What Are the Medical Consequences of Drug Use? Extended alcohol or drug abuse has significant medical consequences. The long term effects of substance abuse include serious problems with friends and family, health, the law, and work or school. Some of the most commonly abused controlled substances include alcohol, hallucinogens, marijuana, other drugs, opiates and stimulants. These drugs may induce symptoms as far-reaching as short term memory loss and death. If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs or alcohol, there are many affordable treatment centers available to help. Alcohol Alcoholism is one of the leading causes of death. It relates to the deaths of over 200,000 people in the U.S. each year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.¹ Heavy use of alcohol for an extended period of time affects every part of the body, and can be linked to cirrhosis, fatty liver, gastritis, and hepatitis, as well as increased risk for death, heart disease, and stroke. Hallucinogens The most common kinds of hallucinogens include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin mushrooms, and peyote. Only small amounts of these substances are needed to cause powerful hallucinations in the user.² This may lead to a “bad trip” that could involve anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Years later these effects could return in the form of a flashback. Marijuana Marijuana or cannabis is one of the most frequently used drugs in the U.S. The active ingredient in cannabis, THC, has been approved to treat certain health problems by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, chronic use of marijuana may cause anxiety, decreased coordination, lack of interest, insomnia, irritability, and a weakening of the immune system. Opiates Opiates are a class of drugs, like codeine, heroin, methadone, opium, and oxycodone, which lessen pain, sedate the user, and cause an intense feeling of euphoria. In high doses they may induce a coma, respiratory depression, and death. Opiate addicts are at a high risk of becoming infected with contagious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. Other Drugs Other prevailing types of drugs include club drugs such as methylenedioxyphenethylamine (MDMA), often called ecstasy or molly. MDMA increases the heart rate, and in overdoses the body loses the ability to regulate its temperature, causing death.³ Other frequently abused types of drugs are ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), and even Rohypnol, the date rape drug. Stimulants Stimulants work by stimulating the central nervous, which causes an inability to sleep, decreased appetite, and an increased heart rate. Types of “uppers” such as amphetamines, cocaine, and methamphetamine all have this effect. Abuse of stimulants leads to destruction of the nasal membrane, depression, heart problems, schizophrenia, skin ulcers, and more.
The long term abuse of drugs and alcohol can have devastating effects on users and their loved ones. Many people suffer the consequences of a substance abuse problem because they do not know they have access to low cost drug rehab centers. Help drug and alcohol addicts to avoid health problems such as these at affordable drug treatment centers. Company Bio: Yellowstone Recovery has been one of the most affordable Orange County rehab centers for over 17 years. Their facility in Costa Mesa offers a comprehensive range of recovery services, from detoxification to inpatient treatment and sober living. To come home to recovery in southern California, call 1-888-904-3520, or visit http://www.yellowstonerecovery.com/. Sources: 1. http://www.csuchico.edu/cadec/drugFree/consequences.shtml 2. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001945.htm 3. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasy-or-molly