While addiction is a widely recognized long-term effect of drug and alcohol abuse, it is far from the only consequence. Substance abuse can have extensive impacts that reach far beyond the immediate effects.
The long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse can not only affect nearly every aspect of the person’s life but those around them as well. This is just one of the many reasons why understanding these long-term effects is crucial for not just the individual but those around them.
Understanding Drug and Alcohol Abuse
One of the most important things when it comes to understanding the effects of drug and alcohol use is knowing what constitutes abuse. Drug and alcohol abuse is characterized by the harmful and excessive use of a substance. While abusing drugs and alcohol doesn’t always lead to addiction, addiction is one of the more common consequences of substance abuse.
The reason for this is that substances of abuse can alter the brain’s chemistry to the point where the brain thinks that it needs the substance of abuse to function properly, causing it to go into a state of shock when it doesn’t have the substance. This pattern can ultimately affect not just the mental and physical health of the person, but those closest to them as well.
Knowing what the effects of drug and alcohol abuse look like can help both the person suffering and those around the person get the person the help that they need before it is too late.
Physical Health Consequences
Because of the effects that substances of abuse have on the body, excessive drug and alcohol use can result in a number of physical health complications, some of which can be dangerous and even deadly if not properly addressed.
Some common examples of physical ailments that can be the result of substance abuse include:
- A weakened immune system
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Mental and Emotional Impact
As we touched on above, chronic substance abuse can wreak havoc on a person’s brain due to the substance or substances changing the overall chemistry and makeup of the brain.
As a result, this can often lead to the development of a mental health disorder such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
Additionally, for someone suffering from substance abuse or addiction, it is not uncommon for that person to experience other mental-related issues such as extreme mood swings, emotional instability, and even cognitive issues.
Effects on the Cardiovascular System
Substance abuse can also take its toll on the cardiovascular system. They can be hard for the body to process, thus creating extra strain on the heart and the cardiovascular system as a whole. In fact, alcohol and certain drugs, like cocaine and methamphetamine, can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and damage to the heart muscle.
Over time, this can lead to severe conditions such as:
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Respiratory System Damage
The respiratory system is also at risk from prolonged substance abuse. Smoking drugs like crack cocaine and methamphetamine, or inhaling substances such as heroin, can lead to chronic respiratory conditions.
Examples of some common respiratory issues that can develop as a result of substance abuse include:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Lung infections
- Lung disease
- Lung cancer
Neurological and Cognitive Decline
We talked about it earlier but it’s important to note again that drug and alcohol abuse can severely impact the brain and overall brain function. Issues such as memory loss, impaired decision-making, reduced cognitive function, and the development of neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are all common among those abusing drugs and alcohol.
Impact on Liver and Kidney Function
Since substances of abuse are often hard for the body to process, the liver and kidneys often take a beating as a result of prolonged drug and alcohol use. Specifically, by attempting to filter the toxins associated with substances of abuse, it is not uncommon for someone suffering from substance abuse or addiction to also suffer from conditions such as:
- Fatty liver
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Kidney Disease
- Kidney Damage
- Renal Failure
Gastrointestinal Health Issues
Then there’s the stomach and the gastrointestinal system as a whole. Alcohol and certain drugs can cause inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers, and pancreatitis. Long-term use can impair the digestive system’s ability to function properly, leading to malnutrition, severe weight loss, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Long-Term Behavioral Changes
As if the mental and physical issues we talked about aren’t bad enough, there’s also the behavior side of drug and alcohol abuse.
Those suffering from substance abuse and addiction may exhibit odd behaviors such as aggression, paranoia, and other erratic behaviors. They may also find themselves becoming more withdrawn or socially isolated, especially when it comes to activities that they used to previously enjoy doing.
Social and Relationship Effects
As you can imagine, these mental and behavioral changes can have a negative impact not just on the person suffering, but also on those closest to the person. This includes friends, family members, loved ones, and even co-workers.
Unfortunately, it is far too common for substance abuse and addiction to result in broken relationships, including divorce, family discord, and social isolation due to trust issues, communication breakdowns, and financial strains.
Legal and Financial Consequences
Substance abuse often comes with the added risk of legal problems like arrest and incarceration. Even if the substance is obtained legally, like prescription medication or alcohol, there are still legal risks such as a DUI.
These legal issues often come with significant financial consequences as well such as going into financial debt to pay legal fees and loss of job due to an arrest.
Preventative Measures and Education
Preventative measures and education are essential in combating the long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse. Awareness programs, early intervention, and access to mental health services can help prevent the onset of addiction. Education about the dangers of substance abuse can reduce the likelihood of initial experimentation and support systems are crucial for those struggling with addiction.
Learn More About the Long-Term Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse at Granite Mountain
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, it is important to get them the help they need before it is too late.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment services and how we can get you or your loved one on the road to recovery.
