Substance abuse and addiction can take a major toll on the human body. When harmful substances like drugs and alcohol are consumed regularly over a long period, it disrupts normal bodily functions and promotes disease development.
Some of the most common health conditions caused by Substance Abuse include mental illnesses, liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and infections. Let’s take a closer look at 7 health issues that frequently arise due to abuse of legal and illegal substances.
1. Mental Health Disorders:
Mental illnesses are among the most prevalent medical complications of addiction. Experts estimate that at least half of those suffering from Substance Abuse disorder also experience a co-occurring mental health issue like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
Drugs and alcohol drastically alter brain chemistry and normal neurotransmitter functioning. Prolonged substance abuse can trigger the onset of mental illnesses or exacerbate existing conditions. Integrated treatment aiming to conquer addiction and adequately address any co-occurring disorder forms the best hope for reclaiming overall health and well-being.
2. Liver Disease:
The liver works hard to break down and flush toxins from the body, making it highly susceptible to damage from alcohol, antibiotics, and narcotics. Alcoholic liver disease is one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis (scarring) worldwide. Long-term excessive drinking promotes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and eventually irreversible scarring.
Intravenous drug use and unsafe injection practices also increase the risk of contracting dangerous viral infections like hepatitis C and hastening liver injury. Cirrhosis can cause life-threatening complications requiring a transplant.
3. Cardiovascular Issues:
Substance abuse puts immense stress on the heart and cardiovascular system. Cocaine, amphetamines, and other stimulants raise blood pressure and heart rate suddenly. Over time, this leads to a weakened heart muscle, aneurysms, heart attacks, and strokes.
Excessive drinking is linked to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and a higher risk of blood clots. Tobacco and secondhand smoke further raise risks. People battling addiction should get regular cardiac screenings due to their much greater likelihood of developing atherosclerosis, heart disease, and other preventable vascular conditions.
4. Infectious Diseases:
Sharing contaminated needles or having unprotected sex while under the influence greatly multiplies exposure to HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and bacterial infections like endocarditis. Injection drug users are at especially high risk of contracting dangerous blood-borne pathogens.
Smoking crack cocaine has emerged as a major factor fueling new HIV infections too. Hepatitis C is now considered an epidemic among those who use intravenous drugs. Practicing safe injection techniques, getting vaccinated, and seeking HIV prevention medication like PrEP can help curb high infection rates in this vulnerable group.
5. Damage To Organs:
Kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal systems are other common targets of substance-induced harm. Years of alcohol abuse lead to pancreatitis and malnutrition due to failure to digest and absorb important vitamins and minerals.
Smoking crack produces a “smoker’s cough” and heightened risk of lung damage including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Intravenous drug use pulls particulate debris and toxins through the bloodstream toward filtering organs like kidneys often causing irreversible scarring and renal failure without intervention. Detox and medical care aim to halt further injury.
6. Pregnancy Complications:
Consuming drugs or indulging in heavy drinking while pregnant puts the fetus at high risk of birth defects, low birth weight, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Cocaine and methamphetamine cross the placental barrier exposing the developing baby to their powerful deleterious effects.
Tobacco, marijuana, and opioid use during gestation have all been linked to worrisome infant and childhood health issues as well. It’s safest to avoid all psychoactive substance intake for healthy fetal development. Seeking prenatal care and Substance Abuse treatment helps give babies the best start.
7. Other Health Issues:
Malnutrition, dental problems like tooth decay or gum disease, skin conditions, and higher accident and injury risks round out the long list of tangible harms from chronic Substance Abuse. Longevity tends to decrease with addiction due to earlier onset of age-related degenerative conditions and greater lifetime disease burden.
Even after achieving sobriety, the effects of years of substance abuse may linger requiring ongoing medical care and health monitoring. Preventing abuse from escalating into full-blown addiction can spare individuals much suffering down the road.
