- Impaired cognition, perception and decision making
- Mood swings
- Energy level fluctuations
- Respiratory depression
- Euphoria
- Reduced inhibitions and risky behavior
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Alcohol abuse, chronic alcohol consumption or binge drinking will affect a person in different ways. Gender, weight and body composition are other features that factor into how alcohol will affect the drinker. Some of the effects of alcohol abuse include slurred speech, impaired coordination, blackouts, memory issues, stroke, hostile behavior, stupor and more.
Sedatives are prescription drugs that are prescribed to treat anxiety and induce sleep. Some of the adverse effects of sedatives include:
- Sedation
- Confusion
- Impaired judgment
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Lack of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Involuntary eye movements
- Mood swings
Heroin and other opioid drugs such as the prescription pain killers OxyContin and Percocet may cause dangerous side effects when abused. Opiates cause respiratory depression which may lead to breathing cessation and death. Some of the effects of heroin and other opioid drugs are euphoria, vomiting, lethargy, behavioral changes, muscle weakness and respiratory depression.
Inhalants are popular among adolescents and are dangerous toxins that include glue, spray paint, cleaning fluids etc. Some adverse effects of inhalants include:
- Euphoria
- Delusions
- Slurred speech
- Asthma
- Depression
- Slowed or delayed reflexes
- Hallucinations
- Brain damage
- Lethargy
- Tremors
- Liver or kidney damage
- Stupor
- Muscle weakness
- Coma
Hallucinogens such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, Ecstasy and mescaline can all cause mind-altering effects, which include heart palpitations, impaired judgment, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sweating, white matter brain damage, flashbacks, psychosis and more.
Cocaine is a stimulant that can cause dangerous permanent damage to the body, addiction and death. Some of the adverse effects of cocaine are increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature; irritability; mood swings; convulsions; heart attack; respiratory failure; coma and more.
Substance abuse can cause severe consequences to a person’s physical, mental, social and financial health. Substance abuse prevention is the best choice in avoiding the negative ramifications that are associated with drug and alcohol abuse. For those of you who already have a substance abuse problem, there are many treatment programs available to help you begin your journey back to sobriety and good health. Take control of your life and get the help you need today. Just give Joliet Drug Rehab Centers a call today at (779) 333-0829.
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